STAPELEY
Spring advice / Seal sightings / Owen's Stapeley journey
NEWS
SPRING 2022
In this Spring issue...
GRANGE
Photo by Freddy Jones
Inside this Spring issue...
PLUS - Standing with Ukraine 3 / Vet's Corner 7 / Training News 15/ Tweet Tweet 17 / Cattery News 19 / Owen's Stapeley Story 25 / Spring Wildlife Garden 27
WELCOME to our Spring edition newsletter. Thanks to the support of staff, both at Stapeley and out in the field via our colleagues the Stapeley Grange newsletter seems to be growing!! Although we may not be post-Covid 19 just yet it has certainly felt like we have begun to return to normal over the last few weeks. Although we still have Covid 19 measures in place we have welcomed back students and corporate groups which was really nice for us. For the past eight years, the Stapeley team have been passionately involved in the training of vet and vet nurse students in wildlife veterinary medicine. Most students will end up in practice on the front line where they will be presented with wildlife casualties, hence why our training is so important to the welfare of so many wildlife casualties in the field. Some vets may also end up supporting a local wildlife rehabilitation centre. Recently we had three groups of students (vets and vet nurses) from Harper and Keele Veterinary School, which after a two-year break, was a sign that we were returning back to normal. We also welcomed back students from Manchester Metropolitan University who had signed up to a six-week wildlife rehabilitation module. The course is run at the University but includes two site visits, one to Stapeley Grange, the other to Lower Moss Wood in Knutsford. After a two year period, during the Covid 19 pandemic, without our corporate volunteer days the Stapeley site was understandably beginning to look a little tired, so having our Barclay's groups back felt really good. Three groups have already made a great start by rat-proofing one of our aviaries and painting up our car park fences. We are hoping for many more groups over the coming months to help us get back on track, we have a long list of jobs!! Fundraising has been very difficult over the last couple of years so it feels great that we are now making plans for our popular open days. As well our summer open day which will now be held slightly later than normal, 4 September, and our Christmas event which will be held 4 December we are looking to get involved in the Society's Family One Fun Day on 18 June. Please keep an eye on our Facebook page for more information. The event will focus on children's activities but the Cattery will be open and we will be planning guided tours of our outside wildlife facilities.
We stand with the Ukraine
Max's story
It costs Stapeley Grange around £50,000 to feed the 6,000+ animals which are admitted every year. The food bill for seals alone can be £500 a week. Anyone who would like to support the vital work of Stapeley Grange can now donate online at
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Fundraising News
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WELCOME!
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Just one more thing...
Cover photo courtesy of Michelle Bite
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Education News
Enrichment
Field News
Spring advice
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A BIG THANK you to all our staff, volunteers and members of the public who donated items for some of those affected by the Ukrainian invasion by Russia. Towels, blankets, sleeping bags, medical items, cat and dog food, toiletries and children's toys were all boxed up and delivered to depots in the Nantwich / Crewe area. Our volunteer drivers, John, Jackie and Ani spent most of the day sorting through donations, loading up three vans and dropping the items off. Within just 24 hours the donated items were on their way out to the Ukraine and to all those in need of such items, which was fantastic. Here in the UK we are all so far away from what is going on in the Ukraine and pretty powerless to the current situation but if our donations can help in any small way, then it is worth it. Those wanting to help and don't know how - Ukraine: what you can do to help - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
To support our wildlife hospital why not check out our Amazon Wish List - https://amzn.to/3HYhQgU
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Over the past few months, we have had to restrict the number of birds entering the hospital because of avian flu, so our centre has become a hedgehog, otter and seal facility for the most part. Plus we have admitted a few bats and smaller rodents. We recently had two wood mice admitted to the centre on separate occasions that had both been picked up by cats. Being catted is a common admission reason for small rodents such as these. One had wounds that required suturing by one of our vets, and both were provided with warmth and fluids on arrival. Following some time on antibiotics and pain relief, both were eating well and very bright and active again. Once the weather improved and we had a mild and dry, day they were released back into the wild on site.
