89 Spring 2015 Price £2 (free to members) animalwa ch PUTTING ANIMALS ON THE AGENDA OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

ASWA COMMITTE ELECTIONS

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF WOOD GREEN

ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES

ASWA.ORG.UK | 1 IN THIS ISSUE

A WARM WELCOME 3

ASWA COMMITTEE ELECTIONS 5 7

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF WOOD GREEN 7 SWAN RESCUE 9 9 ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES 11

Cover image courtesy of Hillside Animal Sanctuary. Used with permission. 11

Sunday 7 June Animal blessing service, DORIS’ DIARY Animal blessing service, St Andrew’s United Church, Craigiebuckler Church Hall, Kirton in Lindsey, Lincolnshire, Hello! My name is Doris, and I Springfield Road, Aberdeen, 3pm. 3pm. am a Border Leicester ewe with Sunday 14 June Annual pet service, Great Malvern very large ears! I was rescued by Animal blessing service, Priory, 3pm. Contact Mary ASWA secretary Sam Chandler, St Lawrence, North Hinksey, Weatherill, parish secretary, for as I had outlived my usefulness Oxford, 3pm. Preacher: more details (greatmalvernpriory@ as a breeding ewe. Revd Dr Martin Henig. me.com). Sunday 4 October for further details of events, please Below are some great events ewe Animal Welfare Sunday. visit the website: www.aswa.org.uk may enjoy! ASWA Annual Service, Newcastle Sunday 8 March Cathedral (time TBA). Preacher: Animal service, St Nicholas, Snitterby, The Rt Revd James Jones, former Lincolnshire, 11am. of Liverpool and ASWA Patron. This is NOT an animal Saturday 16 May blessing service. ASWA Annual General Meeting, St Michael’s Church, 4 Chester Square, London, SW1W 9HH, 11am. The guest speaker will be Vanessa Amaral-Rogers from BugLife (the Invertebrate Conservation Trust).

Monday 18 to Thursday 21 May Annual Ecumenical Animal Welfare Retreat, Noddfa, North Wales. For more information, please contact Mrs Irene Casey, [email protected].

Sunday 31 May Animal blessing service, St Michael & All Angels, Watford, 3pm. Preacher: Revd Dr Martin Henig, ASWA Vice- President.

2 | ASWA.ORG.UK HELLO AND WELCOME TO ANIMALWATCH

Welcome to Animalwatch. Our focus in this issue is animal rescue. Many of our readers support various animal rescue centres and societies, and we thought it was right to commission articles that give us an insight into their work. You will also find in this issue information about those standing for places on the ASWA committee at the 2015 AGM. Also included with this issue is a cardboard collection box. We hope that our members might be able to put these boxes out in church or elsewhere to help us to collect funds to support ASWA’s work. We suggest that members bank any cash collected and send ASWA a cheque for the equivalent amount. Thank you to all of our readers who completed the Animalwatch survey. The results are being analysed and will be reported in the next issue. We hope that you enjoy keeping up-to-date with news and information on our website. Do check regularly for resources and information about upcoming events. Please do make a note of the dates in Doris’ Diary – especially the AGM in May. We hope to see you there. Please send any items for consideration for Animalwatch to Revd Jennifer Brown, Editor, PO Box 7193, Hook, Hampshire, RG27 8GT. Email is even better – [email protected]. Please note that, owing to space restrictions, it may not be possible to print all contributions, and that letters and other contributions may be edited for length. Jennifer Brown, Editor The deadline for the Summer magazine is Monday 25th May 2015.

ASWA SPEAKERS EMAIL ADDRESSES ASWA AVAILABLE PLEASE! Envelopes

If you have a group or service that ASWA is updating its membership If you are would welcome an ASWA speaker, we records to include email addresses. planning would love to hear from you! We often This will keep the ASWA membership an ASWA animal travel a fair distance so please call to better informed of our activities and service, discuss it. We usually bring a stall and expand our influence to help animals. don’t forget there are ASWA Donation literature and always liaise with our Envelopes for you to give out at those services. Just put “ASWA email address (and hosts to ensure the talk is appropriate For more information please contact: your name)” in the subject line and for their particular audience. Keep the Tel/Fax: 01252 843093 send it to: Email: [email protected] invitations rolling in! [email protected] Thank you to all those who have already done this in response to the appeal in previous issues.

Anne Finch, Bembridge, Hampshire Mr B. Patterson, South Shields

A Warm Welcome to our new members. David Hector, Whitchurch, Cardiff Fiona Rosen, Colindale, London We look forward to hearing from you. J. Hinman, Worthing, Sussex Charlotte Swift, Edinburgh, Midlothian Jane Anderson, North Springfield, Sarah Hird, Harrowgate, Chelmsford North Yorkshire Joanne Wakelin, Papakowhai, New Zealand Frances N. Brown, Bromeswell, Amber Lewis, Liverpool, Merseyside Suffolk Jennifer Williams, Deanshanger, Lindsey M. Lindley, Rickham, Milton Keynes Lorna Cockrill, Banbridge, East Portlemouth, Devon Co Down, Northern Ireland To all our new members we Judi Marsh, Charlton Kings, extend a warm welcome A. Coleman, Headley Down, Cheltenham and, along with our existing Bordon members, we would ask that Shona McCarthy, Noble Park you encourage others who share Belinda Cooper, St Dogmaels, North, Victoria, Australia your concern for animal welfare Cardigan, Pembrokeshire to join. Introductory leaflets are available from the Secretary.

