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The Carrot Chronicle is brought to you by the North West Rabbit Welfare Project, who kindy let it feature on Rabbit Rehome. If you have any queries regarding the newsletter, appeals or rabbits in it please contact them directly not Rabbit Rehome.
REVIEW OF 2003The Society’s achievements in 2003 were phenomenal, we take great pleasure sharing with you the highlights of the year with you in this special edition of Carrot Chronicle. Our first ever
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In 1ST PLACE was TINKER (pictured right) |
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In 2ND PLACE was FUDGE (pictured left) |
In 3RD PLACE were BUNGLE & GIDDY (pictured right) |
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In the Laziest Bunny/Bunnies category the winners were...
In 1ST PLACE was BUZZ (aka Buzz-nutter) |
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In 2ND PLACE was APRIL (pictured left) |
In 3RD PLACE was that naughty TINKER again (pictured right) |
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In the Cutest Bunny/Bunnies category the winners were...
In 1ST PLACE was BERTIE (pictured right) |
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In 2ND PLACE was PIPKIN (pictured left) |
In 3RD PLACE were ARTHUR & LUMPY |
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New Mum and Kittens Unit Opened
Thanks to the hard work and determination of Trustee Sylvia Gilbert the new unit for mummy cats their babies was opened. It was originally our old offices and look at the difference now.
New Rabbit Quarantine Unit Opened
After nearly a year from conception to completion we were all really pleased when are dreams turned to reality. The unit was a result of hard work and dedicated fundraising on behalf of very many rabbit supporters and volunteers, and due to Trustee Susie Hughes’ drive and commitment and many hours spent working on the unit.
Doggy Day Trip to the Beach
Wednesday 16th July
A wonderful day out was had by all. Many doggies embraced the new experience; whilst many humans experienced dog vomit all the way home as so many of the waggy-tailed ones had drunk far too much sea water! But it was worth it just to see them all so happy and out of the sanctuary for the day.
Our first ever
Rabbit Care and Advice Day
Sunday 20th July
Over 40 rabbits received health checks, 24 were vaccinated for free, and a small number were found to be in considerable ill health. Follow up calls to the very poorly bunnies revealed that in each case the owners had taken our advice and sought medical treatment. One sadly had to be put to sleep but another was saved in time from death.
An added bonus was that we also raised £250! And a huge thank you to the staff from Ashleigh vets who attended on the day.
Summer Open Day
Sunday 10th August
Despite torrential rain in the morning, spirits remained high and we still managed to raise £1736.
Peggy Henderson’s 90th Birthday Bash
Peggy was the founder of the Society for Abandoned Animals in the 1960s. The site was named after her when we relocated to the farm nearly 10 years ago.
Sponsored Dog Walk
Was held at Sale Water Park in October and an amazing £1895 was raised. Walkers took their own doggies as well as sanctuary residents and a lot of fun was had by all. There were lots of waggy tails at the end when the stars of the day each received a certificate and treat box each.
Christmas Fair
Saturday 29th November
The fair raised a very respectable £800.00. The attendees were very generous and supportive and many stalls sold out of goods very quickly. We were deeply touched by the visitors who bought toys and treats from the Pets Presents Stall for the sanctuary animals.
Our first ever
Amazing Animals Awards
Every animal nominated was a worthy winner but the tough decision had to be made. The awards were a great success and are set to be an annual event in the sanctuary’s calendar.
The winner of the Most Amazing Dog category...
Kaine - A dog that we thought we would never rehome because of his ill health early behavioural problems. After over 3 years of being in the sanctuary a wonderful lady gave him the chance he was looking. Kaine and his mum are inseparable and he adores her and she him!
The winner of the Most Amazing Cat category...
Gump - No one knows what his story was as he was found a stray, but to take his skin cancer and subsequent ear amputations in his stride you can’t help but admire him. Gump has now finally found a family to love him thanks to a Prince’s Trust volunteer who told his mum all about him!
The winner of the Most Amazing Rabbit category...
Scoot - the little bunny with a huge heart and tremendous health problems, battles on to this day but with the love and companionship of Jay and John and all the other bobtailed residents at Ebony Eyes Bunny Retirement Home.
Other highlights of the year...
For many of us this issue of Carrot Chronicle couldn’t come to pass without a mention of two significant events in 2003.
Without a doubt the admission of the 19 rabbits that turned up in the back of a van all the way from Wales in a terrible state has had a lasting effect many of us, not to mention the work load and additional cost! But to see bunnies like Winky, Sandy and Jester return to full health is just fantastic. What is also amazing was the generosity from people who donated toys, money, food and their extra time to help with the furry guys. We still desperately need help with the additional duties and grooming of the angoras but we are so happy to report that each and every one is a really happy and loving bunny.
