The RSPCA has put out an appeal to find a forever home for dog who has been in kennels for over a year due to suffering from allergies that have left him almost entirely hairless.
West Highland Terrier Jay was taken in by RSPCA Macclesfield in January 2021 when his former owners suddenly fell ill and could no longer take care of him, but he has since been waiting for 411 days to find a new home, and the UK’s leading animal charity believe this may be because potential owners are put off by his lack of fur.
Due to his health problems, Jay has a specialist diet and is also losing his sight, so he will need ongoing veterinary care, medication, and support in his new home as he ages.
Speaking on what Jay will need from his new home, Carmen Cole, from RSPCA Macclesfield, said: “Jay is such a little character and while he may be small, he certainly makes up for that in personality.
“We worry that [his lack of hair] is what’s putting potential adopters off of offering him a new home but we really hope that there’ll be someone out there who can look past his lack of hair and see that he has a whole lot of love to give.”
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West Highland Terrier Jay was taken in by RSPCA Macclesfield in January 2021 / Credit: RSPCA
She continued: “Poor Jay does have a lot of health problems which are sadly common for his breed, and as he’s aged, some of these problems have flared up and we recently had to put his home search on hold due to recurring ear infections.
“He has been in a foster home and is doing well – but the team is desperate to find him a permanent home”
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Staff at RSPCA Macclesfield said they would like potential owners to visit Jay several times before taking him home, so that they can learn how to administer his medication and so he can learn to trust them, as while Jay can be left home alone for short periods of time, he would like someone who is around for most of the day as he needs regular visits to the garden.
“We know it is going to be a struggle to find a home that will tick all of Jay’s boxes and we understand that the cost of his ongoing care may be putting people off,” Carmen added.
“But we won’t give up on Jay.
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The animal charity believe this may be because potential owners are put off by his lack of fur / Credit: RSPCA
“He is a spicy character, who is a cheeky chappie with heaps of charm and who has expensive taste, but being this cute doesn’t come cheap. It takes a lot of work to look as good as he does and he deserves the very best [because] he’s a real softie with his own quirks, and that’s what makes him so charming and lovable.
“He is an absolute sweetheart and will make such a wonderful pet or companion for the right person.”
You can find out more about giving Jay a home here.
Eurovision 2023 grand final to be screened live in cinemas across the UK
Emily Sergeant
The grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest is to be screened live in cinemas across the UK for the first time ever.
With fans from across the globe set to descend on Liverpool in a couple of months time as the UK hosts the 2023 edition of the world’s biggest song competition on behalf of last year’s winners Ukraine, those who weren’t lucky enough to secure tickets will instead by able to head to their nearest cinema to experience the action on the big screen.
Distributor CinemaLive has announced it will be broadcasting the Eurovision grand final show live in cinemas nationwide for the first time ever.
It means that Eurovision fans up and down the country who missed out on grabbing tickets to the final – which sold out in under 40 minutes after going on sale earlier this month – will be able to come together to celebrate what is set to be the “biggest, brightest, boldest music party of the year”.
Eurovision 2023 grand final to be screened live in cinemas across the UK / Credit: Krists Luhaers (via Unsplash)
500 cinemas across the UK, including several here in Greater Manchester, will be screening the grand final on Saturday 13 May.
Vue, Odeon, Cineworld, and Everyman are just some of the cinema chains taking part.
Vue Manchester Printworks, Odeon Great Northern, and Everyman Manchester are the Manchester city centre venues lined-up to screen the event – with cinemas in the The Lowry Outlet Mall, Trafford Centre, Didsbury, Heaton Moor, Ashton-under-Lyne, Bolton, and more also set to welcome Eurovision fans through their doors.
Event organisers say the screenings will encourage singalongs and fancy dress.
“We’re delighted to be working with the BBC to bring Eurovision’s grand final live into cinemas across the UK for the first time ever,” said John Travers from CinemaLive.
“We want audiences to enjoy themselves, so get your fancy dress on, and come together to enjoy this historic occasion on the big screen.”
With an illustrious entertainment career spanning over four decades, O’Grady may have been most well-known and loved by British audiences as a comedian, presenter, broadcaster, actor, writer, and the former drag queen Lily Savage – but he was also one of the nation’s most-famous dog lovers and animal rights advocates.
O’Grady was a longtime supporter and Ambassador of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, and helped raise the profile of the shelter to millions around the world through the hugely-popular ITV series Paul O’Grady: For The Love of Dogs.
Battersea says there’s “no doubting” that O’Grady’s influence has helped thousands of rescue animals find new homes over the years.
Over several series of the show, O’Grady would make an effort to spend quality time with these animals and show-off all of their quirks and loveable qualities, which went a long way to proving that rescue animals “really are the best pets”.
Paul O’Grady has died aged 67 / Credit: ITV | Battersea Dogs & Cats Home
Paying an emotional tribute to O’Grady following his passing today, Peter Laurie – Chief Executive of Battersea – said: “To many, Paul O’Grady was the immensely popular TV and radio presenter and comedian who lit up their screens with his razor-sharp humour and perpetual generosity and warmth [but] Battersea will forever remember Paul as a devoted animal lover with the biggest heart, who fell head over heels in love with every dog he met at our centres.
“Paul will always be associated with Battersea and we are truly saddened to have lost such a true friend and huge part of our charity.
“Paul had an extremely hands on approach as a Battersea Ambassador and has been fundamental in helping our charity to communicate important campaign messages.
“He was a champion for the underdog and would do anything to ensure all animals live a healthy and happy life.
“He will be dearly missed.”
We’re deeply saddened to learn that our wonderful, kind friend and beloved Ambassador Paul O’Grady MBE has passed away. He will be so dearly missed by all of us at Battersea. Our love and thoughts go out to all of Paul's family and friends at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/hjfwBcu7sz
Since the news of O’Grady’s passing was announced, touching tributes have been pouring in in their hundreds from right across the world of entertainment and on social media.
Countless famous names have shared supportive messages and memories.
Emotional tributes to O’Grady have been flooding in all morning, both from those who knew and had worked with him in the past, and from those who admired his work and all that he achieved and had stood for throughout his respected career.
Emily Sergeant -
18th March 2022 
