January 16, 2014 - Written by: Poppy Gillian

It’s a New Year… Let’s Squeeze in Some Good Deeds!

It’s the start of the new year and, like many of you, I’ve been thinking about all the stuff I want to do in the year ahead.

As New Year’s resolutions go, helping others and doing good deeds seem to be high on several people’s lists, myself included.

For me ‘helping others’ also includes helping animals. If you haven’t already guessed from my author bio, I’m animal mad. In my household, animals outnumber humans (much to my sister’s annoyance).

(Image via)

Paul O’Grady’s ‘For the Love of Dogs’ is a great programme about the work carried out at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. It really pulls at the heart-strings and I can barely get through the first five minutes without bawling my eyes out. I’m really pleased that Battersea are getting some screen time and recognition for all the amazing work they do. But it also got me thinking about the amazing charities that often slip under the radar.

A couple of months ago I found out about a local charity called Animal Rescue and Care. It’s run entirely by volunteers and as there’s no centre; fostering takes place within the homes of local people.

Initially I was eager to foster. After moving back home from uni, I managed to persuade my mum to let me dust off the rabbit hutch that I was given one birthday as a kid. (I have asked for some strange birthday presents in my time! One year I asked for a bird table – I still have it. Can anyone see an animal theme going on here?)

Anyway, after exhausting almost all of my skills of persuasion, my mum finally caved in. Even my OCD sister, who basically rules the house, couldn’t say anything, as the rabbits would be in the garden.

I contacted the charity, was home checked and within a few days a scared little bunny was delivered to my door. It was love at first sight. I’m ashamed to admit it folks, but I failed in my good-intentioned mission. As soon as little Barney was put on the website, I asked for his picture to be taken down. I couldn’t bear to give him up to someone else. My sister reckons it’s because I’m mad, but he is like my little furry soul mate (okay, I might be a little bit mad). I was willing to continue fostering as well, but there just wasn’t enough space.

So, instead of helping hundreds of rabbits as I had intended, I had only saved one. Since then I have thrown myself into other things such as doing home visits for prospective adopters/fosterers. I have also helped out on the charity’s market stall to help raise money. But I have to admit, it’s a struggle to fit it all in.

So, this year I’m going to try to squeeze some more good deeds in and come up with some fundraising ideas.

Please do check out Animal Rescue and Care and the fab work they do. Are there any charities that you’ll be supporting this year? Let us know!