ASWA.ORG.UK | 3 GOOD NEWS

Court recognises animal rights

In December 2014, Reuters news agency reported that a court in Argentina had ruled that an orangutan held in a zoo there could be freed and allowed to live in a sanctuary, recognising that the ape had rights as a “non-human person”, among which is the right to be free from unlawful imprisonment. While this decision may yet be overturned on appeal, the very fact that a court was willing to hear the case and make such a ruling is a positive development, and may lead to more animals’ rights being acknowledged in law, not only in Argentina, but around the world.

• The Watford group meets monthly. Members come from as far as Tring, Milton NEWS & NOTICES Keynes and Chesham to this group. The contact for this group is Sarah Dunning Don’t forget, you Bishop of Oxford retires (01923-467502). can follow ASWA on The Rt Revd John Pritchard, ASWA Patron, In addition, there is an Ecumenical group, retired as Bishop of Oxford on 31st October the Three Counties Animal Welfare Prayer Twitter – aswanews Group, who meet for a service at Gloucester You can also keep up with 2014, but we are delighted that he has Cathedral at 12.15 on the first Saturday of what’s new via our website – agreed to continue as a Patron of ASWA. each month. The contact for the ecumenical www.aswa.org.uk. Bishop John is a pastor who sees life in all its group is the Revd Helen Hall (01633- Check the website for the latest resources for complexity, and that has included the world 677775 or [email protected]). youth & children. of animals and nature. Whenever possible he has used not the usual gilt crozier but ASWA is always keen to support the formation ASWA AGM a genuine northern shepherd’s crook, for of new groups. If you are interested in The annual general meeting will be taking he has a close understanding and rapport starting a group in your area, please contact place on Saturday 16 May, 11am at with sheep in their upland pastures as well the Secretary. St Michael’s Church, 4 Chester Square, as people. We give thanks for his episcopal Meat-free Lent London, SW1W 9HH. The guest speaker ministry, and rejoice in his ongoing support will be Vanessa Amaral-Rogers, Campaigns for ASWA and his love for God’s creation. Once again, ASWA is encouraging our Officer for BugLife (the Invertebrate ASWA Local groups members to take part in meat-free Lent. Conservation Trust). Abstaining from meat during Lent is an Don’t forget that there are ASWA local ancient Christian practice, and can be a New ASWA merchandise groups in different areas. useful spiritual discipline. Going without can A new ASWA badge, featuring the new ASWA • The Oxford group has not met recently, help us to value, rather than take for granted, logo, is now available. These cost £1.50 but hopes to begin meeting again soon. the food that we eat and the creatures from and are available through the ASWA website The aim is to meet quarterly in venues whom it comes. Already a vegetarian? Why or can be ordered by sending a cheque to around the Oxford diocese. The contact not go for a vegan Lent? Let us know how the ASWA Secretary. for the group is Revd Martin Henig you get on. Awards for NOWZAD Dogs founder ([email protected]). Correction Pen Farthing, founder of NOWZAD Dogs, • The Surrey/South London group meets In the article on live exports from has been awarded both the CNN Hero of the monthly on either Friday or Saturday Australia (Animalwatch, Autumn 2014), Year Award for 2014 and the American Dog afternoons at 2pm. The contact for this we inadvertently stated that Animals Rescue ’s 2014 Humanitarian group is Janice Hoyle (01372-842884). Asia conducted an investigation into the Award. Pen will be familiar to many ASWA • The Suffolk group meets bi-monthly on the treatment of animals exported to Indonesia. members as a speaker at our annual third Wednesday at 7.30pm at Stowmarket This should have read Animals Australia. We Remembrance service. parish church. The contact for the group is apologise for the error. Peta Whiting (01449 677766 or peta@ kimberleyhall.biz).

