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Our annual Big Borders Dog Walk was held in June starting and finishing at Leaderfoot. The event was very well attended with lots of doggies and their owners coming along to take part in either the shorter walk or the longer option. We were extremely lucky with the weather, and all the dogs were on their best behaviour.
We raised over £600 from donations for this exciting event, which will be sure to return next year!
There are lots of lovely photos taken by Gillian which can be seen on the events section of our website by clicking on the photo below.
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This year’s Open Day was held on Saturday 17th August and raised over £1,000.
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We held had our usual raffle and tombola stalls as well as cake and candy, tea and coffee, hotdogs, pet supplies, games, bric a brac and BPR information stand. We also had a bottle stall which proved very popular.
The Dog Show, sponsored by Pets at Home in Galashiels, was a great success. Thank you to Harry McKercher for judging.
As in previous years, members of the public were able to look around the Centre and meet the animals looking for new homes. The plans for our new kennels were also on display.
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Some VIP (Very Important Pet) Updates
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It is with a heavy heart that we tell you about the passing of our resident cat Annoushka.
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Annoushka came into our care way back in 2010. When she arrived, we quickly learned that this 10yr old was going to be special – she was such a feisty girl! Annoushka soon settled into life at the Centre and it became clear that she didn’t want to leave! She began to consider the staff and volunteers as her family and when any visitors did come to meet her, she quickly told them what she thought of them! We, therefore, decided the least stressful thing for Annoushka was to adopt her as our own.
Over the next 9 years Annoushka stole the hearts of everyone who met her. She would meet staff at the gate when we arrived first thing in the morning, she would come to see who the visitors were and she would watch the cats and dogs coming and going and even occasionally pop down to our Warren to check out the rabbits!
Annoushka teamed up with our other long term resident Widget, despite neither of them liking any other cats and they spent a few years living together, ruling the roost before Widget sadly passed away in 2016.
In her later years, Annoushka slowed down but she never lost her attitude and continued to leave an impression on everyone who met her!
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Sadly, at almost 19yrs old, Annoushka recently started to struggle and our vets found that her arthritis had reached critical level. There was no option left for us but to say goodbye to our special girl.
We brought Annoushka home from the vets and she is now buried next to her old pal Widget.
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RIP Annoushka, we will all miss you so much
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3yr old Florence, who was originally from Italy before her owners moved to Scotland, arrived at the Centre in June 2018. She was a wary girl and took a little bit of time to settle in with us before really showing her true cheeky side. Florence made friends with Shadow and they both really enjoyed a good rough and tumble.
Florence had been with us for almost a year before there was any real interest in her. However, after spending a total of 406 days in our care, she went off to her new home and is settling in well.
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Shadow is around 5 years old and came into our care from another rescue back in January 2018. Shadow quickly made friends with everyone he met and became a big favourite among the staff and volunteers. Due to Shadow’s history and size he needed a special home and we knew that although we would be able to find him the home he deserves, it may take us a while.
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Our big friendly boy Shadow finally found his new home after spending 542 days in our care. He is now living with someone who took the time and patience to really bring Shadow on and give him the home he deserves. He is doing well in his new home.
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Shadow and Florence – “here comes trouble!”
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Pal is a Jack Russell cross who has been in our care for 9 months now!
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At 5 years old Pal has sadly had a few homes before coming into our care and has spent too much time in rescues. He is just looking for his forever home to have no other pets and no children so he can get the attention he needs.
He is very lively, especially when it comes to walks and lets you know by showing off how vocal he can be. Pal has had some basic training, and this would need work, but his recall seems to be pretty good. He is eager to please and just loves a treat so training him shouldn’t be too difficult. Pal is looking for an active home where he can receive the stimulation he needs as he is full of energy.
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We currently have two Musk Turtles in our care who have been with us for over a year! They are about 5 years old and can live more than 20 years, so have lots of life left in them.
They are fairly easy to look after and are considered a beginner level type of care for turtles. They came into our care as their previous owner could no longer look after them, they are friendly and are quite happy swimming about in their tank.
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We currently have 2 Corn Snakes in our care, they are not looking to be rehomed together. You can see more about them below:
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Bea is a corn snake who has been in our care for over a year. She is about 7 years old and was not being handled enough in her previous home. We are currently working on getting her used to being handled and she is enjoying her time out and about. Bea can still be a bit nippy whilst in her tank but once she is out, she is fine. This means she is looking for an experienced owner who can help work on this.
