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Catch up on all the latest news at Secret World in our Winter 2009 Newsletter. 

Click the image below to read the full version.

It’s been a long day today trying to get everything done for the Christmas Fayre this weekend. It’s a lot to do on top of the auction and ball last weekend. Hopefully the weather will stay kind for us tomorrow evening for our carol service.

An RTA deer came in late last night around 11.30 p.m. Some kind people travelled all the way here from near Bath having found it in the middle of the road. It does not have any broken bones but Lisa thinks it may be an old deer so we will have to see how it goes.

My little otter has got a name – Puddle – which she seems quite happy with. Puddle is certainly making up for the food she has missed as she is tucking into the small trout that we have for her and fresh mince. Two ladies came in yesterday with a baby otter that they had found and it was the same size as Puddle. We thought we had managed to get a friend for her very quickly but sadly she had been found too late and despite Lisa working hard on her, she died just a few hours after coming in. She had obviously been without food for quite some time and was very dehydrated.

Puddle feeling contented after her tea

The badger from last week is getting stronger and enjoying the heat from his infra red light. Crusty, the little hedgehog with ring worm is starting to grow his prickles back and does not look quite so like a rat! Still lots of underweight hedgehogs coming in every day. It looks like it is going to be another busy winter.

It’s been a very busy weekend! Friday we were travelling between here and the Webbington Hotel in Loxton, getting ready for our annual auction and ball. With a theme of Rocky Horror Show, it was going to be fun! A tremendous amount of work goes into this event and so many people help to make it a success. We had over 120 silent auction lots and 16 main auction lots. I’ll show you some pictures and let you know how much we have made once we know. I sure about one thing – my legs are killing me with all the walking up and down!

This crew definitely were not the only ones in costume!

The badger that came in on Wednesday night was looking brighter after being on a drip but I still had concerns about his movement as he did not seem to want to get up and walk. So Saturday he went into the vets for an x-ray and all was well thankfully so he must be very bruised from his car accident.

 Saturday evening went by so quickly with everything going on and it’s lovely to see the many supporters who travel from different parts of the country to join in and help with our fundraising. Some of them come back here on the Sunday to have a chat and to catch a quick peep at the new otter cub that has arrived. She was found near a lake with an overflowing brook nearby so was probably washed out of the holt with all the high levels of water.

 She was evidently very shaky and shocked but has snuggled down in the cubby hole in the kitchen and is eating mince and fish already. I think she is only about 10 weeks old but definitely has teeth – and uses them ! So far she has not got a name so you will be able to follow her story and watch her on the web cam.

Today ( Monday) I have been up to London to appear on the Alan Titchmarsh show which will be aired next Monday. They wanted to see the very young ducklings that were brought in a couple of weeks ago. Mum must have her dates wrong hatching out ducklings in November !! Because it is late in the year we have taken their names from pantomime so we have the Prince, Snow-White, Sleepy, Grumpy, Happy, Doc, Sneezy, Bashful and Dopey. They were given a lovely paddling pool complete with artificial water lilies which they proceeded to try and eat. Completely oblivious of the cameras they were a great hit as they scooted around, diving under the water and dabbllng.

Snow White, the prince and seven dwarfs !

As 2009 draws to a close Secret world has had yet another bumper year of animal admissions! As the season of giving approaches we are depending on the generosity of our supporters to help us feed our animals through the winter by donating any tinned dog or cat food. Winter is usually a quieter time of year for animal casualties however we are already accommodating many hedgehogs, badgers and foxes and preparing for more arrivals.

Secret World fundraising Coordinator Debbie O’Keefe “We have been so busy this year our food supplies have been depleted and we are hoping that people are able to help by donating any tins of dog food. We do have food bins located in local stores such as Tescos in WSM, Tescos at Burnham On Sea and Morrisons in Burnham on sea . Visitors to our Craft Christmas Fayre on the last weekend of November, could bring any food with them, any help would be greatly appreciated especially by the animals”.
 
If you can help please contact us on 01278 783250

Sadly our deer did not make it though the night. It’s always so sad when we are unable to save animals that come into us.

With all the blustery weather, I’m surprised that we have not had more casualties in. A Barn Owl came in yesterday but that had a badly broken wing so was put to sleep.

 However, one of our response drivers was out this morning and drove past a buzzard on the road. He thought it was dead and went back just to move it off the road. When he stopped, the buzzard lifted his head and much to Terry’s horror a lorry was bearing down on it but just managed to avoid it. So Terry quickly scooped the buzzard up and brought it through to us.

Laura carefully wrapping the buzzard in a towel

Carefully pushing the tube down the back of the throat

The buzzard was very flat when he came in and once he had warmed up Laura, one of our animal carers, gavaged him with some warm lectades. This is putting a stomach tube in and feeding the bird directly with warm fluid rich in vitamins and minerals.

Done carefully to avoid shock

Looking much brighter after the fluids

He was certainly looking better when I saw him last. We think he may just have concussion. I hope so, they are such majestic birds and really fabulous to get the chance to see them up close.