Rescue and Animal Care Magazine 29th April - 29th May 2020 - Issue 154

RESCUE and ANIMAL CARE

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29th April - 29th May 2020 - Issue 154

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Ways to entertain your dog with a cardboard box and toilet roll tubes!

ISSN 2050-0572

FREE COPY Promoting Responsible Pet Ownership and Animal Welfare

www.rescueandanimalcare.com

Medical Detection Dogs could join the fight against COVID-19

Gilbertson and Page over 145 years on and still going strong!

Shop Pet Products Online

Cover Image

Protection when your pets need it most

PETtrac Insurance for Pets

Rescued pony Audrey leaves Redwings Horse Hospital after Five Years

The Pangolin’s Revenge?

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Dear Readers,

On this Month’s Cover

PETtrac Insurance for Pets

RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE MAGAZINE

Promoting Responsible Pet Ownership and Animal Welfare PUBLISHER: Jennifer Prowse ADVERTISING MANAGER: Glen Jackson FEATURE CoNTRIBUToRS: Dean Hart, Animal Behaviourist Mary Lloyd, Bio-Life International Juliet Abrahamson DESIGN: Vicki Barnes WEBSITE: Crosland Digital

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF THIS MAGAZINE MAY BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE PUBLISHERS. ANY OPINIONS STATED WITHIN THE TEXT OF RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE MAGAZINE ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE PUBLISHERS. ANY PRICES QUOTED MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. SOME OF THE ANIMALS FEATURED WITHIN THIS ISSUE MAY NOW HAVE BEEN REHOMED.

Contact us (01787) 228027 Jennifer@jspmedia.co.uk RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE MAGAZINE: JENNIFER PROWSE MEDIA, 21 THE MALTINGS, BURES, SUFFOLK CO8 5EJ

Jennifer Prowse I hope you are keeping safe and well through Director and Publisher these difficult times.

Our rescue centres and animal charities have had to change the way they work during lock down. Fundraising events cancelled, finding homes for pets on hold and looking at new ways to help them survive.

They need your help even more now to help keep animals safe.

There are many animal charities promoting their merchandise for pets and owners in this issue so please see if there is a product you’d like to order.

We have some heart melting Animal Charity News within these pages. Meet rescued pony Audrey who at last leaves Redwing Horse Hospital after Five Years!

And Bristol-based charity HorseWorld is encouraging equine lovers to come together in celebration of their favourite horse and donkey companions through a virtual horse show.

Read about lockdown at The Border Collie Trust GB and why Mayhew’s Trap, Neuter, Return programme proves to be a lifeline for feral cats in lockdown.

Learn about a brand-new, free-to-download App is boosting responsible pet ownership and giving pets a chance of having the best care possible throughout their lifetimes, echoing the values of ‘Rescue and Animal Care’ to a tee!

During these difficult times we are all having to adapt our behaviour, both as individuals and as businesses. Veterinary practices, for example, are continuing to function but the government regulations state that they must reduce face-to-face contact whenever possible.

We asked Clinical Director of Dick White Referrals, Rob Foale, how his referral practice has changed and whether they are able to continue providing services to first opinion vets, their clients and their patients.

Medical Detection Dogs is looking into whether man’s best friend could play a role in preventing the spread of Coronavirus. If the research is successful, they could use COVID-19 detection dogs at airports at the end of the epidemic to rapidly identify people carrying the virus. This is a very interesting article. Read more inside.

On a lighter note, our rescue dog Treacle is having trouble understanding her Mistress’s odd behaviour and if you have rabbits at home, why not test their intelligence whilst having fun!

Please take care of yourselves and thank you for reading this magazine.

Love Jennifer

x

Follow us on facebook Rescue and Animal Care www.facebook.com/rescueandanimalcare Troublesome Treacle

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Dear Furry Friends, Since my last column and with our humans in lockdown, Mistress and Little Mistress have been acting rather strangely!

I am sharing my experiences with you because I would like to know if this is normal behaviour and you are experiencing similar with your owners?

When I am taken out for my daily exercise, we walk through beautiful landscapes and discover new footpaths through stunning countryside.

There is seldom another dog walker in sight, which is just as well as if we do run into anyone else and I am about to greet my fellow furry with a dog snog and a sniff, Mistress pulls me away and we walk in the opposite direction.

Well, that’s kind of ok as I’ve read all about ‘Social Distancing’ and all for a very good reason but here are just a few of my concerns about the sanity of Mistress.

So, like I was saying… We are having wonderful walks but I am a bit embarrassed to tell you what has been happening.

Mistress has started hugging trees and talking to them and chirping with the birds .

Now it’s escalated to the sky. ‘Hello Sky’ I hear her say.

Holy Moly! How long has this been going on!

I remember a film we watched together a long time ago called Shirley Valentine and remember similarities. This Shirley woman talked to herself all the time!

And there’s more. After being woken up with a start for the last several nights, I nudged her and said, ‘You’ve been talking in your sleep!’ which Mistress strongly denied and fell back to sleep again only to continue jabbering away.

Then, when she was getting up the next morning and ‘in error?’ applied Disinfectant spray under her arms instead of her deodorant, I knew then I should be worried.

Having found both Mistress and little Mistress clapping and banging on saucepans outside our front door the other evening and not just them but the neighbours too, I have now taken charge of our household.

There are books out there to help us Furries Sometimes my humans have too. I found ‘Learning to me in stitches!

Bark Human’ by Edward

Out on my daily exercise.

De Bone, a well-known Dogsician was very useful (Bit dogeared now but willing to pass on) and I think I’m getting through to Mistress by encouraging her to chill out with me on my dog settee, play tug of war with my rope toy and including letting her out at night when I have a quick wee. She admitted she was feeling ‘Stir Crazy’ but said she ‘Is not the only one’ to be experiencing this.

Seriously though. Covid-19. It’s a sad, sad situation and you know I jest but am very worried. However, I find that sometimes a sense of humour is the only way to get through this awful nightmare we are all going through. Hopefully, we will all be out the other side soon, kinder and more considerate to our family, friends, strangers and with a much greater appreciation of our Earth. After all – What a Wonderful World! We must treat it with gently hands and paws.

Take good care of yourselves.

Love Treacle

Follow us on facebook Rescue and Animal Care www.facebook.com/rescueandanimalcare Troublesome Treacle

Please contact us or visit our website for more information.

Heathway, Colton, Rugeley, Staffs WS15 3LY Tel: 01889 577058 www.bordercollietrustgb.org.uk Reg Charity No1053585

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RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE 29 APRIL – 29 MAY 2020

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During these difficult times we are all having to adapt our behaviour, both as individuals and as businesses. Veterinary practices, for example, are continuing to function but the government regulations state that they must reduce face-to-face contact whenever possible.

We asked Clinical Director of Dick White Referrals, Rob Foale, how his referral practice has changed and whether they are able to continue providing services to first opinion vets, their clients and their patients.

Dick White Referrals column Rescue and Animal Care (RAC) First of all, how does a referral practice differ from a general veterinary practice?

Rob Foale (RF) The main difference is that all of our patients are sent to us by their own vets to see a Specialist. Therefore, we know in advance that the patient is coming and we will usually have received case notes beforehand from the referring vet.

RAC When did you realise that you would have to make changes to the way that DWR can provide specialist veterinary services?

RF From the time that Coronavirus was first diagnosed in the UK, we were conscious that the situation could become sufficiently serious to change our working methods. We introduced a policy of asking clients to wash their hands thoroughly before visiting the clinic and we provided hand sanitiser for everyone to use upon entering reception. We also ceased handshaking when greeting clients. We kept a very close watch on developments and first instituted major operational changes on 23rd March.

RAC What form did these changes take?

RF We restricted admissions to emergencies and urgent cases only. All our changes had the objective of keeping our staff and our clients as safe as possible. We stopped all visitors from entering the building. Clients are asked to use an intercom system to inform our Client Care Team of their arrival. A member of this team then meets them outside to perform admission procedures and take details of their mobile phone number.

The clients return to their cars and the appropriate vet calls them to conduct the consultation over the phone.

Following this the vets, in suitable 8

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protective clothing, go to the cars to collect the pets and admit them into the clinic.

clients above all else. We do, however, provide regular updates throughout the period of hospitalisation.

RAC Are all of your departments still able to function?

RAC What about patients who have pets that need a check-up?. Can that still happen?

RF Yes, even though we’ve had to reduce the staffing level to keep everyone safe, we have remained available for our veterinary colleagues to refer cases 24 hours/day, 7 days/week and we have received a large number of emergency cases across all areas. Our vets and nurses are working within social distancing guidelines as far as possible.

The majority of our non-clinical colleagues, such as those working in finance, HR, IT and even telephonists, are working mostly from home.

RF For routine check ups, where possible we are undertaking video consultations to ensure that we can continue to provide the care and medication that they require.

RAC As you are only able to take emergencies and urgent cases, are you able to help first opinion vets with other patients if they need advice?

RF This is one of our main priorities. When vets have a patient that doesn’t qualify as an emergency, and they need advice, they can call our Specialists who will help them as much as possible.

Sometimes, this takes the form of video calls so that our team can see the patient in question. In addition, we are providing free of charge Webinars for vets every weekday and will continue to do so throughout the lockdown period. Vets are also able to send us x-rays and scans for help with interpretation and they have full access to our laboratory services.

RAC Are clients allowed to visit their pets while they are hospitalised?

RF Unfortunately, we cannot allow this to happen. We do understand how distressing it is to have pets that are unwell and not be able to see them, but we have to put the safety of our teams and our

RAC Have you been involved in supporting the NHS during the pandemic?

RF Yes we have, and we have willingly donated 3 anaesthetic work stations with ventilators and monitors to Stockport Hospital. As a result, we can only use 2 of our 5 operating theatres. However, we have introduced a rota which allows these to be functional over an extended period each day so we can still accept all surgical emergencies. We have also donated 50 surgical gowns to the NHS and we are helping them to obtain further PPE from veterinary suppliers.

RAC Finally, you have a big team at DWR – how are they all coping with what must be a very stressful situation?

RF Yes, we are well over 300 in total. They have had to change their working practices radically, as well as their hours of work and their methods of communication; but they have pulled together as a team and have been incredibly supportive, not only of each other but also of all our colleagues in general practice. Above all, they have continued to provide outstanding levels of care to our patients. I have to say, I am incredibly proud of them.

n The procedure that has been introduced at Dick White Referrals, can be seen at: www.dickwhitereferrals.com www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE 29 APRIL – 29 MAY 2020

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Mr Gilbertson

Mr Page

Gilbertson and Page Headquarters

Over 145 years on and still going strong!

Henry Gilbertson and Pilcher Page were two grocers in Fore Street, Hertford, who sold game foods. In 1872 they welcomed Alfred Page as manager and, a year later, formed a partnership: the Gilbertson & Page Game Food Manufacturers.

Pilcher did not stay long, and Alfred became the ‘Page’ in the partnership when Pilcher departed in 1874.

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n 1884, Gilbertson & Page received the Royal Warrant of Appointment to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, as well as to HRH The Prince of Wales – appointments that have continued to this day.

In the late nineteenth century, Gilbertson & Page started manufacturing a dry dog food, much favoured by kennels because of its nutritional value, ease of feeding, and economy. Gilbertson & Page continued to grow, but the start of World War I meant a change of direction, as Gilbertson & Page was soon in the business of baking biscuits for the army. The first batch was delivered in December 1914 – less than five months after the war began.

In September 1939, with the start of World War II, production again switched to making biscuits for the war effort.

In 1973, Gilbertson & Page joined with the Ware brothers, Francis and Richard, and moved to Corry’s Farm near Colney Heath, St. Albans. With this new partnership, Gilbertson & Page decided to return to its roots and began the manufacturing of dry complete dog foods again.

In 1998 Gilbertson & Page launched Dr. John Silver and Gold, two working complete diets that combined quality and nutritional value. They were an overnight success, and today, are the cornerstone of the Dr. John range.

Since 2000, the Gilbertson & Page ranges have continued to grow and expand, with foods now for dogs, cats and ferrets. With diets designed for life stage, activity, hypoallergenic and grain free, they provide all the nutrition that healthy pets and working dogs need.

Dr. John foods are suitable for working, pet and also rescued or rehomed dogs. Often feeding rescue dogs can be a challenge as these dogs need time to adjust to their new food and dietary regime. Some may have been underfed for some time and will

29 APRIL – 29 MAY 2020 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

struggle with large meals and richer diets.

For others, the move to a new home and environment may affect their appetite and digestion.

The Dr. John range suits these dogs. For example; Dr. John Silver is designed as a simpler diet with fewer ingredients and lower in protein and fat which can work well with dogs with poorer digestion and Dr. John Titanium, with it’s higher levels of nutrients and energy, can help dogs that need extra palatable food or those that struggle to keep weight on.

Gilbertson & Page believe strongly and passionately in supporting dog clubs, associations, rescue organisations and charities that not only care for the wellbeing of dogs, but also help owners to learn how to look after their dogs and to give them the wonderful life that they deserve.

Gilbertson & Page remains one of the few privately-owned petfood manufacturers in the UK. Situated in rural Hertfordshire, Gilbertson & Page continues to develop and produce high-quality products that meet the needs of today’s pets! n For more information about Gilbertson & Page visit www.gilpa.co.uk

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We provide High Quality, well priced food supplies for RAW and BARF diet

Support and Help in changing animals over to a Natural Raw Diet l Raw Meats/Fish/ Bones/Offal/Whole Prey

Suitable for Cats, Dogs, Ferrets, Reptiles and Raptors

A High Quality Range of Natural Supplements, Health Aids, Remedies and Natural Healthy Treats which Enhance Your Pets’ Diet.

