Catherine
Catherine was recently brought to the Home as a stray, severely emaciated and terrified. Every rib was visibly protruding from her chest, her hips and spine sharply jutting out -the full frame of her skeleton could be clearly seen. Staffordshire Bull Terriers are a naturally rotund breed, so for Catherine to be this severely underweight meant she had not been fed properly for a very long time.
This gentle, three-year-old girl was put on a recovery diet of six small feeds a day and staff made sure to visit her in her kennel for one-to-one interaction and affection, as it was apparent that Catherine has suffered, not only physical, but mental distress. If left alone, this frail dog would circle and spin constantly, chasing her own tail. This kind of behaviour is often an indicator of when an animal has been left on their own for long periods in a confined space with no stimulus, thereby causing anxiety and distress.
As Catherine grew in strength she bonded really well with staff and loved being able to go out on walks, but to aid her fast recovery we knew she needed 24/7 human interaction. The Mayhew is lucky to have a network of supportive foster carers who are invaluable in helping animals like Catherine grow in confidence in a secure home environment. Spending time in a foster home meant Catherine could get constant one-to-one care and there would be someone around to distract her if she started her spinning behavior.
After a few months in a foster home her spinning has practically stopped and she has turned into a happy, healthy young dog who is gentle and friendly with strangers, even after all she has been through. Catherine has only just been adopted after nearly four months of recovery at The Mayhew. We are thrilled to see her off to start a new happy phase in her life, but we need your help to be there for other innocent victims just like her.
Catherine's treatment and care to date has also cost The Mayhew several thousand pounds, but her progress to a confident and happy dog is worth every penny.
The Mayhew receives no government funding or lottery aid, so it is because of supporters, like yourself, that we are able to save the lives of innocents like Hobo and Catherine. Any donation, no matter how small, is very gratefully received and goes directly to helping the animals in our care.
Thank you for your ongoing support. We couldn't continue our vital work without you.