Baglady Joins in plea to end Disposable Society May 26, 2011
Posted by Jonathan Mitchell in : Stories , add a comment“…animal rights must not only be an idea but a social movement for the liberation of the world’s most oppressed beings, both in terms of numbers and in the severity of their pain.” Steven Best
The thought of an unwanted child placed on the internet as ‘Free to a Home’ is not only shocking for our society, but is a disgusting concept which beggars belief. Why then, in this caring, modern culture, do we witness living creatures being bought, sold, dumped, given away, put to sleep or being allowed to slowly starve through neglect and cruelty?
Volunteer Natasha Lowry with Baglady
Baglady has joined the call for ALL living creatures to be afforded the same basic rights; as found in the Five Freedoms, listed below.
- Freedom from hunger and thirst
- Freedom from discomfort
- Freedom from pain, injury and disease
- Freedom to behave normally
- Freedom from fear and distress
Farm, wild or companion animals suffering is appalling to us all – we distance ourselves from it, and shirk responsibility. Yet this is what happens to these beautiful creatures every day. Government in our ‘first world’ country goes to great lengths to secure the safety and dignity of human lives, yet inhumane puppy farming and feral cat colonies are allowed to spiral out of control unchecked, and are moreover legal (see above: Baglady pictured with a disposable pup, dumped at our gates).
A blind eye is turned to the inevitable outcome. Hoards of unwanted, inbred but harmless creatures are considered pests. Cats are put in the same category as insect and rodent infestations; yet man spent centuries domesticating this animal for his own pleasure. Likewise with our canine friends; by controlling breed and temperament, we decide on suitable breeds and strains, leaving nature to watch as breathing problems develop and bone structure deteriorates.
The responsibility and guilt rests squarely on the shoulders of mankind; therefore it is the hope of Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary and friends, like Baglady, that their plight can not only be recognised and addressed, but completely erased. They both deserve, and have earned, our respect and care. It is our duty as a civilised society to protect each living creature to the same degree, regardless of breed, species or condition. It is within our means. Standing idly by as creatures are disposed of in the same care-free fashion of a crisp bag is damaging to our world. By denying responsibility we are staring our own greed in the face.
Diane Wilson Secretary ‘Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary’
Dog of the Week: Donard May 17, 2011
Posted by Jonathan Mitchell in : Latest News , add a comment
Donard
This is Donard, he’s is a 3 year old neutered tri-colour Foxhound. Donard is your typical hound always on the go. He is very loving, affectionate and eager to please, he’s full of energy, and this would mean he would need an owner who is very active to keep up with his energy. Donard does like a friend to play along with and doesn’t like to be on his own for long periods of time.
If you think you can offer Donard his forever loving home, please contact Mid Antrim Animal Sanctuary or ring on 028 94463993 for more information.
Volunteers Wanted! May 17, 2011
Posted by Jonathan Mitchell in : Appeals , add a comment
If you are interested in becoming a Charity Shop Volunteer and raising much needed funds for the residents of the Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary, please apply for an application form by contacting the manager on: 028 94466144
Or, by writing to:
Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary Charity Shop,
31 Church Street,
.Antrim.
BT41 4BE
Your help would be greatly appreciated!
Foster Homes Urgently Required May 17, 2011
Posted by Jonathan Mitchell in : Appeals , add a comment
The Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary is desperately seeking loving Foster Carers to house 7 *FIV and 2 *FELV cats. These beautiful adult felines must be kept indoors; all their veterinary bills will be covered by the Sanctuary, so your only input will be to love them, be the recipient of their boundless affection and, of course, the household duties which come with any pet.
A home check, as with any resident, will apply though, in these circumstances, the criteria dictates that built-up/busy areas will be considered – as the cats MUST remain indoors, permanently.
Please contact Margaret or Shane on: 028 94463993.
If you do not receive an answer, please leave a message – with your contact details – and we will return your call.
Thank you to the Marathon Heroes! May 10, 2011
Posted by Jonathan Mitchell in : Events , 1 comment so far
Sanctuary volunteers with Shane Steele (white t-shirt, on the right) and Sanctuary residents.
Click any image to zoom in.
A league of highly motivated members of the Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary, spurred-on and headed by Shane Steele (Sanctuary Kennel Assistant), took part and completed the Belfast Marathon on Monday the 2nd of May in gruelling temperatures which exceeded 19°C!
The group of 32 animal loving competitors raised an astonishing sum of over £5,000.00 for the Sanctuary residents! Every penny of this awe-inspiring sum will benefit the lives of over 120 residents to an extraordinary extent.
Clare Walker, Shelagh Gormley & Jane Hilland with the pups
Within the last few days 3 tiny reasons why this money is so important were dumped at the Sanctuary doors. Too young to have left their mothers, three pups (left), barely a month old, find themselves pushing the already crammed facilities beyond capacity. These orphans will need round-the-clock care, a special diet and medical treatment making the funds raised through the hard work and training of the supporters all the more relevant.
Margaret Wade (manager), Tess (the German Shepherd) & Shane Steele (kennel assistant).
With every new comer, there is an ageing old timer, whose needs are just as pertinent. Tess (right) was taken in by the Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary in the year 2000, as her eyesight had started to fade. 11 years later, Tess is completely blind and dependent on her devoted carers. She maintains a standard of living which is not only enjoyable, but stimulating and comfortable. Without her routine, friends, dietary supplements and medical attention her story would be very different, if not tragic. As anyone who owns a pet knows, having a dog or a cat means having a duty of care and the ability to cover expense. Tess had not been ‘worth it’ in her original home.
Firmount Fliers: Fergal Dillon (Vet), Paul Chapman (Antrim Dog Warden), John Lavery (Vet) & Janine Brownlees (Veterinary Nurse).
At the Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary every member of staff, every volunteer, and every supporter is committed to care. Every resident is ‘worth it’ so with this in mind Shane and his committed crew achieved much more than a marathon, they achieved a minor miracle. Sustaining, medicating and loving an ever-growing brood of society’s unnoticed members in the face of economic belt-tightening is a task which reflects the determination involved in running the longest marathon.
Our younger volunteers who took part in the Fun Run.
Running the full 26 miles:
- Shane Steele (in 3hrs 35mins), Jason Parker (in 3hrs 55mins) and Vivienne Scott.
Relay teams:
- Firmount Fliers: Janine Brownlees, Sarah Blelock, Fergal Dillon, Paul Chapman and John Lavery (4hrs 18mins).
- MAAS 1: Zara Morrow, Karen Morrow, Caroline Shaw, Pauline Nicholl and Veronika Opocenska (4hrs 59mins).
- MAAS 2: Aiden Howe, Helen Norton, Valerie Gamble, David Millar and Jackie Montgomery (4hrs 47mins).
- MAAS 3: Gary Baxendale, Michelle Baxendale, Lorena Wilson, Darren Sales and Lyndsay McNiece (5hrs).
Dog of the Week: Archie May 7, 2011
Posted by Jonathan Mitchell in : Dog of the Week , 2 comments
Archie
This is Archie; he is a 2 year old neutered Staffordshire bull terrier. He was brought into the Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary as an unclaimed stray from the pound. Archie is a brilliant natured dog and just loves a lot of attention and walks, and when you give him a handful of biscuits he’ll give you a slobbery kiss in return. Archie would need a home where the owners have experience of the breed as he has typical teenager problems, such as ‘selective hearing’. To find out more about Archie visit Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary or give us a call 028 94463993.
