Rescue & Animal Care Feb/March - Issue 162

RESCUE and ANIMAL CARE

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28th February - 28th March 2021 – Issue 162

ISSN 2050-0572

FREE COPY Please take one

Promoting Responsible Pet Ownership and Animal Welfare

www.rescueandanimalcare.com

What type of Cat Owner are you?

Competition to find the nation's cheekiest dog stories

The Garbage Dogs of Greece

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Pregnant Foal Duchess Rescued!

WATCH NOW

Taking the Sting out of Vet Bills!

The Rags to Riches tale of Britain's most famous Cat who Celebrates 10 years at Number 10

Heartache leads to true friendship for donkeys

Meet our Video Stars walking around the World!

Border Collie Trust GB To watch our Animated video go to https://vimeo.com/498314778/5a7047c2c0

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THE BORDER COLLIE TRUST GB Invite you to join “WALKIES AROUND THE WORLD” There are 24,901 miles to walk around the World and we are really excited for you all to achieve this together in 2021!

To enter, sign up to our "Walkies Around The World" sponsorship page where you can run your own sponsorship section and be guided through your contribution. Visit https://givepenny.com/appeal/walkies-around-theworld to sign up.

What an amazing way to start 2021 in so many ways, your dog will love the walk, you'll keep fit, you will be participating in a massive Great British event and raising money... Everyone wins!

More details can be found on the "Walkies Around The World" fundraising page and on our website.

Let's ALL go "Walkies Around The World"!

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As a combined challenge, you can walk as many or as few sponsored miles with your dog as often as you like for £1 per mile (You can be sponsored for higher amounts of course). 2021 will continue to be a challenge for the animal sector and with the added difficulty from HS2 we really need your help to lift spirits and raise funds.

This will be a wonderfully shared experience as we will be able to see the miles adding up along with the sponsorship donations.

Anyone can take part – even if you only walk one mile, you will have contributed and will be part of a magnificent huge achievement. You can also join "Walkies Around The World" Facebook Group where you can share your photos and experiences, joining a very special community.

WATCH NOW

Meet our Video Stars walking around the World!

Border Collie Trust GB To watch our Animated video go to https://vimeo.com/498314778/5a7047c2c0

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Scared Sheba

How patience and affection helped 2 year old Collie who became an amazing companion.

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n October 1999 following a regular trip to Wales to collect dogs, Sheba a two year old little collie bitch arrived at the centre. Sheba was in a poor state, she was terrified of everything and everybody. She was put in one of the puppy sheds on the house yard where it was quiet. Ben Wilkes began to spend some time with Sheba and in November she went home to live with Ben and his wife Sue. They put up an indoor kennel in the office area of their house where they could leave open doors to allow Sheba to come and go as she wished. Sheba did not move far and would not venture out of the indoor kennel if anyone was around. Not even their other dog Taffy could coax her out.

As the weeks passed Ben and Sue remained patient and would regularly go and sit by her kennel and talk to her, but she refused to come out if they were about.

Then one day they were sitting in the living room when a movement by the door caught their eye, when they looked round Sheba ran off back to her safe kennel.

Over the following weeks Sheba would regularly appear for a few seconds. Gradually the seconds turned into minutes and she got braver, getting closer to them until eventually she allowed them to fuss her.

Sheba loved Taffy and they got on wonderfully. Taffy was not always good with other dogs but he was very tolerant of Sheba especially when sometimes she would try to round him up and nip him on his bum.

Sheba never lost her insecurity and was very easily spooked. Although in some areas her confidence grew there was always a fearful little dog just waiting to appear. She was scared of any sudden noise so events like bonfire night were horrendous for her and she would run to somewhere secluded and hide. On one occasion Ben and Sue went to visit another Trustee and his dogs

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in Lancashire and took Taffy and Sheba with them so they could all go for a walk. Whilst out on the walk something spooked Sheba and she ran off. Everyone thought she was gone – that she would go underground and be impossible to find. When they arrived back at the house Sheba was crouched by Ben’s car. No one knows how she got back, she was in a place she had never been before so nothing was familiar to her.

In 2004 Ben and Sue came to live at the centre and the tranquillity was a blessing for Sheba. Although sudden noises occurred, being in the country they were less intense and less frequent. When the puppy pens were on the house yard and puppies were in them Sheba would spend ages running round the pens and watching them playing.

In the morning Ben would tell Taffy and Sheba to go to work and they would run across the lawn and round to the office. Taffy would always have a detour and a little wander round but Sheba would go straight to the door and wait for Ben and Taffy. Sheba would lie all day under Ben’s desk venturing out to say hello to staff coming in to the office. At the end of the day she would run straight back to the house and wait by the gate. On the odd occasion she would stop to go to the toilet, but never to have a sniff around.

Sadly in November 2008 after a short illness Ben and Sue lost Sheba. Sheba must have had a horrific start in life yet she never showed any aggression to any person or animal. With the patience and love given to her by Ben and Sue she became an amazing companion.

Ben Wilkes Border Collie Trust GB n Visit www.bordercollietrustgb.org.uk RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE 28 FEBRUARY – 28 MARCH 2021

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Ooh that tickles!

What on Earth is Devils Claw!!!!

Welcome to my page you gorgeous creatures!

I am so pleased that Spring is in the air and the ground much dryer. I have been so fed up bringing mud home clinging to my coat and stuck between my claws.

