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PDSA
falls victim to donation theft in North West
PDSA shops in
the North West are counting the cost after losing out on valuable
donations as the charity’s pink sacks, filled with donated items
intended to raise cash for sick and injured pets, are being stolen
before PDSA van drivers can collect them. Sale PDSA shop
collected only 14 bags out of 400 dropped, while on the same day
Oldham PDSA shop only received 13 back. Prescot PDSA shop also
suffered a similar fate, with several other areas in the North West
also affected.
UK-wide PDSA saw a shocking 50% rise in the
number of bags filled with donations stolen from doorsteps before
they could be collected in 2006 compared to 2005.
Sale PDSA Shop Manager, Jane Austen, says:- “Every bag that
doesn’t make its way to a PDSA shop is taking vital funds away from
pets in need of vets. We are advising animal lovers to
either drop off donated items at their local PDSA shop, or to be
vigilant about who is collecting PDSA pink sacks and ask for ID if
unsure.”
PDSA’s 182 shops sell new goods and donated items to raise funds to
provide free veterinary treatment for the sick and injured pets of
people in need.
The shops are entirely dependant on the goodwill of
the public both in terms of donations and the volunteers who man the
shop floor, so losing out on donations is a real blow for sick and
injured pets in the region.
If you are in doubt about a collector all PDSA van drivers carry
formal identification or alternatively, check with your local PDSA
shop manager if they are collecting in your area, visit
pdsa.org.uk/er4pets to find your nearest shop. |
PDSA warns against deadly rabbit virus
LEADING
veterinary charity, PDSA, is urging rabbit owners to vaccinate their
furry companions following reports of an increase in cases of the
killer rabbit disease, myxomatosis. Symptoms of this
deadly bunny disease include a swollen head, eyelids and genitals
and this can lead to a secondary infection which can cause pneumonia
and conjunctivitis. The appetite of the rabbit may remain normal,
but the chance of survival in severe cases is sadly very poor.
The recent wet and humid conditions are blamed for the upsurge, as
the disease is spread by fleas and biting insects. PDSA Senior
Veterinary Surgeon, Elaine Pendlebury, says:- “This is a
highly contagious, often fatal disease and the only way to protect
your rabbit from the virus is to vaccinate it on a regular basis. I
would urge all rabbit owners to carefully check any unvaccinated
pets over for the first signs, as caught early enough, the disease
can be treated.”
One of the first tell-tale signs of the acute form of the disease is
puffy eyelids and this typically leads to very severe
conjunctivitis, resulting in blindness.
Elaine adds:- “Luckily our PDSA hospitals haven’t seen too
many cases of myxomatosis as yet, which is good news. But owners
mustn’t be complacent and should keep a close eye on their pet
rabbits. Vaccinating pets is an important part of responsible
pet care. Many of our adored family pets are at risk from
potentially life-threatening diseases simply because they haven’t
been vaccinated or had their annual boosters! The death of a pet
from a preventable disease is heart-breaking for the owners, who in
many cases simply weren’t aware of the dangers facing their
unvaccinated pets.”
To help owners learn more about vaccinating their pets, PDSA has
produced a FREE vaccination leaflet offering advice and guidance on
protecting pets from preventable illnesses.
Pick up a copy from your
local PDSA PetAid hospitals, call 0800 9172509 or download a copy
from
www.pdsa.org.uk. |
