World Animal Week fundraising has been a Piece of Cake!
Actor Dominic Brunt who plays vet Paddy Kirk in the ITV 1 soap Emmerdale, helped animal welfare charity, World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) supporters celebrate World Animal Week (4th – 10th October), when he visited a veterinary clinic in Manchester.
Approximately 200 veterinary surgeries, schools and local business all over the UK supported WSPA with themed events ranging cake sales, raffles, children’s competitions and many more fun and exciting activities.
Dominic Brunt, presented prizes, for an animal themed drawing competition, set up for pupils aged 4-8 at the Manchester Veterinary Clinic.
Dominic Brunt says:
“It was a really enjoyable day and I was really proud of the children from the local school, their drawings were brilliant. They all seemed very passionate about animal welfare and wanted to support the World Society for the Protection of Animals through showing what pets they would love to have.”
Money raised from World Animal Week will be used to fund mobile veterinary clinics in a number of countries that cannot afford any aid for their stray animal populations.
Out of the estimated 500 million dogs in the world, around 75% are strays. These stray animals fight over food, causing themselves injuries that are rarely treated. A lack of funds leaves the strays suffering from hunger and disease, as a result these animals are often seen as a nuisance or health hazard by the people who live alongside them.
Jane Rockliffe, WSPA Community Fundraising Manager, says:
“On behalf of WSPA, I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who got involved in World Animal Week. There were some great events going on including ‘It’s a piece of cake!’ themed events using recipes themed from countries where WSPA works; such as Costa Rican Raisin cake and African Pound Cake.”
Jane continues: “The funds from World Animal Week will help strays in other countries. In Costa Rica for example, it costs just £25 an hour to run the mobile veterinary clinic and education project for local people and their pets.”
In this hour so much can be achieved to minimize animals’ suffering:
Ø 100 dogs and cats can be vaccinated against rabies
Ø 10 dogs or cats can be spayed to prevent unwanted puppies and kittens
Ø 15 dogs or cats can be castrated
Ø 100 people can be educated, just by walking past the specially painted murals that show why caring for and sterilizing animals is important in their community
WSPA UK is planning ahead to next year’s World Animal Week and is hoping to make it even bigger and better. If you would like to pre-register your interest for 2009 and find out all the latest news before anyone else please contact Fundraising on 0800 316 9772 or email
fu*********@ws**.uk
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Notes to editor:
About WSPA:
The World Society for the Protection of Animals is the world’s largest alliance of humane societies and animal protection organisations, representing over 900 member societies in 153 countries. Through direct field work, campaigning, legislative work and education, WSPA strives to create a world where animal welfare matters and animal cruelty ends.
Lisa Bronstein
UK Media Relations Officer
World Society for the Protection of Animals
T: +44 (0)20 7840 6241
E:
li***********@ws**.uk
www.wspa.org.uk
World Society for The Protection of Animals
89 Albert Embankment
London
SE1 7TP