Rescue & Animal Care - February/March - Issue 182

Cover

UK dog walkers put in 13 million miles earning £400,000 in ‘get paid to walk’ app’s first year

A start-up pet care app is celebrating its first anniversary which has seen it support almost 100,000 UK dog owners to engage in the health and wellbeing of their dogs.

Biscuit Pet Care is an app which launched last March to help pet owners care for the health and wellbeing of their four-legged friends, making it easier and rewarding them for doing so.

Biscuit awards points as ‘Biscuits’ for walking dogs plus other wellbeing elements such as providing flea and worm treatments.

More than 90,000 users have downloaded the Biscuit app, tracking more than 2 million walks, racking up a collective total of over 13 million miles. Users exchange their Biscuits for reward vouchers and offers, claiming £400,000 in rewards in the startup’s first year.

Dog owner Gail Walters from Hampshire explains how the Biscuit app has not only helped her care for her dog, Dafni, and earn rewards for doing so, but how, after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, her own health has benefited too:

“The Biscuit app has made a huge difference to my life. Walking has become an important part of my routine for managing my mental health and helping control my overeating. It’s like a comfort blanket.

“My dog Dafni is a huge comfort to me, I love being able to monitor our walks together and I look forward to them now, rather than seeing them as a chore. It’s great seeing the route view and knowing how far we’ve walked, and it motivates me to walk for at least an hour a day which is more than I’ve ever done before. I have been able to reduce my blood sugar to a prediabetes level and some weeks Dafni and I can walk up to 35km!

“If someone had told me a year ago that an app could change my life, I’d have laughed at them. But it really has

been a life saver.”

Since downloading the Biscuit app in October Gail has earned £50 which she has used at ASDA, M&S and Harvester.

Dog owners exchange earned Biscuits for rewards including money off shopping vouchers and pet care services. Just some of the brands to offer rewards in the app include Adidas, John Lewis, Waitrose, and Tesco.

Using an algorithm involving age and breed of their dog, Biscuit displays a personalised activity recommendationadvising dog owners on the amount and length of time an owner should walk their dog - and earns Biscuits for achieving the targets.

Co-founder Claire Greenyer said: “Biscuit was formed from a desire to

improve wellbeing issues affecting our nation’s pets (obesity, anxiety, unwanted behaviours, preventable conditions) which have a devasting impact on not only our pets but also on us, the pet parent.

“We knew we needed to make pet wellbeing easy, fun and rewarding for both pets and their owners and to have almost 100,000 dog parents join us in our first year has been incredible!

“With a great foundation behind us, we’re now entering the scale up phase. We’re expecting the pace of 2023 to be a step up from the previous year, and that was fast!”"

As Biscuit enters its second year in business it plans to introduce more elements of pet wellbeing into the app and expanding the number and variety of reward partners available to Biscuit members.

The Biscuit app is available to download free on iOS and Android devices.

Tips to earn the most from Biscuit:

• Download the free app, input a few details about your dog and instantly earn 50 Biscuits for joining.

• Earn 100 Biscuits for uploading your dog’s microchipping details.

• Earn 100 Biscuits for uploading your dog’s flea and worming treatment details.

Each time you walk your dog, hit the ‘record activity’ button in the app and earn 25 biscuits when you hit your daily goal (you’ll receive a personalised recommended goal based on your dog’s breed and age.)

n The Biscuit app is available to download on both iOS and Android and for more information visit https://biscuitpetcare.com

Gail Walters and dog Dafni have earned £50 since October 2022

‘Great tunnel, great service

I ordered a tunnel from Naylor's - the website was easy to use, and they took the trouble to contact me about the colours I had chosen to make sure they would match, which was a lovely touch. It was made to order but still came really quickly. Well packaged. The tunnel itself is awesome and my dogs have been having great fun with it. Faultless.’

Light weight tunnels are suitable for home use with a small dog.

Medium weight tunnels can be used at home or for small clubs where you have a few dogs.

Heavy weight tunnels for use at clubs with a lot of ‘traffic’ or large/boisterous dogs where you need more stability.

good service

Excellent product, good service’

‘Excellent service, very pleased with tunnels, exactly as described’

‘Great product,

dog tunnels

Dear Friends,

I have a lot to tell you as I have been poorly but recovering now. Mistress says that I’m still a bit under the weather – whatever that means and I should take it easy. The funny sayings our humans have!

Here you see me looking very sorry for myself, covered in my cosy lush Aran Knit-Deluxe Pet Blanket that was sent to me by www.georgebarclay.com

It is super soft and in one of my favourite colourspurple! (There are three other colours to choose from)) It is snuggly & cuddly and lined with opulent faux fur. And are in either a size large or x-large. Then in my other photo, I am feeling a lot better and demanding to have all my toys around me but I was made to lay down soon after as used up all my energy playing!

So this is what happened….

I was playing ball in the recreation ground with some children whilst Mistress was talking to their parents. Usually she keeps an eye on me as I have arthritis in my back legs but carried away in conversation she didn’t notice that I was limping a little until we started the walk home.

As soon as we got indoors, I laid on my bed and Mistress noticed I was breathing very heavily, panting and dribbling.

She thought I may be having a heart attack so took me straight to the vets and following examinations (we ended up making three trips) it was diagnosed that I had twisted my back and why I was not able to support myself on my back legs.

My lovely Mistress was so worried about me she stayed comforting me on my bed in the

go up the stairs at night to sleep) until the early hours so I wasn’t alone.

The medication I was given made me sleep a lot and help reduce the pain. After a week I could walk again but not for long.

Two weeks on I am nearly back to my usual self but still having shorter walks and much to my dismay no ball games for now. Although I have my eye on one that I can see under the table :) and may try and sneak under there to get it out.

Saying to me’ no ball games’ until I am fully recovered is like a human being told’ no mobile phone’ for now or something else they are addicted to!

I am a bit tired after writing my column for all you furry friends so time for a ‘Doggie Nap’

Lots of love

Until next month

Love Treacle x

Dear Readers,

It felt like Spring was in the air recently but now I’ve has to turn the heating back on in my office.

I hope you are all ready for the possibility of snow and frosty conditions this month as temperatures continue to dip and we seem to be set for another chilly spell! So what better to do than cuddle up with your furry friend (hot water bottle) and open this month’s free to read issue.

Included in this Magazine:-

UK dog walkers put in 13 million miles earning £400,000 in ‘get paid to walk’ app’s first year!

Dog Grooming Tips You Should Know from an Expert. Stressed out moggy becomes a contented kitty thanks to expert intervention

Hedgehog Awareness Week, 30th April – 6th May 2023

Boredom busters for cats

And even more news and articles inside!

Hope you enjoy Keep warm.

Love Jennifer x

Mayhew Pet Refuge - a lifeline for London pet owners in crisis

Pet Refuge ensures that the dog or cat has the best possible care and is placed in a safe and comfortable environment for the crisis period, up to a maximum of three months, as the main goal of Pet Refuge is to ultimately keep owners and their animals together.

Depending on capacity, Mayhew can either look after animals at the charity’s headquarters in Kensal Green or place them in a temporary foster home with one of their experienced and loving foster carers. It is especially important, particularly in this challenging economic climate, that owners with limited financial resources know there is help available for them. Read how Pet Refuge was a lifeline for two London pet owners.

Alisa & Major

When Alisa French from Bromley was told she urgently needed complex surgery in September 2022, her main priority wasn’t so much the major procedure required for painful Bilateral Osteoarthritis but rather who would look after her two children who both have special needsand her beloved 12-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Major. Having become increasingly bedridden because of her condition, single mum Alisa, 50, was so desperate to find care for Major that when it appeared increasingly unlikely, she even considered cancelling the surgery she so badly needed.

It was only after having made extensive online searches and following an impassioned plea on social media that Alisa found out about Mayhew’s Pet

Refuge scheme and the situation took a turn for the better.

As Alisa explains, “I was at the end of my tether when I posted my story and the urgent need for help to look after

Major was lovingly cared for at Mayhew during his time on Pet Refuge

Major whilst I had my operation. I didn’t know where to go or who to turn to. It was at that point that a concerned lady who had read my post on Facebook offered to take Major to Mayhew animal

Since 2004, Mayhew has provided support for pet owners facing a personal crisis and who have limited or no means of help to care for their dog or cat, through its Pet Refuge programme.

welfare charity that I finally felt there was light at the end of the tunnel. It was a moment I will never forget! Without Pet Refuge, I doubt my family and Major would be together today and I would have been able to have my operation.” Following a procedure and post-surgery respite which totalled 23 weeks, Alisa finally returned home in December 2022 – with Major back there to greet her after his time at Mayhew.

Robert & Tiger

When 72-year-old Robert Ely from Fulham was told by doctors in December 2021 that he could

finally have a date for hip replacement surgery, his main concern was who would look after his beloved companion and best friend, West Highland white terrier, Tiger.

As Robert had no family members or close friends nearby to call upon for help, it was only when a local pet shop suggested he contact Mayhew to see if they could help that the tide turned, and things changed for the better.

As Robert explains, “My first call with Mayhew was like a ton of bricks being lifted off my shoulders. I would have felt very alone, and even a little scared, if I

wasn’t aware of Pet Refuge and the help it provides for pet owners in crisis, just like me, across London.”

In December 2021, Tiger was collected from Robert’s home by staff from Mayhew and after initially spending 11 days there, was then placed with one of the charity’s carefully assessed and trusted volunteer foster carers, who gave him a loving, temporary home-fromhome experience at their house in North West London.

Tiger returned home to Robert following his operation and recuperation in February 2022.

Robert and Tiger

Luckily, Pet Refuge could keep Tiger and Robert and Alisa and Major together, but Mayhew needs your support to help us continue our important work.

If you are in a position to make a donation, please themayhew.org/donate/

30-Year-old Bobi is the World’s Oldest dog ever

Bobi was born in the village of Conqueiros, district of Leiria Portugal on 11 May 1992 on a family run farm, the same family he lives with to this day. Leonel Costa, Bobi’s owner has grown up with him since he was 8 years old. In 1992 Bobi was registered with Serviço MedicoVeterinário do Município de Leiria (Veterinary Medical Service of the Municipality of Leiria), who have confirmed Bobi’s birth date.

Bobi’s age has also been verified by SIAC, a pet database authorized by the Portuguese government and managed by the SNMV (Sindicato Nacional dos Médicos Veterinários; National Union of Veterinarians).

Bobi is a very calm and sociable dog, who loves to be petted and plays a lot with the four cats he lives with. He gets along with other dogs he meets too, having lived with many animals throughout his life. His family believe the secret to his longevity is the fact that he has always lived in the countryside in a calm, peaceful environment, surrounded by nature. His favourite thing to do is walking around the farmland and the pine trees.

He sleeps well at night and enjoys a good rest after meals, as well as relaxing by the fireplace on particularly cold days. Bobi loves to eat and mostly has the same food as his owners, but with care taken to soak it in water to remove the seasoning first. He also

drinks plenty of water.

He had just one health scare in 2018 but pulled through, and nowadays lives a normal life, despite some difficulties with his eyesight and walking that come with age.

Leonel describes Bobi as "one of a kind.” He still has hope that one day Bobi could father some puppies of his own, as he is the last of a long generation of animals.

Looking at Bobi reminds Leonel of his childhood, playing together and even the

walks to school of years gone by. The beloved pet also makes him think of family members who have sadly passed away including his father, who Bobi used to live with too.

Bobi’s owner, Leonel said “Bobi has been a warrior for all these years, only he knows how he's been holding on, it must not be easy because the average dog’s life span is not that high and if he spoke only he could explain this success.

