RSPCA Friends of West Hatch Newsletter Autumn-Winter 2018 | issue 15 | Page 3

to the seal enclosures that will allow staff
to monitor the seals more effectively and
keep their stress levels low. They have
also purchased ‘orphan kits’ for staff and
volunteers that hand rear wildlife which
include scales, bottle warmers and heat
pads. This will mean that baby mammals can
be safely and hygienically cared for by staff
and give them the best chance of survival.
All in all, these purchases have helped the
centre provide a safer and more enjoyable
experience for the animals in our care –
all thanks to the Friends of West Hatch.
used quite frequently for small dogs. We
couldn’t put larger dogs in it or leave dogs
unattended because the fencing was
not secure. 
Earlier this year our Friends Group paid for
us to have this area turned into a secure
exercise run. This serves many purposes. We
can pop dogs out onto the grass area so they
can toilet knowing they are safe, and leave
dogs in the run over lunchtimes so that they
get to potter around away from the stress of
their kennel while it is quiet.
Volunteers and staff can spend time here
with dogs. Although it isn’t a large area
where they can run, it still provides a space
where they are out of their kennel, and can
interact and play games.
And finally, if a volunteer returns from a
dog walk and can’t find a member of staff
to assist with returning their dog to its
kennel, they can sit in the run with the
dog until a staff member arrives.
People often think we need large exercise
areas to enrich the lives of the dogs, but in
fact smaller areas with toys, different levels,
and company are just as valuable and really
do make a big difference to the mental
wellbeing of all the dogs in our care. 
For the Wildlife Centre, the Friends have
supported the purchase of improvements
If you would like to become a Friend of
West Hatch for only £10/year, please
turn to page 19, fill in the form and
return it to us! Thank you.