I do love a good tickle though and when Little Mistress washes off the dirt and then rubs me dry I get the giggles which then usually leads to a bottom burp...

Do you know I will be ten this year. That is the big 60 converted from dog years to human years. It's official, me and Mistress are getting old!

This is my family the other day when we were all feeling a bit fed up and grumpy.

'Excuse me Mistress' I shouted above the radio (she’s googling something and I’ve not had my breakfast yet) No reply.

At the same time Little Mistress is on her way out to do stocktaking at work, grabbing a packet of crisps and shouts ‘Mum have you seen my neon trainers?'

Mum, still googling shouts 'Hang on a minute both of you!'

Then finally having found what she was looking for she puts her phone down and serves my food into my bowl.

She then rummages around in the cupboard on her hands and knees for the lost trainers with Little Mistress just standing there and asking Mistress what she was googling.

‘Stiff Joints ‘Mistress answered. Easing herself into a chair to drink her now cold cup of coffee.

I put my head on her lap while she was writing down loads of vitamin names that may help and we both suddenly remembered how she had to climb over a very high wobbly fence the other day to retrieve my ball that I’d enthusiastically managed to head butt into the adjacent field. That may be why her legs are stiff? I mentioned that my back legs felt that way too sometimes and Mistress massaged my hind legs. We decided on a gentle walk that day and I promised not to pick up the huge stick ( log) that only I knew where to find en- route and bash her round her legs when I was off my lead as we went on our way.

Mistress spoke to https://animal-health.co.uk/ and explained that I was having joint problems sometimes and they sent me some Devils Claw. “What on Earth is that!”'.

I get called a little devil from time to time and that is when I have done something a bit naughty. I already have enough claws thank you because I counted them! Mistress explained that is was for senior dogs and helped joints and mobility and it would be added to my food. We will be reporting back on the extra spring I am hoping to get back and Mistress no doubt will be letting you know if her Vitamin D tablets have helped her too.

This is an essential joint supplement for dogs, Devils Claw reduces stiffness, improves mobility and maintains healthy joints in both dogs and cats, without debilitating side effects.

Providing nutritional maintenance of joints, Devils Claw for dogs is a popular stand in for supplements like No Bute that have a wide variety of negative side effects. Simply add it to your dog’s food and see the benefits for yourself! https://animal-health.co.uk/product/devils-claw

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 28th February - 28th March 2021 – Issue 162

ISSN 2050-0572

RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE MAGAZINE

FREE COPY Please take one

Promoting Responsible Pet Ownership and Animal Welfare

Promoting Responsible Pet Ownership and Animal Welfare

www.rescueandanimalcare.com

What type of Cat Owner are you?

Competition to find the nation's cheekiest dog stories

The Garbage Dogs of Greece

M

Pregnant Foal Duchess Rescued!

WATCH NOW

Taking the Sting out of Vet Bills!

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The Rags to Riches tale of Britain's most famous Cat who Celebrates 10 years at Number 10

Dear Readers It is a lovely Spring like day here as I write a brief hello to you all.

It certainly helps with lockdown restrictions when you can enjoy a sunny walk with your dogs!

As usual we have lots of interesting articles for you in our latest issue.

The Border Collie Trust invites you to join in their Walking Around the World. Watch their fabulous video and see how you can join in, on page 2.

Take a look at ‘Poo Happens’ a rather interesting feature on Dog excrement! Just follow your nose to page 42.

Sharing the Love: National Animal Charity pledges £1 million loving lifeline to help struggling rescue centres.

With Spring in the air we have a piece on Hot and Cross Bunnies. Plus a very interesting article on Diabetes in Pets.

Read about the rescue journey of Max the Labrador and our other animal charity case studies.

Find Pet News, Products and more inside. We hope you enjoy!

Thank you for reading.

Heartache leads to true friendship for donkeys

Meet our Video Stars walking around the World!

Border Collie Trust GB To watch our Animated video go to https://vimeo.com/498314778/5a7047c2c0

ON THE COVER Border Collie Trust GB

THE TEAM PUBLISHER: Jennifer Prowse FEATURE CONTRIBUTORS Dean Hart, Animal Behaviourist Mary Lloyd, Bio-Life International

Love Jennifer

Juliet Abrahamson DESIGN Vicki Barnes WEBSITE WDL Website Design Ltd

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

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RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE 28 FEBRUARY – 28 MARCH 2021

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Dogs for Good charity launches competition to find the nation's cheekiest dog stories Without doubt, lockdown has brought the many benefits of dog ownership into sharp focus.

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ut let’s face it, having a dog can be challenging at times, too. Every now and again, our four-legged friends do cheeky things that leave us a bit openmouthed. In a bid to bring a smile to the nation’s faces during another tough lockdown, UK charity Dogs for Good has launched a competition called #OhMyDog asking people to share their funniest, cheekiest, laughout-loud dog stories. To get the ball rolling, Dogs for Good Communications Manager, Sarah Watson, shared her own cheeky dog story. She said: “My dog and I were walking past a café and there were some people having breakfast outside. The street was quite narrow and my dog reached up and took a piece of sausage off the end of someone’s fork. I was so embarrassed!

“Luckily the guy who had just missed out on part of his breakfast was a big fan of dogs and saw the funny side of it – and he was happy to share his breakfast with a hungry Labrador. We laughed and I gave a sigh of relief!”