SHOP ONLINE DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR Chicken wing tips

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Whole sardines

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Emergency Appeal for donations to Animal Rescue Centres

W

etnose Animal Aid has been helping animal Rescue Centres for 20 years now, but we have never seen anything like this before. Things were bad with the credit crunch in 2008 but this is on another level completely. Not only are our rescue centres not getting any funds in but they have had to cancel fundraising events which can be thousands of pounds lost. Animal feed suppliers are inundated with requests too, so not only are our shops short of food, but animal feed is in short supply too!

Hallswood Animal Sanctuary Norfolk We are really struggling, both to get enough donations in to compensate all fundraising events being cancelled, but also finding suppliers with stock left!

Big Animal sanctuaries are closing their doors but the reality for us smaller sanctuaries is that we could fold if we don't get the financial support. Our service is vital to the community in more ways than one. Pact Animal Sanctuary We are sad to advise that due to the coronavirus risks we have decided to close the sanctuary to visitors, rehoming and group visits. We do ask that our healthy volunteers without any underlining health issue continue to volunteer if possible, so that the staff with the help of the volunteers, continue to care for the animals in our care. George Rockingham says” Our shops make upwards of £25Kper month to keep the animals. Today we have been telling the managers that we will be closing on the 28th March and we will probably be closed until 1st July at least. Where I

now get the funds we need to feed and care for the animal is anyone’s guess so we need all the help we can get. Our last newsletter has fallen on busy deaf ears and the returns are down about 50% We have closed the doors from casual visitors and even new volunteers. We are not rehoming other than those animal already reserved. I am trying to protect my staff as they are as important as food”. Wetnose will be phoning centres to see how we can help, please send us donations to help those that need it most, these are going to be trying times for us all, so please don’t forget animals in care need our help too. Venture Farm Norfolk Due to the situation regarding COVID-19 we have made the decision to temporarily close our charity shop in Dereham. This is to protect the health of our volunteers, many of whom are vulnerable. Obviously this will hit us very hard as it is our main source of income. So you can imagine it has been a bit hectic - trying to make sure we have enough supplies to feed the cats and look after them. We have had to close our shop in Dereham, which was our main source of income and cancel planned events.

Which will hit hard on our reserves, obviously the current situation is having an effect on rehoming and taking cats in - especially as the vets are all now just dealing with emergencies. So that means no routine vaccinations or neutering going on etc. Going to very difficult over the next few months especially as we move into kitten season!

There is also Faith Animal Sanctuary, Meadowgreen Kennels, Foxy Lodge, Brocks Barn Hedgehog Rescue, Suffolk Animal Rescue and so many more Hope Pastures near Leeds and Roosters Retreat in Lancashire so many all over the UK all needing urgent help. Zoo Animals are being put at risk because panic buying and supermarket purchase limits is making it difficult to feed them, a zoo owner has warned.

Sending a “big thank” you to all the Rescue Centre people still working hard to save and help injured and sick animals and also abused pets, because many pets will suffer abuse as families live in for so long. Donations please by paypal on www.wetnoseanimalaid.com or cheques too: Wetnose Animal Aid Ltd, 2 Wells Terrace, Bungay Road, Stockton, Norfolk, NR34 0HR. https://wetnoseanimalaid.com/

The trovan® microchip-ID is recommended worldwide, for its outstanding technology, quality & reliability. Used by rescues and professionals all over the world.

Now we also have All-in-Ones! in both sizes

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UNIVERSAL SCANNER Detects ALL microchips

MICROCHIP TRAINING AVAILABLE Tel: 01962 813554 email: info@pet-detect.com www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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The Pangolin’s Revenge?

The origins of the Coronavirus is by no means certain but preliminary reports suggest that it started in Horseshoe Bats and evolved to infect Pangolins and then humans. The poor little Pangolin is one of the most persecuted species on the planet hunted for its flesh and its scales which are used in traditional Chinese medicines. The trade is illegal but enforcement is weak and in “wet markets” in Asia, sales carry on unhindered. Even as we speak, the Wuhan market is open once more and the trade carries on unabated!

The History of Zoonotic Diseases The Coronavirus is now believed to have killed over 180,000 people across the globe but it has infected many more. Mortality is generally only around 3% of those who become infected

so compared to some Zoonotic diseases, it is relatively survivable. Ebola which similarly evolved from bats to humans killed between 25% and 50% of those infected.

Zoonotic diseases are by no means uncommon. Perhaps the Black Death or Bubonic plague was one of the first noted which originated in rats and was transmitted by fleas.

Zoonotic diseases fall into three main categories namely viral, bacterial and parasitic. Coronavirus is of course a virus and the principle concern at present. Bacterial examples of zoonosis include TB, Anthrax, Salmonella & Toxoplasmosis.

Parasitic are represented by diseases such as Malaria and Tapeworm (Hydatadosis)

Viral Diseases

Chinese Horseshoe Bat 14

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In recent times, populations have succumbed to Ebola, MERS, SARS and now Coronavirus. Ebola originated in Africa, MERS in the Middle East, SARS and Coronavirus in Asia.

Ebola is by far the most dangerous causing fatalities in over 50% of cases. In comparison, the remainder kill around 3 to 5% of their hosts. Ebola is a haemorrhagic disease which means the patient bleeds internally and eventually their internal organs fail.

In contrast. MERS, SARS and Coronavirus all affect the respiratory system causing the equivalent of extremely severe www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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Leleshwa and Icelandic Lichen which are potent anti-viral and anti-bacterial herbal extracts. This is especially recommended for frequent use and for sensitive skin which cannot tolerate alcohol based products.

Bio-Life AirCleanse

Coronavirus

pneumonia type symptoms. These organisms are all strands of RNA which attach to part of the genome in the body and thus effect adverse health changes. All viral diseases are extremely contagious hence the extensive lockdown across the globe. At present, vaccines are not available although there are trials ongoing in the UK and the USA. The problem with viruses is that they frequently mutate before vaccines can be formulated and tested for regular use.

In truth, changes in diet and lifestyle offer the best preventative measure for the future but photographs of bats, pangolins and alligators for sale in China and other S.E. Asian countries offer us little comfort for the future.

Since governments in these parts of the world are relatively authoritative, perhaps it is time they used that authority to enforce changes in diet and lifestyle for the health of all the nations across the globe not to mention the fact that caring for wildlife and domestic animals is not just good for animal welfare, it is also protection for human health.

The room spray containing quaternium salts and alcohol can further reduce the risk of viral infection in the home as well as relieve hayfever, dutmite and pet allergic reactions.

n For help and advice, please do not hesitate to contact the Bio-Life Helpline on 01608 686626 (Open 8am to 8pm, 7 days per week or visit the website www.biolife-international.co.uk

PRODUCT OFFERINGS TO PREVENT INFECTION MediCleanse Nasal Rinse with Xylitol

At a time when the value of face masks outside the professional environment is still a matter for debate, MediCleanse Nasal Rinse with Xylitol is one means of getting additional protection. Ordinary sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate nasal rinses clean the nasal passages and relieve congestion. With the addition of Xylitol, the nasal rinse forms a barrier that prevents the virus from adhering to the nasal mucosa thus reducing the risk of infection. This nasal rinse also relieves hayfever sufferers so it is highly recommended for use by hayfever sufferers at this time of year.

MediCleanse Hand Sanitiser Gel

Alcohol based hand sanitisers are undoubtedly effective but they can lead to severe drying and skin chapping.

MediCleanse Hand Gel is based on www.rescueandanimalcare.com

RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE 29 APRIL – 29 MAY 2020

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For digestive systems & sensitive tums A 100% natural formula for dogs and cats with disturbed digestive systems & sensitive tums.

Based on Plantago Husk, Digestor also contains Vetoxan, Osmonds own natural gut regulator along with Yucca Schidigera extract. This synergy of ingredients continually acts to maintain a healthy digestive system by removing toxins and reducing odours.

Order now at: https://www.petcetera.co.uk/osmonds-digestor.html

Miro and Makauri Step In Harness The Step in Vest Harness is the quick and easy harness to fit. Extremely lightweight and supportive yet strong & durable. Its air mesh material is breathable and light all year round. Your dog simply, "steps in" to the harness. Adjustable in size with velcro tab and plastic clasp. Features 2 D rings at the back allowing the leash to be attached. Available now at Petcetera https://www.petcetera.co.uk/miroand-makauri-step-in-harness.html

Shop Pet products online Great accessories for your pets

Kennel Clean Leucillin A revolutionary antiseptic product for itchy skin, sore paws, minor mishaps, cuts, grazes, scratches, bites, weepy eyes, irritated ears and dry/flaky or smelly skin. Its fast acting formula effectively combats germs, soothing and calming the affected area/s. 100% safe on all skin types. Available in 4 sizes.

Buy now at https://www.petcetera.co.uk/leucillin-antisepticskincare.html

Osmonds Kennel Clean is a heavy duty detergent sanitiser that provides excellent cleaning power. Formulated for quickly, safely & efficiently removing soil & faecal matter prior to disinfection.

Use on concrete, kitchen floors, kennel runs, artificial grass, etc‌ Concentrated & cost effective. Dilution necessary. Buy now at https://www.petcetera.co.uk/osmonds-kennel-clean.html

Julius K9 IDC Power Harness Designed to be durable, comfortable and practical for all dog breeds and sizes, the IDC Powerharness is the ultimate dog harness for both pets and active service dogs. The Innova Dog Comfort (IDC) Powerharness has been specially designed to be comfortable for dogs to wear over long periods, as well as being extremely secure.

All of Julius K9's dog harnesses are highly durable and are trusted by professional trainers and pet owners alike. Prices start from ÂŁ19.99 Buy now at https://www.petcetera.co.uk/julius-k9-idc-power-harness.html

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Padded, Cushioned Webbing Matching Range of Adjustable Collars Adjustable with strong clasp fastening Small: 15 mm x 260-400 mm Medium: 20 mm x 350-500 mm Large: 25 mm x 480-700 mm. http://www.dogmatic.org.uk/contents/enuk/d13_Page_13.html

Dogmatic Headcollar All the comfort and control of the original renowned leather Dogmatic Headcollar with the soft, gentle touch of slimline, luxurious, padded cushioned webbing. Available in 5 colours. From ÂŁ24.99. http://www.dogmatic.org.uk/contents/enuk/d4_Padded,_Cushioned_Webbing.html

Shop Pet products online Great accessories for your pets

from Dogmatic. Visit www.dogmatic.org.uk

Dogmatic Headcollar The New Luxurious Soft and Lined Leather Dogmatic Headcollar. ÂŁ37.99. http://www.dogmatic.org.uk/contents/enuk/d6_Original_Leather.html

PCW Training Leads Ideal for training, obedience and general walking. The Training Leads can be used at different lengths, for general walking, lengthened for use in Training (practising recalls etc...), for giving your dog more room to stretch out on a walk, for tethering your dog to a bench etc... or for walking two dogs together. A quality Lead offering multiple uses. Can be wiped clean and very comfortable to hold. http://www.dogmatic.org.uk/contents/en-uk/d14_Page_14.html

Leather full Non-slip Lead Full vegetable tanned leather lead with rubber rein grip encasing the leather from hand loop to trigger hook and reinforced with leather at point of stitching. http://www.dogmatic.org.uk/contents/en-uk/d12_Page_12.html

Soft Leather Show slip Lead Available in Black/Brass and Brown/Brass. http://www.dogmatic.org.uk/c ontents/enuk/d12_Page_12.html

Matching Range of Trigger Hook Leads The soft padded lined webbing is fully wipe-able, therefore, easy to clean. Ideal for walking and training. http://www.dogmatic.org.uk/contents/enuk/d15_Page_15.html

Leather Gripper Collars Leather Gripper Training Leads Our design gives added security and confidence, offering multiple uses - ideal for walking/training or wet weather conditions. Can also be used with gloves. http://www.dogmatic.org.uk/contents/enuk/d12_Page_12.html

Now available top quality, buckle collars in a combination of rein web with rubber insert and quality leather. These collars are beautifully made and also have the bonus of matching our Gripper Training Leads. Available in Black/Brass and Brown/Brass. http://www.dogmatic.org.uk/contents/enuk/d12_Page_12.html

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WITH 250ML BOTTLE

Calming Wipes pack of 12 Use the eco-friendly wipe in the same way as you would with the calming spray by gentle rubbing around muzzle, under chin and top of chest of your pet (including horses!). £6.50.

Visit www.petremedy.co.uk

Battery operated atomiser Suitable for all mammals showing signs of stress including cats, dogs, rabbits, rodents, ferrets, and horses. Visit www.petremedy.co.uk

Atomic Ball Varied levels of bounciness, Super Squeaky, Floats in water. Size: 15cm. Visit www.naturalhealthypets.co.uk

Shop Pet products online Great accessories for your pets

Pet Calming Spray A new and natural way of tackling dog anxiety and stress in all pets and animals. £18.50.

Visit www.petremedy.co.uk

Wash Bar – Glossy A moisturising organic wash bar for a soft, glossy coat. With glycerine to soothe and moisturise the skin and argan oil for a shiny, silky coat. Our wash bars are packaged in recyclable paper. No waste.

What’s not to love? Tin sold separately. Visit www.naturalhealthypets.co.uk

Naked Dog Complete – Lamb Raw lamb complete meal for dogs with high meat content. Visit www.naturalhealthypets.co.uk

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Cool Coat Pet Remedy Natural De-Stress and Calming Plug-In Diffuser Plug-in and let the de-stressing properties slow release into the surrounding area. Visit www.petremedy.co.uk

Hot and bothered dogs will be instantly refreshed by the Ancol Pet Cooling Vest. The vest can be plunged into water and put onto a hot dog to reduce the risk of overheating.

These are available in 5 sizes.

Visit www.naturalhealthypets.co.uk

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Polo T Shirt Comes in sizes Small – to XXL Colours Navy, Black, Green, White, Red. £13.99. Visit www.labrador-lifeline.com

Ipad Case – Hare by Sophie Allport Protect your technology and keep your tablet safe from knocks and scratches with this stylish ipad case in our Hare design. £17.00.