The Visitor He strode into the sitting room, which I POETS’ CORNER I heard a noise outside my door and I guess thought was rather bold; it wasn’t wise I’d only offered him a meal and shelter from Poet’s Corner continues to generate positive But I opened it and there he stood, a little the cold. feedback from our readers. If you have an angel in disguise. He looked around, seemed to approve and original poem that you would like to submit He was small and thin and shivering; had chose my favourite chair. for consideration, please do send it to the large, round, pleading eyes. He snuggled down and fell asleep; he looked editor (see contact details in ‘Hello and So I let him in to warm himself, again not so comfy there. Welcome’, p3). Please note that poems must very wise. As I watched him sleep contentedly I suddenly be the contributor’s own work. If previously But I couldn’t leave him in the cold, not a realised that published, evidence that the author retains little scrap that size. By opening my door tonight copyright and right to republish must be I offered him some food to eat which I’ve got myself a cat. provided. vanished in a wink. Then a small burp made me smile. A. Coleman The way he ate made me think He hadn’t eaten in a while. 4 | ASWA.ORG.UK ASWA COMMITTEE ELECTIONS It’s Election time again! There is, Hugh Broadbent: joined ASWA in 2001. Jennifer was however, no postal voting form in Hugh has served ordained in the in this issue of Animalwatch because as an ordained 2005, and is currently on the teaching at the time of going to press there priest in the Church staff of Ripon College Cuddesdon, were fewer candidates for committee of England since work that she combines with the post places than there were vacancies. 1979. In 2009 he of Science Missioner for the Churn The three candidates looking to became Rector of All Saints with Christ Benefice in South Oxfordshire. She stand for another three-year term Church, Snodland. He is married to has been the editor of Animalwatch are Mrs Jenny White for Treasurer; Jane, a palliative care physician, and since 2011, and was responsible for Revd Hugh Broadbent for committee has two grown-up children. drafting the animal welfare factsheets member; and Revd Jennifer Brown introduced by ASWA for Animal His interest in animal welfare and his for committee member. There are no Welfare Sunday in 2014. Jennifer concern for the enormous problems of new candidates this year. sees care for our fellow creatures cruelty and abuse that we face in this as very much a part of the Christian ASWA committee members are modern world arose whilst he was a calling. She lives in Oxfordshire with trustees, which means they have in Chatham. He became aware her husband, dog and cat. legal duties and responsibilities. of these issues through an encounter The tasks of the committee are to with an ASWA member living in the Two long-serving committee members, manage the day-to-day running parish. He joined ASWA and a year or Simon July and Barry Miles, have of ASWA, including the planning of so later was invited to join the central both decided to stand down from the ASWA services, commissioning and committee. committee this year. We thank them producing informational material, for their many years of service and Hugh provides theological managing the budget, organising their contributions to ASWA’s work. contributions to the committee and fund-raising events and the production has written all the orders of service The deadline for applications to stand of Animalwatch, to name but a few. for our annual services over a number for election to the ASWA committee next You will find information about the of years, as well as a number of year (2016) is 15th January 2016, but candidates below: discussion booklets. In particular, we ask that you contact the Secretary Jenny White: he was directly responsible for the by the end of December 2015 in Jenny has been preparation of our Animal Welfare order to facilitate getting profiles Treasurer since Sunday Order of Service publication of candidates into Animalwatch on 2006. She is and the comprehensive ‘Animal time. Candidates must be willing to married with two Welfare Patterns of Worship’. attend three committee meetings a grown up children year, which are held in London, and Jennifer Brown: and works full- must be proposed and seconded - Originally from time supporting her husband in his preferably by existing ASWA members the USA, Jennifer specialist engineering consultancy. or a member of the clergy who knows moved to the Jenny shares her home with her you well. UK in 1999 and husband and two dogs. MISS FOX Three years ago, one of my clients epilepsy, and requires daily treatment her medical condition mean that she telephoned to ask me to come around, with antiepileptic drugs. She is very would not survive in the wild. So she is as they had a fox that kept following friendly, and we can handle her stuck with us and we with her. Not that them around the garden and trying to without any difficulty. As can be seen we mind, as she is a veritable delight. get into their house. When I got there, in the photo, she is often carried by I found a young vixen. I brought her one of my granddaughters. Children David Coffey MRCVS back to the surgery to find that she coming to the surgery are delighted had several open wounds all down her when we let them stroke her, although spine, and was covered in hundreds some mums are a little nervous and of maggots that my wife and I spent sometimes aghast. Miss Fox has the two or three hours removing. My wife run of the ground floor at night, the promptly named her Miss Fox. We time she is most active, but also runs feared for her survival, as she was in our garden during the day, to her quite weak and very poorly. We had obvious delight. to help her feed, as she was too weak My wife and I would prefer that Miss to eat by herself. Fox go free, as we both disapprove of Fortunately, she recovered with the the keeping of wild animals as pets, help of antibiotics, and has lived with but her history (I suspect that she us ever since. Sadly, she suffers from may have been hand-reared) and

