About Animals Charities

 

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I've spent my life around animals, from having rabbits, cats & ponies, plus the occasional dog to look after. My animals have always contributed considerably towards my own wellbeing & happiness;  like many of you reading this who own pets yourself, you'll understand when I say that my animals have always been there for me, ready to greet me (or shout "Where's my dinner?!"), a shoulder to cry on when life wasn't going well, & always present through good times & bad

 

As I got older and saw the world changing, things started to stir in me that it was high time I did something for the animals who did so much me.  I spent several very happy years as a volunteer with the national cat charity, Cats Protection, mucking out, grooming, even taking a cat for a walk on one occasion. 

But something else was stirring within me, a growing thinking that all was far from right with the relationship between animals & humans; yes, there have always been problems, but this was more widespread & deeper rooted.

 

A turning point was five minutes of the most touching TV I've ever seen in my life.  It was one of the pet rescue programmes - and the half hour had given some time to an elderly gentleman who was going into a home.  His one loving companion - a collie, as I recall - was not able to go with him.  The dog was all this man had, his only friend, and loyal companion, and link with times past.  They had five minutes to say goodbye for good.  Five minutes, after all those years of loving loyalty & companionship.  Quiet tears rolled down the old man's face, as he stroked his best friend, his true friend, for the final few minutes they had together.  The dog sat quietly by his master's side, patient & loyal to the last until an animal welfare officer took him away.

This moment stayed with me but I didn't do anything about it until a few years later when I found out about the Society for Companion Animal Studies and at about the same time discovered the Cinnamon Trust.  SCAS were doing a day with Age Concern about the bond between the elderly & their pets.  I went and heard the amazing Mrs Averil Jarvis from the Cinnamon Trust talk about the work her charity does to help uphold the bond between the elderly and their pets.  Since that day, I've tried to make people aware of the amazing work the Cinnamon Trust does.

At the same time, I became a life coach & was writing books and was taking an increasing interest in nature, conservation, the animal kingdom & wildlife.  I am no expert - but it was becoming increasingly clear that there is a growing divide between many people and animals - and there seems to me to be an increasingly large proportion of people who are quite happy to put their own needs, wants & interests over & above the welfare of the planet, plant, human and animal life.  The phrase from Einstein "about technology exceeding our humanity" struck a chord. 


Why this site?

As we all face increasing battles for the resources on this planet - most noticibly water, and land space - my fear is that animals will lose out.  They need all the supporters they can get.  So I've put this site together, in the hope that you will find it easier to locate animal charities you can help, animals you can connect to and feel a sense of compassion for which translates into taking action, and that we can find a way for animals & humans both to live in better harmony & respect than perhaps exists at the moment. 

Here's to all our wellbeing & happiness, animal & human