Suffolk Animal Rescue (SAR) is a registered charity finding new homes for cats, dogs, rabbits, and other small animals based in the heart of Suffolk. They celebrated their 10th anniversary in November 2007.

Kerry Burn, our Community Reporter went along to meet some of the animals looking for homes and to find out more about this organisation.

Being the owner of rescue animals myself, this was a feature I was really looking forward to covering. SAR is quite different from other animal rehoming organisations in that most of the animals looking for homes are fostered out - so there is no need to see rows of pleading eyes from kennels - I always want to take them all home!! The other benefit of this is that the organisation can see the animal’s suitability with other dogs and/or cats etc and the new owners can see them in a home environment.

My first visit was to the home of Carolyn Smith in Crowfield, the Webmaster for the new SAR website, she is is also heavily involved in fundraising and fosters pets for SAR too. When I met Carolyn she was also fostering a dachshund called Frankie (who has subsequently found a new home) as well as having 2 dogs of her own

Carolyn explained that when stray dogs are picked up by the dog warden they are taken to local kennels where they are kept for a period of 7 days, at the end of which, if they are not reclaimed by their owner then they are either rehomed or humanely destroyed by a vet.

Carolyn said “The dogs that come to us are the ones whose time is up at the kennels and many of these are elderly or require special care.”

Carolyn then took me to Hemingstone, the home of Ted and Mary who also foster dogs and run Primrose Hill Kennels and Cattery where the dogs go before foster homes are found. As well as fostering for SAR, Mary and Ted have 7 dogs of their own and numerous cats, most of whom have come to be fostered and ended up staying. Here I met Mikey, who sat down in front of me, gave me his paw and licked my face, Do you think he knew I was a soft touch? He has just recently found a new home after 6 months of fostering, so Good Luck to him and his new owners. The other dog Jessie, an aged collie cross was just content in wondering around the garden and kept herself to herself, and is still looking for a home.

My last visit was to the home of Jayne Roberts, the founder of SAR, who runs the cattery from her home in Debenham.

I lost count of how many cats were looking for homes and it was so sad to see a number of kittens and young cats suffering with cat flu, but I’m sure that with the loving care of Jayne and her volunteers they will soon make a full recovery and find new homes.

Jayne said “We give priority to feral and elderly cats as few rescue organisations are interested in spending time and money rehabilitating these poor animals for a new life.”

The costs of caring for these animals is rising all of the time and the organisation is reliant on fundraising and runs a number of events throughout the year.

“We would not be able to do it without the help of our volunteers and supporters’ says Jayne.

I found it increasing hard to tear myself away, for 2 pins I would have taken them all home although I think my husband would have had something to say about that.

Thank You to Carolyn, Mary and Jayne from Suffolk Animal Rescue for showing me around and a big thank you to all their volunteers for the hard work they put in to keep the organisation going, without them who knows how many of these animals would miss out on a second chance.

How can you help?

Rehoming: If you are looking for a new pet instead of getting a puppy why not consider giving an animal a second chance. It is for very rewarding and I would strongly recommend it, at least you know what you are getting and most of the time they come already house trained!!! Go to the website to see which animals are looking for homes now.

Fostering: If you have the time and the space to offer a foster home to an animal then contact Jayne at Suffolk Animal Rescue suffolkar@hotmail.com

Membership: Why not become a member of SAR, single annual membership is only £12 and you will be kept up to date on rehoming and events with regular newsletters. So even if you feel unable to give an animal a home you can still help, visit the website to download a membership form.

Fundraising: Why not run your own fundraising event in support of SAR or support the events held through the year. In 2008, the organisation will be holding an Open Day and Dog Show and also a team of supporters will be taking part in ‘Ladies Driving Challenge’ so they will be looking for sponsors.

I would like to dedicate this article to Skye, who died suddenly in December 2007. "You are never far from our thoughts and will always be in our hearts RIP Sweetheart"

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