We are very happy and grateful to life for allowing us, after 30 years, to have Bobi in our daily lives.”

Seeing Bobi's long life recognised by becoming a Guinness World Records title holder, “is an immense joy”, Leonel says.

The previous record holder for the oldest dog living was Spike who achieved the record at 23years and 7 days, as verified in Camden, Ohio on 7 December 2022.

The previous record holder for the oldest dog ever was Bluey, an Australian cattle dog who lived to 29 years 5 months before being put to sleep in November 1939.

n To read more about Bobi and his record-breaking life https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2023/1/o ldest-dog-ever-record-broken-by-30-yearold-bobi-from-portugal-736224

(Photo and edit copyright: Guinness World Records)

Voted ‘Product I can’t live without’ for a record tenth time!

Dogmatic are incredibly proud to have been voted ‘Product I can’t live without’ for a record tenth time. We are so pleased to have been able to help fellow dog owners continue walking their dogs with the help of the

Dogmatic Headcollar and thank All of you who took the time to vote for us once again, it is very much appreciated.

This is a wonderful achievement for Dogmatic to become the first Company to win such an amazing accolade for the

tenth time in a category that spans the pet product market.

We are always delighted to hear how much the Dogmatic Headcollar has helped owners and their dogs and it is their ‘must have’ product. It is wonderful to have such a loyal, growing Customer base who continue to ‘spread the word’ about Dogmatic.

The Dogmatic offers a kind comfortable solution to dogs pulling on the lead. Products that are comfortable for your dog, work correctly, do not ride up or go near the eyes and also look good! Offering the widest range of dog Headcollars in leather and padded cushioned webbing with matching collars and training leads.

n Telephone: 01952 245330 www.dogmatic.org.uk

For the Love of Dog! Third of brits say their dog is like a child to them

• New research reveals the extent of the nation’s dog obsession with 1 in 3 Brits saying they couldn’t be in a relationship with someone that didn’t like dogs

• Demand for doggy staycations set to rise with 29% of people admitting their dog is always factored into their holiday

• Ben Fogle and Holly Willoughby named as two UK celebs Brits most want to go on a dog walk with

• Hilarious shoot with Pete Wicks and his pooch pal Eric launches nationwide competition from Butcher’s to celebrate our love of dogs

New research has unveiled just how dog-obsessed the nation is, with a third of those surveyed admitting their dog is like a child to them.

1 in 3 Brits also confessed they couldn’t be in a relationship with someone that didn’t like dogs.

According to the new research, conducted by Butcher’s Nourishing Food for Dogs, the average UK dog owner views five movies a week while snuggled up with their pet.

In honour of the nation’s dogobsession, the dog food brand has teamed up with TV star Pete Wicks and his French bulldog, Eric, to launch a competition giving away £1k cash plus a year's supply of Butcher’s Nourishing Food For Dogs Healthy Heart recipes and a personalised dog food bowl.

The competition ran until 26th Feb and coincided with the launch of Butcher’s new Healthy Heart range. The recipes for this new product line are vet recommended and carefully created by the brand’s nutritionist. Each Healthy Heart recipe has the right amount of

The data also revealed the top male and female celebs that we’d most like to go on a dog walk with;

naturally active ingredients to support a healthy heart and help dogs thrive.

Explaining the competition, Pete Wicks, said: “Simply share a snap or video of yourself enjoying a meal with your dog on social media, tagging @butchersdogfood and using the hashtag #foodislove to enter and for your chance to win £1K cash, a year’s supply of Butcher’s Nourishing Food For Dogs Healthy Heart recipes and a personalised dog food bowl.

“10 runners up will bag themselves a

six-month supply of Healthy Heart product for their dog and a personalised dog food bowl each.”

n For more information on Butcher’s Nourishing Food For Dogs Healthy Heart, including stockistsand the Healthy Heart Food is Love competition, visit the brand’s Facebook or Instagram profiles www.instagram.com/butchersdogfood/. Terms and conditions can be found on there too.

Therapy Dogs Nationwide

Therapy Dogs Nationwide is a national charity where visiting volunteers take their own dogs into establishments to provide

Our volunteers have the unique privilege of volunteering with their own temperament tested Therapy Dogs; some with over 10 years of experience and always focused on benefiting people in the community.

Using animals especially Dogs as therapy is not a new idea, they have been used for over 40 years in experience in the care sector and a lot of our volunteers have roots with Lesley Scott-Ordish who was a pioneer in visiting with taking your own pet dog to nursing homes.

The benefits of Animal Assisted Therapies (AAT) have been extensively studied and results range from improvement in general health and wellbeing, increased confidence levels, improved and controlled movement to improved communication skills.

Volunteers and Therapy Dogs work with a wide group of people within the community. Our work in residential care homes had improved communication in residents and patients by evoking memories and stimulating conversation.

Our dogs have also shown to help with special needs and autistic children and adults by giving focus and providing a calming environment.

We regularly visit local hospitals and hospices where patients and staff interact with our dogs and look forward to their visits.

We are proud to be part of the Kennel Club Bark and Read Programme. We have many dogs that visit schools to help children develop their reading skills and build confidence.

Our volunteers also find their visits very rewarding.

Establishments

The concept of Therapy Dogs was originally devised by Lesley Scott-Ordish back in 1976 when she discovered the trauma experienced by the elderly if forced to give up a much-loved pet upon going into residential care.

Lesley, using her own dogs to visit could immediately see the positive impact their presence was having on the emotional wellbeing of the residents. The therapeutic effects of patting a dog were impressive and with encouragement from the Royal College of Nursing, a network of volunteers with friendly dogs was set up.

Over the years this simple scheme as expanded to include establishments such as hospitals, schools, hospices and prisons.

With thousands of dogs regularly visiting, the use of AAT (Animal Assisted Therapy) has increased extensively over the years with more studies confirming the benefits of Therapy Dogs in multiple situations. As well as regular visits to these establishments, ‘TDN‘ is becoming increasingly involved in one off visits for stress busting and general wellbeing within large corporations.

We are regularly contacted by organisations who are taking part in Mental Health awareness programs and Staff Wellbeing initiatives and want to include Therapy Dogs Nationwide as part of their support networks.

We are currently working with several universities for student enrichment prior to exams.

Regrettably, for insurance purposes, we are not able to visit individuals in their own home/private residence.

Paws & Read

Our Paws & Read programme in Schools, is where we work closely with teachers and parents to encourage children to interact with the Therapy dog by reading them a story.

Therapy Dogs Nationwide places temperament assessed dogs with their volunteer handlers into Primary, Junior, High and SEN schools under our Paws & Read scheme.

n For more information https://tdn.org.uk

comfort, distraction, and stimulation.

Insurance claims from rescue centres can be highly distressing as they often involve personal injury

As a leading insurance broker for animal-related trades Cliverton is committed to improving industry standards and reducing avoidable claims, particularly those involving injuries.

The importance of having adequate Health & Safety policies and risk assessment practices in place cannot be over emphasised. Katy Gross, Associate Director at Cliverton says ‘We have been talking to rescue centres that

demonstrate good working practices, enabling us to understand and identify good practice, helping us to educate and inform our customers and improve general practices in the rescue industry’.

‘All rescues must now provide information relating to their Health & Safety and risk assessment practices before we can arrange insurance cover. Alongside this, every dog must have had a behavioural assessment by an independent behaviourist prior to their

adoption or being placed in a foster home. The Independent behaviourist must hold their own insurance including professional indemnity cover. This allows us to recognise those rescues with risk awareness, breed-specific knowledge and expertise’.

‘More detailed guidelines will be applied regarding the assessment of potential foster carers/families, particularly those with their own dogs or children along with the fostering of banned breeds.’

n Insurance cover should be arranged exper tly as the issues involved in the care of rescue animals can be complex and require specialist policies.

To speak to one of our team call us on 01328 857921 or email us at info@cliverton.co.uk www.cliverton.co.uk

Images credit: Adobe Stock

Insurance cover should be arranged expertly as the issues involved in the care of rescue animals can be complex and require specialist policies

“Working Together to Improve Industry Standards”

Pampered Pooch: Dog Grooming Tips You Should Know from an Expert

If you are looking to start your own dog grooming business or just want to pamper your four-legged friends at home, these expert grooming tips will leave each pooch feeling truly spoilt.

Getting and keeping clients

According to GroomArts Academy, you should canvas your local area for potential clients. Find out roughly how many dogs there are in your area. Join Facebook dog groups local to you to get

an idea of how many owners you can potentially market to. Approximately 60% of dogs within your catchment area need regular grooming, and this should give you an idea on the potential success of your business.

Building trust is a crucial part of business – not only with your clients, but their owners too. As a pet grooming business, you should build trust with both pets and humans. This will lead to more loyal clients, specifically with dogs

who need grooming more regularly.

Tips for your business

When it comes to starting a dog grooming business, it is important to make sure you are covered from the outset. As with any business who works with customers, you will need public liability insurance in the form of dog grooming business insurance.

You will also want to consider your location and safety precautions within

With 12 million dogs in the United Kingdom, each with their own need for groomers, it is no wonder so many people are making the move into the grooming market. After all, we all need a good haircut every now and then - our pets are no different.

your workspace. If the pet has separation anxiety, an escape attempt might be likely which can lead to self-injury. To avoid this, you might consider the safety of your environment, if a pet were to move or get loose. Making sure you find a space which works for you and your customers is important. After all, the pets are the main customers, and they like to move!

Tips for maintaining your health

One lesser discussed risk of dog grooming doesn’t come at the fault of the dog, owner, or you, but as a byproduct of the dog’s hair. Groomer’s lung is a condition in which breathing in pet hair over prolonged periods of time can cause respiratory problems.

In order to maintain your health, you should consider wearing a mask which covers both your mouth and nose when de-shedding, brushing, or cutting a dog’s coat. A face covering which includes goggles can also prevent the hair from damaging your eyesight.

Stephanie Zikmann, from The Holistic Grooming Academy, comments: “It can be quite overwhelming for a dog groomer to wear a mask all day. Ensuring that the mask chosen has proper ventilation in the first instance is worth researching, but it is also crucial that the grooming environment itself is well-ventilated and that the groomer takes frequent breaks to get fresh air’’.

“And a dog is also at risk to the same health concerns within stuffy environments such as the grooming salon. It is also important that they are allowed ample opportunity throughout their grooming session to take breaks, have water and grab some fresh air too. Obviously, groomer’s lung is just one of the many health concerns a groomer should be mindful of.”

Tips for grooming distressed dogs

Some dogs, including those with separation anxiety or other behavioural issues, might become distressed when left alone with you. This can include nipping, biting, or escape attempts.

For dogs you decide to proceed with, it is important to make them feel as comfortable as possible. You might need to do multiple short sessions with this pet to encourage them to trust you. Introductory visits can allow the dog to get used to your presence without the added anxiety and stress of the grooming process. Another way of easing a dog into the grooming process is to get them used to the sound of the clippers –turn them on nearby as you continue

brushing, pausing, and giving praise.

Stephanie added: “It’s incredibly important that the groomer understands how to identify signs of stress before they escalate to more challenging behaviours, such as air snapping and lunging. A dog will show he is afraid, uncomfortable or in pain through a series of subtle stress signals that can be easily missed to the untrained eye.

“Before defaulting to handling aids that we are often trained to do, the safest way to handle and prevent stressed dogs is to learn how to communicate with them in a way they understand and provide a safe and positive environment.”

Tips for handling different sized dogs

Dogs of all sizes could walk into your space, from the smallest Chihuahua to a larger breed like a Great Dane. Each dog will have their different needs but making sure that each is comfortable and unafraid within your grooming area should be the first priority.

