IMPORTANT CONTACT NUMBERS POSTAL ADDRESS North Devon Animal Ambulance C/o Market Veterinary Centre EMERGENCY ANIMAL RESCUE (24 HR): 07817 995751 River View Commercial Centre Cat rehoming: 01271 323740 (Mrs Pauline Bussell, Chairperson) Riverside Road Dog rehoming: 01271 860376 (Mr Chris Steer) Pottington Treasurer : 01271 861212 (Mrs Jen Colenso) Barnstaple EX31 1QN Secretary: 01237 474486 (Mrs Jane McPhee) Special Care Unit: 07976 847853 (Mrs Julie Ovey) Animal Collection 01598 740603 (Mrs Diana Lewis – Ambulance Driver) 100 CLUB It’s a great way to help local animals, NUMBER 21: AUTUMN 2009 Shop News and places are still available for just £5 per month by standing order. We’re pleased to announce that the Bideford Shop has reopened at last. We are still looking for volunteers, so if you have a few hours to spare once a week we’d appreciate your help. You’ll then be entered into our Please speak to someone in the shop or contact our chairperson Mrs Pauline Bussell on monthly draw (last Friday of each Sadness and gladness 01271 323740 for more information. month) for a £100 prize. NDAA shop opening times: Please contact the treasurer for your First steps to recovery: it’s what makes NDAA work so Day-out with Diana Monday to Friday: 9.30am to 4pm application form. rewarding in the face of so much sad news Saturdays: Barnstaple and Bideford close at 3pm Recent 100 Club Winners are: Ever wonder what a day on the road Saturdays: Braunton stays open until 4pm is really like with Diana and the JUNE 2009: NDAA’s animal ambulance? The Barnstaple and Braunton shops continue to do well, thanks to the hard work of the Mrs D Baxter (No. 42) taking his first steps back to full volunteers – thank you to everyone who makes them so successful. recovery. It’s the stuff that makes us all Newsletter editor Al Hidden recently JULY 2009: glad. spent another day on the road with FORTHCOMING DIARY DATES Mrs D Eder (No.55) Sadness highlights joy North Devon’s ‘animal angel’. Last time, back in December 2008, his day Saturday/Sunday – 19/20 September 2009 – The Devon Traction Engine & Vintage Car AUGUST 2009: Unfortunately, it often takes sadness to Rally, Chapelton, Barnstaple. The NDAA will have a table. Starts at 9.30am each day. Mrs C Roby-Jones (No.38) highlight the joy in stories like Bryn’s with Diana was a hectic blur of minor- ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – Wednesday 25 November 2009 at Portmore Golf Park, – sadness that the team felt recently... but-important collections and drop-offs. Barnstaple. Meeting at 7.00pm for 7.30pm start. The guest speaker, back by popular demand, will be The latest day-out focused on the vital falconer, Jonathon Marshall. £££££££££ The emergency call asked Diana to take a cat trap to Hartland where a stray cat work Diana does after animals have was dragging itself around with ‘a been rehomed. As she told Al, a major broken leg’. Diana dropped everything part of her work involves supporting and hurried to the scene. There was no NDAA fosterers and volunteer sign of the cat, but local people rehabilitation facilities. Read all about it described how it had been around for on the NDAA website. □ days. After setting the trap, Diana asked the people to call her when the cat reappeared. The call came two days later and Diana The work of the North Devon collected the injured cat, now named Animal Ambulance brings daily ‘Ginge’, and arranged an emergency contrasts between joy at another vet callout. Only the next day, when he rescue success and the sadness was X-rayed, was the full extent of his of yet more animal cruelty horrific injuries revealed – his abdomen was peppered with shotgun pellets, Two recent stories highlight the some of which had penetrated bones extreme emotions of animal rescue and critical organs. As peritonitis had work. In one, a badly injured dog was set in, the kindest action was to put him NDAA’s Bideford saved and rehabilitated by the NDAA, to sleep. local vets and a Cornish veterinary charity shop reopens orthopaedic specialist. When schitzu- Even Diana despairs sometimes It’s been a long journey! Now, the cross Bryn nearly severed a vertebra in There are times when Diana, for all her NDAA’s new Bideford store is a freak accident, the NDAA stepped in strength and commitment, feels like finally OPEN. See our back page for to help his owner meet the four-figure giving up in the face of such senseless more details about the opening times cost of treatment needed to save him. Now, as our picture shows, Bryn’s (Continued on page 