Rescued Animals in Need

Pets of the week

Bob

- A handsome 3 to 4 year old tri-coloured male Jack Russell. He is a friendly chap who gets on well with people and other dogs.

Wispa

- A sweet blue coloured female Whippett about 4 years old. She loves people and other dogs and will make a splendid companion.

Steve

- A great little tri-coloured rough coated male Jack Russell, between 2 and 3 years old. He is a very affectionate chap, who loves to be with people, and gets on well with other dogs, but would probably be happiest as an only dog.

A brief History

Rescued Animals in Need was born about twenty-five years ago when a group of ladies in the Green Street Green area of Kent decided to do something to help local animals in need. With a good deal of hard work and dedication, they became a Registered Charity in 1986

How animals come to RAIN

Animals find their way to RAIN for all kinds of reasons. They are found straying; are left behind at the vets after an accident; are either left in a house or locked out of it when people move away; need new homes when elderly people die or move into residential care; or are unwanted due to changes in family circumstances. As RAIN does not have its own Sanctuary, other means of caring or the animals have to be found. Animals are therefore looked after in a cattery and kennels, and in a network of foster homes. It is our ultimate aim to have a Sanctuary of our own, but have to face the fact that we would need an enormous windfall to achieve this in the foreseeable future.

Our Neutering Programme

Unfortunately there are enormous numbers of unwanted cats in this country at the moment, despite the best efforts of Animal Welfare Organisations. RAIN therefore neuters all cats before re-homing. The mothers, and if possible fathers, of all kittens taken in for re-homing are also neutered. Reduced cost neutering is also available in cases of need and RAIN also assists in the neutering of large numbers of cats within problem areas, such as feral/semi-wild colonies. In one instance this involved a colony of more than seventy cats.

Support for animals in their own homes

Where possible help is given to enable elderly and disabled people, plus those with problems, to keep their animals with them in their own homes. This support can take the form of help with veterinary costs, assistance with transport, or respite care for the animals. As well as general advice and support.

Our Foster carers

Foster families help in different ways either with kittens, mothers and kittens, elderly cats and dogs, or the less sociable cats which are usually cared for in secure stables. Some fosterers also have the expertise to offer special care either for animals which are unwell or for tiny kittens that need hand-rearing. Others are able to assess animals for us - for example dogs who are finding life difficult in kennels and cats which are brought in to us as "wild", but often prove to be domestic cats as they become less frightened. The small animals are mainly cared for by one family.

Rain's links to the community and other agencies

RAIN works with local agencies when necessary. For example, social workers and mental health teams, the police, housing associations, environmental health officers, dog wardens, and countryside rangers, in addition to national and local animal welfare organisations.Talks on the care of animals and the work of the charity are regularly given to all age groups, form nursery class to senior citizens groups. We also take part in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme in Sevenoaks giving talks for the Care of Animals course.