According to Stephanie you shouldn’t rely on handling equipment but rather tailor your space to suit the dog. Tall tables could lead to your larger animals becoming panicked and unstable, instead having lower, larger spaces available to provide room for movement and safety is important.

Stephanie says: “From my experience, using a more cooperative approach with all dog breeds makes the grooming environment less stressful for everyone. While it is important to ensure you are

not doing anything that would void your insurance, it is certainly worthwhile exploring alternative ways of grooming that takes into consideration what the dog perceives is safe and/or unsafe. Safety is not necessarily control, it’s more so a feeling.”

When starting your grooming process, the dog is the focal point. Making sure the dog, no matter its size or temperament, feels safe within your environment is crucial for a good outcome. Ensuring your business is safe for you and the dogs could see your grooming company flourish.

Sources:

https://groomarts.com/student-advice/marketing-insights

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dogcare/common-dog-behavior-issues/separation-anxiety#:~:text=Separation%20 anxiety%20is%20triggered%20when,po ints%20like%20windows%20and%20do ors.

https://mypetgroomer.co.uk/blog/separation-anxiety-and-dog-grooming.html

https://groomersland.com/groomerscorner/what-is-groomers-lung-diseaseand-how-to-prevent-it/

https://groomarts.com/student-advice/marketing-insights

Scientists find world’s oldest European hedgehog

The European hedgehog is one of our most beloved mammals but populations have declined dramatically in recent years. In the UK, studies indicate that urban populations have fallen by up to 30% and rural populations by at least 50% since the turn of the century (British Hedgehog Preservation Society). To combat this, researchers and conservationists have launched various projects to monitor hedgehog populations, to inform initiatives to protect hedgehogs in the wild.

During 2016, Danish citizens were asked to collect any dead hedgehogs they found for “The Danish Hedgehog Project”, a citizen science project led by Dr Sophie Lund Rasmussen (also known as ‘Dr Hedgehog’). The aim was to better understand the state of the Danish hedgehog population by establishing how long hedgehogs typically lived for. Over 400 volunteers collected an astonishing 697 dead hedgehogs originating from all over Denmark, with a roughly 50/50 split from urban and rural areas. The researchers determined the age of the dead hedgehogs by counting growth lines in thin sections of the hedgehogs’ jawbones, a method similar to counting growth rings in trees. The results have been published as a paper in the journal Animals

Key findings:

l The oldest hedgehog in the sample was 16 years old - the oldest scientifically documented European hedgehog ever found. Two other individuals lived for 13 and 11 years respectively. The previous record holder lived for 9 years.

l Despite these long-lived individuals, the average age of the hedgehogs was only around two years. About a third (30%) of the hedgehogs died at or before the age of one year.

l Most (56%) of the hedgehogs had been killed when crossing roads. 22% died at a hedgehog rehabilitation centre (for instance, following a dog attack), and 22% died of natural causes in the wild.

l Male hedgehogs in general lived longer than females (2.1 vs 1.6 years, or 24% longer), which is uncommon in mammals. But male hedgehogs were also more likely to be killed in traffic. This may be because males have larger ranges than females and likely move over larger areas, bringing them into contact more frequently with roads.

l For both male and female hedgehogs, road deaths peaked during the month of July, which is the height of the mating season for hedgehogs in Denmark. This is likely because hedgehogs walk long distances and cross more roads in their search for mates.

Dr Sophie Lund Rasmussen (based at the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit WildCRU, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, and affiliated researcher at Aalborg University), who leads The Danish Hedgehog Project, said: ’Although we saw a high proportion of individuals dying at the age of one year, our data also showed that if the individuals survived this life stage, they could potentially live to become 16 years old and produce offspring for several years. This may be because individual hedgehogs gradually gain more experience as they grow older. If they manage to survive to reach the age of two years or more, they would have likely learned to avoid dangers such as cars and predators.’

She added: ‘The tendency for males to outlive females is likely caused by the fact that it is simply easier being a male hedgehog. Hedgehogs are not territorial, which means that the males rarely fight. And the females raise their offspring alone.’

Hedgehog jaw bones show growth lines because calcium metabolism slows down when they hibernate over winter. This causes bone growth to reduce markedly or even stop completely, resulting in growth lines where one line represents one hibernation.

The researchers also took tissue samples to investigate whether the

degree of inbreeding influenced how long European hedgehogs live for. Previous studies have found that the genetic diversity of the Danish hedgehog population is low, indicating high degrees of inbreeding. This can reduce the fitness of a population by allowing hereditary, and potentially lethal, health conditions to be passed on between generations. Surprisingly, the results showed that inbreeding did not seem to reduce the expected lifespan of the hedgehogs.

Dr Rasmussen said: ‘Sadly, many species of wildlife are in decline, which often results in increased inbreeding, as the decline limits the selection of suitable mates. This study is one of the first thorough investigations of the effect of inbreeding on longevity. Our research indicates that if the hedgehogs manage to survive into adulthood, despite their high degree of inbreeding, which may cause several potentially lethal, hereditary conditions, the inbreeding does not reduce their longevity. That is a rather groundbreaking discovery, and very positive news from a conservation perspective.’

Dr Rasmussen added: ‘The various findings of this study have improved our understanding of the basic life history of hedgehogs, and will hopefully improve the conservation management for this beloved and declining species.’

The study was published in collaboration with Associate Professor Owen Jones at Interdisciplinary Center on Population Dynamics (CPop), Institute of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Senior Researcher Dr Thomas Bjørneboe Berg from Naturama, and Associate Professor Helle Jakobe Martens, Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, Copenhagen University.

n You can learn more about Dr Sophie Lund Rasmussen’s work on her YouTube channel ‘Dr Hedgehog’: https://www.youtube.com/@drhedgehog

The world’s oldest scientifically-confirmed European hedgehog has been found in Denmark by a citizen science project involving hundreds of volunteers. The hedgehog lived for 16 years, 7 years longer than the previous record holder.

Hedgehog Awareness Week, 30th April – 6th May 2023

Hedgehog Awareness Week is organised by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and takes place every year. It aims to highlight the problems hedgehogs face and how you can help them.

This year the charity is asking people to ‘Think Hedgehog!’ Look at your garden or greenspace (or local park, school grounds, etc) and imagine how useful or dangerous it might be if you were a hedgehog – is it a hedgehog disaster or a des-res?

There are lots of hazards that can be removed or improved such as:

• Poisons and pesticides that could directly harm hedgehogs and destroy their food chain.

• Uncovered drains – hedgehogs can fall into these and become stuck so make sure yours are covered up.

• Litter is a problem for all wildlife and while this is (hopefully) not an issue in your own garden, it very likely is in the wider environment. Contacting local landowners where litter is an issue can help; remember to point out the danger to wildlife.

• Netting can become entangled in hedgehog spines: make sure sports nets are put away and garden netting is at a height that hedgehogs can safely pass under.

• Always carefully check for hedgehogs before mowing, strimming or lighting a bonfire pile that they might have made a nest in.

There are also lots of lovely hedgehogfriendly features that can be added to make the area more welcoming to hedgehogs:

• Hedgehog highways are really important to allow access to more habitat; they are just 13cm x 13cm square gaps in the bottom of boundary walls and fences to ensure hedgehogs can get in and out easily; once these are made you can log your Hedgehog Highway at www.bighedgehogmap.org

• Feeding stations – offer water and meaty cat or dog food for hedgehogs in a

feeding station to help keep the food safe for hedgehogs (see plans for a feeding station on BHPS website or contact BHPS for a paper copy).

• Log piles, leaf piles or wild corners and edges will attract natural food and offer shelter for hedgehogs.

• Ponds or pools are great for wildlife but do ensure there are escape routes –a sloping edge, ramp or half-submerged rock for hedgehogs to scramble out on.

• Hedgehog homes – make or buy a hedgehog home (plans for building homes can be found on the BHPS website or contact BHPS for a paper copy).

To join BHPS as a supporter costs just £7.50 a year for an individual in the UK (or £12.50 for a family).

https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/h edgehog-awareness-week-30th-april6th-may-2023/

Chicubes Cattery Units

Chicubes has just brought out a standard range of cattery units to run alongside their standard and bespoke dog kennel range, with both full height walk in units as well as raised sleeping areas with walk in runs. Built of high quality insulated PVC composite panels and edged in aluminium these catteries are easy to keep clean and hygienic as well as durable and long lasting. Bespoke designs and sizes are easy to accommodate as they make all of their cattery housing at their factory in Staffordshire. These robust units can be manufactured in single or multi blocks and added onto as your requirements increase, providing you with safe and secure as well as flexible accommodation.

With numerous options and configurations possible, laying out your new cattery design couldn’t be easier with internal shelving, flaps, windows, ramps and much more. Chicubes also deliver and fit all of their products nationwide or can be sent out to you for self assembly. So, if your existing cattery needs to be updated or replaced or you are looking for a completely new setup then Chris and his team at Chicubes can help, get in touch to see what they can do for you.

n www.chicubes.co.uk

sales@chicubes.co.uk

01782 499915

Boredom busters for cats

According to feline welfare charity Cats Protection, indoor cats, and cats who spend more time indoors during the colder winter months, can be particularly prone to boredom if they do not have enough entertainment.

“If your cat appears to be bored, but is also not interested in playing, try providing them with other forms of stimulation such as puzzle feeders, grooming sessions or even doing some training. Owners should always rule out medical issues with sudden changes in behaviours,” said Cats Protection’s Central Behaviour Officer, Daniel Warren-Cummings.

“Many people assume getting your cat a feline friend to play with will help but this is unlikely to work. Cats are naturally very solitary animals and having another cat around could cause them a lot of stress.”

Signs of boredom include:

• Zoomies – Also known as frenetic random activity periods (FRAP), zoomies can be an indicator of boredom. While the occasional ‘funny five minutes’ is normal, if your cat is getting the zoomies regularly (eg daily or even more frequently) then they could be telling you they’re bored

• Sleeping a lot – It’s normal for cats to get a lot of sleep (some can sleep for 12-18 hours a day!) but if your cat is sleeping more than usual, their inactivity could be a sign of boredom

• Excessive meowing – If your cat appears to be trying to get your attention, perhaps by meowing or getting in your way, it could be that they’re bored and want you to entertain them

• Pacing

• Overgrooming

• Overeating

• Destroying furniture and furnishing

• Attacking humans and other animals

Tips on how to help:

1. Play with them

Interactive play is the best way to keep your cat entertained. Most cats will only need short play session of a few

minutes at a time but try to fit in several of these each day and alternate the toys you use to keep it interesting.

2. Let them outside

The outside world has plenty to interest your cat, from prey to chase, trees to climb and various places to explore. If your cat is ok to go outside, give them access during the day, making sure they can get back inside when they want to and at night. If you have an indoor cat, you could look into getting an enclosed ‘catio’ that’s attached to the house for them to access. More advice on keeping your cat safe outside here

3. Provide a window perch

If your cat can’t go outside, or prefers to stay indoors, then they can still enjoy the sights of the outside world through the window. Give them access to a windowsill or perch near a window with an interesting view, so they can watch the local wildlife. You could even place a bird or squirrel feeder outside the window to create some entertainment.