Visit www.labrador-lifeline.com

Dog Bowl in wooden stand Raised dog bowl in wooden stand. Prevents the bowl from sliding over the floor. £19.99. Visit www.labrador-lifeline.com

Gundog Whistle Pitch 211.5 Gundog whistle – ideal for training your dog to commands by the whistle. Comes in colour black and not as shown. £6.50.

Visit www.labrador-lifeline.com

Canvas Duffle Bag Featuring a lovely galgo design. Shoulder strap with a rope draw closure.100% cotton canvas. Size approx. 41cm x 32cm. Colour - green. £14.00+p&p.

Visit www.greyhoundsinneed.co.uk

Dog Tags

Paw Print Cap

We hope your companion never finds themselves lost, but if they do they will be grateful to know that you made that simple effort to ensure they are wearing an up to date Pet ID tag, which is required by law. Supplied with a split ring for each tag and available in 4 distinct colours. £10.95. www.labrador-lifeline.com

Lovely unisex adjustable cap featuring a paw print design.

100% cotton. Colour Brown/tan. £12.00+p&p. Visit www.greyhoundsinneed.co.uk

Tartan Martingale collars Lovely tartan design 2" wide Martingale collars, fully adjustable to fit greyhounds with neck sizes 13" to 18".Available in turquoise, caramel, blue, pink and royal blue. £10.00 +p&p. Visit www.greyhoundsinneed.co.uk

Jute shopper bag Lovely jute shopper bag printed with a stunning galgo design. Premium quality and perfect for those shopping trips. £10.00 +p&p. Visit www.greyhoundsinneed.co.uk

Greyhounds in Need Unisex Polo shirt Apple Green Unisex Polo Shirt embroidered with the Greyhounds in Need Charity logo. Available in sizes. Small 36", Medium 38/40", Large 42", X large 44/46". £15.00 +p&p.

Visit www.greyhoundsinneed.co.uk

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Small Animal Play Tunnels DOG AGILITY TUNNEL Available in 600mm diameter with ten standard colours, five different lengths and three weights (Light, Medium and Heavy Duty). The lightweight sewn tunnels are available in a camouflage bag cloth option with the additional option of having a mesh panel. Contact us on 01709 872574 or info@naylor.co.uk to discuss your dog tunnel requirements. Visit www.nayloragility.co.uk

Our light weight, single colour sewn Small Animal Play Tunnels are flexible and durable suitable for indoor and outdoor use. They are available in a wide variety of colours. 250mm diameter. Visit www.nayloragility.co.uk

Shop Pet products online

Playtime for your pets!

Tunnels concertina down for easy storage

The Naylor dog agility tunnels Available in ten standard colours. We manufacture to order to ensure your exact requirement is supplied considering your specific colours. See our new online shop at www.nayloragility.co.uk

Light Weight Small Dog Tunnels Our 400mm diameter Light Weight Single or Two Colour Small Dog Tunnels are sewn making them flexible and durable suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Our tunnels are available in a wide variety of colours. Visit www.nayloragility.co.uk

Mini Animal Play Tunnels Our light weight, single colour sewn Mini Animal Play Tunnels are flexible and durable suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

The mini tunnels are available in a wide variety of colours.

203mm diameter. Visit www.nayloragility.co.uk

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Hyper Coat Prime

ImmuBoost

A pure vegetarian source of Omega oils. Boasting 87% Omega oils, 3, 6 & 9. Get for skin and coat health on all your pets. Prices start at RRP £10.55.

Visit www.animal-health.co.uk

A liquid echinacea supplement for dogs and horses Echinacea has been used for centeries to help boost the immune system, especially the respiratory system. Ideal for the winter months. RRP £6.85. Visit www.animal-health.co.uk

Vit 2000 Does your dog eat faeces, try vit 2000.

A natural multivitiamn for your dog.

Prices start at £6.85.

Visit www.animal-health.co.uk

Grooming Spray A easy to use spray to help make grooming easier. Will leave the coat conditioned with out being greasy or static. RRP £9.20.

Visit www.animal-health.co.uk

No Bute Comfort for joints the natural way.

Visit www.animal-health.co.uk

NeutraHaze Designer Fragrance Spray Just a few light sprays will eliminate odours leaving a fresh, welcoming fragrance.

Can be used on bedding, sofas, clothes, carpets etc. Visit www.animal-health.co.uk

Defence 7 A broad spectrum, DEFRA approved disinfectant, suitable for kennels, stables and all animal quarters. Dilution of 1:100 so a little goes a long way.

Visit www.animal-health.co.uk

Can be used on all types of flooring and bedding

Stablezone & Coop-Zone Odor-Kill The ultimate deodoriser for you home, kennels, patios, astro turf, litter tarys etc. Mix 20ml in a litre of water and spray or mop away. Prices start at £6.00. Visit www.animal-health.co.uk

Antibacterial bedding powder. A highly absorbant bedding powder for stables, chick coups and small animal beds. Helps reduce amonia smells, moisture and keeps bedding dryer. Ideal with the longer nights of winter nights. Prices start at £7.20. Visit www.animal-health.co.uk

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Cool jackets The George Barclay, ClimaCOOL® dog Jacket, uses natural evaporative cooling, to help keep the dog cool during hot weather. Simply soak the garment in cool water before fitting the jacket to your dog. The jacket has a reflective top panel to reduce direct heat, is fully adjustable, has a built-in leash access point and reflective side trim. Available in 7 sizes, these jackets have a RRP: £24.99 - £37.99. Link: https://www.georgebarclay.co.uk/products/climacool-dogcooling-jacket

Do you enjoy walking your dog?

The Canny Collar is the best collar to stop your dog from pulling, making your walks together a pleasure. No more stress or embarrassment. Simple to fit, easy to use and does not ride into the eyes. https://www.cannyco.com/shop

Shop Pet products online

Great products and accessories for your pets Lamb & Rice

SPRAT'LL DO NICELY! These sprats come from the shores around the UK, they're 100% natural, with no additives or preservatives - just gently dried and popped in a pot. £4.49. Visit www.cifood.co.uk

suitable for working dogs with sensitive stomachs or those who have difficulty digesting wheat.

Visit www.gilpa.co.uk

Grain Free Chicken and Potato Dr John Grain-Free sensitive diet is a dog food suitable as an all-round maintenance diet or when active/ working. Visit www.gilpa.co.uk

Zeus Bomber For dogs that just love to play and love to play hard! The Zeus Bomber range is guaranteed to keep your dog’s tail wagging! Made from strong materials, the Bomber range is hardwearing, tough and durable, perfect for a game of tug of war or a game of fetch with your four-legged friend. Find out more at www.zeusdog.co.uk

Zeus K9 Fitness For Pets That Move Encouraging increased activity through play can not only reduce the occurrence of pet obesity but can also improve behaviour and prevent future health problems. The K9 Fitness by Zeus interactive toys are specifically designed to maximise fun & activity for you and your pet.

Find out more at www.zeusdog.co.uk

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EcoCitrocin™

MediCleanse™ Paw and Patch Moisturiser

Highly effective insect repellent based on Picaridin and essential oils that repel wasps, bees, mosquitos, midges, horse flies and other biting insects so that you are not bitten. £12.95.

Visit www.biolife-international.co.uk

Anti-oxidant rich treatment for dry scaly spots and to promote healing. £11.20. Visit www.biolife-international.co.uk

Homecleanse™ Anti-allergen spray for carpets, curtains & soft furnishings to reduce the dustmite, pet, pollen particles and mould spores in your home that cause irritations of the eyes, nose, throat & chest. £12.20. Visit www.biolife-international.co.uk

FabriCleanse™ Natural anti-allergen laundry and carpet cleaning additive that removes the dustmite, pet, pollen allergens and mould from your clothes and floor coverings to prevent irritations of the eye, nose, throat, chest and skin. £14.20.

Visit www.biolife-international.co.uk

AirCleanse™ Anti-allergen room spray that removes pollen, dustmite and pet allergens as well as mould spores that cause hayfever, sneezing, wheezing, asthma, eczema and hives. £12.20.

Visit www.biolife-international.co.uk

Scarf Hanger

RAC Non-Spill Bowl

Horse head-shaped scarf holder / hanger covered in a non-slip flocking. Size: 22cm wide x 42cm high (including 9cm metal hanger). £4.00.

Visit www.redwings.org.uk

This non spill bowl is ideal for giving dogs a quick drink while on the go. 1.25 litre capacity, Dimensions: 9cm x 13cm RAC branded. £3.99.

Visit www.redwings.org.uk

Redwings Logo Mug Redwings 'Logo Range' Mug, perfect for enjoying your cuppa out of. £6.00.

Visit www.redwings.org.uk

Garden Tool Apron This apron is a garden essential! This robust and sturdy apron has several spacious compartments that can be used for a variety of garden tools. Adjustable neck strap and belt. Tools for illustration only. £10.00. Visit www.redwings.org.uk

Joules Floral Print Bone we’re pretty sure the easy-to-carry bone shape and play-proof canvas fabric will get their tail wagging. Size: 25 x 13 cm. £5.00.

Visit www.redwings.org.uk

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ADORED

BY ROBINS, BLACKBIRDS AND SONG THRUSHES

Ground feed mix Our orginal ground feed mixture that's so adored by Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes and all other ground feeding birds.

Suitable for all year round feeding. Either scattetered on the floor or placed on a table or ground feeder. Contains no wheat. £32.20/25kg. Visit www.kennedywildbirdfood.co.uk

Bomaby Bangers Natural dog treat with added turmeric, piperine & flaxseed oil. £3.29. Visit www.cifood.co.uk

A premium 100% Natural holistic superfood Containing 8 high strength herbs that help your dog keep calm and relaxed. Used by pet owners and behaviourists it also helps to reduce anxiety and aid focus and concentration when training or competing. https://NaturalHealthyPets.co.uk

Shop Pet products online Great products for your pets

SuperDog Health & Vitality For happy, healthy dogs, SuperDog Health & Vitality gives you 25 essential nutrients to complement a balanced diet. Visit www.vitabiotics.com

SuperDog Joints & Bones Provides maximum strength support for strong bones, flexible joints and glossy coat to help keep your favourite furry companion, fit, active and healthy.

Contains 22 nutrients: that supports your dog’s joint mobility as they age and keep the joints supple and active.

The formula provides zinc and selenium to support your dog’s immune system.

Visit www.vitabiotics.com

ATTRACTIVE TO ROBINS, BLACKBIRDS AND THRUSHES

Salters Natural Dog Food Salters Hypoallergenic, “Healthy Dog Foods” are Veterinary formulated, complete dry foods for dogs and puppies. Our foods are the only dog foods in the world to contain Extra Virgin Olive Oil*. Visit www.salterspetfood.com

Dried mealworms Dried mealworms are a tasty treat for garden birds with all the nutrition of live mealworms without the 'worm factor'. Available in sizes ranging from 250g to 10kg. £33.50/3kg.

Visit www.kennedywildbirdfood.co.uk

Droll Yankees Nut Feeder The Droll Yankee nut feeder comes with a lifetime guarantee. The perfect peanut dispenser for birds.

Visit www.kennedywildbirdfood.co.uk

Classic leather dog collars Perfect for everyday, or as a Sunday best. Visit www.annrees.co.uk

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Organically Made by Earthpositive™ Ready for a tug of war Tough Bone Toy. (£9.99). Visit www.bordercollietrustgb.org.uk

A Zak the Collie Dog Infant T-shirt Part of our Zak the Collie Dog® range. These Unisex Zak the Collie Dog Infant T-shirts come in pink and blue and are available in 2 different sizes, 3-6 months and 12-18 months. £11.00.

Visit www.bordercollietrustgb.org.uk

Zac The Collie Magnet Perfect for your shopping list on he fridge.(£4.95). Visit www.bordercollietrustgb.org.uk

Schmackos Pedigree 20 X Multi flavours.

Visit www.bordercollietrustgb.org.uk

Ready for a game of fetch!

Net of 6 Tennis Balls. (£6.00).

Visit www.bordercollietrustgb.org.uk

MATC HI COAST NG AVAIL ER ABLE

Tasty Bites

Time for a cuppa

Pedigree Tasty bites chew slice, beef flavour. Visit www.bordercollietrustgb.org.uk

Border Collie Mug. (£6.99). Visit www.bordercollietrustgb.org.uk

Funky bowl Ancol Fusion Stainless Steel Dog Design Dish, 21 cm Diameter, Lime/Grey.

Also available in pink. £8.75.

Visit www.bordercollietrustgb.org.uk

Pamper your pooch!

Dog Shampoo. (£3.70 each). Available in Grapefruit & Lemon, Lavender and Tropical Fruits.

Visit www.bordercollietrustgb.org.uk

Pewter Sheep & CollieTorc Bangle

FLEXI BL BANGL E E

Pewter Sheep & Collie Torc Bangle Pewter Torc Bangles are made entirely by hand using the finest British Pewter. They feature a Celtic ribbon pattern and a carefully sculpted sheep and collie facing up to each other at each end. These Bangles are flexible. (£40.00). Visit www.bordercollietrustgb.org.uk

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PLAY NOW

To Watch Our Heartfelt video go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a97HVfZEvUY

t

Take a virtual tour of The Border Collie Trust GB centre

PLAY NOW

https://vimeo.com/402472985 26

29 APRIL – 29 MAY 2020 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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App Aims to Put Pet Healthcare and Wellbeing on a Par with Ours A brand-new, free-to-download App is boosting responsible pet ownership and giving pets a chance of having the best care possible throughout their lifetimes, echoing the values of ‘Rescue and Animal Care’ to a tee.

PetPanion is an App rescuing owners who may have loving hearts but don’t always know what’s best for their new furry friend.

