Stars from this year’s pantomime at the Theatre Royal had a special visit from Bath Cats and Dogs Home as part of the launch of their annual winter appeal.
Maisie Sellwood, Neil McDermott and Jon Monie with Freya Lee and Russell | Photo courtesy of Theatre Royal Bath
Neil McDermott, Jon Monie and Maisie Sellwood met Russell, a two-year-old Jack Russell, on stage at the theatre ahead of curtain up for the matinee performance of Sleeping Beauty.
The pantomime cast is backing the charity’s Winter Appeal, launched to raise funds for urgently needed building improvements to the home’s vet suite and recovery room facilities.
The site’s veterinary facilities, built in 2000, are fast becoming outdated. Last year 98% of the animals brought into Bath Cats and Dogs Home arrived with urgent concerns for their welfare so the busy vet suite is constantly working at full capacity.
EastEnders and theatre star Neil McDermott, who plays Prince Vincent in the pantomime Sleeping Beauty, said: “Funds raised by the Winter Appeal will support rescue animals like Russell, the young dog who visited us at the theatre and needs a new home.
“Having an up-to-date vet suite and recovery facilities on site at Bath Cats and Dogs Home is vitally important to animals who need extra help on their road to recovery.”
Bath Cats and Dogs Home saw a 12% increase in animal intake in 2022 plus a 122% rise in stray and abandoned cats and dogs needing assistance.
In 2024 the home needs to upgrade its facilities to ensure it can continue to provide the best quality of care for rescue animals and be ready to meet future demand.
Jon Monie, who hails from Bath and plays Lester the Jester in the panto, said: “I’m in awe of the work done by Bath Cats and Dogs Home, who cared for nearly 800 animals last year.
“Money raised by the Winter Appeal is crucial and we’re thrilled that Bath Cats and Dogs Home is one of the four amazing charities we’re supporting during the panto run this year in our Charities Week.
“But that’s just one way you can help the Home’s Winter Appeal, which is open now and continues until March so there’s plenty of time to give if you can, just visit Bath Cats and Dogs Home’s website to donate.”
Plans for 2024 include a renovation of the existing recovery space in the vet suite into two separate recovery facilities for cats and dogs, ensuring all animals have a safe space to recover post-medical treatment.
The changes will allow the veterinary team to treat more animals and reduce stress during their recovery with an increase in the number of post-operative cat pods and kennels.
It will also improve flexibility in scheduling operations and consultations, lower the need for animals to be transferred off-site to the local veterinary hospital and raise the home’s capacity to respond to urgent medical cases.
Michaela Taylor, Head Veterinarian at Bath Cats and Dogs Home, said: “Every week around fourteen neglected, abandoned or mistreated animals are brought into the Home.
“Often the severity of these animal’s injuries or medical conditions means that our vet staff have to act quickly to alleviate pain and suffering to turn the animals’ lives around.
“An improved vet suite and recovery room would transform the recovery of rescue animals, enabling us to treat more animals and reduce their stress to help them heal more quickly. Please support our appeal if you can.”
If you can support Bath Cats and Dogs Home’s Winter Appeal visit their website here.
