Run the London Marathon and help Scotland’s animals

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Miss out on a ballot space for the London Marathon? Sign up to a charity space and help animals in Scotland! The Scottish SPCA is offering runners the opportunity of a lifetime to experience one of the world’s largest running events while supporting Scotland’s unwanted, abandoned and neglected animals.

With the ballot for the race closed, this could be the final chance for people to take part.

Scotland’s animal welfare charity is inviting local people to take up the challenge of running 26.2 miles while making a real difference to the lives of animals.

Alison Macbeth from Newton Mearns, who recently took part in the Loch Ness Marathon in September, has already signed up to the London Marathon in April to help save animals like her beloved dog Oatis.

Alison (pictured above) said, “Oatis was found as a stray with a badly deformed back leg and was in a terrible state.

“I’m looking forward to running the London marathon for the Scottish SPCA as I’m so grateful to them for saving my dog’s life.

“The Scottish SPCA nursed him back to health although sadly he had to have his back leg amputated.

“Oatis is now incredibly fit and healthy and loves nothing more than swimming at the beach and chasing his ball. We cannot imagine life without him.”

Balerno Centre Manager, Diane Aitchison, said, “We have a huge amount of respect for anyone who sets themselves the goal of training for and running a marathon, as it’s a massive achievement.

“By taking part in fundraising events like this, people are helping us to care for more unwanted, abandoned and neglected animals.

“We don’t receive any government or lottery funding which means we rely on the public to be able to continue our work rescuing and rehoming animals in desperate need of our help.

“Anyone who takes a Scottish SPCA charity place at the London Marathon will be helping save lives.”

For further information on the Virgin London Marathon 2017 please call the Scottish SPCA’s fundraising team on 03000 999 999 (option 4), email fundraising@scottishspca.org or visit the website: https://www.scottishspca.org/events/london-marathon-2016/

 

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Help find a new home for Henry

henry

The Scottish SPCA is seeking a special home for a cat who has faced over 200 days of rejection. Henry, a black and white male, came into the care of the charity’s Balerno centre in March after he was found as a stray with injuries to his face.

Seven months on, Henry has attracted very little interest from potential new owners and staff are keen to find him the home he needs.

Centre Manager Diane Aitchison said, “Henry is a special boy who is seeking a peaceful home in the countryside as he is not keen on people or other animals.

“He is his own boss and although he is happy to tolerate us, he can act angrily at times.

“As Henry is really not comfortable around people, he is looking for a special person who will understand his personality and can let him do his own thing. He’d be ideally suited to a farm or rural type home where he can come and go as he pleases.

“It is heart-breaking to see Henry languishing in a cattery when he would love to be out exploring the countryside.

“Henry seems to have had a traumatic time in the past and we just hope there is someone out there who can offer him a second chance at happiness.”

Anyone who can offer Henry the home he needs is being asked to contact the Scottish SPCA’s Balerno centre on 03000 999 999.

Give a helping hand this Halloween

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The Scottish SPCA is appealing to kind hearted people in Edinburgh to fundraise on Halloween weekend at their local Pets at Home store. Volunteers are urgently being sought to support the Scottish SPCA by raising funds at Pets at Home stores from Friday 28 to Sunday 30 October.

Scottish SPCA Senior Community Fundraiser Sharon Meiklejohn said, “We’re calling out to all of animal lovers with a bit of spare time during the Halloween weekend to get in touch.

“With support from our Halloween helpers, we’ll be able to rescue animals in danger and distress, find animals new homes, investigate cruelty, help take people responsible for abuse and neglect to court and prevent cruelty through our free education programme for Scottish schools.

“We’ll also provide all volunteers with their very own fundraising pack with everything they need to take part. Volunteers may even wish to get into the Halloween fundraising spirit by dressing up as their favourite animal and they can even bring a canine companion along.

“As a charity that receives no government or lottery funding, we rely entirely on donations to continue our work rescuing and rehoming thousands of animals in Scotland each year.”

John Murasev, a regular volunteer for the Society, said, “I enjoy raising money at my local Pets at Home store to help abused and injured animals in Scotland. It’s a great way to chat to people in my local area and you’ll be surprised at how generous people are!”

For more information on Scottish SPCA fundraising events please email fundraising@scottishspca.org

 

Guinea pig found dumped

Oreo dumped near Edinburgh tip

Oreo when found

The Scottish SPCA is appealing for information after a guinea pig was abandoned in Edinburgh. A member of the public found the pet in its carrier on Old Dalkeith Road on Saturday (20 August).

The guinea pig is currently being cared for at the charity’s rescue and rehoming centre in Lanarkshire, where he has been named Oreo.

Senior Inspector Jenny Scott said, “Whoever dumped Oreo couldn’t have known he would be found by someone who would help him. He was left in his open carrier on a grassy area across from Craigmillar Park near the tip. His carrier (above) had a few wisps of hay in it and there was an empty water bottle lying on its side. The poor thing didn’t have any bedding in his carrier either.

“Oreo is a lovely boy who is full of fun and mischief. He also appears in good condition. We’re now hoping to find this sweet boy a new home with an owner who is committed to caring for him for the rest of his life. If anyone has any information about who may have dumped Oreo or is interested in giving him a loving new home, we’d ask them to call us on 03000 999 999.”

Abandoning an animal is an offence under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 and anyone found guilty of doing so can expect to be banned from keeping animals for a fixed period or life.

 

Volunteer and help Scotland’s animals

Volunteer

The Scottish SPCA is appealing to kind-hearted people in Edinburgh to help raise funds for abused, abandoned and injured animals by volunteering. Scotland’s animal welfare charity is urging locals to get involved this Scottish Animal Week, which runs from 5-11 September, by shaking a collection tin in their area. Continue reading Volunteer and help Scotland’s animals

SSPCA: Don’t give pets as Christmas gifts

“Our message is simple: a pet is a lifelong commitment and not a present which can be given at Christmas and then forgotten about soon afterwards.” – Ch Supt Mike Flynn, SSPCA

Kitten Scottish SPCA

The Scottish SPCA is advising people not to buy pets as Christmas presents for fear of a surge in abandonments. Continue reading SSPCA: Don’t give pets as Christmas gifts