There is a more serious side to this, too, and Dogs for Good wants people to know they are here to help you understand your dog and his or her behaviour better.

The charity recently launched its Take the Lead campaign to empower dog owners by giving free online advice and training tips to help them build a better understanding of their dog and develop a strong bond to help get the most out of their relationship.

Dogs for Good’s Training Operations Manager, Chris Muldoon, who lives in Glasgow and works from the charity’s National Training Centre in Banbury, Oxfordshire, said: “If we’re honest, most of us have some moment where our dog has left us a little red in the face when their natural instincts have both amused and maybe surprised us just a little bit.

“By understanding your dog’s natural instincts and behaviour, you can hopefully avoid a few of those toe-curling moments … or at least help you understand more about why your dog behaves in the way that he or she does.”

To share your funniest dog-related story, simply use the hashtag #OhMyDog on Twitter or leave your story in the comments on the competition post on Facebook and Instagram by March 1st.

Dogs for Good will share the four best stories on their website with the #OhMyDog winner being decided by public vote. The winner with the best story will receive an Eco Warrior Total Works pack from Little Soap Co and a new collar and lead set from WeatherBeetaUK. n Visit dogsforgood.org/good-advice for more information about Good Advice.

For #OhMyDog terms and conditions visit: dogsforgood.org/terms-and-conditions-social-mediaprize-draw-competition/ To follow Dogs for Good on social media go to: facebook.com/DogsForGoodUK/ instagram.com/dogsforgood_uk/ twitter.com/DogsForGoodUK/

We are delighted to support the Animal Charities featured in this Magazine Tel: 01952 245330 6

28 FEBRUARY – 28 MARCH 2021 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

www.dogmatic.org.uk www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE 28 FEBRUARY – 28 MARCH 2021

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Take the sting out of vet bills!

Pets can be mischievous and find themselves in some tricky situations! When this happens, or if they are out of sorts, it can be hard to know what to do.

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o help reassure owners, Purely Pets, an award winning pet insurance specialist, is on hand with a 24 hour vet helpline on all policies. Administered by The Vet Connection, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons registered nurses can provide advice to owners if their pet is injured or unwell.

Providing the right treatment is vital and Purely Pets offer a range of Lifetime policies to suit everyone, with Gold cover levels being 5* Defaqto rated. Policy benefits can include vet fees up to £15,000, one of the highest limits in the UK, cover for loss or theft of your pet, an excess from as low as £60 and an online management portal which gives greater flexibility in managing a policy or making a claim – saving customers’ time when they most need it.

Last year Purely Pets settled claims, on average, in seven days from receiving all the information needed, with the typical claim costing £680.89.

Having insurance can provide peace of mind should your pet become ill. Owners of Hungarian Vizsla Charlie were thankful they had taken out a Purely Pets policy when he needed surgery for a liver abscess. Charlie has made a full recovery and is doing well, but his treatment would have cost his owners £13,000 if uninsured – an eye watering amount!

What to look out for In 2020, gastric upset, lameness, lumps and tumours topped the list in requiring vet treatment. To help owners know what to look out for, below is some helpful advice from The Vet Connection team:

Gastric upset

The clinical signs are vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain, lack of appetite and lethargy.

If your pet is very young or very old or has any of the above symptoms, along with a swollen abdomen, or seems very lethargic then we would always recommend contacting a vet straight away.

Lameness

Lameness can be caused by an injury to the paw, leg, shoulder, pelvis or a damaged claw. There could also be arthritis or infection in a joint, and some animals suffer from a congenital or hereditary condition that causes lameness. A cut to the pad of the foot or a cyst could also cause limping.

Other factors include old age, as joints can become sore and stiff, and obesity.

If your pet is in severe pain or struggling to move, then veterinary advice should be sought straight away. On noticing a limp you should completely rest your pet for at least 48 hours, meaning no walks, no jumping up or down and helping them if they need to use stairs.

Lumps and tumours

Lumps and bumps can appear for many reasons and not all need to be checked. They can become visible and disappear within 24 hours.

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You should check your pet as part of their routine grooming or during petting and get to know what is normal for them by feeling all over their skin at least monthly. If you find something abnormal don’t panic, take note of the size, shape and how it feels, even take a photo and monitor over the course of a few days. If they become unwell or if the swelling changes dramatically in that time, then get in contact with your vet.

Trust us with your pet Purely Pets were thrilled to be recognised at the MoneyFacts Awards 2021. Voted for by customers, they received ‘Highly Commended’ in the ‘Pet Insurance Provider of the Year 2021’ and ‘Commended’ in the ‘Best Claims Service’ categories.

They’re also rated 4.5/ 5 on TrustPilot and here is just one of their lovely reviews!

Simply the best pet insurers ever…

I have been with Purely Pets Insurance for years and would 100% recommend them to any pet owner. They are professional, supportive and every advisor I have ever been in contact with has always been friendly, helpful and simply wonderful. My rescue pug has had so many health issues and Purely Pets have always made everything so easy and hassle free when it comes to dealing with claims. Other pet insurers could learn a lot from the way Purely Pets deals with their customers. Every employee I have dealt with is an absolute credit to the company.

Dolores Caruana

n Visit www.purelypetsinsurance.co.uk or call 0330 102 5748 to see how we can help you today.

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Buddy, now fit and healthy.

