The end of February and the beginning of March are the peak times for lambing, and the sight of newly-born lambs taking their first steps and gamboling around their mothers is one of the highlights of spring.

However, UK and Manx farmers reported an increase in the number of sheep worrying incidents in 2017 resulting in a range of consequences - dead or mortally wounded sheep and lambs, ewes who aborted their lambs due to shock, and lambs who were abandoned by, or separated from, their mothers due to stress.

The National Sheep Association undertook research that concluded that most attacks were carried out by single dogs.

The research also concluded that farmers felt that the most likely cause of the attacks was that dog owners assumed that their pet would not attack livestock or cause any damage if it did; and the second most likely cause was that owners did not keep their dogs on a lead.

It is every dog’s instinct to chase, even if they are normally obedient and good with other animals.

Please observe the Countryside Code when you are out walking your dog, and keep your dog on lead whenever you are near sheep; and remember that a farmer may legally shoot a dog who is attacking or chasing livestock under certain circumstances.

Please also remember that if you are chased by cattle you should let your dog go - the cattle will probably follow them, and they will be able to run faster than you and find safety.

Manx cat Foxy, pictured, must be familiar with sheep having been found as a stray in the fields of rural Foxdale.

She came to us just after New Year as a frightened and timid kitten, hiding and hissing when anyone tried to touch her.

But thanks to the efforts of staff and volunteers she is now starting to trust humans and she’s getting braver by the day, and being spayed didn’t seem to faze her at all.

Foxy will need lots more socialisation, and her new owners will have to devote time and patience to her.

In return they will be rewarded with a super little cat who will give years of companionship and enjoyment.

If a more mature cat, rather than a playful kitten, is better suited to you then please come and meet Tabby (who is a tabby) and Monster (who definitely isn’t a monster!). They are both boys in their early teens, and were gifted to us because their owner moved into sheltered accommodation and couldn’t take them with her.

They have been used to outdoor space and so they will need a garden to roam about in.

Monster is particularly eye-catching - he’s black, with a white bib and feet, with luscious long hair and so he will need some help with his grooming.

We couldn’t run our rescue centre at Ard Jerkyll without the financial support of the Manx public and every donation, no matter how big or small, matters to us.

We’re always looking at new ways to fundraise, and so on Sunday, April 8, we will be holding a car boot sale in a new location, namely Shaw’s Brow car park in Douglas.

This means we’ll be undercover and can go ahead no matter what the weather, and if you would like to book a pitch for just £10.00 please contact Kerry Gascoyne on 851672, or [email protected]. Please put the date in your diary.

Foxy, Tabby, Monster, and all the other hundreds of amazing animals who come through our doors every year, need your support more than ever.