Newsletter - Summer Edition

Fun Fact: Did you know that we are an independently-funded, community charity operating under the RSPCA brand? This means that our funding comes almost exclusively from local support, such as our charity shop sales and fundraising events - and all of our pet support and animal welfare work goes back into the local community, too.

With that said, here is your local branch round-up for the Summer Edition:

Duck Race Antics

At the end of June, we celebrated RSPCA One Fun Day (and the RSPCA’s 200th Anniversary) with our Charity Duck Race, in collaboration with Newcastle Branch, and The Cluny - where we raised a whopping ￡2440.44

Thank you to all who attended. The day was a quacking success, and we can’t wait to host again in 2025!

Pet Health Clinics

Earlier in July, we held the first of our three, branch-funded pet clinic drop-in days in partnership with Vets on the Meowve. We saw 12 dogs, 10 cats and a giant rabbit through the clinic van doors, offering a much-needed stepping stone to further treatments which were flagged as required by the vet team. One of which was an umbilical hernia, which was caught by the vet team and prompted the owner to book their fur baby in for surgery.

All of our pet clinic days are funded by the branch. If you would like to support this funding, you can make a donation by clicking here.

Pet Wellbeing

We also hosted our first pet wellbeing seminar: a free to attend event, which focused on how to desensitise your pets to sounds that may make them anxious. Led by our Welfare Officer Trustee, Jackie, the one-hour session offered some fascinating and scientific insights into fear response in dogs (and other pets), and how to use desensitisation techniques to help move past anxious reactions to sights and sounds, such as fireworks.

If you’d like to know more about the above seminar, or would like to see us host more, please get in touch.

And Finally... We Are ONE!!!

Our Community Hub & Shop has just turned one year old!!

Check out the 'dates for your diary' below to see how and when we are celebrating, and come along to join us!

Dates For Your Diary!

Tuesday 30th July:

Hartlepool Pet Clinic (from 10am to 3pm while spaces remain)

Hartlepool Working Mens Club car park, King Oswy Dr, Hartlepool TS24 9PF

Free pet health checks (open to people living in Hartlepool on means-tested benefits and/or low income), including nail clipping, ear cleaning and cat microchipping. Spaces may be limited. Depending on demand, we cannot guarantee that your pet will be seen on the day.

Friday 2nd August:

Community Hub’s 1st Birthday Celebrations

We will be hosting a small stall outside our Chester-le-Street shop from 10am.

Come along and help us celebrate (hopefully a few surprises in store).

Wednesday 7th August:

Operation Seabird, Roker Pier (from 10am to 3pm)

Our National teams, alongside stalls from frontline and emergency services will play host to Operation Seabird again this year at Roker Pier. The event aims to promote awareness around water safety and to reduce disturbance to local marine wildlife and habitats.

Wednesday 14th August:

An evening with John Beresford - 7pm, Lambton Worm.

The Lambton Worm, Chester-le-Street are selling tickets to an evening with John Beresford, which will include a meet & greet, a welcome drink, plus pie & pea supper. The raffle which takes place on the evening will be raising funds for our branch. For ticket details, contact The Lambton Worm on 0191 387 1162.

Tuesday 20th August:

South Shields Pet Clinic (from 10am to 3pm while spaces remain)

Temple Park Centre car park, John Reid Rd, South Shields NE34 8QN

Free pet health checks (open to people living in South Shields on means-tested benefits and/or low income), including nail clipping, ear cleaning and cat microchipping. Spaces may be limited. Depending on demand, we cannot guarantee that your pet will be seen on the day.

Saturday 7th December:

Christmas Ball Dinner & Fundraiser

The Grand, Seaburn, Queens Parade, Sunderland SR6 8DB (from 6pm).

If you are on the lookout for a great Christmas work do, or would like to sponsor a table as a business or organisation - we still have tables available at our Corporate Christmas Ball this December. And we are extending our early bird offer for subscribers. The evening opens with a red carpet welcome, reception drinks, and magical entertainment, followed by a three-course, festive dinner, with coffee and 2 x 45min sets from a fantastic Jersey Boys tribute four-piece, The All Seasons, and ending with a disco. For tickets and information, please contact the branch directly.