The App creates a virtuous circle of everything that can provide a dog or cat with what it needs to enjoy a happy and healthy life – responsible owners, early intervention when something goes wrong, first-class veterinary care and even reduced-price treats!

Furthermore, by interacting with the App and demonstrating responsible pet ownership, the owner can earn reward coins, to donate to a charity of their

www.rescueandanimalcare.com

choice, from options provided. All a charity or rescue centre need do is register, to have themselves listed as an option. The App will seek to encourage owners to consider local charities, as well as national causes, once a good number of charities are onboard.

How it Works The process starts with the pet owner downloading PetPanion from the App Store or Google Play and creating their pet’s profile, personalising this with their pet’s photo and all of its vital statistics – age, colour, gender and more.

The owner is prompted to note their pet’s allergies, dietary preferences, innoculation, flea-control and worming record, plus any health issues. The pet’s level of activity, degree of training and behavioural issues can also be noted, setting the pet up perfectly for any future date with a vet!

Here, PetPanion offers something unique. It allows pet owners to ask their vet to upload or send over their pet’s full medical files, so these can be stored in the App and be password protected for future sharing with a mobile vet, locum, vet required when the pet is on its holidays (in normal times) and also any pet walkers, trainers, groomers or sitters.

Armed with this knowledge, any vet can offer a precise in-surgery or remote consultation. If the pet’s files have not been uploaded, it’s a shame, but the App will still facilitate digital consultations and the booking of a vet’s

appointment with just one click. It tells a pet owner where the nearest vets can be found and also allows enables repeat prescription requests.

But PetPanion’s belief is that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and so it is equipped with the technology to give the pet a Wellness Score, based on its age, weight, breed, vaccination record, parasite treatment record, dental history and general health and happiness. This encourages the owner to pay attention to all these areas and not just enjoy pet play times. It assists early detection of health issues – something the App’s designer knows is crucial, from personal experience.

Designed in conjunction with vet of 21 years’ experience, Dr Peggy Middlemiss, PetPanion facilitates holistic care of a canine or feline friend, promotes better attention to detail on the part of owners and delivers benefits for vets and charities too. It will even send out 50 colour posters, by Royal Mail First Class post, should the pet go missing!

To be part of PetPanion’s mission to create better pet healthcare, owners, vets and charities just need to sign up, by visiting www.mypetpanion.com and finding the relevant registration area. It’s the smart way, on a smartphone, to give pets the health and wellbeing benefits we humans enjoy through technology.

I think we’d all agree that our best friends deserve that.

RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE 29 APRIL – 29 MAY 2020

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Coronavirus and the Border Collie Trust GB update from Ben Wilkes- Trustee In Light of the Lockdown We remain closed for visits and adoptions of dogs.

Applications for the pups looking for new homes is now closed. Information and details on adult dogs looking for new homes will appear on The Special Appeals Page when we are able to consider this, there are no adult dogs being rehomed at present We are unable to reserve any dogs or take expressions of interest at this time. We hope to look to rehome certain adult dogs following the rehoming of the pups. More details will be available in due course.

We are also getting lots of requests by email, phone, social media to be personally notified when we are open again, we hope you can appreciate the difficulty in doing so. However, this page and our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram social media will be updated the moment we are able to invite you to visit us. Please keep checking back here for more information, thank you. Do read on though for lots more general information.

If you are wondering why we, along with some other members of The Association of Dogs and Cats Homes, are not rehoming as normal at present please take a moment to read this explanation https://www.bordercollietrustgb.org.uk/about-border-collie-trust/coronavirus-updates/9content/297-coronavirus-and-rehoming Rest assured, we are reviewing our approach daily. We are aware of press releases from DEFRA, RSPCA and Dogs Trust which are being taken as a return to rehoming and adoptions taking place. Please do read the guidelines and our explanation why, at present, we feel they are not appropriate for us to consider rehoming. This may change of course and we will do our best to keep everyone updated her and on social media.

Thank you to everyone who has sent messages of support, we really appreciate them. Like all charities this will be a very difficult time practically as well as 28

29 APRIL – 29 MAY 2020 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

Ben Wilkes - Tr ustee

financially and so whilst we understand lots of people are facing financial difficulties as well and your on family must come first - if you are able please consider donating to help our work. We still require our staff to care for the dogs in our care and at present there are very few funding opportunities for animal charities.

We estimate we will lose at least £7,500 a month from rehoming income, donations and our boarding kennels. The reserves we are using were set aside for our potential relocation due to HS2, so it does have a double effect on us.

We have a fundraising campaign active on Facebook - here or you can donate to our Coronavirus Appeal if you prefer https://www.facebook.com/donate/2667137853518636/2710542 349054856/ You can now also donate by text - Text BCTGB3 to 70085 to donate £3 (Replace the 3 with any amount you wish to donate of course) - Texts cost £3 (or the amount you wish to donate) plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS. If you’d like to give £3 but do not wish to receive marketing communications, text BCTGBNOINFO 3 (or the amount you wish to donate) to 70085.

You can join in with our fun Collie Camera Capture selfie appeal As you can't visit we do have some online videos which you are welcome to view. A Virtual Tour of the centre https://vimeo.com/402472985 All official advice regarding Coronavirus, from the UK Government can be found here http://www.cfsg.org.uk/coronavirus/SiteAssets/Sit ePages/Home/CFSG%20Guidance%20for%20Pet% 20Rescues.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3dzqycrvpSj6ljEoTaKDhBI-nvcFe7NB43moRlDZa4KjI8Tcg0wMDtu1Q In light of the changing situation and advice we are constantly reviewing our situation and this page www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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will reflect the most up to date information.

Please feel free to call us to discuss of course.

Any measures we introduce is to protect our staff, the general public, the welfare of the dogs in our care and the overall economic and business health of Border Collie Trust GB. Your Support - as with all charities and indeed businesses there is no doubt we will be affected personally, emotionally and certainly financially.

We appreciate everyone will find the next few weeks challenging but any donation towards our work has never been so important and you can donate by clicking here https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/bctgb20 We will continue to stock our eBay "shop" so you can always support us in that way, you can find our current listings here https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/bordercollietrustgb/m.html?_adv=1&_dmd=1&_in_kw=1 &_ipg=50&_sop=12&_rdc=1 We may all be doing lots of shopping online so don't forget Give as you Live https://www.bordercollietrustgb.org.uk/support-us/give-as-you-live and Amazon Smile. Any purchases through those sites raise money for us, at no cost to you.

Your support morally through social media is also important, please keep posting positive messages. It really does help us.

Thank you 1. Adoption of a collie - Following the increased restrictions on movement we stopped rehoming in March to protect our ability to care for the dogs currently in our care and to protect our staff.

Please DO NOT visit the centre. We will update this page and social media when we feel it is appropriate to open again. Please check the Q&A page which may answer question regarding rehoming https://www.bordercollietrustgb.org.uk/rehoming/q-a The details of the dogs we have for rehoming are always up to date as they done automatically but The Special Appeals Page will have details of any dogs we feel we can now rehome given the restrictions we have to work to.

2. Rehoming your collie - again, in view of the situation our rehoming has now stopped and therefore the ability to offer places will be affected. We will continue to offer support with advice by phone and help in offering places in an emergency.

3. Volunteers - we appreciate the support of volunteers, however, at present we are cancelling any future volunteer inductions and asking all volunteers NOT to visit the centre as they would normally do. If you would be prepared to assist in the event of staff sickness we would appreciate that support. Please email info@bordercollietrustgb.org.uk or call the office on 01889 577058.

4. Staffing - we intend to reduce our daily staffing to "minimum level" and split our colleagues into teams who will always work together, thereby reducing the contact between all staff and hopefully ensuring our ability to provide the level of care to our dogs.

5. Boarding - we have now closed our boarding kennels.

6. General Visiting - we do often receive visits from owners coming back to see us, supporters dropping off food, blankets etc. We do appreciate and indeed look forward to these visits. In view of the current advice, please DO NOT visit.

7. Mail Orders - we really value the support from mail orders, our ability to fulfil them during the current restrictions is now impossible. Please come back to us soon but if you do wish to place an order, thank you. We will complete it as soon as things start to improve.

We're sure things will change and evolve as time goes by please check back here for updates or of course call us on 01889 577058 or email info@bordercollietrustgb.org.uk www.bordercollietrustgb.org.uk

www.rescueandanimalcare.com

RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE 29 APRIL – 29 MAY 2020

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We save dogs that are vulnerable and at risk in the county of Yorkshire

SYD Rescue is a volunteer led rescue charity that has a set of kennels in the Yorkshire Dales and fosterers in the local area. It takes in dogs from pounds, vets and the public.

Once in the care of SYD Rescue, dogs are assessed, rehabilitated and rehomed with suitable families.

The SYD Rescue volunteers are a friendly group with a joint goal of helping and rehoming Yorkshire’s vulnerable & at risk dogs.

Tara Female, 3 to 4 years old, Lurcher type bitch She cannot live with cats as she has a high prey drive and is best as the only dog in the home. Tara is looking for someone with the time to take her for long walks and train her. She is boisterous and enjoys meeting people and other dogs. She needs a secure garden to play in.

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29 APRIL – 29 MAY 2020 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

Likes: She loves learning things like Parkour or scent training.

She is loyal and also loves cuddles. n For more information visit www.sydrescue.org.uk Registered charity number 1167291

www.rescueandanimalcare.com

French Bulldog.qxp_Layout 1 08/07/2019 08:25 Page 1

Registered charity 1163829

French Bulldog Saviours We at French Bulldog Saviours are here to help educate people on the French bulldog breed as well as rescue, rehabilitate and rehome dogs in need. We are a self-funded charity and raise funds through fund raising and events throughout the UK. We rely on volunteers helping and supporting French Bulldog Saviours as without you we couldn’t do what we do.

We believe that if a dog can live a good quality of life it should be allowed to regardless of cost. It doesn’t matter to us is there is an ocean between us, if we can help… we will.

FRENCH.BULLDOG.SAVIOURS@GMAIL.COM

www.frenchbulldogsaviours.com #BREEDFORHEALTHNOTWEALTH

Registered charity 1163829

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How to keep your top cat’s fur in tip top shape!

Your cat is a very clean animal by nature and you will doubtless see him washing himself several times a day. He has a rough tongue which removes dead hair like lots of little brushes! However, he does need some help from you, and the amount of grooming required will depend very much on the kind of cat you have.

32

For instance, if you have a short haired cat you will only need to give him a small amount of brushing and combing, perhaps on a weekly basis, as they are very good at taking care of themselves. However a long haired cat will require much more attention from you, needing to be groomed all over on a daily basis to prevent the fur from becoming matted.

So, start when your cat is a kitten.

Introduced at an early age, grooming will become routine and should be fun for both of you. A couple of minutes of very light brushing to get him used to the brush, perhaps increasing a little each day - ending with lots of praise and perhaps a treat should soon get him looking forward to his daily session!

If you have an adult cat that hasn’t been used to the grooming process then, as with a kitten, start with short sessions to begin with, gradually increasing to 15 minutes.

Firstly, make sure that the cat is relaxed, perhaps after a meal; stroke him and speak quietly to him. Show him the comb and brush and let him smell them. Comb him gently, you will probably find that he enjoys it, especially if he is a short haired cat, as there is unlikely to be any matting. The metal comb will show if there are any fleas present in the coat and if any treatment is required. After the comb, move on to the brush and brush gently forwards towards the head and then smooth it back down to remove any loose hairs. Perhaps consider offering some treats along the way to make the process a

29 APRIL – 29 MAY 2020 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

pleasurable one. With a long haired cat you will almost definitely encounter matting, especially if the cat hasn’t been groomed regularly in the past, in which case the matting will probably have to be cut off or de-matted by a professional groomer or a vet, post lockdown.

Always keep a check on your cat’s body language while you are grooming. If he appears unhappy and that tail starts twitching, stop immediately and try again later.

There are many benefits to grooming your cat other than just keeping his coat looking good. Firstly, it helps you to keep a check on his health. If, from an early age, you get your cat used to being handled, you will be able to regularly check his ears, eyes, nose, mouth and check his body for any lumps. Anything which causes concern should be referred straight away to your vet.

Cat hair grows in cycles. It grows very quickly, then it stops for a while, then new hair grows again which pushes the older hair out. Brushing removes this old hair and, more importantly, reduces the chances of the cat licking and swallowing the old hair resulting in hairballs followed by digestive problems. Brushing also stimulates the glands to help waterproof the coat and helps to stimulate the circulation.

So by starting as soon as possible your cat will thank you for his regular grooming sessions, there will be fewer hairs on the sofa and the bond between you both will be stronger than ever!

Photo credit: ©Adobe stock

www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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Mayhew’s Trap, Neuter, Return programme proves to be a lifeline for feral cats in lockdown Despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Mayhew’s Animal Welfare Officers are still out on the frontline, caring for and saving the lives of animals in our local community.

n To find out more about our Trap, Neuter, Return programme, please visit our website www.themayhew.org 34

Last week, we got a call from a long-term feeder of two feral cats, who had been looking out for the pair ever since she first spotted them in her garden over eight years ago. The feeder was concerned about the female cat, who she had named Moshi, who seemed to be in significant pain. ● Moshi had an open wound on her foot, and obvious fur loss at the base of her tail. ● She wasn’t putting any weight on the injured foot and was holding it high, avoiding contact with the ground, which indicated it was causing her a lot of pain. ● In order to avoid the risk of further infection, we arranged to safely trap Moshi and bring her into our Community Vet Clinic for a full assessment, ensuring social distancing protocols were adhered to.

Once Moshi had been securely trapped, Animal Welfare Officer Tania Mazzoni drove her straight in for her vet consultation.

Thankfully, the wound on her foot was not yet infected and there was no evidence of any lasting complications, so our on-call Vet Emily carefully cleaned the whole area before giving Moshi a long lasting antibiotic injection.

