Motorcycle Ridout: Thanks and Pictures August 24, 2011
Posted by Jonathan Mitchell in : Events , comments closedThanks to everyone who came to, helped organise, and contributed in any way to this year’s Quay Vipers Motorcycle Rideout. We couldn’t do it without you! The amount raised will follow soon.
Take a look at some pictures of the day below.
Rebuilding the Sanctuary Brick by Brick August 16, 2011
Posted by Jonathan Mitchell in : Appeals , add a commentMid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary has closed its doors – but all for a good cause. It has just embarked upon an ambitious £600,000 rebuild project which will vastly improve the comfort of the 100-plus residents in its care.
Since opening in a few farm outbuildings in 1996, Mid-Antrim has cared for thousands of Northern Ireland’s least fortunate cats and dogs and has worked hard to find them new, loving homes. But the time has now come where its premises are no longer fit for purpose; indeed the harsh winter of 2010/11 highlighted the urgent need to upgrade the Sanctuary’s facilities as pipes burst and water bowls froze solid.
As Mid-Antrim is entirely funded by the generosity of the Northern Ireland people and receives no Government help or funding to help with its annual running costs of £220,000, it has been difficult to find the extra money needed to improve its kennel and cattery accommodation. However, over time, the Sanctuary has managed to raise an amazing £1/2 million plus towards making the lives of its residents more bearable and it is now in a position to demolish the existing building and erect a new, purpose-built Sanctuary in its place.
In order to raise the final £100,000 needed for this project, Mid-Antrim is launching its “Buy A Brick” Appeal, whereby members of the public and local businesses can show their support for the Sanctuary and help rebuild it brick by brick.
Chairperson Grace Orbinson, says: “Just about everyone I speak to has either adopted a pet from the Sanctuary in the past or knows someone who has. Pets add so much to their owners’ lives and people hate to think of them suffering in inadequate living conditions. Now is their chance to show their support for our work in a tangible way: for as little as £5. they can go onto our website or ring us up and pledge to “Buy A Brick” for the new Sanctuary. There is so much goodwill out there for the Sanctuary that I honestly believe this campaign can raise the final £100,000 needed and turn our dreams into a reality”.
How YOU can help:
There are several ways you can donate. We have collected these under three main methods:
PHONE: Call us on
ONLINE: Go to justgiving.com/MAASBuyaBrick and make your donation
TEXT:
Thank you in advance for all your support. We wouldn’t be where we are today without the goodwill and generosity of the public, and we hope you will continue to do so, by placing one brick upon another, demonstrating our shared commitment to the welfare of the animals of Northern Ireland.
UPDATE: Since are currently without internet connection, email response time will be longer, and buy-a-brick ‘virtual bricks’ will be delayed until we are back online. Thanks!
Coffee Morning and Sale August 1, 2011
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Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary Motorcycle Rideout 2011 July 30, 2011
Posted by Jonathan Mitchell in : Events , add a commentRIDERS: Scroll down for important information.
N.B.: Due to the recent closure of the Sanctuary for renovations, the final meeting point this year is Module Road and Race, 3 Windmill Court, Greystone Road, Antrim (first right after exiting Greystone Roundabout).
Sanctuary closing soon as rebuild set to commence July 16, 2011
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Notice to our all supporters: Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary will be closing temporarily on Friday 22 July. Our new build is scheduled to commence on 15 August and, if all goes according to plan, we hope to re-open to a fantastic new Sanctuary will excellent facilities for all our residents at New Year. During the re-build, our long-term animals will all be moved together to another location to ensure minimum disruption and upset for them.
We will still be contactable via phone, email and Facebook.
Our charity shop in Church Street, Antrim remains open (10am – 4pm Monday-Saturday) and will be accepting donations for the Sanctuary.
Thank you all for your continued support and we look forward to welcoming you to our re-opening event (date to be confirmed).
Sponsored Dog Walk 2011 June 2, 2011
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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
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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.
