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Injured gull first of many for animal rescue couple
IMAGINE having a creature in almost every room of your house.
It's a reality for husband and wife team Paul and Erika Nugent. Their home currently houses 12 birds, ducks, three rabbits, a cat and dog.
They dedicate their spare time to tending for sick, injured and abused animals. Reporter MARK PAYNE learned more about how they care for all creatures mainly small.
A POISONED seagull was the trigger.
Animal lover Erika Nugent stumbled across the bird. Instead of leaving it to the mercy of nature she took it in and nursed it back to health.
Since then, she's taken to caring for sick and injured animals.
She's even been known to take a sick animal on holiday with her so that it got the treatment it needed.
But it all started with that seagull.
Erika, 55, said: "I was on my way to work and saw it laid in the middle of the road.
"It wasn't aggressive so I knew it was ill and put it in my car and took it to work.
"I took it home and had a pen built to keep it safe from predators and after three weeks it recovered."
The experience was the start of an enterprise that changed her and husband Paul's life.
They set up Claws 'n' Paws animal rescue to care for and foster any sick, injured, homeless and abused birds and small animals in and around Hartlepool.
Now, Erika's home in Dyke House has been transformed into a mini animal hospital with animals in most rooms and the special pens built in the garden.
"There's something in every room apart from the bathroom," she said.
Among the menagerie Claws 'n' Paws is currently caring for are a dozen birds, including exotic parrots, finches, thrushes, sparrows and ducks, three rabbits, a cat and dog.
Tax account Paul, 57, said: "It is quite a big exercise.
"We believe we are the only animal rescue centre in Hartlepool to combat the bad record we have for animal cruelty in the North East.
"Our motto is we will always try and re-home domestic animals and release others back into the wild."
Erika is so dedicated that she once took a sick seagull on holiday to the Lake District so it would not miss out on its daily dose of antibiotics.
Word of mouth, a team of volunteers and the rescue centre's website means a steady stream of animals are brought to Claws 'n' Paws for help.
As well as wild animals they also take in domestic pets such as rabbits and cats when their owners find they can no longer cope with the responsibility.
As soon as an animal comes into their care they take it to the Bridge Veterinary Group in Stranton, Hartlepool, which they work closely with, to be given a health check.
Erika explained: "If it is fit and well we will try to re-home it or if it needs it, we give it a little bit of TLC before it can be sent on its way or released into the wild."
Erika and Paul split their time between their jobs and looking after their feathered and four-legged friends.
Civil servant Erika has cut back on her working week to make sure the animals get all the attention they need but believes it was well worth it.
"It's extremely rewarding," she said. "Especially when something comes to you that is ill, like a seagull, and you manage to get it well and see it fly away again, it is a brilliant feeling."
They are also supported by a team of helpers from HART - Hartlepool Animal Rescue Team, which Paul is secretary for.
Paul and Erika have three grown up children, Wendy Gardner, 33, Tim Nugent, 31, and Lucy Nugent, 28.
They are also grandparents to Benjamin, four, and nine-month-old Josh, who love getting to see so many different kinds of animals up close.
Erika said: "Josh absolutely loves all the animals and especially the birds when he comes here."
Over the coming months Claws 'n' Paws hopes to spread its wings by moving into new stables at Summerhill in Hartlepool.
Planning permission is set to be decided later this month by Hartlepool Borough Council.
The dedicated premises means they will be able to care for even more animals and work with more people in the community.
Paul said: "We have been animal lovers all our lives. I just don't think animals in the North East deserve a bit better care and protection.
"In most cases we can help them survive and feel we are giving something back.
"God always said we should look after the animals and that is what we try to do."
Erika added: "This region is currently top when it comes to animal cruelty. We want to educate people and get young people involved so they will grow up respecting animals."
Claws 'n' Paws is a not for profit organisation and holds fundraising events throughout the year to pay for food and bedding.
For more details about the group or to find out about joining HART contact Erika on 07838 159413 or visit the website www.clawsnpawsarc.com
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Weather for Hartlepool
Saturday 26 May 2012
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