3) for Bideford and our other charity shops... When we arrived two security guards, The great Valley of the Rocks roundup – 2009 two marines and a heavily armed Open day 2009 marine guard greeted us. They were In an effort to outwit the weather, this standing protectively around a year’s NDAA Open Day was brought cardboard box, which contained a tiny forward a couple of weeks. The plan animal wrapped in a warm blanket. succeeded and a good turnout of NDAA supporters enjoyed a great afternoon at A brief look was enough for me to chairperson Pauline Bussell’s home. know that the rabbit had myxomatosis. When they asked me if it would be It was great to see so many supporters okay I had to say that the only solution and welcome newcomers. As usual was to put it peacefully to sleep, which Cherry Durbin provided a wonderful would prevent a prolonged and painful barbeque – thank you to her and Lionel death in the wild. for their effort and generosity. Thanks also go to the volunteers who prepared They were visibly moved and we could the vast spread of food, as well as to only thank them for calling us and the ladies who ran stalls of donated wonder how they had found the time to goods. concern themselves with a small creature when they are under such daily A ‘Guess the Weight of the Puppies’ Brave & Compassionate stress. competition had everyone trying to In a recent letter to The North work out just how much the four Their reply was humbling: ‘We see recently-rescued border collie pups had Devon Journal, NDAA You may already have read about donated by veterinary drug company enough horror in the world and we need grown in Cherry Durbin’s care. Not spokesperson Diana Lewis paid Loyal Polish pooch the massive roundup and Intravet. Next came hoof trimming by, to prevent suffering where we can.’ surprisingly, our ‘Fab Four’, soon to be tribute to the kindness of a group of sent to new homes, melted everyone’s On a recent visit to Krakow, Poland, treatment of feral goats in the amongst others, NDAA patron, Keith These men go out to face unknown and Royal Marines based at RMB hearts. NDAA newsletter editor Al Hidden Valley of The Rocks – the story Pugsley, Lord Mallens of Bedfordshire unimaginable horrors and accept the Chivenor. Here’s Diana’s letter and his wife Jan spotted this heart- made The North Devon Journal. and our chairperson, Pauline Bussell. fact that some of them may not return. warming testament to animal loyalty Just in case you hadn’t heard , here’s The whole day was a great team effort again for those who may have Despite this, their immediate concern missed it. was the fate of a dying animal. Throughout the year 1990–1991, Dżok what happened back in June when the to catch and restrain some very un- the loyal dog waited daily (but alas, in NDAA’s Diana Lewis organised a team cooperative animals with sharp horns Sometimes when the news, weather and Don’t let any of us think that there is no vain) at the city’s busy Rondo of two veterinary surgeons from Market and little appreciation for everyone’s workload seem to be spiralling you into hope left for our country when there are Grunwaldzkie roundabout for his Vets, Defra, Friends of the Goats, and efforts despair, an unexpected light appears at young men like this, who manage to master who had passed away at the Lynton Town Council in a remarkable the end of the tunnel. combine bravery with compassion, to same place. Now Dżok has been piece of animal welfare co-operation. When animal welfare serve it. □ This happened recently when, after a immortalised in this stunning sculpture. organisations work together An early start Speaking about the operation, which long and miserable day, Pauline our It may be 1055 miles (1697 km) east of chairperson and I were called to RMB Reproduced by kind permission of The North It was a severe worm infestation (15 also involved the humane culling of Devon Journal. Barnstaple, but this monument says Chivenor, where they had found a small goats had recently died from respiratory several goats that were too sickly to Anni Nicholls brought a selection of everything about the faithfulness of our infection and worm infestation) that survive, Diana Lewis said: ‘A great wild and sick rabbit. canine friends and why we are so hedgehogs and the Harness Goat prompted the action – the first such co- deal of planning went into the work Society brought two goats and carts to happy to give them something in return ordinated medical treatment of the herd which was undertaken in the interest of show how goats were once