R.S.P.C.A.
West Hatch Animal Centre.
TAUNTON,
SOMERSET. TA3 5RT Tel:
0300 123 0747 Fax: 0303 123 8140
During peak periods the telephone is very busy
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We would like to warn that some images on this page may be distressing but we feel that it is good to show the work carried out at West Hatch from start to finish. This page perfectly illustrates the 5 letters 'R.S.P.C.A.' that we are proud to serve. Casey's Story When Casey the greyhound arrived at the centre with Inspector head she was a pitiful sight. She had infected ears, was covered in fleas, had a sore on her side and was very lethargic. She also weighed only 17.8 kgs. Casey stayed at the centre for a total of 7 months. During this time she was weighed daily, and fed 4 times each day. We watched her weight increase day by day, until she finally reached her ideal weight of 29 kgs. This was a total increase of 11.2 kgs. Unfortunately not all endings are happy ones. Casey did find new owners, but she also suffered from some difficult behavioural problems. She came back to the centre in August 2004 and suddenly became very ill. She was found to have a serious heart problem and despite treatment she became weaker by the day. Our vets sadly had to make the tough decision to euthanase her. BEFORE
Unfortunately her case never made it to court, but we did manage to get legal ownership so that she could be re-homed. She now lives by the sea, and is adored by her new owners. AFTER
Ollie's Story When Ollie was brought to the Centre by Inspector Head in 1998, he was suffering from hypothermia, dehydration, and was in a totally collapsed state. He was placed on a drip and underwent tests that showed his liver and kidneys had been damaged by his condition.
He had been found slumped in a back garden in Taunton, so Inspector Head did newspaper appeals to try and identify who his owners were. BEFORE
Three separate owners were identified as having neglected to care for Ollie. All three were fined, and the main owner was banned from keeping all animals for 10 years. Over a period of months, Ollie grew stronger. He gained weight, and luckily his condition improved so much that he was able to be homed with a clean bill of health. The pictures below now show Ollie back to full health. Ollie is still happy and healthy 6 years later, and still comes back to visit everyone at the centre. AFTER
The Sloughi Story
Early in 2002, we received a call to say that an Inspector had been to some outbuildings near Bath, and removed a large number of dogs that were living in horrendous conditions. We arranged to take 12 of the them at West Hatch. When they arrived late that night, we were shocked at how terrified they were. They didn't know what a lead was, and cowered away when we tried to get near. In the end, we had to carry them to their kennels and leave them to settle in for the night. Most of the dogs were suffering from skin and ear infections. They were covered in dried faeces and were under weight. Unfortunately our Vet and the Inspectors had to make the decision to euthanase 3 of the older dogs who had serious hip problems. The dogs were a rare breed called Sloughi's. They are naturally a very timid breed, but these particular dogs had been kept either in sheds piled high with excrement, or in small cages that were so caked with faeces that the inspectors could not open the doors. They were literally terrified of human contact, and went into a complete panic if we removed them from their kennel blocks. We had to find a way to rehabilitate them, or they would never be able to go to new homes. The first thing we did was make their kennel block into a safe haven. We gave them large crates to hide in, blacked out the windows, and played calming music. One member of staff looked after them to begin with to build a bond with them. Emma put in a huge amount of time and effort, and her calm approach began to pay off. Each time a new person was introduced, they went back into a complete panic, but eventually they began to trust us all enough to start introducing them to the outside world. At first they found it hard to adjust to open spaces, and wanted to bolt back to the security of their kennels. But gradually, after months and months of work, they all began to come out of themselves, and discovered how much fun it was to run, and began to enjoy charging around in our paddock. They were taken out every day with friendly dogs so they could learn to socialize and play. The owners were successfully prosecuted. They were fined, sentenced to community service and banned from keeping animals for life. We found wonderful homes for all the remaining dogs, and they have all proved to be wonderful companions. They all enjoy lounging on their owners sofa's, and Arnie even amazed us all by being confident enough to parade around the ring at our 2003 open day. To our joy, he won Best Rescue Dog, which he thoroughly deserved.
From Bald to Beautiful. When Max, a 2½ year old German Shepherd Dog came to the centre as part of as prosecution case, he was in an appalling condition. he was virtually bald, and his skin was inflamed and sore. He was depressed and had no energy. After months of veterinary attention and care, he began to look and act like a different dog. Eventually his coat completely grew back, and his energy and enthusiasm returned. Max's owners were prosecuted, and although Max is likely to need medication long term, he was successfully re homed, and is enjoying life with his new family.
ADAM THE COCKER When Adam was removed from his owners by RSPCA Inspectors, he was riddled with lice, and an untreated ear infection had become so bad, that he had to undergo two operations. Despite being in immense pain, he remained a lovely natured dog, and eventually, after months of treatment was able to be homed. Adams owners were prosecuted, and ordered to pay £5,000 costs. Adam was adopted by one of the police officers involved in the investigation. STAFFIE PUPPIES NOW IN SAFE HANDS Six Staffie puppies were brought to the centre, after a vet alerted the RSPCA to the condition of them. The owner had bought them so that he could sell them on for profit. When they arrived at the centre, they had no hair, and their skin was sore and covered in scabs. They were treated over a period of months, and have now made a full recovery. Their owner was banned from keeping dogs for 2 years, and ordered to pay £100 pounds towards costs. BEFORE
AFTER
SMOKEY & BRANDY
Smokey and Brandy arrived at the centre in October 2001. They were brought in By Inspector Kate Head. They both only weighed about 13kg and were extremely weak. They had soiled, matted fur, and overgrown nails. At first they had to be fed on tiny frequent meals of bland food, as they had gone so long without proper meals that their bodies couldn't cope. They went into a frenzy when food appeared, gulping down every little bit in a matter of seconds. Smokey and Brandy gradually gained weight, and their coats became healthy and shiny. After 8 months at the centre, they were re-homed together weighing nearly twice their original weight. Sadly Brandy passed away in 2004, but as you can see from these pictures he had a wonderful home for the last few years of his life. Smokey is still fit and well. LUCKY'S TALE.
Lucky was virtually bald and smelt appalling when she was brought to the centre by Inspector Daniel. The vet diagnosed an untreated mite and flea infestation. It took many months of treatment and steroids before Luckys hair grew back. She has been in her new home now for many years, and still regularly visits the centre for check ups. She will need to continue on medicated baths for the rest of her life. Her previous owners were banned from keeping animals for 5 years. MISERY FOR GREAT DANE.
Junior, a 2 year old Great Dane, was brought to the Centre in October 1999 by Inspector Kate Head. he was extremely under weight and his body was covered in sores. During the 4 months he was with us, Junior went from being a quiet depressed dog with no interest in life, to a lively friendly one with plenty of energy. We successfully re-homed him in January 2000, looking like a different dog. He came back to visit us at our open day and won first prize for the most handsome dog in our dog show. TOBY
When Toby the Scottie arrived at the Centre with Inspector Jo Daniel, he had hair loss, thickened skin, and he smelt awful. It took many, many months of treatment and steroids before his hair came back, and although he may always be prone to skin problems, he found a wonderful new home in 2003. CASES OF CRUELTY, NEGLECT OR IN AN EMERGENCY TEL: 0300 1234 999 (24 HOUR)
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