Wood mice care
A wood mouse in the hospital receiving some porridge for breakfast
Environmental enrichment can be defined loosely as an animal husbandry principle that seeks to enhance the quality of captive care by identifying and providing environmental stimuli necessary for optimal psychological and physiological wellbeing (Shepherdson, 1998). In layman's terms, environmental enrichment is all about providing stimuli necessary for an animal's mental and physical well being and aims to encourage natural behaviours, provide them with challenging activities and help reduce boredom. This can be in the form of new smells, sounds, altering food or how it is provided, toys, housing in social groups or rearranging their environment. Depending on the species, particular forms of enrichment will be more beneficial. In wildlife rehab, we want to mimic their natural habitat to make them feel comfortable and prepare them for a life in the wild. Examples include fox cubs housed in social groups, providing seals and otters access to a pool and natural, swinging, branches being available for birds in our aviaries. Providing challenges involving food are often very popular as the animals are highly motivated to obtain the reward. Alternatively, offering the ability to manipulate the environment (such as digging, provision of items that can be moved or a variety of bedding materials) can be equally satisfying as they shape the area as they wish. A diverse range of enrichment items should be offered, each item should only be temporary to keep the item novel and interesting. When devising an enrichment plan, considerations need to be made on the safety, appropriateness, practicality and cost of what is being planned. Time is also needed to follow an enrichment plan; time that is not always readily available during the busy spring and summer months but staff always do their best, as we all know how important it is to the animals in our care. Michelle Bite - Wildlife Assistant
Environmental Enrichment
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Spring is almost here and that means only one thing!!l
Since 3 November 2021 Great Britain has been under Avian Influenza (AI) restrictions and members of the public have been advised by Defra that if you find a dead wild or visibly sick bird, particularly waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks), gulls or birds of prey, you should report them. If dead to Defra (03459 33 55 77), if sick to the RSPCA (0300 123 4999). Do not touch or pick them up. For more information: Avian influenza (bird flu) Despite AI the RSPCA's four wildlife centres are bracing themselves for the 'crazy orphan season' when thousands of orphaned fledglings are picked up by well-meaning members of the public. Although Stapeley Grange is currently under stricter AI surveillance zone restrictions for birds we hope to be open soon (early April). We can still take in mammals currently. But many of these so called orphaned birds are not actually orphans and would have been better off if they had been left in the wild. The animal charity has produced a useful printable step-by-step guide explaining the types of situations where the babies of common garden birds might genuinely need help, and when the young bird is purely exhibiting natural behaviour as part of its development, in which case it is usually better to leave them well alone. It’s wonderful that people want to do the best for wildlife, but sometimes it’s difficult to know when to intervene and when to hold back and to instead monitor. Nestlings are baby birds that have no feathers, or very few. Because they will not survive long outside the protection of the nest, these very young birds should be taken to a vet or a local wildlife rehabilitator. If neither is available, the RSPCA’s emergency line can be reached on 0300 1234 999. We also provide advice on how to safely catch, handle and care for the nestling until it can be taken to an expert. Fledglings on the other hand have all or most of their feathers and leave the nest just before they can fly. Unlike nestlings, they can perch, hop and walk. If one is seen away from the nest, it should be left alone and watched from a distance for up to two hours to ensure the parents are returning. It is likely the parents are nearby and will still be feeding the bird. We advise never to try to return a bird to the nest as this may disturb the other young birds and may be illegal. If a fledgling is in immediate danger, it should be placed in a sheltered spot a short distance away. The RSPCA advises that there are exceptions to these rules. For example, Tawny owlets can climb back up into the nest, so if one is found under a possible nest site, the little bird should be monitored from a distance to see if the parents are nearby. If their call is heard, the young bird should be left alone. If, after monitoring, the fledgling is genuinely orphaned, it should be taken to a wildlife rehabilitator. Other species, like gulls, ducks, swans, geese, swifts, swallows, house martins and birds of prey need to be dealt with on a case-by-case and we would advise anyone who has encountered young birds of these species in need of help, to call the RSPCA’s emergency line. The Society also receives 1000's of calls each year about orphaned mammals such as fox and badger cubs. Advice should always be sought before picking them up, as again, they are often not actually orphaned and the best course of action is simply to monitor the situation.