Neglected N horse becomes mentor to young people In January 2011, staff at equine rescue centre, HorseWorld worked around the clock to save the life of a young cob who arrived at the charity’s welfare department weighing just a third of his ideal body weight.

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ow, ten years later, he is a fully trained Equine Assisted Learning pony, helping young people who are struggling to learn in a classroom environment.

Young people are often referred to HorseWorld’s Discovery Courses with a wide range of complex and challenging social, emotional and mental health needs or learning difficulties. They complete a 6-week course alongside the rescued horses. It is a chance to learn vital life skills outside of the classroom setting in a positive and encouraging environment.

The rescued horses have been given a second chance thanks to HorseWorld and have beaten the odds to survive.

This resonates with a lot of children who are struggling to overcome difficulties in school and in their personal lives resulting in strong bonds forming between students and horses.

Horses naturally desire calm and strong leadership and have no preconceived judgements, allowing the students to develop relationships based on mutual respect.

HorseWorld Groom, Kayleigh Sivier www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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Buddy on arrival at Horseworld.

Rescued horse, Buddy was unable to stand for two weeks when he arrived at HorseWorld.

HorseWorld Groom, Kayleigh Sivier holding Buddy's head when he was too weak to stand. helped to give Buddy the care and medication he needed when he was so emaciated and ill. “He looked ready to die and was so weak that his head had to be supported by grooms. It took a drip and six blood transfusions to give Buddy the strength to support his own weight.

He had to be lifted to his feet every two hours day and night for the first two weeks.

“If he laid down, he was unable to get himself back up again and became distressed that he couldn't get to his food. He couldn't be left lying on his side for too long. In his efforts to get up, he would rub sores on his shoulders, hips and head where his bones protruded through his fragile skin. Buddy’s bed had to be very deep with huge banks of straw around the edges for him to push against while we were lifting him.”

On arrival at HorseWorld Buddy weighed just 108kg and his frail skeletal frame was hidden beneath his thick, matted winter coat. He should have weighed around www.rescueandanimalcare.com

280-300kg at his age. He was also suffering from severe diarrhoea that was full of redworm.

Once nursed back to health and allowed to mature, HorseWorld’s team of specialist trainers worked with Buddy to train him to be ridden.

The aim was to find him a new home on the charity’s loan scheme where he would receive all the love and one-to-one attention he deserves.

Buddy did find a home but had to return to the charity through no fault of his own.

HorseWorld is dedicated to ensuring every horse and pony have a safe, secure home for the rest of their life. Now, a decade later, Buddy is fighting fit and giving no clues to his traumatic start in life.

Buddy’s medical care cost over £2,600 in the first three weeks alone. Vet fees and feed costs continued to accumulate throughout

his rehabilitation. Welfare Yard Manager, Sarah Hollister commented “This was one of the worst cases of neglect HorseWorld had seen in a long time, the fact that Buddy kept fighting was enough inspiration for us to fight just as hard to save his young life.

“Now, seeing him enjoying life and making such a difference to children and young people makes it all worthwhile. He clearly loves his work and will whicker to the children as they arrive. He’s helped so many young people to build their confidence and communication skills, he really is a special pony.

“Buddy is now fully recovered but is just one of many rescue cases that HorseWorld helps. The winter being the busiest time when the cold weather and lack of grazing means that horses that are abandoned or neglected become emaciated and ill very quickly.”

HorseWorld relies on the generous support of the public to be able to rescue horses in need and to be able to run the life-changing Discovery Courses that Buddy takes part in.

They have set up an appeal to help even more young people and more rescued horses to have a future with clear direction and focus, a positive purpose in life.

n If you wish to donate to HorseWorld’s Discovery Courses, and be a part of this life-changing program, offering a safe space and an exciting new future for both the young people and the horses and ponies that work with them, please visit www.horseworld.org.uk/discovery-appeal RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE 28 FEBRUARY – 28 MARCH 2021

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Diabetes in Pets As more and more people suffer from Diabetes, so too do our pets. Diabetes can affect dogs, cats, apes, pigs and horses and Type 11 is quite simply the result of too much food and not enough exercise! The glands known as the Isles of Langerhans in the pancreas simply cannot produce enough insulin to digest the pets daily intake of carbohydrates. Mary Lloyd tells us more

THE SYMPTOMS

A diabetic pet typically exhibits the following symptoms: • Overweight • Perennial thirst • Frequent urinating • “Sticky” urine • Lethargy Long term, if the condition is not treated, the pet can suffer from cataracts, sight loss, poor circulation and organ damage.

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DIAGNOSIS A urine sample only tells you whether the pet is diabetic or not. To get a proper measure of the condition, your veterinary surgeon needs to take a blood sample to measure blood glucose levels. The diabetic pet needs frequent monitoring so will need too be checked at least once every 3 months by a professional.

Once your veterinary surgeon knows the blood glucose level then he or she can recommend the appropriate treatment.

TREATMENT Most vets will recommend insulin injections once every 24 hours. The level of insulin required depends www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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on the severity of the condition and the level prescribed by the vet must be strictly adhered to otherwise the pet may become hypoglycaemic or the treatment simply does not work.

Problems shared are problems halved and unfortunately, pet lifestyles are only too likely to result in an ever increasing number of diabetic sufferers.

