This week the Bristol Dogs and Cats’ Home is celebrating its 125thbirthday, and everyone’s invited. This Saturday they are having an open day
to raise funds and awareness about animal welfare. The day starts at 10:30 and runs until 16:00. Admission is £2 for adults and £1 for children and includes a treasure map, which is exciting.
Lynn Gilman, Bristol Dogs and Cats’ Home Manager said, “The Open Day is a wonderful event giving the public an insight into the important work carried out across the charity and a chance to celebrate our 125th Birthday with us. So please do come along and help us to continue making a difference to animals in need.” Visit the website or get in touch for more information.
Bristol Dogs and Cats’ Home was originally founded in 1887 by Edward T Parker, a local business man who found a shivering puppy in the streets and realised it had no-where to go. Working together with other business men Parker bought a plot of land in Waterloo Street and opened “The Bristol Home for Lost and Starving Dogs”. In 1901 the home was so busy it had to move to a larger site, which is where the home now stands today. In 1954 they first became affiliated with the RSPCA and now, 125 years later the home is continuing its excellent work helping sick and injured pets and wildlife.
Speaking of Saturday’s festivities, Mandy Stone, Veterinary Manager at the Clinic said,
“There will be other wildlife and animal welfare organisations attending with an array of different animals to meet and learn about, from birds of prey and reptiles (including an alligator!) to a giant tortoise named Eric! The local RSPCA Inspectors will be here along with an animal hydro-therapist and a dog behaviourist, who will be giving a demonstration on common behavioural problems and will be available to answer questions. This really is a wonderful opportunity to see our work in action.”
Jill Roynon, Fundraising Manager at the charity added,
“The event also promises to be a lot of fun for the whole family as there will be plenty of activities and games for the kids, a treasure hunt across the site, a host of stalls selling all sorts of goodies, live music and tasty refreshments. We will also be running our own animal and veterinary themed Generation Game! It’s also not too late to enter our Five Freedoms Photo Competition with great prizes up for grabs.”
“As an integral part of Bristol, we are delighted that the Lord Mayor will be visiting to help us celebrate our 125th Year of caring for the animals of Bristol, and we hope you will too. This really is a day out not to be missed.”
Well, that all sounds very exciting, especially the bit about the alligator. So we know what they’re doing for their birthday, but here at Newsnibbles we like to try and involve the fans with every story. So we asked them so share some birthday memories with us.
Bee told us: “For Annie’s last birthday I bought her a steak and cheese sandwich, and removed the bread and put it in a fancy bowl for her, and I took her on a long walk, and I put a party hat on her and gave her a pig’s ear.”
Pat told us: “I saw my 19th birthday in downing a pint of snakebite and black at Warwick Uni Students Union. I think I’ve had 1 pint of it in the (over a) decade since.”
John said: “On my 21st birthday, my friends took me out to Pizza Hut and we ordered some pitchers of celebratory beer. The waitress wasn’t very good at maths, I guess (she didn’t realize that 1990 minus 1969 equaled 21) and wouldn’t serve us. We eventually got the manager to come over and explain it to her, which embarrassed her and only worsened our dining experience. She was frustrated with us, we were angry at her, and she sniped at us for the rest of the time we were there. We got her back by setting the jukebox to play “Running Down a Dream” on an endless loop. To this day, whenever I hear the beginning of that song I crack up.”
Patricia told us: “Some girls just can’t help themselves. When I was five, turning six, I had a birthday party at my house. I invited most of my kindergarten class. At one point during the party, my mom and grandmother realized I had disappeared. They looked high and low – and finally found me in bed with two boys – David Bowe and Smith Held. My grandmother was absolutely mortified. The girl can’t help but love the boys!”
Jerry told us: “When I was a kid (okay late teens) I would send my mom around the house with clues and riddles until she finally found her present. She got me back years ago by making me go all around my town asking local vendors for clues until I could find my present. My mom’s birthday this year is this coming Saturday(26th). I’ve got people she works with leaving her clues (including a fake Facebook account that I created that she will have to friend) each day until Saturday when she finally gets her present. She currently has no clue it’s me and I couldn’t be happier about that.”
Those crazy fans. If you manage to make in along to the party this Saturday we’d love to hear how it goes.