Last November, a female fox was presented to hospital as she was exhibiting abnormal behaviour. The fox looked ‘tame’, confused and was very easy to catch according to the Officer. Veterinary examination revealed that the fox was in good body condition, but in particular, her fur coat had an extraordinary, almost groomed appearance. X-rays revealed that the animal had been shot with pellets located near her skull, neck and shoulders. Additionally, the x-rays showed a significantly enlarged heart, indicating cardiac disease. These findings, combined with the animal’s altered mental state, brought us to the decision that euthanasia was the kindest outcome for this fox. Interestingly, we had suspicions that this animal had been previously held in captivity, firstly, because wild foxes rarely present with such superb fur and body condition and secondly because the type of heart disease that was diagnosed at post mortem, called ‘dilated cardiomyopathy’, has an important predisposing dietary factor called ‘taurine’ in cats and foxes. Taurine is an essential amino acid that is added routinely to most commercially available cat foods. However, since dogs can synthesise taurine on their own from meat protein, it is often lacking in dog food. Therefore, this fox may have developed its heart disease by being raised in captivity and fed dog food. In addition, its lack of fear for humans may have made it an easier target for hunters. Tame foxes are notoriously difficult to reintroduce into the wild and their reckless and bold behaviour can potentially cause harm to people and other animals. As such, it is prohibited by law to raise wild animals without the necessary licence and expertise. Yannick Van de Weyer, Veterinary Surgeon
Two bullet fragments (white dots) can be seen near the shoulder blade.
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Vet's corner
The trachea is pushed upwards (black tube) and the heart silhouette is enlarged.
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Vets and vet nurses (past and present)
A tame fox story
derbyshire
Here at the hospital, we admit thousands of animals every year. Every so often we receive challenging but successful cases that are immensely rewarding and which help us grow as clinicians. They also show us how incredibly resilient animals can be. One such case was a juvenile wood pigeon that had fallen out of the nest and was subsequently attacked by magpies. He arrived at us with several wounds all over his body, but most concerning was the damage caused to his head from the attack. He had generalised inflammation, so severe that he couldn’t open his eyes, and a large area of dead (necrotic) skin on his scalp. Under general anaesthesia, we were able to clean up and suture the wounds on his body, but the gap on his scalp once the dead tissue had been removed was too large to be closed immediately. It required a second surgical intervention to apply a hydrocolloid dressing, along with topical treatments, including honey, which has antibacterial properties and a lot of TLC. A mere 2 weeks after admission, he was as good as new and ready to be returned back to the wild. Alda Goncalves, Veterinary Surgeon
Magpie attack
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This is a sad case of a hog that arrived with a history of being trapped in netting. Something immediately looked wrong and we soon diagnosed an unusual condition, unique to hedgehogs, called “pop-off syndrome”, or prolapse of the orbicularis muscle. This muscle acts like a purse-string and surrounds their coat of spines enabling them to curl up into a ball, and in this poor hedgehog’s case, had literally popped off the base of his body and become stuck, presumably whilst he was struggling, trying to escape the netting. Furthermore, as a probable consequence of a long period of time struggling and stuck in netting, he was cold and dehydrated. We immediately provided warmth, pain relief and sources of energy and hydration to the hedgehog. Following this, we administered a muscle relaxant and gently replaced the muscle along with the hog’s coat of spines back in its original position. The next few hours were critical. Sadly, despite our hopes and best efforts, this little hedgehog did not make it. According to the latest “State of Britain's Hedgehogs” report, the hedgehog population in Britain’s urban areas is now more stable and starting to recover which is great news, but it is still vital to conservation efforts that we all do everything we can to support this endangered mammal. Cases like this remind us of just how important it is to have a hog-safe garden and ensure that litter and garden toys which include netting are not left lying around, so that hedgehogs and other wildlife can thrive. Mariana Santos, Veterinary Surgeon
Pop-off syndrome
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Avian Influenza - Many incidents that the group have responded to over the last 5 months were due to the Avian Influenza outbreak. Spike Island in Widnes was particularly badly affected with officers attending frequently during December. Multiple swans and geese were recovered from the water and had to be put to sleep. For example on 7 December, four swans and a goose were found dead, three geese and three swans were put to sleep. Two of these birds were cygnets. This was not the worst day, with water rescue officers retrieving birds in double figures on days in December and January. Additional victims included a sandpiper with neurological symptoms collected early January from Blundellsands and a Peregrine Falcon that was also found in Liverpool with neurological symptoms.
News from our RSPCA Officers
Swan rescue in Stockton Heath on 16/2/22 - Inspector Pengilly was called to a swan in Stockton Heath that had been spotted with a fishing line in her mouth. When the officer attended, the swan was found to have the line entangled in her mouth and wrapped around her neck, body and wing. As she was on the water, ARO Wickham was called to assist with the boat. ARO Wickham managed to catch her, untangle the line and she was able to swim off back to her partner.
Spring has Sprung at the hospital
AND FINALLY - Another Owl rescue in Warrington - 17/2/2022 - Inspector Goodman-James was called to rescue an owl said to be hanging upside down in a tree during the gales. The Inspector attended but soon realised that all was not as it seemed. The bird was brought down and found to be uninjured, due to being made of plastic! The caller had lost a night's sleep worrying about the owl so decided to keep him as a memento!!
