Lent Term Issue

scan.lancastersu.co.uk SCANLU SCANLancaster
23
L i f e s t y l e
LIFESTYLE EDITOR:
Georgina England
A Day at
Animal Care
Georgina England
LIFESTYLE EDITOR
What began as a necessary
antidote to missing my little Jack
Russel Ruby whom I left at home,
has turned into a love affair
with the animals at Animal Care
Lancaster.
I now dedicate a few hours
every week to volunteering at
the animal shelter where I am
working, walking and spending
time with multiple dogs and cats.
Established in 1978, Animal
Care is a sanctuary for
dogs, cats, guinea pigs
and rabbits. The shelter
rehomes roughly 800
animals annually.
Helping to ensure
that the animals of
Lancaster are looked
after and find good
homes.
Though the place opens
to volunteers at 10 am I
usually arrive just before
so that I have the rest of
my day to do whatever
else I need to.
This time is also
perfect for the dogs’
morning walks.
Each animal should
be given regular
exercise, for the dogs
this means at least
two walks a day and
exercise that lasts
roughly 20 mins.
This could mean a short walk on
the lead around the grounds of
the shelter or being taken off the
lead in one of the enclosures so
they can play freely.
This morning I took out a
little 11-year-old Jack Russell
terrier called Spot.
Spot had lived most of his life in a
loving home but when the owner
got older, he was no longer able
to give Spot the care and time
that he needed.
Though we may love our
animals it is important that
they be given the best
quality of life possible, and
this can sometimes mean
giving them to a more able
household.
Spot was also going partially
blind, so it was important to be
slow and gentle with him. This
goes for all of the animals who
are in shelters as some have
come from difficult backgrounds
or have temperaments that new
visitors are not used to.
To ensure the safety of all
the volunteers, the staff and
the animals, everyone must
check in to an online system
so the staff can see who is
on the premises and how
much exercise the dogs
have been given each day.
Grabbing a few treats and a dog
water bottle I headed into the
kennels. With a lead in hand, I
found Spot’s pen and opened the
door to let the little guy out.
The grounds of Animal care boast
many paths across the meadow
which lead to three different
paddocks. The enclosure allows
the dogs to run around off the
lead and play with toys freely.
Spot is a big fan of the
tennis ball so going to the
paddock means playing
endless games of fetch, but
for bigger dogs it allows
them to run properly and
play without the limits of the
lead.
Each of the
a n i m a l s
has their
own unique
personality
and the staff
are dedicated to
finding the perfect
home to suit their
needs.
Each animal is assessed
on how they behave in
various scenarios, so do
they like other dogs? How
well do they get on with
children and cats? Do they
have a lively temperament?
At the centre, there are indoor
spaces where volunteers
are able to play with the
dogs away from the rainy
Lancaster weather.
Once inside, Spot
opted for a little
squeaky carrot to
play with, which
provided numerous
games of fetch. After
a few belly rubs and
some treats, it was
time to put him back
in his pen.
It is always hard to say
goodbye to them simply
because they are so cute.
All volunteers can stop
by the café on their way
home for their free cup of
coffee or tea.
The tables outside
offer a view of
Lancaster City
and Morcombe
Bay so with a
book in hand
and a piece
of a homebaked
cake,
serotonin
levels have
never been
higher.
The work that the
volunteers and workers at
animal care do is so essential
both to the community and to
the animals that they help.
Our
animals
become a
reflection of ourselves and
deserve to be cared for,
respected and loved.
It is also especially important that
after Christmas we remember
the importance of understanding
the responsibility of owning a pet.
They are not just for Christmas
and when getting a pet you are
looking after a life, and that
responsibility needs to be taken
seriously.
The RSPCA commented
seeing a rise of 25% in the
number of stray animals
found in the UK.
The charity has now launched the
Adoptober campaign which aims
to encourage more people to
consider adopting and fostering
instead of buying from breeders.
If you want to find out more or
would like to become a volunteer
head to https://www.animalcarelancaster.co.uk/
where you can
register to be a volunteer or
donate to the organisation.
Photos: Georgina England
Rising Mould
and Chill
in Houses:
How to Stay
Warm this
Winter
Lexi Joyce
MUSIC EDITOR
Here are some tips on how to stay
warm, especially with the rise of mould
and damp in these wintery months.
- Try your best to keep your windows
and window-sills dry.
- Avoid drying your clothes indoors on
a drying rack.
If you have to, open windows
to allow aeration, and prevent
excessive moisture build-up.
- Reduce steam in your bathrooms by
running the cold water before the hot
when showering.
- Keep your windows open when you
can, but make sure you’re still staying
warm.
- An electric blanket is an item I swear
buy. You can buy it or ask for it as a gift.
It’s an easy way to stay warm
and avoid using central heating,
especially important if you’re outside
of University accommodation.
- Keep a bottle of mould removal spray
at hand, best to attack it at first sight,
to lessen the chance of growth or illness
from it.
- Layer up! Lots of little layers help your
body retain heat longer than one thick
layer. Thermal socks are also good for
wearing to bed and around your home.
- Hot Water bottles are probably one
of the most cost effective ways to get
warm and cosy.
You can just fill it up with boiling
water from the kettle. Microwavable
‘hotties’ (as I call them) are a great
option too.
- Finally, if you have taken some steps to
diminish mould, but it’s sticking, don’t
be afraid to call your landlord/rental
company to help fix the increasing
damp.
Warmest Wishes,
Lexi Joyce