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS

please do not hesitate to contact Bio-Life by Email on sales@biolife-international.co.uk. What I do not know, I can research for you. Understanding your pets ailments greatly helps you to treat them correctly or visit www.biolife-international.co.uk

There is scientific data that suggests that Type 11 diabetes can be managed with a strict diet and exercise programme providing the pet is diagnosed early on at the onset of disease. Success rates vary between 15% and 100% so in the early stages, this approach is well worth considering. Daily injections are daunting for humans let alone animals who do not understand why their beloved owner like sticking needles into them!

At this moment in time, my mother’s little Cavachon (Cavalier cross Bichon Frisse has been diagnosed with diabetes Type 11 and we are currently trying the strict dietary approach. We obtained from the vet a prescription diet specifically formulated for diabetic dogs that is high in protein and fibre and low in carbodydrates. Honey has lost 3.5 kg in the last 7 weeks and is now raring to go at the sight of her lead.

I will let you know whether or not this approach succeeds in about 3 months time. Meanwhile, we are keeping everything crossed.

If any of you have experience of managing a diabetic pet, do write in and share your experiences with other pet owners experiencing similar problems. www.rescueandanimalcare.com

n For further information on any aspect of healthcare,

Photo images: ©Adobe Stock

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Jack the naughty devil Jack was a dog that used to growl at his owner when she tried to groom him, towel him or putting the harness on. He had been growling for some time before one day he nipped the owner. This is when I received the phone call. I will always remember the phone call due to the owners rather fruity use of the English language. The call went something like this – expletives have ben beeped out!

Me: What is the problem?

Lady: My beeping dog has beeping well gone and bitten me Me: What was happening at the time?

Lady: I was only bleeping drying him off after the bleeping walk Me: Has he bitten before?

Lady: No, he bleeping hasn’t but he growls at me all the time. He such a bleeping naughty little devil and he can’t bleeping be allowed to get away with it.

Language aside, I totally understood the anger and frustration the owner was feeling but I also realised she was seeing this from her experience, not the dogs.

We humans are really judgemental of behaviour. There are lots of reasons for this, but it can lead us to see behaviour on a spectrum of good to bad. Whilst this might be helpful when keeping a societal structure going (rules, laws, social cohesion) it is less so when dealing with dogs and their behaviour.

Just like us dogs are driven to give a behaviour based on how they feel. Traditionally we have not given much thought to the dog’s emotional experience, just focussed on stopping what we perceive as bad behaviour. The trouble with that approach is that we just end up challenging the behaviour and not offering any relief for the emotional response that triggered it in the first place.

So, back to Jack. The owner had seen a naughty dog when Jack growled. When I asked her what she has done about the growling, she told me she would tap him on the nose and tell him what a bad boy he was. She felt the need to ‘put him in his place’. The reality for Jack was very different. Jack was desperately trying to communicate to his carer that he was getting stressed when being groomed, having the harness on, or being towelled off. He was communicating this in the only way he could – by growling. By being told off all the owners was doing was shutting down his communication without any recognition of why he was growling or what he might be feeling. It was no real surprise, therefore, that one day he felt he needed to escalate up and give her a nip.

I totally get why people think there should be consequences for ‘bad’ behaviour, but it is important to recognise who it is that is labelling 14

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the behaviour and that it often bears no resemblance to animals experience driving it.

When I met up with Jack it was clear he was very defensive over his rear end. He was friendly enough but would only stay orientated to keep a forward position in front of me. This always makes me start thinking about the dogs physiology. My concerns were further elevated when we went on a walk together and I could observe the stiffness through his lumber-sacral area. Even though Jack had a cursory vet check I recommend further investigations were needed. The results, sadly, put the pieces of the jigsaw together for us.

The X rays showed Jack had hip dysplasia, with the vet indicating it was likely he had been in chronic pain for some time. Often a presentation of being protective of hip region during grooming or bathing can be an early sign of joint issues.

With pain medication and a graduated consent-based support plan, Jack was able to feel more comfortable about being groomed, towelled off and having his harness on. We used Pet Remedy during the process to help aid the training – a great product to add in when you trying to support a calmer outlook from the dog.

His owner now had a new understanding of canine communication. She felt terrible about all the times she had told him off, but I reminded her of the mantra – we can do better once we know better.

The owner never referred to him as naughty to me again after that, although he was often still a little <bleep>!

Photo image: ©Adobe Stock

Andrew Hale Certified Animal Behaviourist Behavioural consultant Pet Remedy www.petremedy.co.uk

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Helping Animals, Helping People - Mayhew team up with local food banks to supply dog and cat food for pets in need With almost 205,000 people in London alone regularly relying on a food bank to have enough to eat, we know that many pet owners are also facing an impossible choice between providing for themselves or buying food for their beloved animals.

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hankfully, organisations like the Trussell Trust are working around the clock to help end food poverty, and we are proud to be making a contribution to their tireless and crucial efforts. ● Our Animal Welfare Officers have so far visited the Trussell Trust Verity Hall Food Bank and the St Laurence Larder and Open Kitchen in Brent, donating wet and dry cat and dog food and treats for the thousands of residents who rely on these organisations for emergency packages. ● We are also supplying each organisation with advice and leaflets about our services, so that pet owners in need have somewhere to turn if they need further help or support with their animals. ● Since 2019, there has been an 18% increase in the number of people needing to use a food bank to feed themselves, their families, their children and their pets - and with the pandemic ongoing and all it’s challenges set to continue, we know that even more owners and animals will find themselves in a crisis situation in the weeks and months to come.