ASWA.ORG.UK | 5 NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

SWEDEN: about 300 trees on two small islands. Police are investigating the crime and Human impact on farm deem it as a gross hunting crime and animals, wildlife and dogs also a crime against a species which needs protecting. The National Board This report consists of four newsflashes: for all counties in Sweden has decided 1) slaughter, 2) endangered species, 3) to cancel any culling this year due to cormorants, and 4) “entertainment”. the crime committed. What seems to be Europe’s first mobile The start of a new TV-show called slaughter-system-on-wheels has been “Hunted by dogs” has been launched introduced in Sweden. Three lorries on channel 3. People are hunted by equipped with slaughter and abattoir dogs whilst trying to find treasures facilities are now being introduced. that have been hidden. The show has One lorry has a modern slaughter caused some concern in that the dogs system in which the animal is killed are forced to be aggressive and made and in the other lorries the carcasses to be “fierce trackers” of humans are hung and frozen. In an article, a running. The show seems to exploit a real pang when he is eventually spokeswoman for the system says that both people and animals. dispatched, as he surely will be. I felt the main two reasons for this is that Sandra Kinley acutely the pain of so much slaughter it is better for the animals and gives for Christmas meat here. higher quality of meat as the animals are not stressed before slaughter. UGANDA: In November we had another mobile This mobile slaughter is considered USPCA clinic in our town. The offer of free neutering and vaccinations to be the way of the future. Some Admiring God’s creatures meat producers also wish to shoot brought many along. The message is the livestock whilst they are grazing. I am still finding it hard to live so getting through to some. One poor This is, however, according to Swedish close to the reality of so much cruelty dog (pictured) was brought in for interpretation of EU regulations, towards animals in Africa. Living so spaying and whilst on the (makeshift) forbidden, although in Germany the close to nature has also made me table − on the veranda of a Roman way the law is interpreted makes this wonder at the way God programmed Catholic church − the vet noticed she possible and therefore it is done. each species to live and care for their had a chain embedded in her neck. offspring as they do. A mother hen It hadn’t been loosened as she had According to the World Wildlife comes around daily with her brood of grown! He was able to remove it, and Association, half of the world´s chicks and lets them feed before she I have written an article for a national animals have been eradicated in helps herself to the morsels I throw paper and sent pictures to try and only 40 years. Sweden has moved out for them. Prior to Christmas, a raise awareness of what not to do to forward in rating to number ten on the magnificent turkey strutted on our your dog. Unfortunately, the majority scale of worst results. The ecological veranda, requesting food and being of dogs have chains around their footprints are extremely negative and oh so dignified. I was expecting him necks. This story had a happy ending. devastating in relation to population. to be the Christmas Dinner for our She made a complete recovery and Sweden needs to cut down on neighbours, but he is still around and the owners were supplied with a collar consuming and start to protect instead I have come to admire and respect and leash for their animal. Another of abuse nature and wildlife. him. Some of his shed tail feathers victory for the USPCA! Cormorants are birds that may be were so beautiful I used them to Mary Mills found in seaside, fishing or marine adorn our Christmas tree! I shall feel areas, and their existence divides Swedes into two categories. Those who have a “live and let live” approach and those who state with aggressive vehemence the need to exterminate the cormorants. The latter people maintain that the cormorants ruin the fishing trade and take all the fish. Recently in Halsingland, a northern part of Sweden, and extreme act of criminal aggression against a cormorant flock was perpetrated. Over 1000 cormorant chicks were beaten to death after the perpetrators had used chainsaws to chop down

6 | ASWA.ORG.UK A DAY IN THE LIFE OF WOOD GREEN With four centres in North London, welfare team, is only about 10 months old the home. Susie the cat will need a new Heydon, Godmanchester and and seems happy and healthy. home so we make arrangements to take Northampton, Wood Green, the her in. 11.00am: Staff in Heydon discover two Animals takes in around 5,000 cats have been left outside the Thrift shop 3.00pm: A member of the public has animals every year. While no two days in a carrier. Shortly after we receive a found a dog tied to his van and brings her are ever the same, we took a snapshot phone call from a lady who tells us she left to our Godmanchester Centre. As staff of what a typical day on Intake can be them thinking the centre was closed. are checking her over and looking for a like… microchip they notice spots of blood on The cats have apparently been in and 7.00am: The staff start to arrive for the floor, on closer inspection she has a around her garden for the last few weeks work across our four sites. While we ask gaping wound on her chest. She is rushed but despite putting up posters nobody has people who need to bring in their animals straight to our vets who discover she has come forward to claim them. for rehoming to make an appointment an advanced case of mastitis (an infection with us, we are also prepared for some 11.30am: The next appointment arrives of the mammary glands) and has recently unexpected arrivals each day – these in Godmanchester; a man brings in had puppies. Her wounds are cleaned could be strays, or people just turning up his parents’ two-year-old spaniel for and dressed, and she will be taken on on our doorstep, desperate for our help – rehoming as his parents have developed foster by a member of our nursing staff for so we always try to ensure we have kennel dementia. overnight monitoring. or cattery spaces available. 12.00pm: A member of the public arrives 4.15pm: Just as our Heydon staff are 7.30am: A member of staff arriving at at our London centre with an emaciated preparing to go home a lady turns up with our London Centre finds a cat has been cat that she has found collapsed in the 18 guinea pigs! Several of the females are abandoned on the doorstep in a closed road outside a cemetery. The cat’s face pregnant so foster homes will need to be box. After the ordeal he has been through is covered in a foul smelling discharge, found for them, others are not in the best he is extremely timid, and wants to hide one eye is completely shut and she has of health and will need veterinary attention away from everyone. Jack, as he’s been a few small wounds which have become before we can think about rehoming them. named, has no identification chip or tag so infected with maggots. Our vet finds that 4.30pm: It’s been another busy day, with once he has been given a thorough health she is also suffering from cat flu and has a number of unexpected arrivals as well check, and plenty of love and socialisation a secondary infection making her mouth as booked appointments – sadly this is all over the next seven days he will then be ulcerated which means it is difficult for her too common. Animal welfare staff leave able to start looking for a forever home. to eat. Our veterinary and welfare teams for the day knowing that tomorrow there will make her as comfortable as possible 9.00am: Our dog welfare section will be yet more animals needing our help. and continue to monitor her. in Godmanchester has its first intake 7.00pm: A member of public arrives on appointment. Sandy is a poodle cross 12.30pm: In Godmanchester, staff are site with a lurcher she has found running aged 14 weeks and has only been in the preparing for the arrival of a batch of ex- in the road near her home. Sadly, there family home for three days; the new owner caged hens. Every two months we take in was another lurcher with it but it was too has found that she is severely allergic to around 30 hens who are rescued straight nervous to be caught. A member of our Sandy. Although poodles are great for from caged or barn farms. Many of them Protection and Welfare team settles him people with allergies, a cross breed does come to us in poor condition and need into one of our kennels with some nice not guarantee a non-shedding coat. some TLC before they can be put up for warm blankets. Despite this we are certain that such a rehoming, but it’s very rewarding to see lovely, young dog will find a new home how they enjoy their new-found freedom All of the animals featured went on to really quickly. and their return to full health. We also make a full recovery, and most had found take in other breeds of chickens, and loving new homes by the time we went to Sandy will go home with a member of often have up to 50 hens looking for new press. staff overnight and will return to the centre homes from our Godmanchester, Heydon tomorrow so that her assessment and If you’d like to find out more about the and Northampton Centres. health check process can begin properly. work of Wood Green take a look at our website www.woodgreen.org.uk or visit 9.30am: Another appointment, this time one of our centres and meet the animals, at our Heydon Centre. Snoopy and Junior staff and volunteers. are two rabbits in poor condition; the owner has a new baby and is no longer able to care for them properly. She has Linda Cantle & the staff of Wood Green been to two different vets with them to try and find out what is causing their skin conditions, but with no luck. They are taken to our vets who, looking at the rabbits and their medical history, suspect a condition called Treponema cuniculi and start them on a course of antibiotics. 2.00pm: Our cat section in 10.00am: A man arrives for his Godmanchester receives a phone call appointment. He is sadly losing his home from a lady who needs to bring in her so has had to bring his five cats into our daughter’s cat. She explains that her Godmanchester Centre for rehoming. granddaughter has been diagnosed with leukaemia; devastating news for the 10.30am: South Cambridgeshire council whole family. Doctors have told the family bring in a stray Staffie that has been that in order to reduce the risk of infection found. Amos, as he is named by the dog for the little girl there must be no pets in

