Registered Charity 515886

Animals in Distress was founded in 1967 to alleviate the suffering of sick and injured animals. This is still the main aim today. It is achieved through a number of methods. These include 24-hour rescue, veterinary treatment, neutering and a micro-chipping scheme. Education, advice programmes and work experience placements back up these practical steps.

This work involves strays, abandoned animals, cruelty cases and road traffic accidents and with the new Retirement Home we are able to offer long term care to older animals.

We have now been running 50 years But we could not survive without your help.

IT ALL COSTS!

Our 24hr emergency work is the most difficult, costly and unpredictable. The majority of cases stem from road accidents and owners are rarely found. The animals are examined by a vet and if too badly injured they have their suffering ended by a painless injection. Most are treated and kept to convalesce before being neutered and re-homed. This can be expensive, as a broken leg can cost over £250 and an x-ray around £60.

The two sanctuaries have rising vet's fees, food, disinfectants, mortgage, insurance and transport costs. Our resources are stretched to the limit. We need your support to enable our expanding work to continue. We have bought steam cleaners which has helped us save costs in disinfectants and kills bacteria more quickly and efficiently. This is something that the hospitals do and find works better in keeping down infection.

When Do We Help?

Abandoned Animals

This includes a multitude of sins - puppies and kittens are dumped in dustbins, 'phone boxes and even rivers or canals; dogs are left tied to lamp posts or outside shops; cats are tipped out onto the street when babies are born; animals are thrown from windows or down rubbish chutes; they may be left with the vet when the bill is too high and the vet contacts us to help. Sometimes they are thrown from cars, even on the motorway. Worst of all people may move house leaving the animals in the house without food or water.

Cruelty Cases

There is an obvious overlap with abandoned cases here, but also underfeeding, beating and general neglect occurs. Animals are left without proper veterinary care for illness or injury. An owner should be acutely ware of their pet's condition in order to detect illness at an early stage. If this is not done, great suffering may be caused. Sometimes dogs are chained in yards without adequate shelter or without food or water. They may be left on exposed balconies of flats that leads to suffering through hot or cold weather.

Unwanted Pets

Although Christmas is the season of goodwill it only extends to all men and not their pets! The biggest numbers are discarded around Christmas. However, the practice of getting rid of pets to make way for a new baby; because the pet is too expensive or simply because the novelty has worn off goes on all year round. The fluffy kitten or cute puppy grows up and loses its appeal or damages the house and out it goes. People need to be responsible owners and it can be expensive, especially at the vets. They need to think whether they can really afford a pet before getting one.

Strays

Healthy dogs are catered for by the Manchester Dogs Home for lost Dogs, and the Dog Warden. So if we are called to a healthy stray dog it goes through these channels. Dogs that are sick or injured are picked up as with all injured or sick animals and taken to the vets instantly. Cats do not have the same law governing them and there is no specific place for them to go. We mainly deal with sick, injured or long-term stray cats. Firstly, the vet decides on their stage of health –only on the vet's advice is an animal put to sleep. This occurs when it is beyond help or, if suffering from a virulent infection, to avoid cross infection of healthy animals. When the animals is nursed back to health it will be neutered so that no further offspring may become a problem. It is then made available for re-homing. Homes are found through vets, other societies and by adverts in the local newspapers. The sanctuaries are open between 10.00am and 4.00pm seven days a week. All homes are checked and new owners sign an adoption form before taking an animal with dogs you have to visit the canine 3 times at least before deciding.

Neutering

The best way to prevent unwanted pets is not to allow them in the first place. To this end, AID neuters all domesticated animals in their care. It can be done from 8 weeks old so even puppies and kittens are done before re-homing. We micro chip all dogs, puppies, cats and rabbits. We also provide a service of cut-price neutering for those who cannot pay the full price. To make the necessary arrangements just telephone Animals in Distress. We neuter owned pets from 5 months, so if you save up from getting a young pet you should have enough to pay for the operation by the time it is old enough.
Further information on neutering can be obtained from AID or a veterinary surgeon.

People's Problems

Though we are an animal charity primarily, we are regularly asked to help people. If a person living alone is taken ill then we may be asked to help and arrange care for their pet. This has also occurred if an owner is sent to prison or made homeless. Animals don't make problems, people do. They don't ask to be taken in. We, as people, have a choice whether to give them a home. If we decide to do it then we accept a responsibility to care for them. A well cared for pet, with food; warmth, love and proper veterinary treatment will give in return, love, loyalty, companionship and true friendship. Caring for him/her is a small price to pay.

IF YOU CARE ENOUGH PLEASE HELP FOR THEIR SAKE!

Animals in Distress was Founded in 1967
registered charity number 515886
Affiliated to the Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust