Tree Of Life For Animals

Read about the experiences of our latest Project Raja Volunteer, Alba.

Such an experience! Starting my first day at TOLFA was a shock for me, as a vet I’ve never seen dogs with distemper, rabies, dogs extremely affected with mange or paralysed dogs living with a good quality of life, free and wondering about.

Without many diagnostic methods, just your eyes, hands and a stethoscope, one adapts easily to “the Indian way of work.” It is interesting to be able to treat not only dogs and cows but also peacocks, buffaloes and camels!

Alba feeding an orphan calf

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The delightful Catkins Tea Rooms is set in the tranquil village of Herstmonceux in East Sussex and was the setting for an adorable afternoon tea party.

The event was organised by Lynn Maguire who runs the tea rooms. Being an animal lover she regularly raises money for local animal charities, and after seeing our website purely by chance, she decided to arrange for an altogether English themed event.

As we entered the tea room we noticed the walls were adorned with gorgeous cat pictures and portraits, all created by local artists. We were then seated at our table. Each table was beautifully set with a pretty floral tea service, and then we were presented with a host of nibbles that included triangle sandwiches, a scrummy fruit scone with lashings of jam and clotted cream, home-made cakes to follow and all topped off with hot refreshments.

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Our Puppy House has now been built, inaugurated and is fully operational. It has been difficult at the shelter having to cope with lots of puppies and very limited places to put them as Wendy, one of TOLFA’s hospital managers explains.

Staff, trustees and shelter dogs posing at the Puppy House opening ceremony, March 2008

‘Last year, as usual, as soon as I arrived at the hospital puppies started to come in thick and fast, Rachel thinks they wait for me! A few pups are fine as we have three cages to keep them in if they are small, not ideal but manageable. Most of the time I was there the numbers fluctuated between twenty and thirty and often I was at my wits end trying to find somewhere to house them.

The weather this winter was particularly cold and lasted longer than usual so my one of my problems was keeping very young and/or very sick pups warm enough. The dog kennels are designed for larger animals, with concrete floors and high ceilings it was very difficult to make them cosy enough for puppies, plenty of sacks and blankets and ensuring they were not on their own was okay for older, reasonably well puppies but that left a lot of pups needing a warmer place to live.

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Clara recently appealed for some much needed collars and leads so she could walk the puppies and dogs around more. Thanks to the generosity of her friends and family and a few UK supporters, we now have some spanking new collars and leads.

Here is Jack, Clara’s regular walking companion, proudly showing off his new attire.

Clara and pal Jack with a new collar and lead set, donated and brought over by Clara’s mum and sister in March 2008

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Read about a typical April day at our animal shelter in India as experienced by Serena, one of our hospital managers.

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‘The scent of roses greets me as I emerge from my room, thoughtfully the neighbouring roof top is carpeted with drying petals to distill into the famous fragrance “Pushkar Rose”. I stop in the market square to fill my bag with a fresh crop of vegetables, from a wizened gypsy resplendent in emerald green bustier and bare midriff. She likes to throw in some extra chillies and garlic and I can’t explain they’re not in the doggies diet.

I weave down the bazaar out to the snaking road through the hilly valley. They are dynamiting in the quarry beside the road and I wait for the shower of rocks to descend, somewhat nervously.

The shelter dogs crowd round my scooter wagging and barking, munching on their morning biscuit ration. Ginger, the head boy with his stiff, straight back legs, gets lively and vocal.’

Dogs in the sand - keeping cool after a morning welcome

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It is with great sadness that I have to write this news. Chitori, one of our resident dogs, sadly died last week. Just 18 months old, she had found a way into so many peoples hearts: staff, volunteers, visitors, not to mention the other pups and dogs we have on site.

Here are some words from 3 people who knew her the most: Rachel, Wendy and Serena.

Chitori
In memory of a beautiful friend

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Enjoy a scrummy afternoon tea, and help our animal shelter at the same time.

Event: Afternoon Tea

Date: Sunday 20th April 2008

Time: 2.45pm until 4pm

Place: Catkins Tea Room, inside Coopers Cross Garden Centre, New Road, Herstmonceux, East Sussex, BN27 1PX

Tickets: £10 each and include tea, sandwiches, scones and cakes as well as entry into the prize draw.

Please email fundraising@tolfa.org.uk or call the tearooms on 01323 831857 to get your tickets.

TOLFA - helping dogs Like these; Ginger, Justine and Boris

On Sunday April 20th from 2.45pm to 4pm the Catkins Tea Room in Herstmonceux, East Sussex are hosting an Afternoon Tea to raise funds for TOLFA.

Tickets for the tea are £10 which includes a full tea of sandwiches, scones and jam, cakes, and tea of course.

Entry into a prize draw is also included too, but places are limited so hurry!

Email fundraising@tolfa.org.uk or call the tearooms on 01323 831857 to get your tickets.

Now we are a charity, we are privileged to be able to have joined www.JustGiving.com. A brilliant website that helps us raise money for our favourite cause - and you to get sponsors for whatever event you are doing on our behalf!

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