ASWA.ORG.UK | 7 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor fireworks. Some animals are injured Dear Editor or killed when fleeing across roads, In the Autumn 2014 copy of some continue running for days and Live animal exports is something Animalwatch, the Talking Point topic is become strays or die. We therefore I’ve been helping to campaign FIREWORKS. ask people to consider animals and be against for many years. This cruel trade first came to my notice when, In our province of South Africa, mature in their purchase of fireworks. in the 1990s, it was operating from fireworks are allowed at specified There is no need for great explosive Shoreham Harbour and I joined the times during the festival of Diwali, bangs. It is not only dogs and cats protest demonstrations. It was at the on Guy Fawkes’ night, and on New that are traumatised by fireworks, but Shoreham protests I was fortunate to Year’s Eve. all animals – wild, domestic and farm animals.” meet Dominic Walker (and another For the past few years, residents in the clergyman since deceased) who multi-cultural suburbs of our province Despite many appeals in the media encouraged me to join Compassion have complained bitterly in the media for people to be considerate when in World Farming as a positive way about the indiscriminate use of “big using fireworks, we had the worst to continue the battle against this bang” fireworks, especially during the New Year’s Eve (2013/2014) we have appalling trade ­– which I was able Diwali festival, and on New Year’s ever experienced, with noisy fireworks to do for many years and, later, with Eve. exploding all around the city for hours the indomitable couple, Yvonne and on end. As Christians and custodians Ian Birchall, (who spoke so movingly On 23 and 24 October, 2014, our of all creatures, great and small, we at last years’ ASWA AGM) and their suburbs were again bombarded by feel that it is very inconsiderate and dedicated band of helpers. very noisy explosions during Diwali. disrespectful of residents to subject The Pietermaritzburg SPCA had over neighbours and residents to loud Although much progress has been 22 dogs brought in during this time; fireworks, especially in the name made, thousands of animals still the Kloof SPCA had 45 dogs brought of religion. Repeated calls for “big suffer because of live exports and in. The Manager of our local SPCA bang” fireworks to be banned seem to I’m sure many Animalwatch readers said “Many animals are terrified of have fallen on deaf ears, but we live in sometimes feel ineffectual, as I often fireworks and seldom are animals hope that one day these monstrosities do. It was, therefore, heartening to taken into consideration when people will no longer be available for use, read in Dominic Walker’s sermon at set off these often devastating bangs. and misuse. his advice “...let Not only is the sound of fireworks each one of us all do something no traumatising to pets, it can also result matter how small, because together in behaviour that leads to their injury Anne Hemmings, South Africa we can make a big difference.” or death. Each year, many animals are hurt or killed in an attempt to get away from the bangs of modern-day Beryl Wilkins, Lewes

of things like factory farming or animal comes in. We really hope that as many ASWA NEWS testing. people as possible will bring the scheme to the attention to their worshipping Animal friendly church The AFC scheme is about both raising community and get their church involved. awareness and changing culture in As you all hopefully will have seen from This is an opportunity to work together churches regarding animal welfare the advertisements which have appeared to make a difference. More information matters. We have deliberately made the in the Christian press, ASWA is launching about the scheme is available on the actions within the scheme realistic and its Animal Friendly Church (‘AFC’) scheme. ASWA web site, but if you have any further achievable, regardless of whether finances This is intended to be something akin to questions, please do contact the secretary are healthy or squeezed and whether the Fair Trade Church initiative, which by email or post. has made such a difference to habits parishes are flourishing or struggling. Even and perceptions where trade justice is small changes can have a huge impact in concerned. both practical and economic terms; and they have the additional benefit of starting The point of AFC is to encourage church conversations about important issues. communities to take some practical steps on the journey towards treating God’s All too often, even people who are creatures with the compassion and respect superficially sympathetic towards animal which they deserve and he requires. welfare find excuses not to do anything which would make a tangible difference: Bringing the message that animal ‘It’s all so sad, but what can we do about welfare is a key concern for Christians it?’ The AFC initiative demonstrates that into churches is not always an easy task. there are things which everybody can do, There are those who are sadly dismissive and that these are capable of transforming and close minded where animal welfare the world. Hopefully, it will give the brave matters are concerned. But it is also true animal welfare advocates in our churches that there are many people of goodwill some support and structure in arguing for who simply haven’t thought deeply about change. animal welfare issues before, or who aren’t well informed about the realities This is where the ASWA membership