At Mayhew, we work hard to improve the lives of dogs, cats and people in our local communities. We know the pandemic has hit everyone hard, and we know first hand how quickly and unexpectedly people can find themselves in a crisis situation.

Our donations to the Verity Hall Food Bank and the St Laurence Larder and Open Kitchen will hopefully ensure that loving owners are able to stay with and care for their animal companions, rather than face the difficult decision of having to give them up for adoption if they find themselves unable to cope.

All of our community outreach work is focused on keeping people and pets together, and during lockdown we know that it’s especially important for both

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Mayhew food bank delivery drop

pets and owners to take comfort from each other.

Our food bank donations include wet and dry cat and dog food, treats, bones and useful items like poo bags that struggling owners may not otherwise have been able to afford. We are currently making approximately one drop a week at each food bank, in line with demand, and expect this to continue over the coming weeks and months.

AJ Ford, Deputy Head of Animal Welfare at Mayhew, said “We are delighted to team up with our local food banks to reach more pet owners in need. It’s a real privilege being able to support owners in keeping their animals happy and healthy during these difficult times.”

Brent Foodbank (@BrentFoodBank) recently tweeted their thanks and posted a call out for donations of other non-food household items - please see their post https://twitter.com/brentfoodbank for more details if you think you too might be able to help.

Stephen Chamberlain, our contact at the St Laurence Larder and Open Kitchen also had a surprise for our AWOs the first time they visited - his own

28 FEBRUARY – 28 MARCH 2021 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

dog, Rosie, is a ex-Mayhew adoptee and so was especially pleased to see us!

We urgently need help ourselves to ensure we can continue supporting pets and people in need, both in the community and on-site at our Animal Home. Whilst we remain closed to the public and with many of our usual services postponed, our AWOs are still out and about helping stray, feral, unwanted and abandoned animals as much as they can, and are also committed to ensuring that as many vulnerable pets as possible are able to stay with owners who love them.

This will of course benefit both animals and owners, and ease the burden on shelters like ourselves who are operating at a lower capacity in line with government guidelines. n To make a donation, or find out more about our work, please visit our website https://themayhew.org/who-we-are and to find out more about the amazing work carried out by Trussell Trust in London and throughout the UK, please take a look at their own site https://www.trusselltrust.org www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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Tel: 01432 345388

RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE 28 FEBRUARY – 28 MARCH 2021

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Why choose our Dog Grooming Scissors?

By Sian Somers

In a world full of various sizes and models of dog grooming scissors coupled with large amounts information readily available, we really do understand that it is hard to know which dog grooming scissors to invest in. It is at this point I will tell you that you need not look any further. We are extremely proud of the dog grooming scissors we offer to groomers and we believe whole heartedly in our mission to provide you with the very best dog grooming scissors.

Here is why we really believe choosing our dog grooming scissors would make such a positive difference.

Why are Abbfabb Grooming Scissors different to other scissors?

There are many different types of dog grooming scissors available nowadays, and all have their own qualities. Here at Abbfabb Grooming Scissors, every pair of our scissors are uniquely crafted from Japanese 440c Stainless Steel and are ergonomically designed.

Why do we use 440c Japanese stainless steel to make our dog grooming scissors?

Whilst many may believe that scissors are just made from steel, the types of steel used makes the difference between an unreliable scissor and a very high end dog grooming scissor. Over the years, we have tried and tested many models of scissors made from various metals and have come to realise through trial and error, that using 440 Japanese stainless steel creates the ultimate scissor. The science behind this is that stainless steel is an alloy made up steel and chromium. This chemical combination creates an alloy that is very sharp and will maintain its sharpness over a longer period of time. Stainless steel is very tough and as a result, will drastically increases the blades durability and lifespan. Due to the chemical combination of 440c stainless steel, rust is extremely

unlikely to occur because the alloy is highly resistant to erosion.

How does this benefit you the dog groomer?

As all our scissors are crafted carefully using 440c Japanese stainless steel, you can be sure that your grooming scissors will be lightweight, very sharp and maintain their sharp edge for a longer period of time. This enables you to use your scissors for longer between sharpening. As your scissor's blades are tough, again you may be able to use them for longer periods and especially throughout a difficult trim or in situations of removing matts. The fact that stainless steel does not rust is a wonderful bonus to you. Scissor maintenance is a vital part of owning dog grooming scissors but working in a moist environment can mean that your scissors are damp, covered in wet hair, sweat and oils from the dog's coat/skin as well as your own skin. Over time, rust will develop on all metals and alloys, so being able to use a material that reduces the risk of rust is key to our product design.

So what does 'ergonomically designed' mean and how does owning this type of scissor, benefit you?

Firstly, what does 'ergonomically designed' mean?

Ergonomics is the applied science of human factor engineering in product design. It is intended to maximise

Secondly, why are ergonomically designed scissors so crucial to a dog groomer?

An ergonomic scissors design puts the least amount of stress on the hand, arm, shoulder and back. The handles are designed to be in an offset position, allowing the scissor to fit in the natural hand position, preventing the finger and thumb from moving and therefore creating a comfortable grip. The spacing between the finger and thumb holes helps prevent the groomer’s hand from cramping. A downwards bend in the thumb hole, allows the groomer to straighten the wrist and drop the shoulder and elbow.

So finally, how does this scissor design benefit you?

