Petey

 

                                    

This charming 1 year old sweetie suffered a very nasty pelvic injury, presumably from being hit by a car.  He has healed really well with some bionic parts inside to mend him.   

He loves to have his human(s) around for lots of fuss and could live with older children, a cat friendly dog and/or might like another cat companion    He would love exploring outside after a settling in period.

Jinx

 Most jinxes bring bad luck. This one brings smiles. 

Jinx is a 2-month-old little adventurer with a playful spirit and an endearing habit of doing things his own way. He has a special knack for picking the most random possible places to nap, even dramatically shuffling things around to create his perfect sleeping spot. He also loves carrying his toys around during playtime, proudly showing off his latest treasure.

Having spent the first weeks of his life on the streets, Jinx can be a little cautious while he learns that people can be trusted. He'll need patience, reassurance, and plenty of attention as he settles into home life and grows in confidence. Although he's still finding his paws, Jinx melts into cuddles and happily accepts kisses when picked up.

Jinx could suit a home with respectful children and would love a secure outdoor space where he can safely explore the world one little adventure at a time.

Clover

                                      

                                    

Not every lucky Clover has four leaves. Some have four paws.

After losing her way, Clover spent months surviving on the streets while doing everything she could to keep her two kittens safe. Now, this 1-year-old girl is ready to leave those hard days behind and enjoy a life of naps, snacks, and affection.

Sweet, playful, and affectionate, Clover loves rolling around at your feet demanding head scratches, flopping over dramatically for attention, and sprawling across the bed like she owns it. She can be a little cautious at first, but with patience and kindness, her gentle nature soon shines through.

Clover loves feeling the breeze on her little nose and finding the perfect spot to sit and watch the day unfold around her. A home with a secure outdoor space would be perfect for this little explorer, giving her the best of both worlds - fresh air and adventure, followed by a warm bed and her favourite humans. She could also suit a home with respectful children who'll give her the time she needs to settle in.

Could Clover be the little bit of luck your home has been missing?

Myrtle

Myrtle is a very cuddly, lazy 11 year old kitty who will lounge on the sofa all day long with you. She immediately starts purring when you stroke her, and will meow at you repeatedly when she gets excited! She doesn't mind being stroked anywhere (even her tummy), so may be a good candidate for calm children.  She has been kept as an indoor cat but would likely enjoy going outside if there is a safe environment. 

She could be homed on her own or with Esther. They have lived with small dogs. 

Esther

Esther is a very sweet, soft and gentle 10 year old girl. She is timid at first meeting. But once she gains confidence, is friendly, purry and loves being stroked. She likes to sit with you and puts her paws on your lap (or if you're lucky, climbs onto your lap!).

She enjoys watching the birds in the garden from the windowsill and loves to play with her toys.   She has been kept as an indoor cat.  But would likely enjoy going out in a safe area. She could be homed by herself or with Myrtle. They have lived with small dogs. 

Humbug

 

This beautiful girl came into our care with a nasty leg injury.   Now healed and ready for a new loving home.   She is found to have an overactive thyroid so will likely need ongoing medication to keep it under control.  We are told she is 6 but suspect she could be a bit older. 

She is very sweet and affectionate and would be fine with older (possibly younger) children and would enjoy outside access after a settling in period. 

Arabella Reserved

 

Arabella  is a young adult cat who was hit by a car and taken to a vets.  Luckily she got away with only minor injuries.  She wasnt microchipped and sadly no owner was found.   So she needs new humans to charm. 

She is a friendly, playful girl with lots of character. She loves her little pom pom toy and often carries it around proudly! She can be a bit nervous and sensitive at times so she’ll need a calm, patient home where she can build trust at her own pace. Once relaxed, Arabella is a lovely cuddly companion with plenty of affection to give. It would be ideal for her to have outside access after a settling in period. 

Daisy - reserved

 

Meet Daisy, a gentle and sweet-natured girl with a soft heart and an even softer face to match. After raising her three kittens, who have now found homes of their own, it’s finally Daisy’s turn to be spoiled and loved.

She can be a little shy and timid at first, but she’s very gentle and just needs time to feel safe. With patience (and a few treats!!!), her true personality begins to shine. Once she comes out of her shell, she’s *incredibly* affectionate - expect lots of little trills and a loyal companion by your side.

Daisy loves attention, enjoys her food, and will quietly charm her way into your routine. She’d suit a calm, understanding home where she can build her confidence and truly relax. If you’re looking for a sweet, gentle companion, Daisy is ready to find her forever home.

She needs a home without very young children and where she can go outside after a settling in period.  

Aura

 

This beautiful 2 year old came into our care after she was attacked by a dog and suffered nasty injuries. Fortunately she is healing well and very sweet natured despite her ordeal.  

Her ideal home would be without dogs.    We arent sure about other cats. So being an only cat would be preferable.  

She would enjoy outside access after a settling in period and we think she would be fine with respectful  children. 

Why keeping the Vet School at Cambridge University from closing is so important for the RSPCA clinic in Pool Way.

The local branch of the RSPCA’s main activities

 The Cambridge branch of the RSPCA is an ‘affiliated local branch’ of the national RSPCA, which means it receives only minimal funding from the National RSPCA, relying mainly on donations from fundraising, income from the RSPCA Charity shops in Cambridge, legacies and bequests to fund its activities. 

The local branch of the RSPCA’s animal welfare activities include: 

• Caring for and rehoming animals in need who are brought to us by our local RSPCA Inspectors
• Providing treatment for sick and injured stray animals who have no owners. 

