Spring 2017 | Issue 12 Spring 2016 | Issue 10 | Page 3

Friends of West Hatch
By Julia Hill, secretary
Dear Friends,
Thanks for joining or renewing your
membership. Our group was formed
in 1994 as an independent, registered
Charity for the sole purpose of raising
funds to support all animals at West
Hatch – whether domestic or wildlife.
For just £10 a year, Friends receive our
newsletter, information on events and
activities at the Centre and of course,
an invite to our AGM.
Since we prioritise animal welfare,
we try to keep the running costs of
the group to a minimum and focus
our energies on helping the animals
at West Hatch, where money is often
in short supply.
The Domestic Centre takes animals in
from RSPCA Inspectors and sadly it is
often full of animals – dogs, cats, ferrets,
rabbits, pigs and more besides – that
have come from poor conditions and cruel
treatment. The stoic staff and volunteers
work tirelessly to treat and care for these
poor animals and find them loving ‘forever
homes’. Also on site the Wildlife Centre
admits a wide range of orphans and
injured animals, treating them and helping
them get fit and well to go back to the
wild. Staff across the site do a fantastic
job – but they need our help.
The list of items paid for by the Friends
over the years is extensive and is much
in evidence when you visit the Centre.
We have paid for improvements to
housing, purchased medical equipment
for use by the Centre Vet, bought new
incubators for the Wildlife unit, scratching
posts and feline forts for the cattery,
paid for a sensory garden for those

long-term resident dogs to help re-socialise
them, the list goes on and on... We have
been very fortunate this year to have
received three generous legacies for
which we are deeply grateful.
Like most charities, being remembered
in a Will, makes a huge difference to our
income and therefore to what we can
afford to purchase in an effort to try and
make the lives of these innocent animals,
more comfortable whilst being cared for
at the Centre. Maybe you might consider
remembering the Friends in your Will.
Each year there are a host of events
at the Centre – from the Easter Trail
to the Dinner Dance – and you will find
all the information you need on these
here in this newsletter. The Friends
committee would love to meet you at
one of these events, either as a volunteer
or visitor and thank you in advance
for your continued support and care
for animals.
3