Bat collection - 28/1/2022 - Inspector Joynes collected a Natterers bat from a member of the public after the bat had an altercation with a cat. The bat had some small wing tears but was otherwise in reasonable condition. He was taken to Stapeley for recovery.
Owl rescue in Mold - 18/2/2022 - Inspector Leanne Cooper headed out in gales to rescue a bird of prey stuck in a wood burner. Inspector Cooper was able to free the bird which turned out to be a Tawny owl. Once cleaned up, the owl was fit for release in the same location.
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During the annual baby bird boom at this time of year, the RSPCA’s four wildlife centres care for over a thousand 'orphaned' fledglings each year, picked up by well-meaning people. But many of these birds are not actually orphans and would have been better off if they had been left in the wild. So the animal charity has produced a useful printable step-by-step guide explaining the types of situations where the babies of common garden birds might genuinely need helping, and when the young bird is purely exhibiting natural behaviour as part of its development, in which case it is usually better to leave them well alone. It’s wonderful that people want to do the best for wildlife, but sometimes it’s difficult to know when to intervene and when to hold back. The first step is to identify whether the young bird is a nestling or fledgling. Nestlings are baby birds that have no feathers, or very few. Because they will not survive long outside the protection of the nest, these very young birds should be taken to a vet, or a local wildlife rehabilitator. If neither are available, the RSPCA’s emergency line can be reached on 0300 1234 999. We also provide advice on how to safely catch, handle and care for the nestling until it can be taken to an expert. Fledglings on the other hand have all or most of their feathers and leave the nest just before they can fly. Unlike nestlings, they are able to perch, hop and walk. If one is seen away from the nest, it should be left alone and watched from a distance for up to two hours to ensure the parents are returning. It is likely the parents are nearby and will still be feeding the bird. We advise never to try to return a bird to the nest as this may disturb the other young birds and may be illegal. If a fledgling is in immediate danger, it should be placed in a sheltered spot a short distance away. The RSPCA advises that there are exceptions to these rules. For example, Tawny owlets can climb back up into the nest, so if one is found under a possible nest site, the little bird should be monitored from a distance to see if the parents are nearby. If their call is heard, the young bird should be left alone. If, after monitoring, the fledgling is genuinely orphaned, it should be taken to a wildlife rehabilitator. Other species, like gulls, ducks, swans, geese, swifts, swallows, house martins and birds of prey need to be dealt with on a case-by-case and we would advise anyone who has encountered young birds of these species in need of help, to call the RSPCA’s emergency line.
Juvenile swan rescue at the canal near Ellesmere Port on 15/12/2021 - Inspector Joynes walked over 2 miles down the canalside to locate a swan that had a fishing lure with treble hooks and line stuck in his foot. Due to Avian Influenza, officers have been restricted in the movement of birds so advice was sought over the phone. The hooks were removed and as the foot had an only minor injury, the swan was released and monitored to ensure a full recovery.
Banana loving frog passenger arrives in Heswall - 15/2/2022 - Inspector Joynes attended Heswall Primary school after a tiny tree frog was found in their delivery of bananas. The frog, which had travelled from the Ivory Coast, was kept warm and wet by quick thinking staff until the officer arrived. The frog was transferred to a specialist keeper for care.
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Seal sightings Photos courtesy of Adge Lane
Sashe (pictured left) was a seal pup that arrived at Stapeley after a storm back in 2016, weighing in at just 13kg. She spent a couple of months at Stapeley putting on weight before being transferred across to RSPCA East Winch (Norfolk) who had space in one of their larger, deeper pools; pools seals need to complete the training prior to being returned to the wild. Sashe spent several weeks over with the East Winch team before returning to Stapeley for release in March 2017.
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A seal tagged 3044 (pictured right) was spotted by a volunteer on the North Wales coastline. Thanks to the tag and our records we were able to trace this seal back to when it arrived at Stapeley and his journey in care. The seal pup was rescued by British Marine Divers from Llandudno and transferred across to our hospital on 16th December 2020. he was transferred across to Welsh Mountain Zoo in early January where he remained for a few weeks before being released.
Followers of Stapeley Grange will likely remember the sighting of Admiral Ale and her newborn pup Gwener back in November 2021. For rehabilitators this is the ultimate sighting of an animal that has been in care and released back to the wild; a sighting of an animal that not only survived but also bred and produced offspring. It was only through her tag that we were able to tell her story. Here are a few more sightings from the last few months.