used in a by volunteering to help North Devon’s It’s showtime: dogs and more dogs get put through their in 10 years. The project started early the future welfare of the herd, which is working environment. The afternoon animals…□ paces at the NDAA’s 2009 Open Day, hosted by our one Tuesday morning when, under the a great asset for Devon. Once again, I raised more than £1,000 towards the chairperson, Pauline Bussell instruction of National Trust warden want to thank everyone who made the treatment and care of NDAA animals Julian Gurney, the 170 feral goats were day such a success – it was a wonderful rounded up and corralled securely. demonstration of what animal welfare The family dog show (left) was organisations can do when they work extremely well supported. After a hard- Talking to the local media about the together.’□ fought competition between more than operation, Lynton’s mayor, Bernard 70 dogs in several classes, Best in Peacock commented on the speed with Show went to Staffie/collie-cross which the 40-strong team caught and Bruce owned by Mrs Wheatley and all penned the animals. dogs and owners went home with a rosette and doggie goodies kindly Various treatments donated by Martin Essex of Top ‘n’ Once in the hands of the assembled Tails. animal welfare experts, each goat was Once again, thanks go to all who led into the NDAA’s horse trailer for helped, especially to Pauline and Tim inspection. Each then received various for the use of their home and their hard treatments for worms, liver fluke and work in setting up the event . □ ticks before a precautionary vaccination by veterinary surgeons against Blue Tongue using vaccine generously North Molton. In later years, Cherry with her fantastic nursing skills (and lives of these animals. Hundreds and Sadness and gladness ran a successful catering business with demolished her kitchen). By the time Timmy turtle goes thousands have a long miserable N D A A husband John. It was their kind offer to you read this, all the puppies should existence, living in unsuitable (Continued from page 1) support the NDAA with free catering have permanent new homes. to Newquay home conditions, on an equally unsatisfactory for one charitable event a year that Timmy’s tale began with the call Diana diet that often results in a painful slow acts. How, she despairs at times like volunteer started her involvement. If only she’d Lewis took from one of our supporters death. Thankfully, Timmy has a these, could anyone maim an animal known what her commitment would who reported finding ‘a terrapin’ on their chance of recovery and a long life. like this, then leave it to die in agony? lead to! We’re very grateful doorstep ... Thank you Blue Reef Aquarium.□ profile Horses are still Cherry’s main hobby, On arrival, Diana realised that the 12- Gladness from sadness but the NDAA also keeps her busy. A versatile fosterer inch long creature was actually a soft- But this little cat’s courage, as he crept And, as many of you discovered at our When husband John died a couple of shelled turtle – more at home in warmer Are you considering buying an exotic around and desperately tried to hang open day, she's still offering her pet? Why not ask the NDAA for advice Cherry Durbin: years ago, Cherry decided to retire and climes with water temperatures of at onto life, also serves to remind Diana mouth-watering catering services once before you make your decision. Call our renew her interest in animals by least 27 ۠degrees than on a North Devon of the value of her chosen voluntary a year for which we are very, very hotline on 07817 995751 or contact us fostering. The loss of her husband was housing estate. They can live to 100! work – and the way we’re indebted to foster mother grateful. □ through our website. compounded by the death of her two Often growing to three-feet in diameter, kind people who care enough to call the In this month’s profile, Al Hidden beloved old dogs. It was the catalyst soft-shelled turtles, which are NDAA and help us give animals like meets Cherry Durbin, one of the that prompted her to foster a wonderful carnivorous and can bite, are usually Ginge the peaceful end that someone NDAA’s animal fosterers. rescue greyhound – followed by dear sold in pet shops when they're small else has so callously denied them. old Ossie the lurcher. After Ossie’s and cute (and just a couple of inches It’s people like Cherry who form the death, Cherry had a change of animal, Maybe there’s a positive message to be long!). Sadly, they’re often sold without backbone