Event Reports

5th Wakefield MAG Charity Pet Food Run - Sunday 23rd March 2014

Twenty of us on fifteen bikes met up at Redbeck Cafe, for our 5th Annual Pet Food Run, and our first organised rideout of 2014.

Great to welcome along a few new faces (New Wakefield MAG member Ian et al), together with our 'regulars' who have supported this run for a number of years now.

Most of us had arrived early to participate in Redbeck's fried breakfast products, and suitably sustained, we set off at 10:00 for the short ride through Wakefield to the A650, then onto East Ardsley, and our first port of call, Whitehall Dog Rescue.

Group phote at Whitehall Dog Rescue

We met Cath here, who had come along in the car. Brian, the owner of Whitehall met us all, we dropped off our doggie donations, then had a tour through the kennels and we met some of the residents.

Some of the donations

We met the first dog up for adoption which was a staffie. Justine's fussing brought out the amorous side of the male staffie (if you know what I mean), much to Justine's acute embarrassment, and our hilarity !!!

We then met a couple of huge St Bernards, but they weren't good with strangers (until they know them), so we admired from afar. A quick tour through the kennels then into the field where we were introduced to Kana & Maverick, a Japanese Akita and Husky, who were there during our last visit.

Maverick the Husky and Kana the Atika

They enjoyed play fighting each other in the huge field behind the kennels, and really enjoyed all the fusses they received. They were also both especially partial to Malc's dog treats - it's a wonder they let him leave the field at the end.

We then met Hector, who is a fantastically friendly dog.

Hector

Sadly, Hector was used as a bait dog in illegal dog fighting activities, by some low-life scum, resulting in injuries to his head, neck and hind quarters, leaving him with permanent scars. I know what I would like to see happen to such people (if you can actually call them human, which is debatable). Hector is lovely though, despite his traumatic past.

We met a good few other residents for adoption, together with some of the more permanent residents (dogs with various health problems which means they cant realistically be re-homed, so will spend the rest of their days at Whitehall, being pampered by Brian and the other helpers).

Whitehall provide a terrific service, saving many dogs from death row, and are well worth supporting.

Following our tour of Whitehall, we saddled up and headed via Thorpe, to Tingley and the RSPCA rescue kennels.

At the RSPCA kennels at Tingley

We were met here by a couple of the RSPCA helpers and handed over our doggie donations. We were then given a tour of the RSCPA Leeds & Wakefield Branch Rescue Kennels. This is a great facility as it was the old MyPetStop boarding kennels, which since going bust, the RSPCA and a Vet are the only residents remaining, meaning they have lots of space. The RSPCA rent some of the kennels from the administrators, but they could do with purchasing the whole site as it would be a fantastic facility (and give them the option of rescuing far more animals). We met several of the residents, which didn't just include dogs, but cats and rabbits.

We had a photocall at the end, which will be appearing in the RSPCA newsletter, then saddled up and made our respective ways home (or to Squires for a few).

A great first rideout of the year, with a great turnout, and with a most worthy purpose. A huge thanks to everyone who came along and donated (doggie items & cash towards vets bills).

If you want to see our furry friends, and possibly offer them a new home, the rescue kennels websites are:
http://whitehalldogrescue.com
www.rspcaleedsandwakefield.org.uk