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Volunteers raise £430

Volunteers braved the wind and rain on Saturday 18th February holding a bucket collection and information stand raising a fantastic £430 for local animal welfare.

Campaign against live transportation

Millions of animals including calves, sheep, horses and dogs are transported long distances every year throught Europe. Animals are often so tightly packed they can not even turn around easily or lie down comfortably and can be exposed to sweltering temperatures up to 35 degrees. Some animals even die in transit.

When the animals' journey comes to an end, their suffering may be far from over, many of the calves and sheep transported from the port of Ramsgate to the Continent are likley to be reared in conditions that would be illegal in England and Wales.

What can I do to help?

Unfortunatley, a recent European Commission report (November 2011) has proposed no changes to the current rules around live transport. However, a 'Written Declaration' has been tabled in the EU which calls for the 'establishment of a maximum 8 hour journey limit'.

Click here to take action and sign the RSPCA declaration to your MEP asking them to sign Written Declaration 0049/2011 which calls for the establishment of a maximum 8 hour journey time.

Ever thought about becoming a Trustee?

As an independent charity, not only do we raise all our own funds locally but we are also governed by a committee of Trustees based in the South Cotswolds region.

This year we are recruiting new Trustees at the branch to help guide us through the changes and developments, new and ongoing, that we look forward to facing in our fiftieth year and beyond.  Being a Trustee is a big commitment but can be massively rewarding to someone with the right drive, expertise, time to give and appetite for a challenge!

If you are interested in becoming an RSPCA Trustee and would like to find out more about the opportunity, please contact us at volunteer@rspcastroud.org.uk

Friends?

We are now on Facebook and Twitter! Keep up to date with all the latest animal news in your local area. Join us!

New year, new challenge?

Could you help support local animal welfare and get involved as a volunteer?

For information on volunteering please contact Tom - volunteer@rspcastroud.org.uk and if you are interested in being a trustee contact Shelley - info@rspcastroud.org.uk

See our volunteering pages and get involved!

RSPCA South Cotswolds Branch Christmas Wish

Dear Father Christmas,

Here at the RSPCA South Cotswolds Branch we long for bad Christmas presents. Unfortunately, literally hundreds of people each year receive presents that they just didn’t want or need. These presents often get abandoned or forgotten. We can give that knitted creation, set of smellies or Christmas Jumper a new home where it will be loved and well looked after.

All these gifts can be used to support an actual good cause and raise funds to support local animal welfare. Please remember your local RSPCA after Christmas – you can drop unwanted presents into one of our charity shops in Stroud, Nailsworth or Cirencester or you can eBay for the RSPCA South Cotswolds Branch!

Merry Christmas,

All the animals in RSPCA South Cotswolds Branch care

xxx

Hearty Christmas Chorus raises over £250

A large audience helped raise over £250 for the animals in the care of the RSPCA South Cotswolds on the 10th December at St Laurence's Church, Stroud. The Church was filled with the sound of Folk, Christmas Carols and Pop even including some a cappella Take That! Our thanks go to Stroud Song, Circle of Song and the Prince Albert Carol Consort for making the evening a special one.

Waitrose Community Matters

We have been selected to be one of the charities for the Waitrose Cirencester Branch Community Matters scheme this December. This is the scheme where when you pay for your shopping you get a green token to put in a container for your chosen charity to get them a share of £1000. Please vote for us in Waitrose Cirencester!

Our Christmas Raffle is now open!

It’s just £2 per ticket for your chance to win top prizes including –

• Luxury 2 course Dinner for two at any Cotswold food club restaurant
• Professional Back, Neck and Shoulder Massage
• Spheremania ‘zorb’ experience for two
• £50 Sew and So haberdashery voucher
• Tea and Cakes for two
• Giant Teddy Bear
• Apple Orchard gift bag

Buy your ticket at any of our shops or contact us on 01453764429 or info@rspcastroud.org.uk

The raffle will be drawn on 23^rd of December

Mutt Strutt

Photos are up of our Halloween Mutt Strutt...

Fashion Show photos

Click here to view all the photos from the Stroud College Fashion Show in aid of the RSPCA ...

Car booting for the RSPCA

On a sunny weekend in October Martha and her family raised £63.30 for their local RSPCA, the South Cotswolds Branch. Our thanks go to Martha for all her hard work!

Mud Running raises funds!

Kerry Braithwaite managed to raise over £40 at short notice running the Mud Runner with friends on 16th October. Here is Kerry pictured below after the race!

We need your vote!

NatWest have set up a grant scheme for charities and the RSPCA South Cotswolds Branch need your help! The charity with the most votes in each area will receive a NatWest grant of up to £6000, it will only take a few minutes to vote.

Help us to help more people, their pets and other animals in desperate need, through rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming unwanted or abandoned animals; providing more kennel and cattery space, education, advice and support.

Click here to vote - http://communityforce.natwest.com/project/2185

A big thank-you!