of the NDAA’s animal taking in several young kids that had salvaged from such sadness after all, expert advice; if prospective buyers fostering and rehoming work. Without been orphaned following the deaths of something to be glad about alongside knew what conditions they need to them, our work would be much more several Valley of the Rocks goats. It’s the joy of little Bryn’s recovery. thrive in, they’d probably think twice difficult – or impossible! no surprise that Cherry made a success Maybe, even out of sadness we can before buying. In the wild they can live of this too – looking after the salvage a little gladness. □ Cherry has loved animals all her life. for 100 years; this means that few mischievous goatlings (she’s still got an Her main interest is horses and she turtles sold will ever have a secure Anglo Nubian called Poppy) until new particularly enjoyed the sport of future, as even the most responsible and Do you know of an animal that’s homes could be found for them. endurance riding. Nowadays, she still caring owners are unlikely to outlive suffering? Call our hotline on 07817 keeps two Arab horses, aged 26 and 27, the animal. 995751 or contact us through our one of which is a rescue pony. At one Her latest successes website. event, after horse and rider ‘creaked’ On a recent visit to Cherry’s home in ‘Aquariums are being swamped around the course, she even won a sleepy West Buckland, I met Luke, a with these poor little creatures’ trophy for being the oldest rider on a handsome German shepherd (right) that Little ‘doorstep Timmy’ is one of the veteran horse! she’s fostering permanently. Poppy the lucky ones. Once she’d collected him, goat was there too, as well as John, Diana was able to contact one of the Always generous Paul, Ringo and Georgie, the four Ilfracombe rescue day charity’s experts, Blue Reef Aquarium border collie pups that, after coming to Cherry has known Diana for over in Newquay, who had just one available The NDAA was thrilled to be asked to attend can only have helped keep the harbour area her at twelve-hours old, have thrived twenty years as she used to live at place left. the annual Rescue Day at Ilfracombe harbour busy all day. on 12 August 2009 – the second year in a row Speaking about soft-shelled turtles, that we’ve been invited to take part in this All the exhibitions and demonstrations went 1. Choose the right breed 3. Get good advice Matt from Blue Reef Aquarium told wonderful, and growing, event organised by off perfectly and the more than 20,000 Ilfracombe & District Round Table. Working dogs need more stimulation The North Devon Animal Ambulance is Diana: ‘All aquariums are being visitors certainly seemed to enjoy themselves. We were also extremely busy with many swamped with these poor creatures and Our attendance meant an early start to get the and exercise than many owners can always willing to give advice on visitors coming to view our photographic provide. The wrong choice can be choosing the right dog (or other are unable to accept any more. The caravan set up ready for a 10.00 a.m. opening. Unlike last year, when the weather displays, get advice on pet care and see some miserable for everyone, especially when animal). It’s just one of the things we’re majority also arrive in very bad health created havoc, this year saw Ilfracombe of the little creatures we took along. □ and need months of nursing to get them a cute puppy turns into a boisterous here for. seafront bathed in gorgeous sunshine which better, if they survive that long. Many ‘nuisance’ through no fault of its own. For advice on choosing a dog, or to rehome an animal, call our hotline ( 07817 995751 ) or are beyond help’. 2. Timing’s everything visit the NDAA website: www.northdevonanimalambulance.co.uk Large or working dogs are often too Think twice before buying lively for small children and may Mick Lewis got the task of driving Choose the right dog unintentionally hurt them (when they’re Timmy to his new home (a 100-mile Choosing the right dog can start a not indulging their natural urge to chew Good homes needed for round trip), eventually arriving after rewarding relationship for the animal furniture or treasured possessions). It’s rabbits and guinea pigs hours stuck in heavy holiday traffic. and its owner. Unfortunately, the not the dog’s fault and locking them Speaking about his latest mercy dash, NDAA often sees the heartache that away for hours isn’t fair – or healthy. As the newsletter went to print at the Mick said it was well worth it so follows when people