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RSPCA Stourbridge & District branch
The Stourbridge and District branch is Hagley’s local branch of the RSPCA. We rescue, foster and rehome cats and other small animals across Stourbridge and surrounding areas. What many people don’t know, is that like every other branch of the RSPCA in England and Wales, we are a separately registered charity to the national RSPCA. We are therefore totally self-funded and responsible for raising our own, vital funds locally. Furthermore, our branch is completely run by volunteer trustees and fosterers who give us their valuable free time. Without volunteers, we simply could not operate.
As well as fostering and rehoming, we support with neutering, reuniting lost pets and can offer assistance with veterinary treatment in some circumstances through our veterinary partners. As we don’t have an animal rescue centre all cats, rabbits and guinea pigs in our care live with our volunteer fosterers. So far this year we’ve helped rehome 20 cats and three rabbits and have another 18 in our care, looking for their forever home. It costs approximately £50 per day to keep our cats in foster care – that’s before any veterinary costs.
WINTER CARE
As we’re in the midst of winter, we thought it might be helpful to provide a few tips to help best care for your feline friends:
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Be careful using antifreeze and clear up any spillages – it can be fatal to cats
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Check their paws when they come inside – gently wipe to remove any salt, grit or chemicals – don’t forget pooches’ paws too
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Keep them entertained indoors with ‘toys’ or activities – you’ll be surprised how much fun cats can have with just an empty box or sweet wrapper!
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Ensure their microchip is up to date, just in case they wander a little further than normal
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Provide a litter tray indoors – particularly for senior cats or those with medical conditions
For rabbits, it’s important to give them sufficient bedding and keep them warm and dry, with an insulated sleeping area. Rabbits share warmth too – so a companion will help keep them toasty as well as reduce stress. Rabbitwelfare.co.uk is a great source of information and support.
There’s lots of other ways you can support us as your local branch too – either through donations or perhaps you have space in your heart and home to become a fosterer? Follow us through our social media channels or visit our website. You can also email stourbridgerspca@hotmail.co.uk if you’d like any further information or support.
Could you offer a forever home? We have a number of cats in our care looking for their forever home (some pictured). By giving a cat in our care a new home, you’re not only helping them but also another animal that you’ve enabled us to rescue by creating the foster space. You can read about all the animals available for adoption on our website www.rspca-stourbridgeanddistrict.org.uk