It is an occupational hazard that dog groomers can suffer from some form of hand, arm, shoulders, neck and back pain or even long-term problems throughout their working life. Using a 440c stainless steel, ergonomically designed dog grooming scissors can help alleviate these problems, help towards creating beautiful grooms and keep you enjoying the job which you love!

For the benefit of dog groomers all over the world, I have put together a series of free demonstrations which offer a range of gentle yoga movements designed specifically for dog groomers. Please click here https://www.abbfabbgroomingscissors.com/pages/b eneficial-movements-designed-for-you-dog-groomer for more details.

This design has been a fantastic benefit too many dog groomers already and to read their thoughts and feedback please click on Trustpilot and yell.com. You can also follow and read our recommendations on our Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Linkedin pages. https://www.abbfabbgroomingscissors.com/pages/w hy-choose-abbfabb-grooming-scissors

Visit Abb Fabbs webite www.abbfabbgroomingscissors.com/collections

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productivity by reducing operator physical effort, fatigue and discomfort. A fantastic example of this in action... besides our scissors, is the computer mouse.

You use this product (or used to as everything now is touch screen or touchpad) just by using two fingers to click and move around in small areas with the minimum amount of effort. You do not even think about using it because there is no pressure from your hand or fingers. It is effortless.

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Abbfabb Grooming Scissors Left Handed 7.5" Texturising/ Chunker Scissor with Pretty Jewelled Screw Featuring a very pretty jewelled tension screw, this dog grooming shear is lightweight and ultra comfortable due to the ergonomically shaped handles and correct balance. This dog grooming scissor will leave a soft texture on a suitable prepared dog coat.

Best Dog Grooming Scissors Retailer 2020 UK

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DOTS receive £3000 Donation!

Dogs On The Street (DOTS), the charity providing help for dogs belonging to the homeless community, has been given a boost to its funds in the form of a cheque for £3,000 from Davies Veterinary Specialists (Davies).

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avies, the small animal referral practice based near Hitchin in Hertfordshire, raised the money for DOTS having nominated them as their charity of the year for 2020.

Dogs on the Street (DOTS) is a volunteer run, not-for-profit charity dedicated to the welfare of dogs belonging to the UK’s homeless community. DOTS operates mobile weekly street “stations’ across the UK offering food and dietary advice as well as providing accessories such as coats, bedding, collars and leads. DOTS creates pathways for owner rehabilitation to overcome many mental health issues, which can often only be achieved with their dogs by their side https://www.dogsonthestreets.org/ Enthusiastic team members at Davies, covered plenty of ground to boost DOTS’ coffers with a team distance challenge for National Walking Month in May and a Time to Talk Walk for World Mental Health Day in February, as well as generating terracycle scheme donations from recycling bins in the staff room. In addition, MARS, the parent company of the Linnaeus group of which Davies is a part, gifted a sum of money to Linnaeus to award to animal charities needing help during the Coronavirus pandemic.

On a practical front, to provide support for owners, as well as their pets, Davies is also making a donation of jackets and body

warmers to DOTS, together with some cups for hot drinks.

Michelle Clark Founding Director of DOTS said: "We are so grateful Davies for this generous contribution, especially given their determination to continue to fundraise for us during the constraints of the COVID 19 pandemic. Their donation will help provide many of our Dogs On The Streets with the care and support they vitally require via our charity.

Our work has been ever more important during this difficult year and the jackets, bodywarmers and cups will be well-received."

The Davies team are now putting plans into place for fundraising projects for their new charity for 2021; CHUMS a Local Mental

Health and Emotional Wellbeing Service for Children and Young People, based in Silsoe Bedfordshire.

Tim Richardson, Managing Director of Davies said: “While the pandemic certainly made fundraising more challenging this year, we are very proud to have been able to make a considerable donation to DOTS to support their excellent work. We also hope our donation of jackets, body warmers and cups will give some comfort and warmth to dog owners who are living in difficult circumstances.” n To find out more about the services at Davies visit https://vetspecialists.co.uk/

We are delighted to support the Animal Charities featured in this Magazine Tel: 01952 245330 20

28 FEBRUARY – 28 MARCH 2021 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

www.dogmatic.org.uk www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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The Natural, Kinder Way to Shampoo Your Dog

It's me Wilson The Rescue Greyhound

by Mark Dilley

Animal welfare charity, Miracle's Mission is launching a natural dog shampoo that's kind to your dog and the profits from the sales go to help needy, vulnerable and disabled dogs in distress

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he shampoo is available in five beautiful scents: Natural with lavender oil, Natural regular, Natural with eucalyptus oil, Natural with cedarwood oil and Natural with wild orange.

Miracle's Mission, is a non-profit animal welfare organisation that works with sick, injured and difficult animals. Its mission is to provide a place of safety for animals in danger, to educate on the need for neutering both pets and strays and to neuter stray dogs and cats to prevent the birth of more dogs and cats onto the streets.

Miracle was a dog who was rescued from the streets of Borneo at one week old, before her tiny eyes were

even open. She had several injuries and was very weak, but she made a miraculous recovery and is now strong, happy and healthy living with her adopted brother Ben, sister Star and sister Tess. Miracle's Mission's is now working towards saving many more stray dogs and other stray animals all around the world, starting in Borneo where Miracle was rescued. n Natural Dog Shampoo from Miracle's Mission retails at £5 and is available from https://www.miraclesmission.org/pr oduct/dog-shampoo/

We are delighted to support the Animal Charities featured in this Magazine Tel: 01952 245330 22

www.dogmatic.org.uk

28 FEBRUARY – 28 MARCH 2021 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

This is a story of a rescue greyhound called Wilson seen through his own eyes ....Wilson tells his story of being rescued by new owners moving into a domestic home and enjoying his new life beyond the racetrack.