make a poor beginning of September, the NDAA had a Timmy could have a good chance of Think carefully! Is it really a good idea choice. glut of gorgeous bunnies and guinea pigs getting proper care and a decent life. to get a puppy with babies or toddlers that need loving homes. Can you help? For Here are three tips for choosing the around – or if a busy career means lots It is very sad to think we’ve so much more information call us on 07817 995751 power, which we often abuse, over the right dog for you. of early starts and late finishes? or contact us through the NDAA website. in the four nestlings that a farmer in took her straight to the SCU to have her It‘s here that I must say again how our found our website! The mare was a Knowle had rescued whilst silaging. spayed and veterinary treatment carried wonderful website (maintained with beautiful 16.2 hands ex-racer from Karen devoted her days (and nights) to out. such dedication by Net Tecs Internet Ireland with a foot problem; her those tiny creatures – even taking them Solutions Ltd) has proved so successful companion was a tiny 10 hands grey. I then decided that, rather than put her with her to visit relatives at Bath and to – and how that success has meant Mick in our kennels, she would be best Both had been his beloved pets for horse shows so they did not miss out on driving so many hundreds of miles each staying at the unit where she could be fifteen years. They were healthy and feeds. By the time they were able to week on home checks. socialised by seeing all our different happy so how could he just have them feed on their own and go out into the volunteers, the veterinary staff, and our shot. With a call to Pauline, a decision aviary to build up muscle there were Anni’s hedgehogs wonderful Julie going in at all hours to was made; can you guess what only three and we couldn’t believe how give her extra walks along the Tarka Anni Nicholls has been wonderful with happened next? Pauline and I set off these shy creatures came on in leaps Trail where she’d meet lots of new the ‘heartbreak hedgehogs’. Why with our super new horse trailer and bounds. We’d taken advice from ‘heartbreak’? Because so many have (donated with funds from the Edna West Hatch who said they themselves people with their dogs and bikes. come in this year due to the weather, Smylie Memorial Fund) and arrived had only ever had one success with Slowly, she came to crawl from her pen suffering from pneumonia or maggot Goats on the sofa: it’s all part of a back at Pauline’s several hours later – skylarks. When we had a few settled and lie in front of us looking up with infestation, and despite devoted typical day for NDAA volunteer Cherry with two horses onboard. days we decided to release them up on her sad eyes begging us to be pleased Durbin intensive care have lost the battle. the moor where Jane and Karen knew with her. How can I put into words our Losing these wonderful little creatures Though we were concerned that they there were other skylarks and ideal emotions as we watched this and felt after days of fighting for their lives is a Four tiny puppies might be traumatized as neither had vegetation. Mick was able to go with heartbreak and anger that any of these been in a horsebox or moved for 15 continual emotional roller coaster for But Cherry was not to be let off the them to watch and Karen was lucky animals could be brought so low. But Anni, and takes a huge toll on all of us. years. Yet you can see from the photo enough to take a photo of the moment emotion will not solve the problem and hook! I arrived late one evening with (below) how calm and unconcerned Diana’s two came out of their carrier and flew anger is a useless waste of time. We four tiny twelve-hour-old collie puppies they were. Now we have to look for up into the sky singing happily before had her in our care and she’d get the wrapped in a wool fleece with a hot another saint with whom we can all flew away at great speed. They love and attention she deserved. water bottle and a container of whelping milk. The farmer had called were gone in an instant. It was a very Report emotional time for all present but the Pulling out all the stops me as his little collie bitch was very An other summer’s come and sick and could not rear them. Could I joy of their song remains in our hearts. Our team at the special care unit pulled almost gone again, and all I recall take them? Within half an hour I was out all the stops. It wasn’t so very long is the daily and nightly blur of the on his doorstep and another 