As well as founding the Ealing Animals Fair, Marion Garnett has also, since 2011, written a weekly Animal Rescue column which is published in the West London local newspaper, The Gazette. Columns published since January 2019 are now available online here.

If you would like to see any of the columns published before 2019, please contact Marion directly (see the Contacts page).

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Column 2 December 2020

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December 2020

As Santa stepped onto his sleigh, he breathed a sigh of relief. Not for him, the socially distanced pavements and the new cycle lanes.  He’s travelling high in the sky with just his reindeer for company. That’s why he’s inviting us to join him as he visits our local rehoming centres to see what the animals will be doing on Christmas Day.

This is the last column before Christmas so, if you haven’t been out much recently, hop on, you’re welcome.

First stop is Mayhew at Kensal Green. Here, on Christmas morning, each cat has a stocking filled with presents hanging outside their cabin. They have Christmas dinner in the afternoon and cuddles throughout the day.  Dogs are given presents and taken to the indoor exercise area to unwrap them.  Staff wear Christmas jumpers and sing carols to the animals, as they work.

From the Mayhew, we go west to the National Animal Welfare Trust at Watford. All the cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs here are eagerly waiting to see what Santa is bringing them. They’re also hoping to receive a present from the centre’s Shoebox Appeal as these gifts will be distributed on Christmas Day (Gazette December 7).

It’s time to head south to Dogs Trust. Here, Santa puts a present outside each kennel for when the dog wakes up. Later, the dog-friendly dogs meet for a festive walk round the field. Dogs who prefer human company exercise in the field with their canine carer. After a sleep, the presents the centre have been given are laid out in reception and each dog is brought in to choose a present to keep.

Back on the sleigh now and flying east to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. Santa doesn’t arrive till late but it doesn’t matter, Battersea’s open 24 hours a day, for animals in need of their help. On Christmas Day the animals have a big lunch with tasty treats. Carols are played throughout the kennels. Dogs enjoy a Christmas walk and cats have toys with jingling bells.

Of course, an important aspect of Christmas is looking your best. We spoke last week about Battersea’s hints for dog grooming and, as Sprout shows, it’s clear Battersea have been putting these into practice.

Sadly, Santa has to leave us there, and we have to go home.

But just a reminder of one final event, for this year. Battersea is organising a free virtual Carol Concert on December 17 (7.30pm) hosted by Sue Perkins. Details from battersea.org.uk.