Emily also advised that the fur loss around Moshi’s tail was likely due to a flea allergy, and so administered a Broadline spot on treatment to clear up the infestation. She

29 APRIL – 29 MAY 2020 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

noted that Moshi otherwise looked to be in excellent health, especially for a feral cat of her age, which shows how important neutering and community care is for these animals.

Once Moshi was ready to be released, Tania drove her back to the garden she was collected from, and advised her feeder how to manage flea and worming treatment going forward.

Moshi is incredibly lucky to be watched over by someone who cares so much about her and her companion, as it has ensured that we were alerted to her injuries in enough time to treat them, preventing Moshi from further pain and suffering.

Our Trap, Neuter, Return project is an incredibly important part of our community outreach, and one that we are proud to be able to continue even in lockdown. We are keeping in close (virtual) contact with known feeders across London to ensure they are receiving the support and advice that they need, to best care for the feral cats in their area.

In a time where many of us are unable to have close contact with loved ones, it is particularly heartwarming to know that these feeders respect and are looking out for cats like Moshi, and that even though they cannot cuddle or stroke feral animals at all, they still feel bonded to them and care about their health and wellbeing. www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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How to create a simple Hedgehog Feeding Station This should help to protect the food you offer hedgehogs from inclement weather and deter larger mammals from accessing the food, allowing hedgehogs to dine in the dry and in peace! Suitable food to offer would be specialist hedgehog food, white meal cat/dog food or cat biscuits.

Don’t forget to offer water!

What will I need? n Large Plastic Storage Box n Hacksaw/Strong Scissors n Insulation Tape n 2 Bricks or Large Stones

Tel: 01584 890801

1 Very carefully cut a 13cm x 13cm

(5” x 5”) square gap in one of the short sides of the box, cover sharp edges with the insulation tape.

2 Place the food and water at the

back of the box as far away from the entrance as possible.

3 Place one brick on top of the box

to prevent it from being easily moved and another approx 13cm (5”) away from the entrance to stop larger mammals being able to lie down and hook the food out with their paws.

Voila! A Hedgehog Diner!

www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk

Registered Charity Number 1164542

British Hedgehog Preservation Society, Hedgehog House, Dhustone, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 3PL

Kennedys USE.qxp_Layout 1 08/08/2019 09:57 Page 49

www.kennedywildbirdfood.co.uk

Supplying the UK with high-quality wild bird food and bird seed We are a family run wild bird food and wild bird seed supplier based in rural Lincolnshire. We supply only the finest quality products.

SUITABLE FOR ALL YEAR ROUN D FEEDING FROM BIRD TABLES

Ground feed mix Our orginal ground feed mixture that's so adored by Robins, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes and all other ground feeding birds. Suitable for all year round feeding.

Either scattetered on the floor or placed on a table or ground feeder. Contains no wheat. £32.20/25kg

SUITABLE FOR ALL SMALL BIRDS

Split Peanuts

Economy wild bird mix

Small blanched, split peanuts (skins removed). Extra rich in both protein and oils, thus making an excellent and essential food for all year feeding. Peanuts are suitable and liked by most species of birds, and have long been the most popular of wild bird feeds. All our peanuts are certified as nil detectable signs of aflatoxin. £42.99/25kg

ADORED

BY ROBINS, BLACKBIRDS AND SONG THRUSHES

With our specialised blending of a number of nutritional seeds, this mix is suitable for a large variety of birds. High in black sunflower thus providing oil and protein and meeting all essential feeding requirements. Suitable for all year round feeding. £24.95/25kg

Superior high energy mix An extremely high energy mixture blended with the highest quality seeds.

Suitable for all small birds and ideal for all year round feeding. Best fed from a seedfeeder or scattered on a bird table.

Contains nowheat. £35.65/25kg

ATTRACTIVE TO ROBINS, BLACKBIRDS AND THRUSHES

Dried mealworms Dried mealworms are a tasty treat for garden birds with all the nutrition of live mealworms without the 'worm factor'.

Attractive to robins, blackbirds, thrushes and all other insect eating birds.

Available in sizes ranging from 250g to 10kg. £33.50/3kg

ALL YEAR ROUND FEEDING

Sunflower hearts Bakery grade premium sunflower hearts.

No unsightly husk. A food that is loved by most species of birds being high in both protein and oils. Makes a most desirable all year round food. £35.99/25kg

SUITABLE FOR A WIDE RANG E OF WILD BIRDS

Suet special blend mix

Small fatballs The best, fattiest fat balls on the internet. Small Fat balls (no nets) offer a wide range of wild birds a nutritious and important source of energy specifically during winter and nesting season. Each fatball at approx 95g available in either boxes of 150 or 2 boxes of 150. £37.60/300.

This blended suet mixture is packed full of highIy calorific ingredients, it is ideal for all year round feeding and will attract a great variety of both small and medium sized birds to your garden. No re-growth under feeding station. Contains no wheat. £43.20/25kg

5% DISCOUNT on all orders OVER £50 Tel: 01778 342665

FREE NEXT DAY DELIVERY

info@kennedywildbirdfood.co.uk

Won’t grow mix Blended with 60% bakery grade sunflowerhearts, this energy rich mixture has been blended to ensure no re-growth under your feeding station. Suitable for all year round feeding. Best fed from seed feeder, scattered on bird table or from ground feeder. Contains no wheat.£38.25/25kg

Superior finch mix This classic mixture was blended specifically with finches in mind.

Contains a wonderful selection of the finest seeds and is suitable for all year round feeding. Best fed from seedfeeder or scattered on a bird table. Contains no wheat. £36.65/25kg

10% off first order for new customers use promo code NEW10 at checkout

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The Forgotten Casualties Of War

By Ben Wilkes Trustee Border Collie Trust GB www.bordercollietrustgb.org.uk

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hrough an interest in history and attending a number of 1940's events recently, I began reading more about the effect on civilian life during World War II. In doing so I came across a reference to The National Air Raid Precautions Animals Committee (NARPAC).

I'd heard of ARP Wardens, The National Fire Service, Civil Defence, WRVS and all the civilian organisations that played such a big part on the Home Front, but who and what was NARPAC? As the world moved towards World War II the government began plans to advise the public on all aspects of how they might be affected, including evacuation. In an effort to bring animal charities together they formed NARPAC in the summer of 1939. They produced a pamphlet called, “Advice to Animal Owners."

It's often reported that the pamphlet advised pet owners to take their pets to the countryside in case of an emergency. If the owners could not do so, or find neighbours to care for the family pet, it would be “kindest to have them destroyed.”. It did however also point out that people shouldn't rush into this decision, siting the potential rise in vermin as a result of a mass cull of animals such as cats. It seems that the “kindest to have them destroyed.” advice was picked up on and printed in almost every newspaper and announced on the BBC. Animal charities, the PDSA, the RSPCA and vets were all opposed to the killing of pets and very concerned about people just dumping animals on their doorsteps at the start of the war.

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home has been open since 1860. They opposed the advice given by NARPAC, and they asked people not to act so quickly when it came to bringing in their pets.

War was declared on 3rd September 1939 and it's reported that in the first week of war, between 400,000 and 750,000 pets were taken to be 38

Above: Animal Guard arm band and Animal Guard badge

destroyed. The lower figure is more than six time the number of civilian casualties on the Home Front during the entire war as a result of enemy bombing. So shocking was this to animal lovers and many charities, including Dogs Trust (then known as National Canine Defence League - NCDL) it was referred to as "the September Holocaust" On the 7th September 1930, the Times reported that thousands of dogs and cats has been euthanized. The RSPCA had to double the number of staff at its London clinics. The People's Dispensary For Sick Animals (PDSA) hospitals and dispensaries were overwhelmed by owners bringing their pets for destruction. PDSA founder Maria Dickin reported: "Our technical officers called upon to perform this unhappy duty will never forget the tragedy of those days.". The small Wood Green Animal Shelter in north London witnessed a queue nearly half a mile long of people waiting to hand over the dogs and cats. In just two days, 3rd and 4th September they destroyed 536 pets.

After the first week the situation settled and In Memoriam notices began to be printed in local newspapers. By

29 APRIL – 29 MAY 2020 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

the middle of September 1939 pet owners were being "begged to keep their pets, if possible" because of the threat of vermin.

Indeed by spring 1942 the BBC referred to cats as "doing work of national importance".

London experienced its first bombing in September of 1940 and as a result more pet owners began to panic. Now, even more animals were being brought to clinics for their deaths.

The government painted these tragic killings as a necessity; and thousands of people listened. Many pet owners felt as though it would not right to keep a pet during the war. They saw this as a luxury, especially with possible bombings and the shortage of food–both for people and for the pets.

Of course there were many who defied the "official advice" and there are recollections of people standing in line to purchase horse meat to be able to feed their family cat. It was the lack of food, not bombs, that posed the biggest threat to wartime pets. There was no food ration for cats and dogs.

The government in fact introduced legislation making it an offence to feed human grade food to dogs and cats.

The Duchess of Hamilton was

one person who tried to prevent being pets killed. Using her wealth, she was able to create an animal sanctuary. It was here where she had members of her staff bring rescued pets to live during the war. Beside the sanctuary, she also brought hundreds of animals back to her home to keep them alive.

It's reported that NARPAC wasn't very successful in its mission to bring animal charities together and there are references to many disagreements between those in NARPAC themselves and charities. They were successful though in introducing a national registration system for dogs and cats and with the introduction of Animal Guards began to provide numbered discs to dog and cat owners. Local animal lovers were appointed as Animal Guards and would find and help stray dogs and cats after bombing raids to receive veterinary care if required and hopefully to be reunited with owners.

The majority of this information is available from the book Bonzo's War: Animals Under Fire 1939 -1945 by Clare Campbell which provides a compelling read. Further information can be found in an online article - Hilda Kean (2015) The Dog and Cat Massacre of September 1939 and the People's War, European Review of History. www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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PLAY NOW

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B40mUJwidvgTpaZbWShhtxJhPpL4KZOw/view?usp=sharing

www.rescueandanimalcare.com

RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE 29 APRIL – 29 MAY 2020

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Sensitive pets Even the toughest dog or cat can be somewhat sensitive at times. Whether that sensitivity is inside or outside, it will drive your pet bonkers if their stomach is delicate or their skin is itching like a rough old jumper or scratchy label. And their ailments are likely to annoy us too!

“

There are some supplements and foods that are designed for dogs with sensitive skins.

”

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tarting from the inside, a sensitive digestion will cause your pet discomfort and anxiety. Symptoms of a sensitive stomach include diarrhoea, vomiting and wind.

Others may include dry-heaving, discomfort of the stomach, side biting (pet seemingly trying to nip itself in the side), loss of appetite, grass eating, bloating and decreased energy. Even parasites can be a symptom of a sensitive stomach. If you have even the slightest concern that all is not well with your pet’s insides, then you should see your vet as it could, of course, be something more serious that needs attention.

There are no breeds of dog which are predisposed to having food allergies or being sensitive to certain food groups. Many people get confused between what is a food allergy and what is a food intolerance; they are two distinct conditions. Food allergies will appear as itching and other skin problems. Food intolerances are often manifested by an upset stomach or diarrhea as a result of eating food which does not agree with the dog’s stomach.

Most basic food ingredients included in standard dog and cat foods have the potential to induce an unwanted response, although most reactions are caused by proteins. In particular, dogs and cats can become sensitive to cow's milk, beef, fish or cereal.

If your pet’s sensitivity is due to food allergies or intolerances, then you will have to take professional advice on improvements

29 APRIL – 29 MAY 2020 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

to diet. If it is suspected that your pet has food allergies or intolerances, you and your vet will have to work out what is causing the problems. This is done by elimination. After it is established what the problem is, the solution may well be a simple one. Many manufacturers produce dog or cat foods for pets with sensitive tums, and these exclude the ingredients that typically cause our pets problems. If your dog or cat’s allergy or intolerance is fairly common, then a ready-made food should do the trick. Food manufacturers have websites offering a wealth of information so take the time to read them all and take advantage of the free advice they offer – some offer helplines, as well. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

You will know that your dog or cat is responding to the improved diet, as the obvious diarrhoea or vomiting will improve / cease plus the coat will be shiny and healthy, and your dog’s weight will be at a good level.

Plus your pet won’t have constant wind or be itching!

If you find a food that your pet does well on, don’t be tempted to constantly switch to experiment or to try other things. Changing your sensitive pet’s diet overnight may well cause the old problems so always take advice and let your pet enjoy the routine of a happy digestive system. Never be tempted to try your dog on cat food or vice versa, as they are constructed different as each species has different nutritional requirements.

Don’t be tempted to overfeed a pet with a sensitive tummy to compensate for their www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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condition – it won’t help. Nor should you be tempted to increase treats.

Looking at the outside of your pet, identifying sensitive skin can be a little easier. The skin of dogs is actually more sensitive than ours, which makes sympathising with them easier as we know what it is like to get a dry or itchy patch of skin in some hard to reach spot. A dog’s natural habitat of enjoying lying on the earth, rolling in grass or running through fields will also cause irritation in the shape of seed heads, bits of foliage, pesky insects (including fleas) and some pollen. All of these can irritate your dog’s skin. Even in the process of helping your dog you could be making it worse – the residue of some shampoos can cause irritation.

And of course we have already explored in this article the fact that food allergies can manifest themselves in problem skin.

As well as an improvement to diet, brushing your dog most days in summer will help remove pollens etc., plus keep matting under control. You will also be helping to remove moulting hair. (Cats will almost certainly appreciate a groom, and with long-haired breeds this is vital in keeping matted coat at bay.) Keeping your dog clean will help as well, so ensure that your dog is groomed and bathed regularly. Seek help online as you should take care not to over do it. If your dog has sensitive skin, you should also consider using a specialist shampoo that is specially formulated for your dog’s skin.