A seal tagged 3044 (pictured left) was spotted on the North Wales coastline where most of our seals are released. From our records we know he was rescued by an RSCA Officer as a pup from Anglesey, in October 2020. After a few months in care he was transferred across to Welsh Mountain Zoo, alongside seal 3004. After several weeks in their deeper pools, they were released together. It's only through teamwork and the networking of seals across to East Winch and Welsh Mountain Zoo can we fully prepare our seals for release. It is through the use of a simple Dalton Tag can we show that our seal pups can survive back in the wild.
news
TRAINING
Since 2019 Stapeley Grange has been running a wildlife rehabilitation module at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU). The unit, available to Animal Behaviour and Conservation students in their second year, introduces students to current approaches to the rehabilitation and release of wildlife casualties in the UK. Jan Chapman, a senior Lecturer in Animal Behaviour at MMU, says 'I think that this unit helps some of our students to make realistic decisions about their future careers." The six week unit provides a broad theoretical grounding for individuals considering careers in wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and release. As well as a visit to Stapeley Grange, the students have an opportunity to visit Lower Moss Wood Wildlife Hospital, in Knutsford. They also enjoy virtual visits to Cuan Wildlife Hospital (Much Wenlock) and Wildlife Aid Foundation (Leatherhead.) In a post-Covid 19 world MMU students now enjoy both face to face and virtual sessions that cover the 'casualties journey' from their rescue, through triage, treatment, preparation for and finally their return to the wild. Lectures also cover health and safety and zoonotic diseases, the importance of the Countryside and Wildlife Act and the Animal Welfare Act to rehabilitators and also involves case studies and ethical discussions around the world of wildlife rehabilitation. Stapeley Grange has a long term relationship with MMU and its students, both in regards to summer and year long placements and research. The course also covers placement and work opportunities at Stapeley, with the Society and with independent wildlife rehabilitators. For more information on the Animal Behaviour and Conservation course at MMU - https://bit.ly/3w9x8fj
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"Learning with the RSPCA really helped me brush up on wildlife law and animal welfare, but it also opened me up to pursuing a placement in wildlife rehabilitation, which is something I'd never thought about before. It's definitely been one of my favorite units at university so far." Caitlin Robin-Mook
Animal Welfare Officer Sonia Hulme
It's not only our bird patients who tweet - we do too! We now have almost 4000 followers on our two Twitter accounts and it is growing all the time. Here is a selection of our tweets. Don't forget to follow us @RSPCAStapeley or @StapeleyCats
@RSPCA _ OFFICIAL
@CARARSPCA
@RACHRSPCA
The official RSPCA Twitter
@SONIA _ RSPCA
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TWEET tweet!
Inspector Anthony Joynes
More RSPCA twittering
Regional Media Manager Rachel Butler
@HERCHYBOAL
Inspector Herchy Boal
@JOYNES85
Stapeley's video collection
Otter time - Santon and Storm at play and Orphaned otter cubs Fox cub feeding time: and Fox cub kiss chase Great crested grebe, Gulls galore and Some hungry jackdaws Some cheeky little polecats and Weasel orphan Common buzzards chicks and Cygnets in need of TLC Hoglet feeding time, Leveret release and not forgetting our Orphaned storm seals and Daffi, our orphaned otter cub
Animal Collection Officer Cara Gibbon
RSPCA inspectors, staff and centres across the country use Twitter too - here are some more accounts to follow
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Alfie
Batman (aka Tiny) and Robin.
CATTERY NEWS
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Kitty
Two cats who were rehomed by the Stapeley team, as kittens, are unexpectedly back in the charity’s care again ten years later. Our team are once again looking for new homes for Heidi (pictured right) and Maddie after a change in circumstances meant that their owner could sadly no longer keep them. The sisters, who are both black and white, were just tiny kittens when they were first cared for at the Nantwich centre - and subsequently adopted - back in 2012. It’s very unusual to see the same cats again a decade later and it quickly became apparent to the team once we’d started looking after them that Heidi and Maddie were both very independent characters who preferred their own space, rather than cohabiting with their sibling. So after careful consideration, we decided to separate them into individual pens. They were far more relaxed and as a result, we have decided to rehome them separately. While they are now middle-aged and not kittens anymore, they are both friendly and affectionate cats who enjoy the fuss and human company and we really hope to be able to give them a happily ever after second time around. Now Heidi has her own space, she has become far more relaxed and is able to access her food away from her sister. Although she can be a little shy to start with, she’s a very sweet and affectionate little cat who wants nothing more in life than a comfy lap to sit on. Heidi likes to spend her time in the outdoor section of her pen, listening to the birds and watching the world go by, so staff think she would make a wonderful, easy-going companion for someone. As a cat who prefers her independence, she would be happiest in a quiet adult home as an only pet with access to a safe outdoor space. Maddie is the more outgoing of the pair with a passion for food and would often help herself to her sister’s portion when they were housed together. Equally as friendly as Heidi but not quite as shy, she loves to lounge about and spends a fair amount of her day hanging half in and half out of her bed, fast asleep on her back or side. Maddie thoroughly enjoys her creature comforts and the finer things in life; therefore a quiet relaxed environment in an adult-only home with no other pets would suit her.