4. Grow some cat grass

Bring the outside world inside by planting some cat grass in a pot indoors. Many cats love to chew on cat grass and it can even help with their digestion. More advice on cat-safe plants here

5. Try some training

It’s not just dogs who can be trained! It’s possible to teach your cat to do all sorts of things, including sit, roll over and

respond to their name. Plus, it’s a great way to keep them mentally stimulated and strengthen your bond. Find out more about cat training here

6. Provide puzzle feeders

Making mealtimes fun is a great way to stave off boredom. Encourage your cat to work for their food by using puzzle feeders. There are lots of different types you can buy, or you can make your own. Find out how to make feeding puzzles for your cat here

7. Give them a groom

Most cats need a bit of help with grooming every now and then, particularly long-haired cats who need brushing once a day. Grooming is a great activity you can do together and most cats will enjoy the attention. Find out how to groom your cat here

8. Give them something to climb

Cats love to get up high so they can feel safe and watch the world go by from a good vantage point. Try providing them with a cat tower, cat shelves and walkways, or simply clear some space on top of furniture or shelves so they can explore their home from different heights.

n Cats Protection recommends contacting a vet if you notice any changes in your cat’s behaviour so they can rule out any medical causes before investigating if it could be the result of boredom. Visit www.cats.org.uk/adopt-a-cat

While some cats may be happy to keep themselves entertained, others may need a bit more stimulation to keep their minds active and prevent them from becoming bored.

Stressed out moggy becomes a contented kitty thanks to expert intervention

• A cat who was displaying challenging behaviours has found his forever home following a behaviour plan from leading feline welfare charity

Atwo-year-old cat has found a new home after being given up due to his tendency to lash out when stressed.

When Star came into Cats Protection’s Forth Valley Adoption Centre in August 2022, it was identified that he was displaying misdirected predatory aggression, which meant that he would attack his carers’ legs when they walked past or moved too quickly.

While he was in care the centre worked closely with the charity’s Behaviour team, whose work is kindly supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, to understand and address Star’s aggressive type behaviours.

• Cats Protection’s behaviour work is kindly supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery Star

Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “Cats bring so much joy into people’s lives and funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery help in their safeguarding and welfare. It is brilliant to hear that Star’s behavioural issues have been overcome and he is now enjoying his new forever home.”

Cats Protection’s Behaviour Officer Sammie Ravenscroft said: “Star had a lot of energy and would often show aggression when members of the team had to block him from escaping when they were entering or leaving his pen.

“Having ruled out any medical reasons for his behaviour, the centre team had already spread his food over more daily feeds, increased his enrichment and play, and placed him in a pen that he could see outside from.

“There was a two-fold strategy with Star. We needed to work on reducing the underlying cause for the behaviour whilst also implementing some behaviour management techniques initially to reduce the chance of injury to staff. For example, as he was food motivated, I suggested that his carers

have a treat or toy ready to throw to the back of his pen and as they were entering or leaving, to distract him and reduce the risk of him trying to escape and attacking their feet.

“I also suggested that they wear protective shoes and thick trousers so that they didn’t react to his biting when it did happen, as this can reinforce the unwanted behaviour.”

Star’s behaviour began to improve with these interventions, and he was soon adopted by local cat lover Tracey.

Before he went home, Sammie created a condensed behaviour plan for his new owners so that they could implement things straight away. The plan mostly focused on increased enrichment and appropriate play to help expel some of his excess energy.

His new owner, Tracey, said: “Star has come on leaps and bounds since he’s

been with us. When he first came home, we did have some challenging behaviours from him and he seemed a bit stressed.

“Happily, Sammie gave us lots of advice, including using puzzle feeding to help keep him entertained and how to approach play and handling to avoid overstimulation. We also looked at ways to reduce any stressors that could have been exacerbating his behaviour.

“We really noticed a difference in just a few weeks, in particular with his toys - we got him a kicker toy and a cardboard scratch pad and gave them to him before his dinner. He loved both and got a few fierce kicks and scratches out on them. We then gave him his dinner straight after he had calmed down and since then have followed this routine. We also started to reduce how much of a fuss we gave him, which was difficult but definitely helped.

“He’s an absolute darling - most of the time! - and even lets us dry him with a towel when he comes in wet from the rain, without any biting or scratching, so it seems we are gaining his trust more and more each day. Any time we see the odd swipe from him we’re continuing to ignore it and walk away from him and, thankfully, we are seeing this less and less as time goes on.

“He now spends most nights cuddled up beside us in bed and regularly flops at our feet for a fuss. He’s the loveliest wee boy who seems to enjoy being around us just as much as we enjoy having him.”

n Cats Protection’s CATS (Cats and their Stats) Repor t 2022 found that nearly three quarters of cats (72%) exhibit at least one stress-associated behaviour. For advice on cat behaviour, visit www.cats.org.uk/behaviour

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RSPCA and firefighters rescue cat stuck up tall tree for 30 hours

Sparky was glad

be back on firm footing after his ordeal

Animal rescue officer David Cottingham and fire officers from Greater Manchester Fire Rescue Service came to the aid of the stricken moggy, called Sparky, who was discovered hanging on to a branch 30 feet up the tall tree in Dixon Street in Middleton.

The RSPCA always advises owners to allow cats to make their own way down from trees and to try and tempt them if they get stuck by placing food and smelly treats on the ground. But if they remain trapped for more than a day then the animal charity can help.

Terrified Sparky was trapped up the 40-foot high tree for around 30 hours and appeared unable to make his way down. He was first spotted on the morning of Saturday, February 11 and his plight encouraged some of his owner’s neighbours to make unsuccessful attempts to reach him.

But fire officers quickly had the black and white cat back on the ground, climbing up extended ladders and then using the animal rescue officer’s grasper to take hold of the feline safely.

Dave said: “We do say to owners to give their cats enough time to come down from trees on their own first. It is quite often the case that they're not actually trapped, but scared or unsure

and they often figure it out and make it down themselves.

“Every job is different and it can depend on the age and health of the cat and whether it is injured or physically caught and the weather conditions as to what we do. If we try to rescue too early sometimes cats will go higher or they may jump from tree to tree or fall.

“This was a hard tree to get a ladder

up on and when I arrived there were members of the public with ladders and saws trying to get the cat down, which, of course, we would warn against doing as it can be far too dangerous.

“Strong-smelling food had been put near the tree, which is as we would advise, but in the end Sparky was reached by the fire officers using their rescue ladders.

“His owner was over the moon to be reunited with her cat again and we did issue her some advice as we do prefer to see cats make their own way down from trees, unless they are trapped for some time or are injured.”

It may be in some cases like this that the owners are asked to contact a tree surgeon if the RSPCA is unable to get someone to the cat or if the feline is stuck in a position where officers would not be able to help.

But if a cat is stuck up a tree for more than 24 hours, the weather conditions are particularly bad or if the cat is injured or very young then owners can call 0300 1234 999, and the RSPCA may need to contact the fire service to ask for help if necessary due to health and safety implications.

The fire service will use opportunities like this incident for training purposes.

A young cat was happy to be reunited with his owner after being rescued from his captivity on a high perch in Greater Manchester.

Signs and symptoms of cat cancer that pet parents should be aware of

Weight loss, a drop in energy, hiding and being less curious can

According to PetCure Oncology, more than 6 million cats are diagnosed with cancer every year. National digital vet care firm Joii Pet Care is highlighting the behaviour and physical changes that owners should look out for to help get an early diagnosis, which significantly helps cats to receive active treatment.

Weight loss, a drop in energy and the formation of new lumps can all be indicators of the varying types of cancers. Other symptoms include vomiting/diarrhoea/coughing, becoming less affectionate and curious of surroundings, reduced appetite, sleeping more and grooming less.

Joii Pet Care Vet Sheila Smith said:

“Pet owners are so often attuned to the habits of their feline friends, so some of these changes will be easy to spot while others will be subtle. There is no one ‘checklist’ of symptoms. Any of the outlined changes in a cat's behaviour and health should be immediately checked over by a qualified vet. Understandably, this can be a very worrying and upsetting time for owners but, as with human healthcare, the key really is early diagnosis so that any treatment can get underway quickly.”

Risk factors for cancer in cats are very similar to those in humans, including exposure to sun and smoke and a lack of exercise.

Smith added:

“Owners can help reduce chances of a cancer diagnosis by keeping a cat’s lifestyle as healthy as possible, making sure that they eat, drink and encouraging play and exercise where possible. It’s also recommended to keep cats (especially white cats) away from the sun. Beloved pets deserve the same care, love and attention as any member of the family; we see the endless devotion that pet parents have for their pets in our consultations and do all we can to support alongside providing the veterinary knowledge.

“It’s essential to raise awareness of cancer in cats because sadly such a large number are diagnosed every year. Pet owners need to be vigilant and keep a close eye on their furry friends to make sure they can lead the healthiest, happiest lives possible. Cats can be given courses of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other interventions and all vets will be able to help direct owners to the best course of treatment for each circumstance.”

For those cats who are unfortunately diagnosed with cancer, Joii Pet Care is undertaking a year-long study throughout 2023 to test how nutrition can play an active part in helping cats to live their best lives once diagnosed.

Smith, who is leading the study for Joii Pet Care, continued:

“We have partnered with a leading pet food manufacturer to assess a new food that is prepared especially for cats with different types of cancer. We want to find out if the food can help cats to maintain body weight and appetite, and we also want to measure their quality of life through the process.

“By taking part, owners will be helping their cat, and hopefully many more that have a cancer diagnosis in the future. The food has been designed to be really

tasty which encourages them to eat, it’s calorie-rich with essential nutrition and is designed specifically to support their needs. Vets will regularly check in with owners to track progress and the results of the study will be analysed to make decisions about pet healthcare in the future.”

If you’d like to speak with a Joii Pet Care vet about any pet health concerns, download the app. Cat owners who want to participate in the study can find out more at https://joiipetcare.com/pages/cat-cancer-support-food-study.

Joii Pet Care is also offering a free vet consultation for any pet owners concerned that their cat has cancer symptoms.

Sheila Smith advised: “Just like human healthcare, early detection and diagnosis is crucial, so we’re encouraging people to get in touch at the earliest opportunity if they are worried their cat may have cancer. Our teams will be able to provide a wealth of guidance, advice and support.”

Anybody who would like to arrange a free consultation should email contact@joiipetcare.com to request a consultation code.

all signal that a cat is in distress. But did you know that these can also be signs and symptoms of cancer?

Walk-in Chalet

The standard unit you will need for your licenced cattery, also used and approved by leading rescue groups throughout the UK.

The fully lined and insulated walk-in sleeping quarter measures 4ft wide x 4ft deep x 6ft high and has a vinyl floor for easy cleaning. Two removable UPVC shelves, a fully adjustable air vent, lockable cat flap and a fully opening window leading to a sunning shelf and ladder, make this a firm favourite with customers and cats alike!

A 6ft long exercise area gives your cats plenty of space to explore and relax. A second sunning shelf provides another area to watch the world go by as it is near the front of the pen.

THE UK’S PREMIER CATTERY AND KENNEL MANUFACTURERS

Champion Penthouse

With a fully lined and insulated raised sleeping area, our Penthouses have extra run space underneath. There is a large viewing window in the front door of the sleeping compartment, a white, removable uPVC internal shelf and a fully adjustable air vent. A cat flap leads to sunning shelf one which has a detachable ladder leading down to the exercise run and a second sunning shelf is at the safety porch end.

Lift out shutters are fitted to the top half of all exterior walls which, when removed leave just the galvanised mesh allowing your cats to enjoy a truly outdoor experience.

If you are having more than one pen, full height sneeze barriers will be fitted between each pen and you will have the choice of solid white or clear acrylic for these. Our Champion range of cat pens come in standard 3ft and 4ft widths

Premier Champion Penthouse

Our Premier Champion range of cat pens come in a 3ft or 4ft width and, to the naked eye, look exactly like our standard Champion range. These though, are fitted with a seamless fibreglass module, exclusive to Lindee Lu, in the sleeping compartment offering ultimate hygiene and durability.