A good technique for dog bathing is to use your bath or a sink which is large enough so the dog feels safe. Use warm water, never too hot or too cold. Leave it to cool for while if that is easier than adding cold water. After a groom to remove loose hair, pop your dog in the bath and wet thoroughly with water avoiding the eyes and ears. Using your hands (wear rubber gloves if you prefer your dog won’t mind!) smooth a modest amount of

shampoo over the dog and gently rub so that it lathers. Rinse thoroughly. If using a spray, make sure the temperature is comfortable.

Don’t leave your dog unattended. Take the dog out and towel dry immediately.

If you have a small dog, lifting it onto a towel on the floor then towel drying with a towel over the back will cut down the inevitable ‘shake and spray’ which is the ‘reward’ of the dog bather. A treat is nice for a dog that has been patient, and it is not unusual for dogs to be excited post bath and need a run round the garden! Certainly a piddle should be offered. When dry or nearly dry if it is warm, once your dog has had a comfort break and a treat, let him or her have a bit of peace and quiet to rest after all the excitement.

If your dog is prone to itching and scratching, it is vital you keep on top of flea treatments as bites from these pesky things will drive your dog nuts, causing sore or raw patches, loss of hair, and saliva staining on white-haired breeds such as Westies. These treatments are best done after a bath, as often you cannot administer them for a certain amount of days before the treatment.

There are some supplements and foods that are designed for dogs with sensitive skins. These are worth considering, particularly if you have real trouble keeping your dog comfortable. Don’t be afraid to ask the manufacturers for their advice and always ask your vet for their opinion.

If your pet has sensitive skin, it is well worth keeping on top of bed cleanliness.

Keep pet towels and blankets fresh and consider cutting down on detergent as well.

Investing in special pet blankets may seem unnecessary, but if they are easier to keep clean than a wool blanket or they tumble dry, it will make the task much easier. Don’t forget blankets etc., which stay in your car for travelling. For fabric beds that take a while to dry, hanging them on the line or giving them a good shake outdoors and of course plastic beds can be scrubbed and rinsed. Keeping pet blankets fresh will also greatly help your home smell fresh as well. If your dog or cat is avoiding their bed, it could be that it is uncomfortable or itchy with things we can’t feel.

Pets have a clever way of pointing out what is wrong, if only we didn’t sometimes mistake it for naughtiness!

Photo credits: ©Adobe stock

www.rescueandanimalcare.com

Happy Tummy® After a decade of success with horses and humans Fine Fettle Products is now coming into the pet market with its superb charcoal feed additive Happy Tummy®!

Added to a pet’s food daily Happy Tummy® is able to adsorb over 4,000 toxic substances and carry them out of the creature’s system naturally. This takes a load off the immune system and helps its liver, kidneys and digestive system to work more efficiently.

For full information and to order visit www.finefettlefeed.com or for more information and expert advice call 01600 712496.

Calming Wipes pack of 12 Use the eco-friendly wipe in the same way as you would with the calming spray by gentle rubbing around muzzle, under chin and top of chest of your pet (including horses!). £6.50.

Visit www.petremedy.co.uk

RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE 29 APRIL – 29 MAY 2020

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Audrey in her stable at the Horse Hospital.

Rescued pony Audrey leaves Redwings Horse Hospital after Five Years Equine carers at Redwings Horse Sanctuary are celebrating after a rescued pony was finally discharged from the charity’s Horse Hospital after five years.

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en-year-old cob cross Audrey is slowly being introduced to a new herd after years of individual turn-out while she received intensive treatment for the serious hoof infection canker.

At one point, it was decided that the kindest thing to do would be to put her to sleep, but tenacious Audrey continued to defy the odds

PLAY NOW A video of Audrey’s first turn-out with her new friends is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22HTamONnGE 42

29 APRIL – 29 MAY 2020 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

and, after much patience and determination shown by her carers, her condition eventually went into remission.

After spending a couple of weeks sharing a fence line with her prospective new fieldmates - fellow cobs Clarence and Fleetwood – it was clear positive relationships were being formed, so Audrey’s carers took the decision to turn them out together for the first time this week.

Redwings’ Veterinary Surgeon, Sarah Prior, who is based at the Horse Hospital in Norfolk, said: “Seeing Audrey out in a paddock, making new friends, has brought a tear to quite a few people’s eyes!

“We honestly thought she may never leave the Hospital as that was the only way we could keep on top of this terrible infection she had. Audrey even had her own speciallydesignated care paddock and stable as she was such a long-term resident – she kind of became the Hospital

mascot! Everyone loved her so much, but we were desperate for her to have friends.

“Especially in the times we’re living in right now, knowing – however long it’s taken – that we’ve been able to turn her life around and to see her so happy, has been an incredible lift for everyone.”

Audrey was rescued in 2014 from horrific conditions at a site in Wales, where hundreds of horses were found stranded deep in mud without any food, suffering from malnutrition, worms and infectious diseases.

Shortly after starting a new life at the Sanctuary, her carers reported her to Redwings’ veterinary team in January 2015 when it appeared she was suffering from a mild infection in her two front feet. They used topical treatments to soothe the condition, but just a few weeks later, Audrey was back before the vets with her feet looking much worse. It was then that she was diagnosed with canker. www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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Audrey with vet nurse Lou Gedge in her special care paddock.

Farriers were called in to remove as much of the infected hoof tissue as possible, but the canker returned. So in August 2015, Audrey underwent a general anaesthetic to strip back her hooves even further and her stay at the Hospital began. Just six months later however, she had to have more abnormal tissue removed from one hoof under a standing sedation.

Sadly, with all treatment options being exhausted, it was agreed in 2016 that Audrey would be given a final summer to enjoy some peaceful turn-out and then she would be put to sleep due to the impact her condition was having on her quality of life. As there is a risk that canker could be contagious, she was given her own stable and special care paddock at the Hospital, between which she split her time.

Sarah said: “Canker is a very frustrating disease as some cases fail to respond to surgical or medical treatment. When we decided to give her one last summer, we simply dressed her hooves every day, treated them with iodine, put her in some protective boots and kept an eye on her. Then, to our surprise, her www.rescueandanimalcare.com

Audrey's hoof before surgery.

condition started to stabilise.

“We were very sad that she was on her own as we like all the horses to be in herds where they can exhibit their natural behaviours, but she seemed so content that it became difficult to justify putting her to sleep. If she had been miserable, then it probably would have been another story, but we decided to keep monitoring her and that’s what we continued to do for the next few years.”

During this time, Redwings’ Behaviour specialists worked closely with the veterinary nurses to help Audrey stay as relaxed as possible during her numerous assessments and treatments, as well as provide advice on enrichment activities.

Then, in 2019, to everyone’s amazement the canker looked like it was starting to clear up. Over the next year, the veterinary team slowly began to withdraw from dressing Audrey’s hooves and started looking for some suitable friends for her. Then, in March 2020, they were finally able to introduce her to Clarence and

Audrey's hoof after surgery.

Fleetwood and bid her an emotional farewell from the Hospital.

Lynn Cutress, Redwings’ Chief Executive, said: “The love given to Audrey by our veterinary team and equine carers has been extraordinary and I’m so proud of everything they’ve done for her. To dedicate five years to treating a pony, with no real end date in sight at one point, shows the incredible extra mile our teams go to ensure our rescued horses enjoy the happy lives they deserve, often after such terrible neglect. I’m going to miss seeing Audrey in her special paddock every day, but I can’t wait to hear about her new life with her friends!” n Redwings is a registered charity 100% funded by donations from the public. If you’d like to donate to help the charity’s Horse Hospital care for more patients, like Audrey, visit www.redwings.org.uk/donating

RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE 29 APRIL – 29 MAY 2020

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Orwell now

Redwings vets on the frontline While many of us remain in lockdown, vets across the country continue to work on the frontline in amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, including those at Redwings Horse Sanctuary.

Orwell on arrival to Redwings.

n Redwings is a registered charity 100% funded by donations from the public. If you’d like to help its Horse Hospital help more ponies, like Orwell, please consider donating by visiting www.redwings.org.uk/donating 44

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he Sanctuary is home to 1,500 rescued horses, ponies, donkeys and mules, and its vet team are working hard in these challenging times to ensure they receive all the care they need.

In April, Redwings celebrated World Veterinary Day by sharing the story of a very special resident who underwent life-saving emergency surgery – three-year-old Orwell.

Cob cross Orwell was just a foal when he was rescued in 2017 with nine other ponies who were discovered in extremely poor condition, suffering from overgrown hooves, lice and large worm burdens. He’s well known to the vet team at Redwings due to his slightly twisted muzzle and misaligned jaw which means he requires regular specialist dental work to ensure he can chew comfortably.

Unfortunately, Orwell began to show signs of colic – a severe type of abdominal pain, which can be a sign of something very serious.

He appeared to respond well to initial treatment, but within a few hours, his condition started to deteriorate and tests showed his intestines were becoming stressed and inflamed. While the vet team has suspended routine surgical procedures in response to the coronavirus outbreak, they knew emergency surgery was the only option for severely unwell Orwell.

Redwings’ Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Nicky Jarvis, said: “The decision was made to take Orwell to surgery and hopefully

29 APRIL – 29 MAY 2020 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

correct the cause of the colic. Luckily we have full surgical facilities at our Hospital, so a surgical team was quickly assembled and Orwell was taken to theatre under a full general anaesthetic.”

The skilled team operated throughout the night and discovered Orwell was suffering from a heavy impaction within his intestines, which had also become slightly displaced from their usual position.

Following the surgery, poor Orwell was very dull and required extensive care from the vet team who worked in shifts to provide him with pain relief, anti-biotics and fluids around the clock.

He has since been allowed short walks to enjoy nibbles of grass with his ICU nurses Leigh and Meg, and currently needs regular attention to change his abdominal dressing and the belly band supporting his surgical wound.

Nicky added: “Orwell has finally started to turn the corner and become much more his ‘old self’. He is not a fan of his intensive care stable and much prefers to be outside, so he often tries to follow you out of the stable. It’s hard to explain ‘bed rest’ to a pony!”

It’s still early days in Orwell’s recovery but the progress he has made so far would not have been possible without Redwings’ veterinary surgeons, vet nurses, equine carers and nights team, who together have ensured he has received all the care he needs. They are frontline heroes!

www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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HorseWorld invites entries for first virtual horse show • HorseWorld launches first online event to celebrate excellent equines.

• Virtual horse show set to give people “reasons to be cheerful”.

• Charity invites donations to assist in covering lost income from cancelled fundraising events.

• Celebrity judges to be announced!

Bristol-based charity HorseWorld is encouraging equine lovers to come together in celebration of their favourite horse and donkey companions through a virtual horse show.

The show is offering a wide range of silly and sensible categories, giving horses, ponies and donkeys of all sizes the opportunity for victory. There are opportunities for the ‘Funniest Face’, those with ‘Best Big Hair’, a glorious ‘Golden Oldie’, as well as ‘Best Equine Teacher’.

As well as the opportunity to win prizes donated by NAF and EQU StreamZ, some categories will be judged by famous faces, who the charity will be revealing over the coming days.

Stephen Poole, Director of Fundraising and Communications at HorseWorld said; “We all need reasons to be cheerful and

The Pit Pony Sanctuary Help us turn Horses and Ponies Like this – Into This!

Lady a few days after rescue

celebrating our equine friends seems to be a wonderful one.

“For many of us the relationships we have with horses whether they’re our own, ones we’ve known in the past or just ones who hold a special place in our hearts, are a lifeline.

“In these times when life is particularly challenging, HorseWorld wanted to give supporters an opportunity to champion their favourite equine chums and remember just how lucky we are to have these wonderful animals in our lives.“ The organisation which rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes horses and donkeys has been forced to get creative in finding imaginative ways to not only generate essential income lost from the cancellation of fundraising events, but also help their supporters to keep connected with the charity.

“With major fundraising events cancelled and any other public fundraising activity postponed for the foreseeable future, we have lost a significant proportion of vital income,” said Stephen.

“We appreciate there’s a lot of financial uncertainty at the moment, so entry into the horse show is free. However, our teams are working tirelessly to provide the essential care required by our large HorseWorld herd of rescued horses, ponies and donkeys. Consequently we are asking that those who are able donate just £2.50 for each category they enter.”

Anyone not able to be with their equine friend due to lockdown restrictions can still enter, as photographs do not need to have been taken recently.

“We encourage everyone to stay home and stay safe, so this is the perfect opportunity for people to delve into their photo albums, find their favourites and send in their entries,” said Stephen. “The show really is all about having fun, but there are some great prizes on offer, thanks to our friends and corporate supporters.”

The show has been made possible thanks to a number of generous supporters and sponsors including equine nutrition specialists NAF, advertising agency Hello Starling, charity website experts Tickbox, magnetic therapy inventors and manufacturers EQU StreamZ, and Wards Solicitors.

Closing date for entries is Sunday 3rd May. More information about the horse show can be found at www.horseworld.org.uk/horseshow

Lady several weeks after rescue

They are a small group in Wales who care for all the Needy Horses & Ponies they can with their meagre resources. They would be so grateful for your help.

Sponsor a Pony at www.sponsorapony.co.uk Online shoppers please use www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/pitpony to help the Ponies whilst shopping on line at no cost to you.

Visit www.pitponies.co.uk or call 01443 480327/ Emergency 07798584735 www.rescueandanimalcare.com

Registered Charity No. 1002933

RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE 29 APRIL – 29 MAY 2020

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Test your rabbit’s intelligence whilst having fun!

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ver feel like some of your friends make fun of the fact that you have a rabbit? Do they think that bunnies are ridiculously cute but lack intelligence, personality and the ability to form any type of relationship with humans? Well, they could not be more wrong; bunnies are capable of far more than some people give them credit for. Any rabbit can be trained to use a litter box, they enjoy playing with their toys and they will follow you around pleading for attention. These things are basic for any bun; yet many people fail to notice their ability to problem solve, memorise and react accordingly to cues.