• Providing a small animal clinic for owners who are unable to afford the full cost of veterinary treatment.

The RSPCA clinics at Mill Rd, and at Pool Way

The RSPCA has been providing medical help to animals in Cambridge from the date when it opened its first clinic in the 1930’s. When Cambridge University opened the Department of Veterinary Medicine in the 1950’s, both organisations started to work together to help improve the health and welfare of pets owned by people in Cambridge who could not afford the cost of private veterinary treatment for their animals. This clinic was the RSPCA Eddington Clinic in Great Eastern Street, just off Mill Road, Cambridge.

Opening of the RSPCA Edington Clinic at Mill Rd in 1953, in partnership with the University of Cambridge.                

 By the end of the century the clinic in Mill Road had become too small to serve the number of clients using it,  and the building unsuitable for modern veterinary practice. The site of the Mill Road clinic was sold to fund a new, purpose-built, modern clinic at Pool Way, Whitehill Rd, Cambridge which opened in 2003, from where it operates today.

     The original RSPCA clinic, opened in 1936             

The RSPCA Clinic at Pool Way, opened 2003

                                               

 The cost of running and maintaining the clinic building is funded by the local branch of the RSPCA from the charitable funds it raises, as is the emergency telephone service for help with stray injured animals, and registered clients of the clinic whose animals need emergency treatment when the clinic is not open for routine treatment.

 Veterinary treatment for the animals that are registered at the RSPCA clinic is provided by the Queen’s Veterinary School Hospital (QVSH), which is part of the department of veterinary medicine. Veterinary staff from the department run the consultations at the clinic, and provide diagnostic, surgical, medical and hospitalisation facilities for registered clients at the QVSH, as the RSPCA clinic does not have these facilities on site. The QVSH also provides ‘out of hours’ emergency cover for registered animals in need of urgent veterinary help when the clinic at Pool Way is closed.

 

Queens Veterinary School Hospital                  

                      

 Nursing  Care at the             QVSH 

     Diagnostics at the QVSH                                                                                                 

Why the potential closure of the Veterinary School by the University is a threat to the RSPCA clinic.

 Clients using the RSPCA clinic pay a consultation fee to the RSPCA, which helps with some of the cost of running the clinic. This fee is about one third of the fee they would have to pay to a private veterinary clinic. Clients also pay for treatments from the QVSH, but again at about a quarter to a third of the private commercial rate.

Clients using the RSPCA clinic can use its services at costs much below the commercial fees for private veterinary care for two main reasons. The charitable funds the RSPCA raises through its shops and through donations subsidises the running costs of the clinic. The second reason is that the QVSH does not charge a commercial market rate to the Cambridge branch of the RSPCA for running the clinic, or the services they provide to RSPCA clients through the hospital itself. This is because the department does not seek to make a profit from the services it provides due to the value the veterinary department gets from letting its students be involved in the care of the animals treated at the RSPCA, and just aims to recover the cost of providing the service.

In the last year a total of 3,807 treatments were provided for dogs, cats, rabbits and smaller animals at the RSPCA clinic, and with nearly another 1,000 surgeries, diagnostic and ‘out of hours’ appointments being seen at the QVSH during this period.

 In the event of the University closing the department of veterinary medicine, with the resulting closure of the QVSH, it is very unlikely that any private veterinary practice would be prepared to provide the clinical services that the QVSH provides to the RSPCA clinic, or if they were, it would be at a cost that would not be sustainable for the charity. This would mean the closure of the clinic, with significant harm to the welfare of the animals the clinic currently treats, and to their owner’s welfare.

What can you do to help fight the closure of the department of veterinary medicine, and the closure of the RSPCA clinic?

The Department of Veterinary medicine is running a campaign to try and persuade the University not to close the QVSH. You can help by saying why the RSPCA clinic is important to you and the animals of Cambridge by either using the QR code below to link to the campaign, or by using the link below the code

    URL link          https://savethevetschool.co.uk/

 You could also write or e-mail your local MP and express your concern about what would happen to the welfare of the animals and people who use the RSPCA clinic because they can not afford the cost of private veterinary treatment. The local MPs e-mails are below and can be cut and pasted into an e-mail to their parliamentary office: any e-mails sent will put pressure on the University to re-think itsit’s decision to close the veterinary school.

 

MP for Cambridge - where the clinic is

Mr Zeichner MP                 Central Cambridge                                    daniel@danielzeichner.co.uk

MPs whose constituencies may contain people who use the clinic and may be affected by its closure.

Constituency   MP’s Name MP’s e-mail

Ely and East Cambridgeshire  Charlotte Cane  charlotte.cane.mp@parliament.uk

Huntingdon Ben Obese-Jecty         ben.obesejecty.mp@parliament.uk

North-East Cambridgeshire Steve Barclay  stephen.barclay.mp@parliament.uk

South Cambridgeshire Pippa Heylings  pippa.heylings.mp@parliament.uk

St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire  Ian Sollom  ian.sollom.mp@parliament.uk

West Suffolk  Nick Timothy nick.timothy.mp@parliament.uk

North-East Hertfordshire Chris Hinchliff chris.hinchliff.mp@parliament.uk

North-West Essex Kemi Badenoch kemi.badenoch.mp@parliament.uk

North Bedfordshire Richard Fuller richard.fuller.mp@parliament.uk

If you think that the closure of the RSPCA clinic would affect your mental health, you could contact your care providers in the local government to express your concerns to them.

Thank you for your help in helping us to save the RSPCA clinic at Pool Way