30 minutes Lucky Lucy – saved from the gun before Lucy was wagging her tail at the telephone (which I’m beginning found me at Cherry’s. It was another We recently took in a little 11-month- sight of a lead and actually walking to hate) ringing and the roads case of day and night devotion and old collie bitch who’d already had a upright. Special love was poured on and lanes of North Devon another success as these little darlings litter of puppies just two months her each time she faced a new challenge grew and grew to become even worse becoming ever more familiar… previously! She was weighing in at half (seeing other dogs, cats and new Prickle power: Anni Nicholls, vandals than the kids. Cherry’s kitchen We’ve all been very, very hard pressed her required bodyweight and had been people). Lucy improved a little each our very own hedgehog will never be quite the same but to see rehome them permanently. For now and yet, each and every time, the kept on a three-foot chain in a barn. day and then a wonderful couple from rehabilitation specialist, outside such healthy, happy puppies (below) volunteers have risen to the occasion. She had sores on her hindquarters and Brompton Regis (another direction for another of the NDAA’s specialist though they remain in our care, happily makes it all worthwhile. Now the home No matter what time of day or night I was so terrified she wouldn’t stand up; Mick to home check) came forward to animal rescue and rehab centres munching and getting their somewhat checks are being carried out to find the neglected feet back to normal. arrive with tiny fledglings, orphan the sight of her caused great distress to rehome her. They were everything crème de la crème of homes for John, puppies, kittens, goats or lambs, all our SCU volunteers. After being Lucy needed, so we were able to let her Why do we go on? Well, there is Paul, Ringo and Georgie. So back on everything is ready for the fosterer signed over to us (the owner’s go to where she is loved and wanted on And finally… always another phone call coming in the roller coaster we go; at least we’ve (often dressed in flowery nightie or ultimatum being ‘take her or I’ll shoot a one-to-one basis. There are so many stories involving so because something or someone needs got the knowledge that it all worked pyjamas, and holding a warm drink for her, she’s no good as a working dog’), I many animals and people I could go on help for some little animal. And then this time. me) to receive them. What would and on, yet as I write the phone calls there is the hope that the outcome of happen to these – and I do not Skylark success: are coming in – one for nine guinea Jane Dennis- each animal’s story will be a lovely exaggerate – hundreds of little creatures pigs to be collected and another to pick Smither releases one. Anni is hoping to extend her if it was not for our fosterers? This up a chameleon found wandering down the NDAA hedgehog hospital facilities in the near network of volunteers, and that includes the middle of the road. It is more skylarks back into future so that she can take as many of those from the Special Care Unit important that I’m out seeing to the the wild after these darling animals as need her help. (SCU), is the charity’s most vital asset. daughter Karen’s animals, as you would expect of me. Each day I collect a van full of animals hard work at Thank you yet again for all your and if I had nowhere to put them it raising them from Lucky goatlings support and kindness . fledglings Our last newsletter described Cherry would all fall apart. Durbin’s work with the orphan kids. Going to Australia Amazing skylarks Well, the helpless orphans became (due to Cherry’s loving care) mature A call from a gentleman in Bovey Day after day, I collect sick or injured vandals. Despite their behaviour we Tracy was impossible to ignore. He was fledglings and day after day Karen and found the most amazing, loving and sobbing down the phone as he told me Jane take them and nurture them, with knowledgeable homes for them where he was leaving for two years in the healthy lucky ones making it they now appear to have their new Australia the following week and had through to release. I think the skylarks owners in complete thrall – and been let down by friends who’d were probably the most amazing of all obediently complying with their every promised to have his two horses. Calls the orphans. None of us could have whim. to practically every animal welfare expected such a success when we took charity had proved useless before he