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Casper, another corn snake in our care, is friendly and is used to being handled and would be great for a first-time snake owner. He is 10 years old and was overweight when he arrived at the centre..
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Bea
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Casper
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As well as our exciting plans for 10 new kennels, we are constantly seeking to improve the facilities we currently have.
Here’s a bit of work we’ve had done recently:
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Our New and Improved Feral Shed
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Our “Feral Shed”; is used for a cat or cats a bit more space or quiet. This could be due to them struggling to cope being around the other cats, or not being used to being confined in a pen; perhaps a feral or a farm cat. Recently, it has been home to a lovely trio of cats who needed to stay together and need a bit more space.
Local joiner Billy Thom worked his magic and repaired our old shed and has also built this amazing new outdoor run. There are lights and a heater in the shed and a cat flap from the shed into the run meaning the cats now have free access to spend their time inside or outside. This new outdoor run is big enough for us to fit 2 giant cat trees as well as a cat house for the cats to snooze in and a bench so the staff and volunteers can sit and spend some time with the cats.
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Our old feral shed & run
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Our new feral shed & run
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Caravan Run
The typical Scottish weather had taken its toll on the old caravan run where, during the better weather, the cats staying in the caravan could access the outside to explore and enjoy some fresh air.
Billy Thom again came to the rescue and has now repaired the run and built ledges for the cats to laze about on.
You can see all the cats in our care by clicking here
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Borders Pet Rescue relies on income generated by our charity shops. They bring in more than 60% of the income required to run the Centre. We have 4 shops in Galashiels, Duns, Kelso and Hawick.
Whilst the shops are an invaluable source of income there are also other reasons to support them:
- Encourage recycling. Even if the goods you donate are a little too “pre-loved” to sell they are recycled to a “rag-man” for which the charity receives money.
- Volunteering in charity shops gives people an opportunity to meet others and help combat loneliness. Many charity shop volunteers believe that volunteering has a positive impact on their physical and mental health and that it improves their self- esteem and confidence.
- Save money by getting some bargains. We regularly receive donated designer and high-end items. We sell them at a fraction of their cost!
- The money you spend helps others, or in our case, the animals. We do not receive any grant funding from Government or local authorities or anywhere else to pay wages, vet bills, heating bills etc. So, EVERY PENNY COUNTS.
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Our shop in Kelso
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Your local shop needs help with volunteers!
Can you spare a few hours a week to help in one of our charity shops which raise the vital funds we need to support our animal rescue work?
Pop in to your local shop to find out more!
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Did you know you can help us raise funds by simply shopping online at smile.amazon.co.uk
Amazon donates 0.5% of the net purchase price (excluding VAT, returns and shipping fees) of eligible purchases to the charitable organisation of your choice at no extra cost to you!
AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.
So you can support Borders Pet Rescue by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.co.uk
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We Need Your Help To Fundraise!
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As well as supporting our events and helping our shops by donating or volunteering, there are many ways you can help us. Below are some ideas for fundraising…..
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Organise a Quiz Night
Organise a coffee morning
Get sponsored to swim Loch Ness? (it’s easier than you think!)
Get sponsored to do anything!
Organise a Dress Down day
Collect a mile of coins
Sell home baking at work
Or how about….
Celebration Giving… (donations in lieu of birthday or anniversary gifts)
Sign up to make a monthly donation to Borders Pet Rescue
Sponsor a kennel or cat pen
Consider leaving us money in your Will
Or you can simply give us a gift or buy us something from our Amazon Wishlist
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Every penny you raise will help us provide care for animals in need
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Some of our fundraisers this year…
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Here’s Stuart – Before and After his sponsored shave!
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Tracey & KC did a sponsored walk from Hawick to Edinburgh!
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Jamie did some busking with his accordion
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Ex-resident Boston the Shih Tzu took part in Ruff Dugger at Traquair
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Lois and Niamh held a bake sale over the summer holidays
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Lorraine overcame her fear of heights by doing a skydive!! You can watch the video of that by clicking HERE !!
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Jackie has bake sales and holds raffles twice a year.
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If you would like to help us fundraise in any way, please get in touch!
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If you love animals and understand the vital nature of our rescue work, why not help us to create the future vision for this much-valued local charity?
We would like to find at least 2 enthusiastic and energetic supporters to join our Board of Trustees
For further information, please email our Chair, Ann Southwood:
chair@borderspetrescue.org
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