Rosie
Chester
Batman (aka Tiny) and Robin are an adorable pair of 5-month-old kittens. You would assume that are litter mates, but you would be wrong. Although they had very different starts in life, you can safely say they both had luck on their side! Robin was found by a member of the public in a car engine in Nantwich. He was a small, much younger, at the time and was probably looking for a place to keep warm. It was certainly his lucky day when they found him. He had no chip so he was taken into our care for rehoming. Amazingly, he was no worse for wear considering his ordeal. Tiny was also found by a member of the public, at just a week old, by the side of a busy road in Crewe. Her surviving next to the busy road and her being spotted was nothing short of a miracle. She was so small, grubby and very hungry when she arrived. She was so Tiny, she fitted snugly into a human hand, so that’s what we called her. Robin found his feet quite quickly but Tiny, by far the smaller of the two, needed a bit more care. She was treated for flu and an eye ulcer but thankfully both were successfully treated. They both seemed to love attention from our team but they were lonely, so a decision was made that they would be paired up. And after a slow and careful introduction, they had company. Initially Tiny was quite wary of Robin. She didn’t seem to like him touching her things. Robin, on the other hand, was overjoyed at the prospect of having a companion and he instantly fell in love with Tiny. Over several weeks and many more playdates, Tiny began to warm to Robin. They started to play together and chase around in their outside pen. It’s heart-warming to see how happy they are now, especially considering how they arrived at the Centre. They should soon be heading off to their new home, obviously together.
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Looking for loving forever homes
Cat siblings back at RSPCA, a decade after they were first rehomed
Max finally finds his loving forever home!
To support our cats why not check out our Amazon Wish List - https://amzn.to/3jnCpaj
Cat rescue in Kirkby on 31/1/2022 - Inspector Joynes responded to a call to assist a cat trapped between two walls in Kirkby, Liverpool. The cat had become wedged and was unable to reach food placed in attempts to entice him out. He was believed to have been stuck for a number of days. Inspector Joynes along with Merseyside Fire Service, worked together to free the cat who was uninjured. With no owner known and no microchip, he was taken to an animal centre for food and recovery. and will be rehomed to a loving forever home.
Officer Cat Rescues
Cat rescued from 50ft height in Ellesmere Port - 25/2/2022 - Inspector Norris attended to assist distraught owners of cat ‘Oreo’ after he became stuck around 50ft up a tree over a road. Fire services sent two pumps and a hydraulic lift which were required to safely reach Oreo. The cat, an RSPCA rescue from the Wirral branch, had recently had eye surgery which is thought to have affected his ability to get himself down. Cheshire Police closed the road in case the cat fell during the rescue. He refused to go into the cat basket so was given a fireman's lift down the ladder. He had a slight limp so was taken to the vet for a check by his grateful owners.
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Student Dissertation
Max first arrived at Stapeley in January 2017, dumped at the wildlife gate, simply saying 'he was a stray'. We rehomed in February 2017 to a lovely lady but sadly she recently broke her back. The lady turned to us for help and in July last year, Max came back to Stapeley. Max has always been very quiet and hid a lot in his pen. Max was finally rehomed in December 2021. The team recently received this update. "Max is loving his new home. He is still shy of strangers but has become very attached to his new owners (Eddie & Casey). He also plays with toys now, something he didn't really do in the Cattery. He has put some weight on and isn't shy to tell everyone when he wants feeding with his many meow's!!"
We can all support wildlife whether it be internationally, nationally, locally within your community or simply feeding birds or hedgehogs in your back garden. It all makes a difference and helps to keep us connected to nature.
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Community workshops
APPLY NOW!