Cirencester staff and volunteers raised £140 with their tombola stall at stratton show on August bank holiday Monday. A big thank-you to all our supporters.

Going on holiday

In the excitement of preparing for a holiday or weekend away, don't forget to make arrangements for your pets. It can take time to sort out their care, so you should always do this well in advance.

Whether you choose to take your pet on holiday with you or leave your pet in the care of a responsible person, consideration should always be given to your pet’s welfare.

Under the Animal Welfare Act you have a legal responsibility to ensure their welfare and to provide for your pet's needs as does any person whom you choose to leave them with.

For more information see :

Taking your pet on holiday

Keeping pets safe while you are away

Put your best foot forward for local animals...

The RSPCA South Cotswolds Branch is looking for runners to put their best foot forward and take part in the Stroud Half Marathon to help raise much needed funds to help animals who are neglected, abandoned or injured. Animals such as Reggie, a border terrier cross who is on the road to recovery after being abandoned and hit by a car sustaining some very severe injuries.

The RSPCA is able to provide support to runners with fundraising online, sponsorship forms and information, plus a running vest or T-shirt. If you would like to run for us in another event or location, we can help arrange your place.

To get more details make a difference, contact Tom on 01453 764471 or email info@rspcastroud.org.uk

Click here to download our promotional poster

Silent auction launched...

Our charity shop in Lansdown, Stroud, is holding a silent auction on a set of good-quality wicker furniture donated earlier in the week.  The set includes: two armchairs, a 2-seater chair, a footstool with storage compartment and a lovely glass-topped coffee table.  The bidding starts at £100 and the auction will end at 4pm on Wednesday, 10th August.  To see the furniture and be in with a chance of winning pop into our Stroud shop and make your bid by completing a bidding form and posting it in the sealed bucket.

Here's our volunteer Cheryl taking time out from her shop duties on the comfy chair with a cup of tea.

Get snap happy for your local RSPCA...

On 2nd August the RSPCA Charity Shop in Nailsworth celebrates its 1st Anniversary following the move along the road to the new premises in Market Street.  The new management, Andy and Kathryn, are launching a Pet Photography Competition to mark the occasion.

The photo competition is open to children and adults, simply drop your entry into the Nailsworth shop and your photo will be displayed during September. There are great prizes on offer including a family portrait photography session.

New assistant manager Kathryn said “This is a great way to celebrate our 1^st year in our new shop - pop in and vote for your favourite pet photo and receive entry into a free prize draw”

For more information, contact Kathryn on 01453 835814 or email info@rspcastroud.org.uk

For full terms and conditions please click here.

Get to know a dog...

The RSPCA has many dogs in its care differing in breed, age and background. How do you make sure you're matched with the most suitable companion for you?

Two of our rehomed staffies, Daisy and Cushty, are a really loving pair;

For more information -

Reggie's story

Youngsters get fundraising for the RSPCA

Rose Hill Westonbirt School's year six class recently raised a great £318 running a fair in aid of the RSPCA, with face painting, throwing sponges at teachers, a white elephant sale, badge selling, cake selling and guess how many dog treats are in the jar. The RSPCA South Cotswolds Branch would like to send their thanks to the year six class for all their hard work and planning for this event.

Lee Burgess from Amberley Ridge School accomplished no mean feat doing a sponsored silence for a whole hour in aid of the RSPCA South Cotswolds Branch, having to ignore his class mates trying to break his silence, Lee raised a great £30.46 - many thanks from the RSPCA Lee.

To get involved get fundraising, volunteer, foster or make a donation contact Community Fundraiser Tom Davis on 01453 764429

Lee with the RSPCA's Tom Davis

RSPCA demands government action after circus vote

The RSPCA is calling on the government to accept the will of Parliament and the public. Click here for more information...

National pet microchipping month

June 2011 is National Microchipping Month and to celebrate, Petlog is offering all owners of Microchipped Pets registered on the Petlog database the opportunity to update their details for FREE online only.

Ensuring your contact details are up to date is important for your pet's safety. To check if your contact details are up to date simply click here.

Taking your pet on holiday

In the excitement of preparing for a holiday or weekend away, don't forget to make arrangements for your pets.  It can take time to sort out their care, so you should always do this well in advance.

Consideration should always be given to your pet's welfare. Whether you are at home or on holiday with your pet, under the Animal Welfare Act you have a legal responsibility to ensure their welfare and to provide for your pet's needs. You should carefully consider taking your pets on holiday with you, especially taking them on holiday abroad.

More information can be found on taking your pet on holiday here, including resource guides and a holiday factsheet.

Stroud Shop Volunteers Wanted

We are really short of volunteers with front of house skills at our Stroud shop in Lansdown.  If you have good front of house experience, are used to working on a till and would like to work part-time in a friendly and rewarding environment, please pop in to the shop or telephone Lorraine or Jan on 01453 756 621 for further information.  We would love to see you.

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