8 | ASWA.ORG.UK SWAN RESCUE As with all such incidents it started with was going to be a lengthy and difficult a telephone call – a swan was reported process to free this poor swan. However, to be tangled in fishing line at Blackrock what was truly shocking was the fact and appeared unable to move. When the bird was effectively moored to the we arrived we could see the swan – an rocks with about 50 – 60 metres of very adult – no longer in the water, just on heavy duty sea fishing line running up the mud amongst the rocks at least the ‘beach’ but attached at intervals to 300m away – motionless but still alive. some of the large rocks by being itself tangled in seaweed. This made Peter’s Having full appreciation of the dangers retreat back to where I was waiting for involved in working in the Severn him doubly difficult and much more Estuary, we concluded the only option hazardous. we had was to enlist the help of SARA (Severn Area Rescue Association) as they The hook in the swan’s head was just had been very helpful to us in the past. a start. She was unable to raise her SARA is based at Beachley some 8 miles head which was effectively tied over her away on the other side of Chepstow but back because, presumably, as a result there was no sign of life at their HQ of struggling to try to free herself, the and we had no luck ringing any of the line had become tight around her body Swan Rescue South Wales was formed numbers printed outside the building. and wings. Underneath, the situation as a rescue and short-term care centre The tide was falling and as we stood was even more complicated – there more than thirty years ago. In that time there wondering who else we could were more stainless steel barbed hooks many hundreds of calls for help have contact a small fishing boat approached – one close to the central claw of each been received, mostly from members the slipway with one man on board. We web with the whole rig firmly secured of the public but also the police, the explained to him the problem and the in place with an anchoring device Highways Agency, Network Rail, fact the swan would drown unless we involving a very large lead weight plus veterinary practices and other rescue could get to him but the man said he more hooks all of which were firmly centres. Sadly, we no longer work with was going on holiday so couldn’t help. jammed into the bird’s tummy. the RSPCA nor they with us as we do Bearing in mind the problem this swan The hook in the head was buried much not agree with their policy of using was suffering could have been caused too deeply for us to remove in situ euthanasia as a first option rather than by him or one of his friends, we felt very and we knew she would need expert treatment and after care. let down. veterinary treatment. Although it was just Much of our rescue work is in South We returned to Blackrock and quickly over an hour’s away, we decided Wales from Chepstow to Llanelli but decided it was now up to us – or rather to take her to the wildlife hospital near over the last few years the area covered Peter. So equipped with a swan wrap, Taunton, as it was obvious she would has extended into Gloucestershire, a carrier and most importantly a crook need a general anaesthetic and several Herefordshire, Mid Wales, Aberystwyth which might be needed to catch the days in care. After just over two weeks and over the River Severn into Bristol, swan, but would also serve as a prop of recuperation, our swan was ready to Avon, parts of Somerset and Wiltshire. to help him to stay upright in that lethal, return to South Wales. It is an entirely voluntary organisation slippery mud, he set off. The initial This rescue was the worst and most run by two dedicated people who, all approach appeared easy but the last dangerous of all those with which we those years ago, recognised the many 150 metres was a different story. The have been involved over the last thirty hazards our wild birds encounter almost deepest mud Peter found was about plus years. So what are we to do about every day, and responded to the urgent 250 mm (roughly 10”) but he could angling? Our exposure to coarse, game need to do something. Over the years an never be sure of the footing underneath. and now sea fishing persuades us there invaluable network of individual helpers It seemed to take forever for him to are serious rogue elements in all forms has been built up, as have relationships reach the swan but just a short distance of this pastime. But for that phone call, with other rescue organisations from him the swan, a female, showed our swan would have suffered a terrible throughout the country which can be she was very much alive – she hissed. death from drowning due to being called on to attend an incident if they This was brilliant news. As I watched completely ensnared in someone’s are nearer to the problem than the with binoculars from the safety of firm carelessly discarded fishing tackle. And rescuers in South Wales. ground on the bank of the river so many as far as cost is concerned, because thoughts were in my head. I was very One of our most difficult and dangerous all our time and energy is taken up conscious of not knowing what I would rescues was at Blackrock, a small rocky with doing what we do, we don’t have do if things went wrong. promontory protruding into the Severn enough of either left to compute the cost Estuary a short distance to the north It was obvious the swan was in very of this particular episode but we would of the Second Severn Crossing near serious trouble with masses of very be surprised if there was much change Chepstow. It is a feature which is well thick sea fishing line all around her from £300 for this one rescue, even under water at high tide; when the tide body ending in a sizeable stainless steel beofre accounting for our time and that is out the lower rocks are surrounded by barbed hook buried deep in the back of of the wildlife hospital. mud of the very finest consistency and her head. Peter couldn’t assess the full through which any weight sinks until it extent of the entanglement while he was reaches the bedrock below. in such a precarious position amongst Ellen & Peter Kershaw the rocks and mud but it was clear it