It is a real pleasure for the education team to welcome the groups that attend our community workshops. So far we have worked with the YMCA to provide fun experiences for vulnerable families and now begin to provide workshops for the YMCA and their youth support groups. We have also welcomed Saltbox who support homeless adults and during 2022 they will be working on focus projects in our garden and a planned nature area on the field. During half term, we had a wonderful time hosting the Cheshire Young Carers, who returned to visit us. They enjoyed hearing about the work of the RSPCA, seeing seals in their enclosure and a hedgehog in the orphan room window (most had never seen these animals before). The children got stuck into upcycling activities; creating planters and bee hotels using plastic bottles while learning about the impact of litter on wildlife. Our workshops provide information and activities about animal welfare, nature and the work of the RSPCA while also ensuring a visit that provides well-being opportunities for those who attend. We are working to expand the workshops, and are looking to link up with more groups in our community throughout 2022 and beyond. If you think your community group would be interested in attending a workshop please get in touch! evie.astbury-field1@rspca.org.uk
EDUCATION
Our Kickstart Animal Support Assistant started work at Stapeley in September 2021 and is due to complete the opportunity in March 2022. Owen has gained valuable experience across the cattery, wildlife and education teams, learning animal husbandry, maintenance and working with people. The Kickstart was a huge transition for Owen and we are glad to have been able to provide the opportunity and wish him all the best in his next step. Owen came to the RSPCA as a Virtual School child when he was in year 10 at school. Following this, he was able to stay on a post-16 Cygnet programme at Stapeley. He was due to start an apprenticeship in 2020 when the Covid 19 pandemic hit. Sadly the apprenticeship could not continue, but in time the education team found a way to deliver a 6 month Kickstart opportunity, for which Owen was eligible to apply. Out of three applicants, Owen shone in the interview, being able to recall his previous experiences from his time at the centre. We asked Owen about himself and his time at the RSPCA, from start to the current finish, and this is what he said! I like to be outdoors, such as mountain biking in Wales, I don’t get to go a lot but it’s great when I do. Fishing is a weekend hobby, I always put the fish back. In the future I would like to work with animals, I would love to work for the RSPCA. I started my time at Stapeley through the Virtual School programme, I was going to school, but I had an interest in animals so they put me forward for the placement. To begin with, it was one day a week, which then went to two. I was going to school, but I had an interest in animals so they put me forward for the placement. We learnt about animal care, visited the cattery to socialise the cats, we learned how to care for hedgehogs and cleaned the wildlife enclosures. I enjoyed doing activities such as feeding the seals and talking about animal cruelty and pollution and respecting nature, learning about the RSPCA; what it stands for and what they do. We also did gardening, we were taught how to light a campfire and we built a mud kitchen for younger children. I felt involved, supported and welcome. This got me through school, I wanted to get through. I felt happy that I had the privilege of being there and seeing all the animals, and to get to understand some of the work they do. I learned some great things! Nantwich has seals, which was really cool. I learned the RSPCA takes in injured animals and rehabilitates them. At the time I wanted a pet fox but quickly learned that if an animal is from the wild, they need to stay wild, they are not pets, and they smell! I feel humans can do a lot more to help, not drop litter and respect nature. We take a lot of things for granted. I’d report any cruelty I saw, it makes me angry and disappointed in others when they hurt animals. When I started the Cygnet Programme, I really enjoyed it; the staff were welcoming and great with me, I got to help some cats that were not able to be rehomed, to come out of their shells, and to find a home, this was really rewarding. I was really chuffed with myself that I had been able to do this. I learned a lot about cross-contamination, the equipment needed and how to work safely with the animals and look after the cats. How important all this is. I felt like a member of staff, more involved in everything, part of the team. I felt I was wanted by people; this kept me going, the comfort of being there. I was really happy and that I was starting to get on with my life and mature, really grow up, and realise there is more to life than being silly, messing about. It felt very good to have the apprenticeship ahead of me, I was really looking forward to it, I was settled there, it was a stable long-term plan for me. I was devastated really when the pandemic hit and I lost the opportunity of the apprenticeship. I lost a lot of confidence, and in the RSPCA. I did not cope well during the lockdowns as I was in a care home and felt very anxious. I was really struggling. We could only mix in the home but it was a tense and difficult place to be, especially when all locked down. I thought a lot about work, the animals, the people and how everyone was. The possibility of the Kickstart placement meant a lot to me. When I got the chance, it meant I got to go back to Stapeley and help out again. I’m happy there. My first employment has helped me with getting a tenancy agreement, I can be independent and develop myself. I pay my rent and support myself. I became homeless a few months before the Kickstart, so it helped me regain a home and stand on my own two feet. It has felt so rewarding and good to be back. In future, I would love to have a job at Stapeley Grange or similar, in maintenance, or on the animal care side. Maybe I can also think about being able to work with animals in another country. From the start to now, I have also learned about myself. I have been surprised by some things that I could do; working with swans correctly, helping out with the otters, being aware of cleaning enclosures to being on your guard the whole time. I also feel that I can be careful with what I say and how I am with the younger kids now. I can be a role model and they can look up to me, they can go the same route and I can encourage them not to mess about. I hope to be able to continue working to help animals and one day even get a house and my own land, and have an animal sanctuary.
