Cynthia Waters, a sixteen year-old from Berwick upon Tweed on the English Scottish border, came to the attention of The Animals Voice Magazine last spring. Cynthia is a David Soul (aka Hutch from the 1970’s iconic Starsky & Hutch television series) fan who met him at a fan dinner. After hearing how much Cynthia loves animals and about her involvement with local animal charities, David introduced her to his good friend, Laura Moretti, founder and president of The Animals Voice.
Cynthia volunteers at two animal rescues, one for wildlife and one for displaced pets. When she first became interested in helping animals she was too young to do so by herself, but her father went with her. She says, “I have always loved animals and from a very young age I have wanted to work with them. Initially, I wanted to be a vet, but now I’m sixteen and I think I am too squeamish for that!”
Each week her parents drive her to both the Berwick Swan and Wildlife Rescue (BSWR) and Berwick Animal Rescue Kennels (BARK).
Learning from an article in the local paper that BARK needed volunteers, and being familiar with them from having previously adopted two rabbits and four gerbils from there, she began spending her Saturdays helping out.
Cynthia works mostly with the rabbits and guinea pigs. She tells us, “My main job is cleaning them out. I check on them, give them a bit of attention, top up their hay and water if necessary, and move them around if needed. Generally, I just do rabbits and guinea pigs but, sometimes we get other small animals such as degus, chinchillas, rats, gerbils, and hamsters, which I help take care of. We even had some fish once.”
BARK’s mission is to look after unwanted pets and find them suitable owners. BARK is proud to have rehomed last year 125 cats, 146 dogs, 83 other animals, including rabbits and snakes, and 72 strays.
Sundays Cynthia spends at BSWT, changing and feeding hedgehogs and sometimes helping with other animals that may be there. It could be ducklings or wild rabbits. Her
dad volunteers with her and at one time was their treasurer.
BSWT takes in injured and sick wild animals. Their mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release.
Cynthia says about the animals at BSWT, “The number of animals varies and is quite seasonal, but at the moment there are hedgehogs, swans, pigeons, a kestrel, an owls, and a rabbit. They have every species of British owl, raptors like peregrine falcons and sparrow hawks, ducks, gannets, foxes, badgers, otters, and many others.”
Cynthia has released hedgehogs in her own garden from BSWT. In addition, she tells us, “All of my pets (apart from my aquatic ones) are rescues which I have either brought home from a rescue or have been given to me by people who can no longer look after them. I do keep a lot of fish, shrimp, and snails in aquariums and most of these are not rescues, although a few people have given me goldfish they could not look after.”
Cynthia sets such a good example of what you can do even if you are young. She wanted to help animals and found a way. About volunteering, she says, “If you are passionate about animals and committed, then it is a great thing to do. I would always recommend adopting animals rather than buying them from breeders or shops.”
Cynthia has learned a lot from her weekends helping animals. “I have learned that every animal that comes in is unique and has its own personality and requirements. I would say that I have also learned to be much more patient.”
Learn more at Berwick Swan and Wildlife Trust and Berwick Animal Rescue Kennels.