The other highlight for many of us was the opening of Karen Scott’s Bunny Boarding Services, for without such expert outdoor and indoor bunny holiday homes to hand many of us would not be able to rest at ease whilst on vacation. More to the point we can go on holiday now! If any of you would like to get further details of her service please log on to: http://mysite.freeserve.com/bunny_boarding/
On the left is an example of Karen’s outdoor services – a double hutch with run underneath as well as floor space for playtime.
On the right is an illustration of one of the indoor bunny set-ups.
Karen can cater for all your bunny’s needs, whether it be special diet, medication or multiply occupancy.
So what was your highlight of the year? What will be your everlasting sanctuary memory of 2003? Why not drop us a line and share it with us all?
So what does 2004 hold in stall for us all at the sanctuary?
This year we are hoping to step up our drive to rebuild the sanctuary. Along these lines will be more fundraising events and grit and determination to get our first phase of the project up and running – new dog kennels.
We will also be celebrating our 10th anniversary at the farm in August, when the premises officially become the owned by the Society for Abandoned Animals. A huge celebratory event is being planned to commemorate this occasion, so watch this space for more info.
In the meantime here is a run down of planned events for the up and coming months, and if you fancy helping out in any way please let us know as soon as you like!
| JANUARY: | Sat 10th | Taylor Richards Charity Ball | Runcorn |
| Sat 31st | BOOK FAIR | 2pm to 4pm | |
| Trinity Church Hall, off Northenden Road, Sale | |||
| FEBRUARY: | Sat 28th | CLOTHING SALE | 2pm to 4pm |
| Trinity Church Hall, Sale (new and nearly new clothing) | |||
| APRIL: | Sun 18th | SPRING OPEN DAY | |
| (inc. animal charities from across North West and stalls of interest) | |||
| MAY: | Sun 16th | RABBIT CARE DAY | |
| (inc. free health checks for rabbits) | |||
| JUNE: | Sun 13th | SPONSORED DOG WALK | venue tbc |
| (plus dog show and care day) | |||
Do you have a special talent or skill you would like to share at an open day? Perhaps you belong to a dancing group, a choir, a live band or you can do strange and wonderful things – magic, juggling, pottery, circus skills –contortionism? If you have or know anyone with the ability to entertain and can offer services for free (or reduced rate) please let us know, email Susie at carot.chronicle@btinternet.com or telephone the sanctuary on 0161 9735318.
A quick update from the sanctuary...
Despite the festivities it has still been business as usual, albeit slow, but we’ll give you and update on who’s who and where they are!
Ivobelle looked like she had changed her mind about having a bunny friend and after a few positive bonding sessions went home with the deliciously handsome and laid back Branston. Alas she was just fooling us all after New Year she came back in after several assaults on the poor gent who was just minding his own business. Surprisingly Mary seemed quite at ease with and has gone home for a trial run with Branston. We’ll let you know how things progress but so far so good.
Flower in foster care with Susie is now officially adopted. Fat Badger is the only remaining one of the clan of the clan that has yet to take to her. Fat Badger is a terrorist and will be captured by US Forces soon if she does start behaving herself!
The Captain has swapped places with Hermione who appears to be suffering with dietary problems. We’ll endeavour to update you on her progress but in the meantime go and have a tickle with the ‘big guy’.
We have a reserve on the very handsome Harpo, and early bonding session is suggesting that things may be looking good for him getting a lady friend.
But the best news of all is undoubtedly the number of rabbit rehomings in 2003. In 2002 we rehomed 58 (2001 we rehomed 48) but in 2003 we exceeded beyond all our dreams. A staggering 84 bunnies were rehomed in 2003 and only a small handful of those had to come back in. So you can imagine how delighted we all are, especially to www.rabbitrehome.org.uk and to all you bunny-lovers who spread the word and adopt from us – THANK YOU for making so many more bunny’s dreams come true.
And finally we wish to pay tribute to a beautiful bunny named Pickles...
Pickles (pictured left) came from the sanctuary many moons ago and lived blissfully happily with Branston and the Day family. Sadly she fell victim of a predator. Winter-time is when many more predators are in search of food and will go to extreme lengths to find it. Pickles’ tragic loss has devastated the family and they wanted to make everyone aware of just how extra vigilant we all need to be at this time year. Please never leave your bunnies unsupervised in the garden, always watch them or bring them indoors for a play.
Thoughts from Pickles’ mum –
Rest in peace my beautiful bun we will miss your cheeky mischief - it was always you who got into mischief and Branston just followed suit.