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Owen's Stapeley journey
https://equilibrium.link/RSPCA-Dec-2021
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https://equilibrium.co.uk/library/how-to-gift-well/
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FUNDRAISING
Over the last 6 months Nationwide customers have donated towels and dog / cat food and almost £200. Such support is invaluable to the work at our Centre ‘At Nationwide we are all encouraged to support our local communities and to help raise the profile of local charities. As a team of animal lovers we are all keen to support the RSPCA and having Stapeley Grange on our doorstep was a perfect fit and we are happy to support in any way we can, whether by being a drop off point for donations of bedding & food etc or simply by having the collection boxes on the counter. At Nationwide we are lucky to be allowed to take volunteer hours during in the year and I am sure once the restrictions imposed by the pandemic are fully lifted you may see one or two of us offering to help out at Stapeley Grange’ Karen Preston, Personal Banking Manager (pictured right with Colleague Dan O'Halloran)
Sainsbury's shoppers have been supporting our wild and domestic animals, through food donations, for almost four years now. Whether it be a tin of dog or cat food (pedigree dog or Whiskas cat food), cat litter, toys or fairy liquid (which is used on oiled animals). Every donation has helped and made a difference. With Spring comes an influx of small birds that require hourly feeds, which always keeps the team busy at this time of year. Many species seem to thrive on Sainsbury's own, meaty loaf dog food so at this time of year we tend to appeal for customers to donate these tins. Your ongoing support is very much appreciated.
With more seals comes more of a need for salt and once again British Salt have stepped in, once again, to help with an important donation of salt. "British Salt is delighted to be able to support the wonderful work that the RSPCA at Stapeley Grange are doing in caring for the seals and all the other animals they look after. Salt production has always been an important part of life in Cheshire and it's great to be able to use our products to help such a worthy cause so close to home." Richard Diggle, Head of Sales - Salt
It's been a tough couple of years for everyone, including charities. Public donations are important to the running of the RSPCA, including Stapeley Grange. Although we do receive some Government funding it amounts to less than 0.1% of our annual expenditure, therefore fundraising has always and will continue to be critical to the running of Stapeley Grange For anyone interested in fundraising for the Centre, you can now set up a Justgiving page on either our cattery https://bit.ly/3xKN9Xt or wildlife hospital https://bit.ly/3xGdHcs sites. We are obviously happy to support any fundraising ideas you may have so please email us at stapeley@rspca.org.uk to discuss further. We are looking to secure running and triathlon events based in the North West and Wales for anyone that fancies a new challenge in 2022. For more information on events, required sponsorship targets and how to apply please contact us at stapeley@rspca.org.uk. You may also have events closer to home that you may want to sign up for to help raise money for our animals. Every £ raised will go towards the care of our animals. Please spare a thought for Tierney Chalmers and Lidia Izaola who have started training for their Cheshire Triathlon in May - Tierney and Lidiia Justgiving fundraising page
Barclays Bank staff from Radbrooke Hall have been supporting Stapeley Grange for the past 9 years, up until April 2020, through their 'Make a Difference Day' (MADD) programme. Up to 16 groups a year had been coming to Stapeley until the Covid 19 pandemic hit the world. With exception of the education room, which has an incredible mural, there is not an office or hospital room, enclosure, fence or pen at Stapeley that has not been maintained or built via our amazing Barclays MADD volunteers. After two years without volunteers Barclay's volunteers finally arrived back at Stapeley. Our fences were in need of some serious TLC! Rebecca Cordery, an organiser for one of our recent groups had this to say about their visit. "We were really keen to come back to Stapeley, given our longstanding relationship with the centre and to support in some way the amazing work they do. Despite the rain it was a brilliant day as always and we can't thank them enough for accommodating us."
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https://vip.petsathome.com/ Choose Crewe Store to find us but shop at any Store We will benefit with any instore or online sales, spend at the Groom Rooms and Vets4Pets/Companion Care surgeries.