ASWA.ORG.UK | 9 international news that is particularly make a difference, however small, to BOOK REVIEW worrying you, the heart may be lifted street dogs. WYLIE by a good-news story, especially one The brave street dog who that involves animals. So it was when Some of the tale may be fiction in I read Wylie. that one may not be certain that the never gave up events described happened exactly as By Pen Farthing Five years ago I read One Dog at a described, although they seem real Time and learned how Pen Farthing, enough. Wylie had his ears removed, Hodder & Stoughton then a Sergeant in the Royal Marines his tail cropped and suffered other ISBN 978-1-444-79958-3 serving in Helmand Prince in torture by those who, although 274pp Hardback Afghanistan, had rescued some stray considering dogs to be unclean, Price £14.99 dogs and brought them to the UK. He nevertheless wished to use him as a subsequently set up the Nowzad Dogs fighting dog. We also learn something Every now and Charity which seeks to rehome street of the bureaucracy which a charity like again life looks dogs from that land. Nowzad faces when it seeks to export bleak. Whether a dog to a country where dogs are it is family or Writing in clearly understood generally loved. work life, the language, Pen tells the story of one economy, political such dog, from the time when he lost Not many books move me to tears; developments (I touch with his mother and siblings this one made me cry – for joy when write this while until, in 2014, as Best Crossbreed on the final pages this dog who has the Scottish Rescue, Wylie won Scruffts. Along the endured so much achieved a high referendum way we meet some of the people who, award. is just over a despite official orders to the contrary, week away) or have taken it upon themselves to John Roll Pickering

20 YEARS OF ASWA REMEMBRANCE This event is now firmly in the ASWA diary each year, so please come along HILLSIDE: 1995–2015 SUNDAY SERVICE and support us in 2015 when we meet on Sunday 8th November at 3.00pm. We hold our service in the afternoon so This year, we at Hillside Animal Sanctuary On Sunday 9th November, ASWA held its that clergy and those who attend their will be celebrating twenty years since fourth Remembrance Service for Animals own church services in the morning can we were founded in 1995 to help and at the Animals’ War Memorial in Park still come to remember the animals in the campaign for animals in need, particularly Lane, London. afternoon. We always lay a special ASWA those that suffer in the intensive factory wreath at the memorial but please feel farming industry. Although we are This year the service was led by ASWA free to bring your own wreaths or flowers primarily a farm animal sanctuary, as Chair, Revd Dr Helen Hall, and we had the if you so wish. many readers will probably know, we also biggest crowd attending to date. We were have lots of horses, ponies and donkeys − delighted that Pen Farthing from Nowzad Samantha Chandler 1200, in fact. Inseparable friends, Debbie Dogs was able to join us once again and and Jenny (the two horses featured in the give a short talk about his work. This year cover image) were two of the first rescued was especially poignant as ‘Nowzad’ horses to arrive at Hillside twenty years the original dog who first inspired Pen to ago. Although, sadly, they have long gone, start Nowzad Dogs had recently died and we have always kept that picture of them many of the Nowzad supporters attended to remember them by. We are planning and laid a special wreath for him. to make this year special to celebrate this important 20-year milestone. When I first founded Hillside, I was often told that no-one would want to help cows and TALKING POINT pigs as they had done with horses when I started Redwings in 1984. However, with The price of milk over 300 rescued cows, 600 sheep and How much do you pay for your milk? Is it enough? There has been a great deal goats, 150 pigs and hundreds of small animals and birds now in the sanctuary, in the news recently about the plight of dairy farmers. It costs approximately we are pleased to say that we have shown 30p to produce 1L of milk, but UK dairy farmers are currently being paid not that people are interested in helping farm much more than 20p per litre. There are multiple causes for the drop in the animals. We have also been supported in price of milk, but one key factor is the public’s endless demand for our essential our investigations, which have exposed foodstuffs to become cheaper and cheaper. Our food, whether plant-based or extreme cruelty and neglect on farms and animal protein, comes from living things, and living things need nurture and in slaughterhouses. Thank you to everyone care – especially when they are sentient creatures, as dairy cattle are. Proper who has helped Hillside to help so many care costs. Is it time for us to re-think how we value the food that we eat, the animals over the years. farmers who produce it, and the creatures that, ultimately, provide it? Where Wendy Valentine is our understanding of the value of life, the earth and God’s creation in our demand for ever cheaper food?