These pens are perfect for breeders, private cat owners and charity fostering pens, being an absolute necessity if you have elderly or unwell cats or kittens who cannot manage a ladder.

The Premier range is also available with an additional downstairs module, so each pen has two sleeping areas, both of which are able to accommodate a panel heater.

CLASSIC HOUSE CAT PENS FOR BREEDERS

Our hand made Catteries are manufactured in the UK

4ft Classic House

Our Classic House has a full-height walk in sleeping quarter – much the same as our standard 4ft Chalets but these are manufactured for those wanting a single pen which will be installed up against a fence, hedge or boundary wall.

The Classic benefits from a full, solid insulated roof and a solid timber back wall providing ultimate protection and ‘classic’ good looks!

The sleeping area of the Classic House has an additional opening window to the 4ft Chalet, for added ventilation, which is secured using galvanised mesh when open. Two sunning shelves in the exercise area and two, removable uPVC shelves in the sleeping area give your cat plenty of choice on where to hang out.

Our Classic House also benefits from a raised floor throughout, fully covered with vinyl which not only looks very smart but it’s warm underfoot and very easy to clean.

Cost-of-living crisis causing mental health problems for pet owners, warns Blue Cross

In a national survey, carried out in January 2023, 32% of respondents in England said that cost-of-living pressures and the need to care for their pet has had a negative impact on their mental health.

Nearly 20% of people surveyed admitted to having been unable to pay for a vet bill over the previous three months, and almost 22% felt that they would be unable to afford food for their pets in the near future.

Having a pet should be a source of joy and companionship, and when asked to give up to three reasons for welcoming a pet into their life around half surveyed (49.7%) gave ‘wanting a pet to love and care for’ as a reason. Nearly half (43%) cited ‘companionship’.

Sadly, 42% of pet owners also identified the increased cost-of-living as something that has recently made it difficult to own a pet.

Chris Burghes, CEO of Blue Cross, said: “As an organisation, we recognise the huge pressure the cost-of-living crisis is having on all areas of people’s lives. We are doing everything we can to support pet owners, whether that is

through our clinical or behaviour services or through our network of pet food banks.

“Blue Cross has a growing number of pet food banks, where struggling owners can get free food for their pet companions. Some of our pet food banks have volunteer drivers who can deliver to pet owners who are unable to travel, and we are even able to cater for some special diets. We also provide free and reduced cost vet care to pets whose owners are on certain meanstested benefits.”

Currently 13 Blue Cross sites are providing pet food directly to owners in need, including the charity’s Grimsby animal hospital and Sheffield rehoming unit.

The charity is taking donations of pet food at 33 of its sites and at 97 Pets at Home stores, and working with local foodbanks to distribute to owners in need.

In total the charity is supporting 136 human foodbanks across the UK, and since October has given out enough food to feed over 800,000 cats and dogs for one day.

Blue Cross’s website has lots of tips and ideas on how to keep animal companions fit and healthy on a budget.

Chris continues: “Keeping them exercised is great for their well-being and keeps their weigh in check. Overweight pets are more prone to developing chronic health, which will need lifelong treatment and can reduce your pet’s quality of life.

“Good mental health is crucial to our overall well-being, and as a pet charity we are only too aware of how pets bring happiness and support. We want to keep people and their pets together and would urge anyone worried about caring for their animal to visit our website for help and advice.”

It is sometimes necessary to re-home a pet though, and this is a heart-breaking decision to have to take. Blue Cross has a professional re-homing team working in rehoming centres across the UK, who can help owners - and their petsthrough this, and the charity advises anyone thinking of rehoming their pet to contact them first for advice and support.

They also provide a free and confidential Pet Bereavement Support Service (PBSS) to help anyone going through the pain of losing a pet. This may be after the re-homing of a beloved companion, or perhaps after a pet’s death, a family break-up, or a pet’s disappearance. Whatever the reason, Blue Cross wants to help ensure no one goes through the pain of losing a pet alone. Its Pet Bereavement Support Service is available by phone, email, or webchat, and operates around the clock, every day of the year.

As a national charity, Blue Cross has now been helping sick, injured and homeless pets for over 125 years, providing veterinary care and expert behaviour advice, finding homeless pets loving families, and supporting those who have lost their beloved pet companion.

With the increasing demand for Blue Cross pet welfare services, the charity needs the support of animal lovers to continue its work helping pets and their people, in any way they can.

n Whether that’s by donating urgently to keep rehoming and veterinary services going through these tough times, fundraising for Blue Cross, providing foster care for pets while loving new homes are found, volunteering at pet food banks, or signing up to support Blue Cross campaigns for better pet welfare. www.bluecross.org.uk

While getting a pet is well documented as bringing improved well-being and personal happiness, sadly the current cost-of-living crisis means that pet ownership can now also be a source of stress and impaired mental health, according to new data from national pet charity, Blue Cross.

REMIUM CAT SNACK

The Rescue Mountain

In dog rescue we are climbing a mountain

that is getting ever steeper and harder each week. As the economic climate bites deeper in families already struggling with the after effects of covid and the long periods of working from home, times are a changing.

Many people who acquired a dog during this period are now being faced with yet another change in their working environment and being ordered back into their offices. What happens to the dog they bought to keep them company during the dark days. Rescue organisations are now finding out to their cost as every day brings forth a new crop of unwanted dogs and cats.

Frequently we are finding that the dogs are not socialised, had no formal training and are pure hooligans. We all have kennels full of them that are extremely difficult to rehome, as who wants an untrained dog wrecking the joint?

The flood of imported dogs has reached unprecedented heights as the market expanded in this country so the amount of traders, posing as rescues, increased seeing an eye to the main chance of making a quick buck. Many people were taken in by their advertising on social media and the thought of a cute puppy was just too much not to take a risk. Once a family had paid over their hard earned cash and the puppy was delivered these so called rescues disappeared never to be seen again. Telephone numbers were changed so that contact could not be established if there was a problem.

We have recently had a case where a dog was brought to us for rehoming on the pretext of a marriage break-up. As is normal practice we asked where the dog had come from and were told that they could not remember the name of the rescue. We took the dog, purely to safeguard it. Subsequent enquiries revealed that the dog had emanated from abroad and been rehomed by another rescue. We contacted that rescue and they immediately offered to take the dog back and were horrified that they had not been notified by the owner they no longer wanted it. Their adoption paperwork clearly stated that the dog must be returned to them and not rehomed or sent to another rescue. Some people can be very naïve and have no idea what we can obtain from a microchip. This story had a happy ending but how many don’t?

It will not be long before the Government insist that all dogs entering the UK will have to not only have valid rabies certificates, worming, flea treatment but also Brucellosis certificates. These are expensive but necessary to safeguard not only humans but our own established pets. How many will slip through the net by having false paperwork issued?

The message is clear, please do your homework before you buy from a

website, social media page or an advert in the paper. Far safer to deal with a bone fide rescue and be confident that they put their animals first, will offer help and advice and should it fail they will take the dog back. Above all if it is imported it has all the necessary paperwork. Ask questions before you sign on the dotted line or hand over cash.

Anne Carter info@labrador-lifeline.com. www.labrador-lifeline.com

East Ruston Cottages – Giving back to Dog Rescue

Raising last quarter a whopping £2376!!!

Long before setting up East Ruston Cottages Sue was a passionate supporter of rescuing dogs. All of her lurchers over the 20+ years have been rescued and currently she has Ernie who is a Romanian rescue. So one of the things that was key for her business was to support to dog related charities and organisations.

Many of the ERC owners are great rescue and charity supporters too; one of our cottages, The Birches, actually belongs to the local animal charity F.A.I.T.H and the income from any bookings goes to supporting the rescue. A lot of the

other cottages have collection boxes for donations or donate a percentage of their income. Being able to use the business to support dog charities and organisations is a no-brainer for us!

To do this we put aside £8 from each booking into our ‘charity pot’ which is split between 3 or 4 charities quarterly. We ask our social media followers to nominate their chosen charity and make our final choice as a result of these nominations. We actually increased the donation from £4 this year as we can see how much rescues are in dire need of help right now - last quarter we raised an whopping £2376 and we are hoping to raise at least £1200 in the winter quarter!

n www.eastrustoncottages.co.uk

Learn with Galgos!

Education is vital to improving animal welfare. For Greyhounds in Need (GIN) their work in Spain goes beyond supporting shelters that rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome galgos (Spanish greyhounds). Their education programme is key to changing the lives of galgos.

Working dogs in Spain are not perceived or treated in the same way as pet dogs. Nor are they afforded the same protection under animal welfare laws. While attitudes are slowly changing in some regions, the latest exclusion of hunting dogs and other animals used in traditional rural activities from the Animal Rights bill (Feb 2023) means that the cruelty and suffering will continue.

Until the law is changed to afford hunting dogs the same protections as domestic dogs, our only hope is to educate the next generation to be the change they need. Helping children understand the reality of life as a galgo and encouraging them to see them as sentient animals that make wonderful pet dogs, will hopefully one day mean that the number of greyhounds in need will decline.

GIN supports rescue shelters by funding education classrooms and equipment, transportation for school visits, and the provision of an education programme through a dedicated website www.education.greyhoundsinneed.co.uk provides learning materials and activities all about galgos. Supporting cross-curricular learning in schools, and available in both Spanish and English (so UK teachers can use them too), learn about rescue shelters,

what animals need, compare the life of a pet galgo vs a working galgo, make face masks and puppets, create a snuffle mat, and more!

Importantly, it supports the rescue shelters working on the ground with children and young people, giving them free access to a variety of activities. And GIN ensures the shelters have something the children can take away –wristbands and water bottles are always popular!

GIN is also encouraging all young people

(anywhere in the world) to join #teamgalgo. They can make their pledge to help the galgos and be included in the #GoTeamGalgo gallery, by sending a photo with their pledge here https://education.greyhoundsinneed.co.uk/teamgalgo/.

n You can support the education programme with a donation here https://www.paypal.com/uk/fundraiser /charity/74131

What a Difference a Collie Makes!

Meet some of our ex-guests here at The Border Collie Trust GB

''Meet Lucy. It’s her 10th birthday today after she checked out from the centre when she was just 8 months old. Cancer survivor and now diabetic, but still as energetic and always wants to chase her ball. ''

#bestfriendsforever Renata emailed us recently -'' Hi, I adopted Paddy from you in June last year. He become the best friend with my 15 year old boy Norfi. Paddy is extremely protective of him and after a walk always goes and check on him.''

Milo was adopted from us in 2018. His owners say he was a timid little eight month old pup when they adopted him. He's now very quirky who makes everyone he meets smile, loved by children and always a happy dog. He's a joy. Great to hear Milo #bordercollie #adopt

Despite all the updates we get from new owners, every now and again one of ex-guests sneaks on the internet to let

us know how they are getting on, just like Benny did. Well done Benny!

''Hi there BCT, Thanks for your card for my Binneford Birthday on Friday. Thought you'd like to know I'm doing well, enjoying life and getting spoiled rotten. Every day we get in the car and go for a long walk. This is me relaxing at home on an armchair. We go out to cafes and sometimes the pub and we visit friends houses quite a lot. If lots of people come round like they did at Christmas I go off to the study where I've got a sofa and that's my retreat place.

I hate the cat but apart from her, everything at Binneford is good. When the weather's fine I'll be outside and I've got a whole meadow to keep my eye on. Thanks for remembering my 'birthday''.

Love from Benny

''This our Jay adopted from BCT in April 2015 at about 9 months old. He

interacted with us straight away and the photo on the bench was our first meeting. We walked him and collected him about a week later as we had a holiday booked.