In the wild, rabbits are prey to nearly every predator out there, so they have to be very quick and cunning to avoid being on the menu. Their sense of smell is phenomenal as they can find food as far as half a mile from their burrow. They can leap unaided, way above the height of their own ears, and their ability to long jump rivals that of an Olympic athlete, often further than the length of their body.

They love to climb, as high as possible, to scout the country

side looking for predators. Their eyes see above and behind their heads whilst their ears magnify the stealthy footsteps of any predator. The wild rabbit also has to be a skilful engineer, digging a network of tunnels is vital for their survival, using roots from trees and bushes as structural supports.

Rabbits are also social animals and in the wild they would live in herds. Each rabbit has its own preferences, habits and characteristics to make them unique. All rabbits have the ability to demonstrate affection, jealousy, anger, happiness, sadness, fear, dominance, satisfaction, curiosity, cunning, restlessness, boredom, excitement and amusement if treated correctly.

Everyone wants to find ways to spend more time with their little cotton tail, so why not do something that will amuse you both but will test your bunnies intelligence at the same time?

Playing games is a great way to bond with your pet and training their brain and improving their skills greatly improves their wellbeing. Why not start with an easy logic toy? Your bunny has to solve

a problem to get a reward, for example a treat ball. Treat balls encourage movement and promotes the rabbit using their nose to push the ball to release a treat – and there, the problem is solved! Most bunnies will pick this up easily and will show great enthusiasm so you can then move on to something a bit more taxing. You can easily purchase logic toys or if you are feeling creative you can make one.

Lifting a lid may not be the most difficult thing to do for your bun but it’s a great place to start and allows progression. Finding a small box with a hinged lid is ideal. Putting your pet’s favourite treat inside will surely attract their attention. Patience and encouragement is the key as it may be a little difficult to understand at first. Show your bunny how to open the lid and encourage when they are starting to step in the right direction but let them figure it out - this may need to be done more than once. If it becomes all a bit too much and your rabbit becomes disinterested then stop and try again another day. Don’t ever force anything as this is when they shut down and could

even result in them getting scared. Once your little bun has become established with the first exercise why not add a few more boxes with different openings to test your bun further.

Some rabbits may not show intelligence until they are taught.

If they started life in a too small cage their spirit may be dampened but it won’t take long for you to get it back! Also, once your rabbit has learnt its new skill they will never start back at zero and you will see them using it to solve other problems they will come across in their day to day adventures.

So, why not give some logic games a go and see what skills your rabbit has been hiding from you. You could start with a simple treat ball, progress to hinged box and much, much more, the logic game world is yours and your rabbit’s oyster!

Training TOP TIPS:-

1. The best time to start teaching is when they are hungry – right before food time is best.

2. Use their favourite treat!

3. Make sure you only teach one toy at a time.

4. Instruct and encourage but allow them to solve the puzzle on their own.

5. Don’t ever force anything.

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www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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No social distancing for rabbits: Why two bunnies are better than one RVC study finds single housing increases stress related behaviour and decreases body temperature, highlighting how owners should avoid having lone rabbits.

A study released by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has found that, despite recent surveys suggesting that about half of pet rabbits are housed singly, housing rabbits together actually reduces stress related behaviour and helps them keep warm in winter.

The study, which sought to compare the welfare of single versus paired rabbits, was conducted during wintertime at a rabbit-only rescue centre, and included 45 rabbits, comprising of 15 housed singly and 15 pairs. Like most pet rabbits, they were housed either outdoors or in unheated outbuildings.

Singletons were mostly in smaller enclosures than the pairs, and were awaiting pairing with a suitable partner.

In the wild, rabbits are social, but they are also territorial. Therefore, researcher Dr Charlotte Burn of the RVC, predicted singletons would show more stress-related behaviour, and reduced body temperature (being unable to huddle with another individual when cold), but that pairs may be aggressive towards each other.

The results from the study indicate that social housing prevents rabbits biting at the bars of their housing, helps them keep warm, and may help buffer stress. Behavioural observations revealed bar-biting in eight of the fifteen single rabbits compared with none of www.rescueandanimalcare.com

the thirty paired rabbits – bar-biting has previously been linked with frustration and attempts to escape.

Pairs interacted socially almost one third of the time, such as huddling together, grooming or nuzzling each other. Interestingly, aggression between pairs was never observed during the study. Most of the pairs comprised a neutered female and neutered male, which may be the most harmonious partnership for pet rabbits.

The study also found that body temperature was significantly lower in singletons than pairs, with at least 0.5oC mean difference. On colder days, rabbits adopted compact postures more often, and relaxed postures less frequently, suggesting that they were actively attempting to keep warm. After handling, pairs returned to normal behaviour in the home-pen significantly faster than singletons did. Enclosure size showed no significant effects in this study, but previous research has indicated that a hutch is not enough for rabbits.

Dr Charlotte Burn, Associate Professor in Animal Welfare and Behaviour Science at the RVC, said: “It was really sad to discover that lone rabbits were so much colder than the paired ones, and that more than half of

them were seen biting at the bars of their enclosures.

“It’s crucial that we take rabbits’ needs for a companion seriously. There is a culture of getting ‘a rabbit’ and this needs to change, meaning that pet shops, vets and animal welfare charities should advise owners on housing rabbits with a compatible partner. Part of the enjoyment of having rabbits is surely to see them playing and resting together, especially when we give them suitably large housing.”

Lea Facey, Manager of The Rabbit Residence Rescue Charity, said: “It’s so important for the advancement of rabbit welfare that these issues are highlighted.”

The compatibility of individual rabbits is an important factor to consider, and it can be difficult to pair rabbits without them becoming stressed or aggressive, or having unwanted litters, so she continued, “We offer a bonding service if you have a single rabbit who is looking for a friend.”

The research was conducted as a dissertation project in part fulfilment of a BSc in Bioveterinary Sciences at RVC. n Visit www.rvc.ac.uk RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE 29 APRIL – 29 MAY 2020

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Dogs could join the fight against COVID-19 Medical Detection Dogs is looking into whether man’s best friend could play a role in preventing the spread of Coronavirus.

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he charity has spent years successfully researching the science behind dogs’ sense of smell and believes that dogs could detect the disease. It has always adopted a rigorous, scientific approach to its work, and produced more than a dozen peer reviewed research papers which support its belief that each disease has its own unique odour.

Medical Detection Dogs will be working in partnership with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and Durham University, bringing together the team which recently collaborated to successfully prove that dogs can be trained to detect malaria.

Together they have started preparations to intensively train dogs so they could be ready in 6 weeks to help provide a rapid, non-invasive diagnosis towards the tail end of the epidemic, and approached government about how dogs can play a role in the fight against the disease.

Dogs searching for COVID-19 would be trained in the same way as those dogs the charity has already trained to detect diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s and bacterial infections – by sniffing samples in the charity’s training room and indicating when they have found it. They are also able to detect subtle changes in temperature of the skin, so could potentially tell if someone has a fever.

Once trained, dogs could also be used to identify travellers entering the country infected with the virus or be deployed in other public spaces.

Dr Claire Guest, CEO and CoFounder of Medical Detection Dogs, says: “In principle, we’re sure that dogs could detect COVID-19. We are now looking into how we can safely catch the odour of the virus from

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patients and present it to the dogs.

“The aim is that dogs will be able to screen anyone, including those who are asymptomatic and tell us whether they need to be tested. This would be fast, effective and non-invasive and make sure the limited NHS testing resources are only used where they are really needed.”

Professor James Logan, Head of Department of Disease Control at The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and Director of ARCTEC, said: “Our previous work demonstrated that dogs can detect odours from humans with a malaria infection with extremely high accuracy – above the World Health Organisation standards for a diagnostic.

“We know that other respiratory diseases like COVID-19, change our body odour so there is a very high chance that dogs will be able to detect it. This new diagnostic tool could revolutionise our response to COVID-19 in the short term, but particularly in the months to come, and could be profoundly impactful.”

Professor Steve Lindsay at Durham University says: “If the research is successful, we could use COVID-19 detection dogs at airports at the end of the epidemic to rapidly identify people carrying the virus. This would help prevent the re-emergence of the disease after we have brought the present epidemic under control.”

Norman

Digby

Star

Jasper

For more information visit www.medicaldetectiondogs.org.uk

Asher

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Six super sniffers that could detect CV-19 These six noses could soon be trained to detect if someone has COVID-19 and play a vital role in preventing further spread of the pandemic in future.

Norman, Digby, Storm, Star, Jasper and Asher are ready to be assessed to work on a project to train dogs to detect the virus, and their noses could pick up its scent in as little as 6 to 8 weeks.

The charity Medical Detection Dogs will intensively train the dogs that pass the assessment to help provide a rapid, non-invasive diagnosis towards the tail end of the epidemic.

They are working in partnership with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and Durham University.

The collaborators have been speaking to government at the highest level and in the meantime launched a crowdfunder to start raising funds for the preliminary stages.

If successful, the dogs could also be able to detect subtle changes in temperature of the skin.

Once trained, the super six could lead the way for dogs to be used to identify travellers entering the country infected with the virus or be deployed in other public spaces.

The potential recruits could not be more different in terms of background and character, with half of them being rescue dogs, but they could all be life-savers.

NORMAN Age: 2 Breed: Working Cocker Spaniel Temperament: The perfect mix of laid back and motivated At work: Takes his job very seriously, focussed At home: Affectionate, full of life, the perfect companion Likes: Free running, sniffing, playing ball Background: Norman joined Medical Detection Dogs from Wood Green, The Animals Charity DIGBY Age: 20 months Breed: Labradoodle Temperament: confident boy, sociable and curious. A gentle giant At work: A methodical, determined, thinker At home: Laid back and friendly. Enjoys a nap.

Likes: Toys, going to the park to see friends he knows Background: Joined Medical Detection Dogs from another assistance dog charity

Storm

STORM Age: 3 Breed: Labrador x Golden Retriever Temperament: Excitable, enthusiastic At work: Focused and loves to use his nose At home: Sweet, soft , eager to please Likes: Chase games, cuddles, sunbathing Background: Joined Medical Detection Dogs from another assistance dog charity

STAR Age: 2 Breed: Labrador Temperament: Happy and Enthusiastic.

At work: Keen to work and full of energy.

At home: Loves playtime with her favourite toys, a nice long walk and a cuddle Likes: Learning and playing with the other dogs Background: Came to Medical Detection Dogs from a private breeder JASPER Age: 1 Breed: Working Cocker Spaniel Temperament: Busy, keen to learn At work: Fast but methodical.

At home: Loves walks and adventures followed by a cuddle Likes: Walks, visiting new places, eating carrots, playing with his friends and work Background: Came to Medical Detection Dogs from Wood Green The Animals Charity ASHER Age: 5 Breed: Working Cocker Spaniel Temperament: eccentric At work: Very focussed At home: Usually found playing in the field or snuggled up on the sofa Likes: Using his nose, playing, howling to be let through doors Background: Asher had a tough start and was rehomed several times due to his high drive and sensitive nature but now lives with the CEO of Medical Detection Dogs, Claire Guest.

Dr Claire Guest, CEO and Co-Founder of Medical Detection Dogs, says: “Our aim is that some of these amazing 6 dogs will be able to passively screen any individual, including those with no symptoms, and tell our dog handlers whether they have detected the virus. This will then need to be confirmed by a medical test.

“We will train them in the same way we train our other Bio Detection Dogs, in our training room, and then transfer them to detecting on individuals in a similar way to our Medical Alert Assistance Dogs.

“The samples that the dogs will be trained on at the centre will be deactivated (dead) virus and therefore of no risk to the dogs or handlers. When sniffing people the dogs will not need to make contact but will sniff the air around a person. The dogs will therefore not be in direct contact with the people screened to prevent the risk of spreading the virus.” n Medical Detection Dogs, LSHTM and Durham University have launched a crowdfunder to help raise funds for this proposal, to make a donation please visit https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/md-dogs-against-covid19#/ Images credit: Bex Arts and Nigel Harper Photography

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Blue Cross supporters foster horses to help charity during lockdown

National Pet Charity Blue Cross has been overwhelmed by the equestrian sector’s support to help provide temporary homes for as many horses in need as possible during lockdown.

Some of the eight ponies who have recovered from ringworm

n For details of Blue Cross horses looking for homes please visit https://www.bluecross.org.uk/rehome/horse.

If you are not in a position to rehome, but still wish to help, please consider supporting Blue Cross www.bluecross.org.uk 50

W

ith the charity’s two horse rehoming centres closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and staffing numbers greatly reduced, several of the charity’s regular support yards have stepped in to help out, taking horses temporarily into their own care.

Generous Blue Cross borrowers have also been offering practical support; with the centres closed to admissions the charity needed to find a solution for any horses needing to return from loan during this time.

An appeal to current Blue Cross borrowers resulted in an incredible 33 homes being offered to take returning horses on a short-term basis.

Currently Blue Cross has 82 horses remaining at its centres and a further 29 now in foster or support yards. One remarkable yard willingly took in eight horses with suspected Ringworm. Jennifer Handy from Leicestershire immediately agreed to take the horses to help Blue Cross, despite them all suffering from the highly infectious fungal disease.

“I have dealt with cases of ringworm before, so it didn’t deter me from taking this lovely group of ponies on,” explains Jennifer.

“I am lucky to have lots of fields and barns which means I have been able to keep them separate from my other horses. They have been treated with a body wash and spot treatment and all have now recovered. My family and I have a genuine love of horses and wanted to help the blue cross at this difficult time.”

The charity is also continuing with the initial part of its matchmaking process.