10 | ASWA.ORG.UK ANIMAL WELFARE SERVICES ASWA’s Annual Service was a great success. It enabled us to talk always, the vicar of St Martin’s, the Revd to fellow animal welfare folk including Graham Noyce, provided the support and representatives from the local Swan encouragement that ensured a successful Rescue, and also Derek Hector who runs event. a fantastic information service, particularly James Hogan regarding the badger situation, in that part of the country. St Catharine’s, Llanfaes, Anglesey St Woolos made us all feel very welcome and we had a lot of interest from those who attended the service and the reception. This year we will be travelling north to Newcastle Cathedral and we In October 2014, on Animal Welfare hope members from the North East and Sunday, the ASWA team were invited to others will travel to join us on Sunday 4th St Woolos Cathedral in Newport to share October. our message. We had never visited Wales Samantha Chandler before and it was a great opportunity to meet a whole new bunch of people and talk to them about animal welfare. St Martin’s, Kensal Rise, London We joined them for their 10.30am service and ASWA President, Rt Revd Dominic Walker OGS, preached an excellent sermon. In his sermon, Bishop Dominic reminded us of the ‘Five Marks of Mission’ to which all Anglicans are committed. St Catherine’s Llanfaes, Anglesey held its These are: first Animal Blessing service on 5 October. 1. To proclaim the good news of the It was the first in the Benefice, too, but Kingdom not we hope the last, as it was very well received. 2. To teach, baptise and nurture new believers Every animal there remained chilled and relaxed throughout the service which 3. To respond to human need by loving The annual animal blessing service on included a lovely solo flute accompaniment service 4 October at St Martin’s marked the to All things bright and beautiful. 15th year of this special service and was 4. To seek to transform the unjust supported by an excellent turn-out of The animals brought to be blessed structures of society, to challenge intrepid animal lovers. Intrepid because included dogs, a 48-year-old tortoise and violence of every kind and to pursue the weather was atrocious, with wind and a former battery hen. One lady who came peace and reconciliation rain so heavy at times that one would not to the service came without an animal 5. To strive to safeguard the integrity of have been surprised if those attending but almost walked off with the speaker’s creation and sustain and renew the had arrived by boat! ex-battery hen! Minnie the hen helped life of the earth. set the scene for a talk on companion The service attracts animal lovers from animals and the need for care of the We should perhaps remind our churches across London and beyond, whatever their whole of creation. The speaker referred of the fifth mark of mission from time to beliefs. Among the animals taking part to a number of places in the Bible where time! were some elegant cats and a handsome we are encouraged to care for animals, rabbit named Nibbler. As usual, dogs were A full version of this sermon can be and to Genesis 9 where God’s promise of in the majority and they were a particularly found on our website (www.aswa.org.uk) protection applies to animals as well as vocal lot this year, accompanying every under ‘Sermons’ but if you want a paper humans when He says to Noah: hymn with a rousing chorus of barking copy, please send an A4 sized SAE to the that at times eclipsed the human vocalists. “ I am establishing my covenant with you Secretary and she will print one off for you. and your descendants after you and with Those unable to attend the service sent ASWA Chair, Revd Dr Helen Hall, took every living creature that is with you, the details of their companion animals for the opportunity while the service was on birds, the domestic animals and every inclusion in the service and prayers were to spend some time with the children and animal of the earth with you, as many as said for animals as far afield as Russia, so ensure that they were not left out of our came out of the ark…” Spain and Cyprus. St Martin’s has a message. We also had a stand displaying connection with the Russian Orthodox Neil also spoke about his sister’s flock our literature. Convent of the Nativity of the Virgin in the of 99 sheep plus one ram on one of the As it had been such a success at Truro Kaluga region of Russia where the nuns remoter islands of the Hebrides, where the the previous year, we also organised have established an animal sanctuary for methods of farming have not changed for an evening reception with drinks and homeless animals, and a retiring collection perhaps 2000 years and where parable vegetarian food on the Saturday evening was held to support the convent’s animal of the lost sheep remains as meaningful at St Philip’s Church in Newport. We welfare work, raising £279. today as in first century Palestine. invited local Church representatives of A talk was given during the service Wendy Davies all denominations, local animal welfare about the animal rescue work that takes groups and members of the public as place in war zones and after the service well as the Mayor, Matthew Evans, and everyone stayed on for refreshments. As Newport MP, Paul Flynn. The evening ASWA.ORG.UK | 11 ARE YOU AN ANIMAL FRIENDLY CHURCH?

Christians have a sacred duty to care for God’s Creation The Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals is now awarding ‘Animal Friendly Church’ certificates to churches which practise and promote a compassionate attitude towards God’s creatures. Applicants will also be automatically entered into our annual ‘ASWA Animal Friendly Church of the Year Award’ The Winner will receive a hamper full of ethical and useful goodies for your Church and a plaque to display on your wall. For further details visit our website www.aswa.org.uk or apply in writing to: PO Box 7193, Hook, Hampshire, RG27 8GT T: 01252 843093 • E: [email protected]

ANGLICAN SOCIETY FOR THE WELFARE OF ANIMALS

PO Box 7193, Hook, Hampshire Patrons: President: RG27 8GT, UK. www.aswa.org.uk The Rt Revd Dominic Walker OGS Dr Tony Campolo Correspondance Secretary: (Former ) Mr David Coffey MRCVS Mrs Samantha Chandler Vice President: Tel/Fax: 01252 843093 The Rt Revd The Revd Dr Martin Henig Email: [email protected] (Bishop of Chelmsford) Chairman: Treasurer: Mrs Jenny White The Rt Revd James Jones The Revd Dr Helen Hall (Former Bishop of Liverpool) Editor: Revd Jennifer Brown Email: [email protected] The Rt Revd John Pritchard (Former Bishop of Oxford) Membership Secretary: Mr Keith Plumridge The Revd Dr Steven Shakespeare Email: [email protected]