He is the most lovable, loyal, intelligent, well behaved dog and is the centre of our lives. We are so lucky to have him. He also still loves sitting on benches with us at the seaside exactly as in his first photo.''

Thank you Suzanne and Alan

''We rescued our beautiful girl Tess from you in February 2018, she was four months old. I believe she came to you with 16 other puppies from a rescue in Wales if I remember correctly. We came to visit you and she was with her brother all snuggled up at the time. My son then eight years old, chose her and she has been an angel, she is my shadow, my son's protector and overall, a great family pet. She loves her football and loves her trips to the beach. People often say to me how did you train her so well, I must admit we didn't need to do much,

Benny

Milo Tess

she just has an amazing personality and we will be forever grateful to have her in our lives. Thankyou BCT, ps, we would love to see any updates from the other puppies rescued with her, as we always wondered where they all are now. ''

Thanks for the update Kirsty

The Lawrence family emailed us recently - "We’ve seen the updates of the dogs you have rehomed and it’s so heartwarming to see these wonderful dogs enjoying the lives they deserve. We wanted to send a quick update on our own amazing boy, Bongo. He’s been part of our family since July 2021. He was a very bouncy dog when we first met him and super excitable. It didn’t long for us to realise he was the one for us. Fast forward to now and he’s the most chilled collie we’ve ever had! He loves nothing more than cuddles on the sofa (he’s fast asleep by my side as I write this!) and fetching tennis balls is his absolute favourite game. He is a wonderful support dog for our daughter when she needs him and he always knows when to be by her side.

We absolutely adore him; he’s our world. Thank you everyone at the collie trust for all you do for these beautiful dogs and for being part of the story that brought Bongo into our lives.''

Thanks Jo for your #bestfriendsforever story

Meg & Si with their update on another ex-guest - "Loving the dog updates on

Instagram so thought I'd share ours... We adopted Kojak in September 2018. He'd been found in Ireland with a broken bone in his back, no other history and salivated when he travelled. Fast forward to now, he loves everyone and everything (just not cats, bicycles, vans or cars that are de-icing!) and gives the BEST cuddles. He's much better at travelling (just no food before!) and LOVES playing tennis. His back is fully healed and full of muscle and he's a very happy, cheeky boy! We love him so much, thank you!''

Our latest update was sent in by Jayne"I've been following your updates on Facebook about ex-guests and thought I'd tell you about Derry.

He stayed with you in 2016 where he'd come from a farm in Ireland as a failed farm dog. He came with big trust issues - particularly of men and people in high vis jackets

We've had the absolute best six and a half years together so far, and I can't imagine being without him. Loves his walks and meeting other dogs - he thinks every one he sees is a new friend and people always comment on his waggy tail.

He also loves his squeaky ring - carries it everywhere at home, even takes it to bed at night if he can. I can't thank you enough for letting me bring him home with me - he is my world"

Thank you Jayne #rescueismyfavoritebreed

#nowandthen This evening's ex-guest

update, "We adopted Rein in January in 2018. She is an absolutely beautiful soul so sweet. While out on walks she greats everyone and every dog with a big sloppy kiss.. she loves her long walks and a paddle in the stream.. loves her beach holidays. Thank you so much for taking her in. Rein is our world."

Thank you Michelle and well done Rein

"We rescued Bertie from you in November '21 when he was an 18 week old VERY excitable puppy! Not much has changed on the excitable front, he's pretty crazy but in all the best ways. We rescued him in the hope we'd be able to use him as a working collie as well as a pet, he exceeds in both. He loves nothing more than farming, rounding up cows and spending his time in the milking parlour (I think that's mainly to get a slurp of any milk going spare). He'll also walk miles with me and always finishes his walk with a swim in the reservoir or a wallow in a water trough no matter the weather.

He LOVES people and greets everybody with a very wiggly bottom and is most content when there is a houseful of people. If he can't be found on the farm he'll certainly be in the house fast asleep upside down on the sofa or laid out at my feet!

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to rescue him"

Thank you Suzie & Dan for giving him such a geat new life #bordercollie #rescuedog

n Our website is always up to date with details of the dogs available for rehoming - Find your Best Friend!

https://www.bordercollietrustgb.org.uk https://www.justgiving.com/bctgb/donate

Bongo

Jay

Kojak

Bertie

The pitter patter of tiny, lifesaving paws…

The charity launched its first ever scheme last year and Mum, Leia, gave birth to 3 bouncing boys and 3 gorgeous girls just before Christmas.

From left to right we have Alf, Poppy, Coco, Hershey, Imperial and Max. The six puppies don’t know it yet but they’re going to save lives; four as super sniffers with MDD and two with other assistance dog charities.

Medical Detection Dogs trains dogs to save lives using their amazing sense of smell. Bio Detection Dogs learn the odour of diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s and malaria in the charity’s training room. Medical Alert Assistance Dogs work with individuals with complex conditions such as Type 1 diabetes, PoTS and severe allergies to warn them when a medical emergency is about to happen. Recently, the charity has been training dogs to detect the odour of COVID-19 and they are now screening people in real-life settings as part of their training.

Puppy Supply and Training Manager, Chris Allen, says: “Sourcing puppies has

been challenging during the pandemic. Starting our own breeding scheme will allow us to supplement our current dog supply routes. It won’t be our only source and we continue to gratefully accept donations and train dogs from rescue but it will allow us to continue training a steady supply of dogs to save lives.

“The puppies are absolutely gorgeous and real characters already. We’ve got a confident one, a sensible one and a cheeky one – much like with all siblings!”

https://www.medicaldetectiondogs.org. uk/the-pitter-patter-of-tiny-life-savingpaws/

Please help us continue our life-saving work and make a donation today. https://www.medicaldetectiondogs.org. uk/giving/

These perfect puppies are the first from Medical Detection Dogs’ new breeding scheme.

Proud Mum Leia

George Barclay taking centre stage at Crufts

Once again premium dog bed supplier, George Barclay England Limited will be taking centre stage at Crufts this year. The company returned to Crufts post pandemic in 2022, after a two-year break, with great success, and is now looking forward to this year’s show, to be held at the NEC Birmingham, 9th – 12th March.

important to select the correct type of bed to suit our dogs sleeping behaviour. In addition to their dog beds, visitors will be able to see their full range of dog accessories, including feeding bowls, MuttMOP dog drying products and ClimaCOOL cooling products.

If you’re not able to attend Crufts don’t worry, the full collection of George Barclay Dog Beds can be found online at: www.georgebarclay.com

Visitors can expect to see a good selection of orthopaedic dog beds from their comprehensive collection, with the chance to compare styles, sizes and mattress options first hand. Just like choosing our on bed it’s

You’ll also find useful information within our dog bed selector guide, including helpful sizing advice, informative video’s and a comprehensive list of FAQ’s to make choosing your dogs next bed a little easier!

Hall: 3, Stand: 65

Expert reveals Top Tips when caring for an older dog

How tailoring care to the needs of older dogs can enhance their lives

This week we bore witness to the incredible 30-year-old farm dog Bobi, who was officially named the oldest pup of all time, smashing the previous world record. The news of Bobi’s record-breaking age has led many onlookers to question just how his carers have managed to keep him healthy and happy for three decades.

As part of its Adoption Mission programme, Mars Petcare has partnered with Woodgreen Pets Charity to develop a suite of training materials, to support both shelter staff and pet owners to care for their animals throughout every life stage.

Dr Tammie King, pet behaviour scientist from Waltham Petcare Science Institute at The Adoption Mission by Mars Petcare: “Every dog’s quality of life is extremely important, regardless of their age. As our pets are considered to be members of the family, owners often strive to seek out advice on how they are able to help their dogs live healthier and longer lives, so it is important to consider this preventative approach to pet care.

Dr King shares her top tips and advice

to owners of senior dogs, to ensure they are provided the best care at this stage in their life:

1. Teaching an old dog new tricks

Older dogs can definitely learn new tricks and should still be given the opportunity to stimulate their brains through training and play, if they’re keen to participate. Take it slow, and work on things that are gentle on joints, avoiding too many repetitive movements that could be difficult for dogs who may be less mobile than their younger counterparts. Further top tips for exercise and play of dogs of all ages can be found here

2. Doggy diet

It’s really common for a dog’s appetite to change as they get older. If your elderly dog is fit and healthy, you might notice food becoming more important to them as they age. However, just like us humans, as a dog grows older, they tend to require slightly fewer calories as they are generally less active than in their younger years.

Most dog foods are based on the different stages of their life. Food

specifically made for older dogs is often lower in calories and many have added joint supplements too. We recommend trying the Pedigree Senior Mixed Selection in Jelly Wet Dog Food Pouches, which can aid a balanced diet and includes everything essential to fuel an older dogs’ love of life.

3. Try scatter feeding

Sprinkling treats or food like Pedigree Tasty Mini Dog Treats in a garden or other grassy area can encourage sniffing and searching. Dogs will do this at their own pace, and it’s an enjoyable exercise for them. Get thrifty, and utilise empty cardboard boxes, flower pots, plastic bottles and egg cartons to increase the challenge to keep them mentally stimulated – this will help keep them on their paws!

4. Play on: keeping your pooch active

Older dogs don’t need as much intense exercise and can be very happy with slightly shorter, slower walks. If your golden oldie isn’t up to walking the distances they used to, then some quality time doing whatever they enjoy is

important. If they like the car, you can still drive to their favourite places and enable them to explore and mooch around before driving home again. Allowing them time to sniff on their daily meanderings is incredibly enriching for them, so be sure to slow down and allow them to smell the roses.

5. Teething troubles: Look after their Pearly Whites

Just like with humans, years of wear and tear means your dog may have more dental issues from missing teeth to tartar build-up.

To keep your dog's teeth and gums

healthy, you need to brush them every day, and if your dog isn't a fan, start giving them dental treats.

As your dog gets older, their teeth may become more sensitive, which can make chewing kibble more difficult and even uncomfortable. It is estimated that one in four older dogs have a tooth fracture, many of which are the result of chewing objects that are too hard. Switching to a soft food can help to alleviate your pet’s oral discomfort when eating. It’s also important to get your dog’s teeth checked regularly as they age to prevent and treat any dental concerns.

6. Don't skip vet visits

Regular check-ups are one of the most important things when it comes to caring for all dogs, and become increasingly important as they get older. As your dog ages, their immune system becomes weaker, which makes them more prone to all sorts of ailments.

Most vets recommend taking an older dog for regular check-ups every six months, helping them provide the best possible treatment for your dog.

n www.woodgreen.org.uk

www.theadoptionmission.co.uk

Leading

cat & dog

charities join forces to call for new laws to protect pet-owning

tenants

l Rehoming charities receiving huge numbers of handover enquiries, with many citing blanket ‘no pet’ policies as the reason for giving up their pets

l Just 46% of landlords say they would allow pets in their property

l Leading animal welfare charities, Dogs Trust and Cats Protection, are calling on the Government to introduce protection for responsible pet owners in the rental sector to reduce the number of pets being rehomed

Two of the UK’s leading animal welfare organisations are calling on the Government to introduce better protection for responsible renters with pets following an increase in the number of pets being handed over to rehoming charities.

Dogs Trust is receiving a record number of enquiries from people being forced to rehome their dogs as they struggle to meet their needs as the cost of living continues to rise. Around one in ten of those owners calling Dogs Trust charity cite issues with housing as the reason for needing to rehome their dog. This includes people being forced to move or downsize as rental prices increase, but are unable to find suitable, affordable pet-friendly properties.