Horses and ponies looking for homes are being advertised promptly on the Blue Cross

29 APRIL – 29 MAY 2020 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

website, applications are being assessed and prospective borrowers are being contacted to discuss the rehoming process.

Some straightforward horses with low training needs, are being rehomed under strict social distancing guidelines, while others are being matched to new homes to help the charity act faster when things get back to normal.

The fact that Blue Cross has been using virtual technology for some years to help with home-checking of horses on their loan scheme has proved advantageous during the lockdown restrictions. By using WhatsApp or Facetime video calls, Blue Cross has been able to keep on top of its home-checks around the country.

“So far we have been able to stay ahead of the game, thanks to our familiarity with the use of support yards and virtual visits,” said Ruth Court, Horse Welfare Manager at Blue Cross. “We will never cease to be amazed at the generosity and kindness of our borrowers and the tireless innovation and adaptability of our teams. I am so proud of our ‘can do’ approach.

“We feel confident that we have the necessary plans in place and can cope with any horses that have to return from loan. We are in a strong position to keep pushing ahead with our rehoming process to give every horse the best possible chance of a new life.”

Blue Cross continues to work closely with other charities and organisations, sharing experiences, knowledge and ideas to prepare for the months ahead.

If you need support, advice or guidance about giving up your horse please email helpmyhorse@bluecross.org.uk www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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Think outside of the delivery box!

Eight ways to entertain your dog with a cardboard box and toilet roll tubes!

Keep your dog occupied during National Pet Month With the nation’s dog owners set to spend National Pet Month indoors, Dogs Trust is issuing some top tips on how dog owners can keep their dogs happy – all with simple household items – a cardboard box and toilet roll tubes!

Jenna Kiddie Head of Canine Behaviour at Dogs Trust, said: “We understand that owners may be looking for ways to keep their dogs occupied, especially when the current advice is to go outside just once a day for exercise with your four-legged friend. Whilst physical exercise is important for your dog, mental stimulation is also essential to help keep them happy.

You can make it fun for them, and because they’re using their brains, it’s just as tiring as physical exercise.

“It’s really easy for you keep your dog’s brain busy from the comfort of your own home using simple household items.

From activities involving their favourite treats, to games using things you may have left over from online deliveries, there are many ways you can keep your dog active, without stepping outside your front door.”

Dogs Trust has come up with eight fun ways to entertain your dog with a cardboard box and tubes whilst you’re staying indoors, and asking people to share their pictures and videos using the hashtag #MyDogIsForLife and tagging @DogsTrust on Twitter and Instagram.

Tutorial videos for the eight games will be released during National Pet Month on the charity’s social media pages, with the first one ‘the paw-fect figure 8’ launching today so dog owners can get started.

1. The paw-fect figure 8 – Get two boxes and set them out a little distance apart. Hold your dog’s treats or a favourite toy in one hand and slowly start to move them in a figure of eight around the two items, swapping the reward into your other hand at the centre point. One arm will guide your dog around the item to the left and the other arm will guide your dog around the item to your right. Repeat several times until you’ve got the movement smooth and well-rehearsed!

2. Digging deep: Shred or scrunch up newspaper or any paper items and pop them in an empty box. Drop in some treats or toys, and watch your dog dig away!

3. Paws-up: Can you get them to put their front feet on the box? Their back feet? Can you get them to run round to the left, to the right? Can smaller dogs sit in the box? Think outside of the box and we’re sure you won’t be able to contain yourself with all this fun!

4. Bowling balls: Create a 10-pin bowling alley with spare kitchen roll tubes. Have a competition and see how many pins you can knock down vs. your dog! www.rescueandanimalcare.com

5. Tunn-els of fun: Cut the sides of a few boxes and line them up to make your very own DIY tunnel. Encourage your dog to go through with the promise of treats or their favourite toy at the end of the tunnel!

6. Jog your dog’s memory: Lay out multiple boxes in a semi-circle and pop a treat in one of them, making sure your dog is watching. Hold up a sheet to block your furry friend’s vision, drop and then see if they remember which box the treat was in! Repeat the game and change the box with the treat in, see how many times they get it right!

7. Snoot challenge: next level – remember the original snoot challenge where you had to make a circular shape with your hands and wait for your pooch to run up and put their nose through the hole? Building from this, cut a hole out in your box and see if you can get your dog to poke their nose through it! *boop* 8. Teach your dog to read – for starters write different words (e.g. sit, down, paw) on different boxes that you want your dog to learn. Say the word that’s on the specific box in front of them, and ask them to do what the word says. When your dog does as you’ve asked, reward them with a tasty treat and repeat several times until your dog has associated the new word, with the specific box!

Images and videos shared with Dogs Trust will appear on the My Dog Is For Life webpage feed for others to see and take inspiration from. www.dogstrust.org.uk/mydogisforlife n For more information, visit www.dogstrust.org.uk

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Research reveals concern our pets won’t cope after lockdown is lifted Over a third of pet owners are concerned that their pet may not be able to cope once lockdown is lifted, according to research released today.

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ith the nation spending more time at home than ever due to the national lockdown, pet owners are starting to notice a positive difference in their furry friends’ demeanour and general happiness – whilst indifferent cats (58%) seem to be finding the increased attention more difficult, two thirds say their dogs are happier since the UK lockdown began.

Despite this, there are rising concerns about how pets might cope when life eventually goes back to normal, with almost a third (32%) of pet owners saying they’re worried their pet may not be able to cope once lockdown is lifted, after getting used to them being around 24/7.

According to the research of over 1,000 UK dog and cat owners commissioned by raw and natural pet food expert Natures Menu, over two thirds of dog and cat owners admit they’re giving their pets more attention since lockdown began on 23rd March, with dogs (70%) getting more attention than cats (63%).

And whilst 1 in 10 cat and dog owners (10%) say their pet has put on weight since UK lockdown began, 48% say they’ve become more focussed on their pet’s health since UK lockdown began, with over a third (34%) saying the main reason being COVID-19.

Over half of dog and cat owners have also found creative ways of spending time and combatting lockdown boredom with their pets during self-isolation, including trying new food, (23%), getting family, friends and colleagues to speak to their pet on video calls (19%) and teaching them new tricks (17%). 1 in 16 (7%) have even gone as far as reading to them!

But it’s not just our pets who are enjoying UK lockdown, 43% of pet owners also say that despite the current climate, that their mental health is currently positive - putting this down to spending more time with their pet.

Melanie Sainsbury, Veterinary Education Manager at Natures Menu, said: “It’s great to see the positive impact pets are having on our mental wellbeing, and how our ability to spend quality time with them has greatly improved due to the current situation.

However, it’s also good to see that pet owners are preparing themselves now of the potential issues that their pets might face, when lockdown is eventually lifted.

“Cats are of course much more

29 APRIL – 29 MAY 2020 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

independent and our research backs this, so owners will probably find this applies more to dogs. Start to leave them in a separate room, even whilst you’re still at home, and gradually increase the time you do this.

Chewing also releases natural pheromones which leads to relaxed behaviour, as does food, so invest in some appropriate toys and nutritious treats so you have something ready to entertain them. Simply introducing a few measures now, can ensure a smooth and gradual transition so they can cope with your increased absence in the coming months.” n To find out more about Natures Menu and to order for convenient direct-to-door delivery, please visit www.naturesmenu.co.uk

www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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First foal of 2020 born as equine charity adapts to Coronavirus The first foal of 2020 has been born at one of the South West’s largest equine welfare charities and captured on film. The arrival of Lotte’s foal comes at a time when The Mare and Foal Sanctuary, based in Newton Abbot, has already made significant work adjustments during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Lotte was rescued as the result of an RSPCA prosecution case. Her colt, named Lio, was born on Thursday 23 April and mother and son are doing well. The charity has released footage of Lio’s birth and first steps on its website www.mareandfoal.org for the public to enjoy.

The pair join 220 resident horses and ponies who require the charity’s expert care at six sanctuaries across Devon.

Over half of the charity’s workforce are either working from home (13%) or have been furloughed (43%) since the Coronavirus crisis began as there has been a significant reduction in income.

This just leaves small teams of grooms going in each day to provide this expert care, working in split shifts so they don’t come into contact with each other. This is in order to protect the NHS, and the health of staff and their families.

At a time where new life is beginning at the Sanctuary for Lio, the charity has launched a special appeal, reflecting on the work that must continue during this crisis.

Sarah Jane Williamson, Chief Executive, said: “We are a strong team, but the future is uncertain, and we need help from our loyal supporters at this worrying time. We are thankful Lotte has given birth to her foal in the safety of

Glascoed Retreat

our sanctuary. She was in a very poor condition when she arrived and has needed our expert care.

“Last year we rescued more horses than ever, in more complex circumstances. We don’t have extensive reserves and horses are costly animals to care for, especially ours which require specialist handling and retraining or ongoing veterinary medicines and care.”

Other ways that The Mare and Foal Sanctuary has had to adapt during the coronavirus pandemic includes: temporarily closing all six of its charity shops; staying in contact with the yard teams via weekly webinars; introducing virtual coffee mornings and yard tours for supporters to stay connected; and liaising with the carers of 446 sanctuary horses in loan homes via phone and email.

The Mare and Foal Sanctuary is calling on the public to support its cause. Here are three ways you can help: 1. Donate to the special appeal launched today https://www.mareandfoal.org/support-during-covid/ 2. Follow the charity’s official social media pages Facebook.com/mareandfoal or Twitter.com/themareandfoal 3. Register your interest in rehoming a rescue horse or pony https://www.mareandfoal.org/rehoming-horses/

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Escape to our delightful semi-detached bungalow in a peaceful location 4 miles inland from Aberaeron in West Wales.

Tel: 01544 340474

Email: KAYATSTORES@btinternet.com

http://www.glascoedretreat.wales www.rescueandanimalcare.com

RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE 29 APRIL – 29 MAY 2020

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Davies helps local hospitals during Covid-19 pandemic Davies Veterinary Specialists (Davies) the small animal referral practice based in Hertfordshire, has been helping local NHS hospitals during the Covid-19 pandemic with the loan of ventilators and supply of PPE. To date Davies has sent four ventilators to Luton and Dunstable University Hospital, together with four monitors to support patients in intensive care.

Meanwhile the Veterinary Nurse team have delivered 50+ sets of scrubs to the local Lister Hospital in Stevenage and some multi-skilled members of staff are busy making further sets in their spare time.

Tim Richardson, Managing Director of Davies said: “We are incredibly proud to be able to support our amazing NHS in this way.”

In line with the government advice and professional guidance from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), Davies, which is part of the Linneaus group, is physically open for urgent and emergency cases. For all other cases, assistance is being provided via remote consultation, be that either telephone or video. n For further information please call Davies on 01582 883950.

To find out more about the services at Davies visit https://vetspecialists.co.uk/

BSAVA publishes vaccination and neutering advice for pet owners during lockdown The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has produced advice for pet owners as to whether or not pets can be vaccinated or neutered during the COVID-19 crisis.

The downloadable pdfs have been written in an easy to follow Q&A style by veterinary experts.

They outline what to expect when you contact your vet to discuss vaccination or neutering for your pet.

Your vet is required to risk-assess each case and apply their professional and clinical judgement when deciding on the best course of action for you and your pet’s individual circumstances whilst keeping in mind government requirements relating to travel and social distancing.

The BSAVA is the official body for the small animal veterinary profession and has more than 10,000 members.

Professor Ian Ramsey, who is the vice president of BSAVA said: “These information sheets should give concerned pet owners the knowledge and reassurance they need about vaccination and neutering protocols during the challenging circumstances of COVID-19 lockdown.

“As Government guidance continues to evolve, we will update the documents accordingly, to ensure pet owners always have access to the latest information to support the health and welfare of their pets.”

The vaccination advice can be downloaded here and the neutering advice here .

For more support and advice for looking after your pet during the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit https://www.bsava.com/adviceforpetowners Additional information on COVID-19 is available from BSAVA: https://www.bsava.com/COVID-19 BSAVA Petsavers Guides on puppies, kittens and rabbits: http://www.petsavers.org.uk/Pet-guides 54

29 APRIL – 29 MAY 2020 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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CLASSIFIEDS

If you would like to place an advertisement call our animal friendly team on 01787 228027

DESIGNER KENNELS

ASTROTURF

Designer Kennels Ltd

Prices from £5.oo per sq.mtr.

WHEN IT COMES TO PLASTIC KENNELS AND CATTERIES WE ARE NO.1

No. 1 for service, quality and prices. Our kennels are constructed from tough polypropolene and edged with aluminium to make them virtually indestructable and with so many designs and sizes to choose from its no wonder so many top breeders and boarding kennels now have Designer Kennels. With 1000s of kennels and catteries installed throughout the UK that is why we are No. 1

www.designer-kennels.com 14b Swordfish Way, Sherburn in Elmet, North Yorkshire LS25 6NG Tel/Fax: 01977 685500

Ideal for lawns, patios, garden sports, child and pet friendly. Self fit putting greens. Self draining.

Visit us at www.astroman.co.uk or Call 01480 493900 or 07836 325 901

Email: astroman.ray@tiscali.co.uk

RESCUE CENTRES

Tel: 01889 577058

www.bordercollietrustgb.org.uk

Reg Charity No:1053585

To place an advert please call 01787 228027

Leicester Animal Aid Association We are an English registered charity concerned with the plight of greyhounds, especially the Spanish-bred hunting greyhounds (galgos) Please visit our website: www.greyhoundsinneed.co.uk Charity No. CI0/1174351

The Huncote Pet Rescue Centre Elmwood Farm Leicester LE9 6LE Tel: 01455 888257 www.leicesteranimalaid.org.uk Email: info@leicesteranimalaid.org.uk

Forest Dog Rescue

Green Gap Kennels, Far Forest Worcestershire DY14 9DX Tel: 01299 269181 www.forest-dog-rescue.org.uk Email: info@forest‐dog‐ rescue.org.uk

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