Meanwhile, Cats Protection says that last year it took in around 1,300 cats –the equivalent of at least three cats each day – due to landlords not allowing them in their properties, making it the eighth most-cited reason as to why cats are given up to the charity.

Currently, there are no legal rights for renters with pets, and landlords can refuse to rent to tenants with pets. The Government updated its Model Tenancy Agreement in 2021 to remove blanket bans on pets from the standard contract. Under this agreement, any restrictions on pet ownership must be ‘reasonable’, however, there is no legal requirement for landlords to use it.

The Government has outlined plans to introduce better protection for tenants as part of its Renters Reform Bill, due to be put forward to Parliament in the next few months. Draft policies detailed in a White Paper published last year included giving tenants the right to request a pet in the property which the landlord must consider and cannot unreasonably refuse.

According to research conducted in 2021 by Dogs Trust and Cats Protection, landlords are split on whether they allow pets, with 46% saying they allow pets. However, the number of tenants saying their tenancy allows pets is much lower

than this, with just 30% saying their landlord would allow a dog in the property and 32% saying cats are permitted.

The same research revealed that, in over a third of cases where cats or dogs have not been allowed by a private landlord, the landlord did not proactively decide this based on the individual tenants or pets, but either followed advice or used a standard template.

Pets have a positive impact on the quality of life and mental health of their owners. 98% of tenants say their dog has some form of positive impact on their life, and 94% say the same about their cats.

In fact, allowing pets in rental properties could be advantageous to landlords. Allowing pets could increase the amount of time tenants choose to rent a property. Research by Dogs Trust and Cats Protection found that 26% of

tenants would stay longer in a property if they were allowed to keep a pet.

Paula Boyden, Veterinary Director of Dogs Trust, says:

“2022 was the busiest year in our history for relinquishment enquiries. Sadly, one of the most common reasons we see dogs handed in to our rehoming centres is due to a change in the owner’s living circumstances and a lack of available pet-friendly accommodation.

“For most dog owners, being separated from their dog is no different from being separated from a family member, so the introduction of new protection for renters will help ensure that fewer owners are forced to make the heart-breaking decision to give up their beloved pets.

“We are pleased to see that the Government has plans to include petfriendly policies in its Renters Reform Bill, and hope to see these rights enshrined into law soon so that the benefits of pet ownership are no longer exclusive to homeowners, but open to renters as well.”

Madison Rogers, Head of Advocacy and Government Relations for Cats Protection says:

“Pet ownership should not be a privilege in modern society and Cats Protection is urging the Government to move forward with planned legislation to end blanket ‘no pets’ policies and give renters with pets better protections.

“In the meantime, there are a few things renters looking for a pet-friendly property can do: start looking for petfriendly housing early, proactively ask letting agents or landlords if they allow

pets even if it says ‘no pets’ on the advert and create a Pet CV outlining the measures you will take to be a responsible pet owner, such as providing veterinary records and details of your pet’s behaviours.”

n To increase the availability of pet friendly proper ties, Dogs Trust has been providing advice and resources to pet owners, landlords and letting agencies for more than a decade through its Lets with Pets scheme. Cats Protection also operates its Purr-fect Landlords programme, which provides advice to tenants, landlords and social housing providers on how to conduct discussions aimed at keeping cats in rented properties, with further information available at www.cats.org.uk/purrfectlandlords

cont. from p43

Suffering foal found upside down in rubble is now doing well in Redwings’ care

Redwings is caring for a foal found collapsed in a pile of rubble in Essex.

Barney, as he’s been named by Redwings staff, was discovered abandoned at the beginning of December.

The poor colt – thought to be around five months old - was emaciated underneath his thick coat and had pressure sores all over his body.

Jo Franklin, Redwings Senior Field Officer and Ada Cole Centre Manager, said: “Little Barney was in a very poor state when he was found, and we were worried his might not be a happy ending.

“He was lying, collapsed and upside down, in a pile of rubble, partially covered by an old mattress. An RSPCA officer and vets from House & Jackson managed to get him on to his feet and warm him up, and I transported him to their Equine Veterinary Hospital where he stayed for two weeks.

“He couldn’t stand unaided and had a significant worm burden which he was treated for.

“We’re very grateful to House & Jackson for their excellent work with him.”

He was moved to Redwings – the UK’s largest horse charity – on 15th December.

Redwings Welfare Veterinary Surgeon Nicola Berryman has been overseeing Barney’s care since he arrived at the Sanctuary. She said: “Barney was able to stand up and lay down himself by the time he came to us, but he was very quiet and weak. Clinically he was doing better, but he was a very sad, emaciated little pony.

“He had an infected wound on his left hip which needed surgery to remove the dead tissue and daily dressing changes to protect it. Barney was so skinny and the weather so cold that he had to wear a rug and without dressings the rug could have rubbed on it, so it was important the team carefully cleaned and redressed the wound daily.

“It took several weeks to heal – and an incredibly dedicated effort from the team - with the last dressing finally removed on 25th January.

“The poor boy also had very itchy legs and has been treated for mites.

“It’s wonderful to see him now – he’s bright and has a character, skipping and bucking around his stable and going out for a daily turnout on the woodchips. He’s doing so well.”

Nicola added: “This is why we all do this.”

Despite an RSPCA investigation, no owner could be identified, and Barney has been offered a forever home at the Sanctuary.

Last year Redwings took in 109 horses and ponies, including Barney. Redwings’ field officers identified and intervened in 175 cases in 2022, improving the conditions of 622 horses through advice to owners or the removal of the equine into their care.

n To make a donation towards this vital work, and to help us to help more ponies like Barney, please visit: www.redwings.org.uk/donate or call 01508 505246.

Barney with Redwings Quarantine Centre Team Member Maxine Sexton

2023: Year of the Rescue Rabbit

Rabbit Residence Rescue, based near Royston, Hertfordshire, are hoping 2023 won’t just be the Lunar Year of the Rabbit, but also Year of the Rescue Rabbit.

For the rescue, and like many other animal organisations up and down the country, 2022 was extremely difficult and there seems to be no end in sight. It has seen a 200% increase in demand to take in rabbits, and a 85% drop in applications to adopt. They currently have 70 rabbits in their care, and another 250 on the waiting list to come in. Lea Facey, Rescue Manager, has never seen demand like it. Lea says:

“We would urge anyone thinking of bringing rabbits into their family to first ensure they’ve done plenty of research from reputable sources, such as the Rabbit Welfare Association. They can be a huge commitment and have a lifespan of at least 10-12 years. It is estimated over 67,000 rabbits go into rescue each year, so please adopt, don’t shop. Rescue rabbits will already be up to date on vaccinations, already be spayed or castrated and the rescue will know the personalities of each rabbit to match to your family. Our rescue will also offer lifetime support and advice to our adoptees.”

Lea would like anyone considering rabbits to first think about the following three points:

Space

Rabbits need a lot more than a hutch at the end of the garden. Sadly only one in 20 new applications to adopt have the correct housing ready for their new pets. Some adoptees are happy to add to and expand their set ups to adopt, but

the rescue can also receive abuse when offering advice to properly house rabbits.

Rabbit Residence Rescue abides by the Rabbit Welfare Association’s recommendation of at least 60 square foot of space always available to rabbits. If they’re kept outside this should be fully weather, predator and escape proofed. They should never be allowed to free roam in an open garden unsupervised. If they’re kept indoors they’re best having a large area of a room, a whole room, and some rabbits even get full free roam. Rabbits are naturally destructive so indoors and out requires proper proofing to ensure they cannot injure themselves or chew or dig their way to areas that are unsafe for them. There are lots of excellent images of indoor and outdoor set ups to inspire you on the rescue’s website.

Emmy & Cilla

Cost

Rabbits should never be considered a cheap pet. Good outdoor housing can cost upwards of £500 and food, including large amounts of hay, can cost over £50 a month. Rabbits need an annual vaccination against Myxomatosis and two variants of Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (also known as VHD or RHD), this can cost over £120 for a pair of rabbits. Rabbits can get sick very suddenly with a number of ailments that will require immediate vet attention, out of hours vets for animals like rabbits, which are classed as exotics, can easily run into the hundreds even before treatment or medication. The rescue recommends your rabbits are insured to help cover any of these unplanned vet bills.

Time

Bringing rabbits into your home can be a big time commitment. They will regular monitoring several times a day to ensure they have food, water and are healthy, as they are prey animals will naturally try to hide any illnesses. Happy, cheeky, inquisitive and sociable rabbits can only happen if you have time to sit with them every day, regardless of weather or other busy social engagements. While they can be perfectly happy if you’re working 9-5 as long as they have space and things to do and you have time to see to them in the morning and evening, they cannot be left alone for you to go away for a night, or a long weekend. Finding responsible reputable rabbit sitters for holidays or time away can be hard work and even expensive, with good holiday boarding booking up a year in advance. While the rescue

offers holiday boarding, as well as adoption, they are already fully booked for half terms and the summer holiday for 2023.

n If you are thinking of bring rabbits into your family, you can contact the Rabbit Residence Rescue for advice via their website and see the rabbits available for adoption at http://www.rabbitresidence.org.uk

Persil & Cobweb

Minstrels & Flower

Winifred & Cork

Butterscotch & Vanilla

News ... Products

BRAND NEW PRODUCTS

Colloidal Silver Eyedrops for Pets. Natural hydrating, antibacterial eyedrop for your pet. Colloidal Silver Tick and Flea Repellent. A powerful natural repellent to fleas and ticks. Colloidal Silver toothpaste appropriate for dogs of all sizes.

Visit www.naturesgreatestsecret.co.uk

Snuggly & Cuddly

What better way to show your dog how much you love them, than with an Aran Knit – Deluxe Pet Blanket. Lined with an opulent faux fur, these blankets are oozing snuggle appeal. Available in a choice of 4 colours, in either a size large or x-large. MSRP: £17.99 - £29.99

Visit www.georgebarclay.com

Dog Treats 80/20

Fish

Salmon is naturally rich in omega 3 essential fatty acids which have anti-inflammatory properties. White Fish are a source of protein and Vitamins

B6, B12 and Niacin. Trout is naturally rich in Omega 3 essential fatty acids which may help to support skin and coat condition and may help maintain healthy joints. £2.70-£7.00

Visit www.yorkshiresfinestpetfood.com

4pets PRO dog cage, size 1

Suitable for small breeds, this cage looks great and is TUV crash tested. Visit https://www.roofbox.co.uk/dogs-pets-carriers/4pets-pro-dog-cages.php

Westcotts Treats

Suitable for Digestive, Skin & Coat, Dental & Oral Care, General Health & WellbeingDelicious, natural treats for healthy, happy dogs. No added flavourings, preservatives or colourants.

For canines of all shapes, sizes, and age. Four varieties to choose from: Our original Westcotts Treats with our own Hypercoat Prime Hemp Seed Oil. 100g, Peanut butter paws 150g, Cheese & Chicken Biscuits 150g, Salmon Biscuits 150g, £2.99 per 100g.

Visit www.animal-health.co.uk

Animal Shampoo

Baby Powder

An effective skin and fur cleanser for professional use. Provides a 1:45 dilution. Our luxurious formula is non-sticky, easy to use and easy to rinse away leaving no residue build-up. £15.00

Visit www.ghs-direct.com

Disinfectant wipes

Our

Our kids play tunnels are lightweight and flexible Weatherproof and waterproof the tunnels are suitable for indoor play and durable enough for all year outdoor play too. The PVC material makes them easy to clean. They concertina down for easy storage. Visit www.nayloragility.co.uk

MuttMOP Magic

George Barclay’s MuttMOP dog drying mat, is the perfect resting place for your dog, after those wet & soggy winter walks. These super-absorbent mats will quickly soak up moisture from your dog’s coat. The mats are machine washable, for easy cleaning, and are available in medium (£14.99) & large (£26.99), in colours: grey, olive & plum. Visit www.georgebarclay.com

Grain Free Adult Working Dog Chicken & Veg

Suitable for those with grain intolerance/sensitivity. Visit www.yorkshiresfinestpetfood.com

4pets Caree

A really smart looking and easy to use travel home for cats and small dogs. Perhaps most importantly, it's been crashtested and approved by the German TÜV. It fits to any car seat, using the seat belt (pets to 15kg), but, if your car has ISOFIX latching points, https://www.roofbox.co.uk/dogs-petscarriers/4pets-caree.php

Sensitive Shampoo Bar

The Sensitive bar is pH balanced to your pet’s skin, and is scent free for as kind and gentle wash as possible. £8.95 Visit www.animal-health.co.uk

Leather Dogmatic Headcollar

It will not ride up, under or into the eyes fits comfortablly and securely. £39.99

Visit www.dogmatic.org.uk

Preloved and RSPCA join Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund’s Breeding Amnesty Campaign

Leading online classified retailer prohibits sale of rabbits, as other charities join the call for legislation change as UK is gripped by rabbit welfare crisis

The UK’s leading rabbit welfare organisation, the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund1, has today announced that the RSPCA, Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare, Wood Green Pets Charity and Preloved , a classified advertising website, have joined its Breeding Amnesty campaign.

The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund welfare team is witnessing an unprecedented rise in abandoned and mistreated rabbits, with an alarming increase in the number of rabbits for sale online, and rescue centres at bursting point.

Currently, unlike other animals, there

is no legislation in The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 around rabbit breeding in England. Anyone is legally allowed to start breeding and then sell the offspring – which results in uneducated and inexperienced rabbit owners having multiple litters, that they can’t look after or sell-on to responsible pet owners. And incredibly, there is no requirement to correctly sex the rabbits sold.

Preloved is supporting the Breeding Amnesty campaign by taking action to stop rabbit breeders selling on its site. The website has informed users that

from March 20th to April 9th 2023, the sale of rabbits will not be prohibited.

As part of its Breeding Amnesty campaign, the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund has also launched a petition demanding a change in legislation to ensure rabbit breeders require the same licensing as dog breeders to ensure rabbits are no longer subjected to cruelty and poor welfare. In just under two weeks the petition has picked up over 40,000 signatures.

The lack of legislation is resulting in rabbit breeders having no licence, inspection, or standards, and a result of this is that babies are being mis-sexed

A pair of long stay rabbits at Newport animal centre named Harry (left) and Khloe.

and sold with no proper checks or care information. Unsuspecting owners are being faced with accidental litters, which can result in rabbits being dumped and our rescue centres becoming over-run.

Legally, pet shops must be licensed, this ensures that duties of care are met. Unfortunately, a licence is not needed if a person is breeding and selling rabbits online. This has become a boom area and is causing huge problems.

Rae Walters, Director of the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund said; “While there are omissions in legislation for rabbits in different areas of animal welfare, one of the most worrying is the lack of legislation for breeding rabbits, and this is an important area that needs to be addressed.

The lack of legislation is resulting in rabbit breeders having no licence, inspection, or standards, and a result of this is that babies are being mis-sexed and sold with no proper checks or care information. Unsuspecting owners are being faced with accidental litters, which

can result in rabbits being dumped and our rescue centres becoming over-run.”

A spokesperson from Preloved said; “From 20th March to 9th April 2023, Preloved will stop accepting new listings for rabbits. Any listings submitted will be held for review by our moderators before being removed and a courtesy message sent to the would-be seller explaining the Breeding Amnesty campaign. We’re announcing this change, 5 weeks in advance, to make breeders aware that they will not be able to list their new litters for sale on Preloved during those dates. If they can pause breeding programmes now there won't be any new litters needing to be sold during the time of the amnesty.

The RSPCA has also witnessed an unprecedented rise in abandoned and mistreated rabbits, with an alarming increase in the number of rabbits for sale online. Dr Jane Tyson, RSPCA scientific officer in CAD (Companion Animals Department) said; "The number of rabbits entering the RSPCA has surged since the pandemic, possibly because people could no longer care for their pets as life returned to normal, but also as a result of the cost-of-living crisis too.

"As more are coming into our care, our centres are at capacity, and we are utilising private boarding which is costly to us as a charity. At the same time, we are seeing rehoming rates slowing, meaning rabbits are staying with us for longer than ever before.

"We are pleased to support the RWA&F breeding amnesty campaign and would urge anyone thinking of getting rabbits to do plenty of research first and consider adopting from one of our many centres across England and Wales rather than buying from a pet shop or online."

Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare supports the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund’s breeding amnesty and Adopt Don’t Shop campaign and petition.

Matthew Gough, Head of Animal

Welfare at Raystede, says, “We were asked to take 605 rabbits over the past 12 months (February 2022 to January 2023). On 1 February 2023, we had 22 rabbits at Raystede waiting for homes –we are completely full, we cannot take any more. In January 2023, there were 45 people wanting to surrender their rabbits to Raystede; we rehomed just 1 rabbit. We currently have 22 rabbits belonging to 11 owners on our ‘waiting list’– we have encouraged all the others to keep and care for their rabbits or find another solution, but the situation is untenable.

“RWAF’s campaign to stop breeding and sales would address the problem, not immediately but in the next year or so, thus eventually stopping the flow of ‘new’ rabbits onto the market and driving people who want rabbits to go to rescue centres like Raystede and adopt.

“We would urge everyone to get behind RWAF’s campaign and sign the petition to help improve the welfare of and reduce the numbers of unwanted rabbits.”

With a change in legislation, The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund and the RSPCA believes there would be an immediate improvement in the welfare of rabbits being sold and therefore a drop in the number of rabbits being abandoned or dumped.

Rae Walters, Director of the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund said; “Animal welfare legislation is an important step in decreasing animal suffering, and it gives a legal duty of care to those responsible for animals to house and manage them properly or at least to a minimum acceptable standard.

“I urge all pet lovers to stand with us and sign our petition to improve the welfare of rabbits.”

n To sign the petition please visithttps://www.change.org/p/amend-theanimal-welfare-act-2006-to-include-rabbit-breeding-legislation

Rabbit in their outdoor pen at West Hatch animal centre

Pets Abandoned Due to Cost of Living Crisis

In recent months we have seen a large increase in the amount of abandoned animals ending up in our care due to the cost of living crisis, with owners being unable to afford to keep their pets.

Our General Manager, Sam Garvey, discusses the impact this is having with reporters from The Times. Watch the full video below here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7 sS-iLjX8Y

The increase in animals, often with medical problems due to owners not being able to afford vet fees, puts extra strain on our limited resources. Please consider making a donation today to enable us to help more of the growing number of animals who have been left to fend for themselves.

www.danaheranimalhome.org.uk

n Whilst affiliated to the RSPCA, the Danaher Animal Home is an independent registered charity and is entirely responsible for raising its own funds. Our generous donors provide crucial funding that enables us to continue the valuable work we do. Please help us make a difference by giving us a donation today.

https://danaheranimalhome.org.uk/donate

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7sS-iLjX8Y

BAFTA-winning Banshees highlights donkeys’ true qualities

Aspokesperson from The Donkey Sanctuary said: “At its heart, this is a film about companionship. The bond between Padraic and Jenny symbolises true friendship. Unlike Colm, Jenny the donkey is characteristically patient, loyal and reliable - the human friend we’d all love to have.”

Donkeys are having something of a moment in film. Banshees has had success at the Golden Globes and now the BAFTAs; and EO, a film showing the

world from the donkey’s perspective, which won the Jury Prize at Cannes, has been nominated for Best International Feature Film at the Academy Awards. Banshees is also hotly tipped for Oscars success.

The spokesperson added: “What’s so refreshing about the way donkeys have been portrayed in Banshees and EO is that they have been shown as the inquisitive, sensitive and loveable animals they are.

“Donkeys have been loyal and trusted

companions to humans for millennia. We are delighted by the success of these films and the fact donkeys are finally getting their moment in the spotlight. We will certainly be keeping our fingers (and hooves!) crossed that EO, Jerzy Skolimowski’s sensitive and insightful portrayal of a donkey, takes home the Oscar for Best International Feature Film.”

features

Photo Credit : The Donkey Sanctuary

Animal welfare officers unwind with donkeys

Frontline equine welfare teams from The Donkey Sanctuary and the RSPCA were treated to some well-deserved downtime recently when they took part in wellbeing sessions with resident Sanctuary donkeys.

Held at The Donkey Sanctuary’s international HQ in Sidmouth and regional centre near Leeds, Donkey Welfare Advisers from The Donkey Sanctuary and Equine Officers from the RSPCA had the opportunity to connect with each other away from their busy working lives.

Working in very challenging environments, often on the road dealing with emergency situations, the officers are all very adept at coping under pressure and trying to secure the best result for the equines involved.

Both centres offer donkey-assisted activities to people within their community to help support mental health, wellbeing and the development of life skills.

Spending quality time with the donkeys was the theme of the wellbeing sessions. The participants were given the chance to develop their understanding of donkey-assisted activities by taking part in mindfulness, interaction and donkey-facilitated learning sessions at the centres in Devon and Yorkshire.

In Sidmouth, the group explored life skills such as self-awareness and managing emotions, and practised how to lower their energy levels using mindfulness techniques.

They also discussed ways to use these techniques in their everyday lives, particularly when entering difficult or emotionally charged situations. They talked about the importance of spending a few minutes to check in with oneself, slow their breathing and become more present. This helps to create a calmer and less stressful environment for the equines, who would then be more comfortable to be approached, and maybe even initiate the approach themselves.

A similar programme of events was held at the Leeds sanctuary, which is set in the heart of the Yorkshire countryside. The day’s objectives were to help the visitors to regroup, recharge,

restore, relax and reinspire through their participation in several activities, while learning further about the work of the centre.

The day began with a group mindfulness and grounding session. This was followed by discussions around boundaries, approach and connection activities, donkey observations, and managing feelings and emotions.

There was then time for a buddy walk with the some of the donkeys through the centre’s stunning countryside grounds, before finishing the day with quiet time for reflection.

Hannah Bryer, Head of Welfare at The Donkey Sanctuary and organiser of the day, said: “Working in animal welfare is extremely rewarding but often involves working in highly emotive and complex situations with the potential for conflict. Our Donkey Welfare Advisers work as part of a remote team, so it vital to provide opportunities for them to connect with each other and feel supported.

“It was also great to welcome the RSPCA Equine Officers (EOs) to join our sessions. The Equine Officers are often the first point of contact for equine welfare issues among their colleagues,

so to hear that these sessions left them with a better understanding of donkeys, as well as benefiting their own welfare, is fantastic.

“Donkeys are always at the forefront of our minds, and what is fantastic about these sessions is that they not only serve to support the wellbeing of people, but they are also an invaluable opportunity for learning more about donkeys and their welfare.”

Christine Styles, RSPCA Inspector and National Inspectorate Equine Coordinator, said: “We really enjoyed the day and I will certainly use some of the mindfulness techniques I have learnt.

“The donkeys made the day with their beautiful personalities and perfect natures, and it was such a treat to be able to spend the time with them. Observing the donkeys’ behaviours towards us was very interesting and certainly a learning experience.”

Hannah added: “Collaboration is an essential part of welfare work, and these sessions help build and strengthen relationships between agencies who so often are called together in the most challenging of circumstances.” n

RSPCA officer with donkey Leo

Below pic: Henry with DWA and RSPCA officers

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