Wilson was rescued from Leicestershire Greyhound Trust when he was five years old he enjoyed a racing career of 100 races of which he won 14 and came second 18 times, he was raced under the name of Rabbini.

His owners Mark & Catherine have taken him into their home where he enjoys a luxury and happy life living in a sleepy Leicestershire village.

This first time author Mark whilst furloughed from his full time sales job has imaginatively told Wilsons factual story as the dog might see it, using observations of human behaviour in a quite often touching and humorous way.

25% of profits made from this publication will be donated to The Greyhound Trust who work tirelessly towards a world where every greyhound finds a safe, loving home in retirement.

Available from Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B 08NR9R4PS/ref=rdr_ext_tmb www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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www.rescueandanimalcare.com

RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE 28 FEBRUARY – 28 MARCH 2021

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Rescuing Norman When Mayhew’s Animal Welfare Officers rescued a one-year-old cat from a feral cat colony at the end of last year, they soon noticed something very strange about his drinking habits. After settling him down in Mayhew’s cattery and giving him some food and water, they saw that he was excessively thirsty.

We spoke to Mayhew’s Animal Welfare Officers to find out more…

“Although he’d been straying, Norman was clearly domesticated.

However, once back at Mayhew we soon noticed he was drinking two full dog bowls of water every day, compared to the average single cup that most cats drink.

Our vet clinic team ran blood, urine and hormone tests to try and determine what was causing his insatiable thirst. However, the results came back clear for both kidney disease and sugar diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus), which were the most likely causes. Our vets therefore decided to trial giving Norman a medication called desmopressin which treats extreme thirst, urination and dehydration. He

responded well to the medication, which indicated that he was suffering from a much rarer condition called water diabetes (Diabetes Insipidus).

Thankfully, Norman is doing brilliantly – he hasn’t shown any further signs of weakness or deterioration, and continues to respond well to treatment. His symptoms are manageable but he’ll need to be monitored closely and his treatment will be lifelong – and he’ll need to drink double the amount of water in a day than the average cat (and therefore also urinate more too).

Normal will be best suited to a calm and quiet all-adult home with an enclosed garden, and he will require regular check-ups, but thankfully this sweet and sensitive

Mayhew’s Community Vet Clinic looks after all the cats and dogs in our care, and also offers low-cost preventative treatment for all pet owners, including vaccinations and neutering. To find out more, visit themayhew.org/community-vet-clinic.

soul has no problems taking his daily medication and just needs an owner who is willing to give him a little extra care and attention!”

At the time of going to press, Norman is waiting to find his forever home. Could that be with you? Meet Norman and find out more about rehoming an animal from Mayhew at themayhew.org/rehome

Please note, due to the national lockdown at time of going to press, outpatient appointments are temporarily suspended.

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www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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Cats Protection tool helps owners create a Cat CV to impress potential landlords Cats Protection has created an online tool for cat owners that it hopes will help persuade more landlords to allow their tenants to have a cat.

The Cat CV has been created after it was estimated that one million households across the UK would like to have a cat, but can’t due to the fact they are in a rental property.*

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ats Protection’s Head of Advocacy & Government Relations Jacqui Cuff said: “During the past year, we’ve heard countless stories from owners about how important their cat has been. People tell us their cats have provided comfort in worrying times, a playful companion for children as they home school, and helped reduce stress while getting to grips with working from home.

“But very sadly, many people have been denied the simple pleasure of owning a cat, simply because they rent rather than own their home. Now more than ever, we all deserve the chance to own a pet cat, and it is heart-breaking that so many people are not able to.

“Cats rarely cause problems in rented homes, but our Cat CV can help reassure landlords who may be nervous about allowing them. We hope it will help more renters find a happy cat-friendly home where they can feel settled.”

The charity’s Purrfect Landlords CV tool is available to download for free, and helps owners create a summary to show their cat is responsibly owned and well cared-for. Owners can also include references from previous landlords to confirm their cat has not caused any problems.

Recent changes to the Government’s Model Tenancy Agreement means consent for pets will be the default position, and landlords using it will have to object in writing within 28 days of a written pet request from a tenant and provide a good reason.

Caroline Sherlock created a CV for her three rescue cats - Susie, Tia Maria, and Sadie - when she was looking for a short-term rental while her own home was being renovated in Horsham, Sussex.

She said: "I wanted to rent a property for just a few months, but it was so hard to find properties that allowed cats.

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Caroline Sherlock and her cat Susie There were lots of adverts for rented properties on websites, but when I ticked the 'allows pets' filter, I was left with barely any. I spent hours and hours searching and it was a very stressful experience.

"I found the Cats Protection Pet CV template and drafted one for the three cats, including details of their microchips, flea and worming treatment and their background. Then when I found a property I liked, even though it didn't mention allowing pets, I sent it to the letting agent. He thought it was a great idea and I think it really tipped the balance in my favour as it showed I was a responsible cat owner. I got the property and my cats didn't cause any problems.

"Cats are fantastic pets, and mine bring me so much happiness and companionship. It's tragic that so many people can't have a cat because they live in rented housing, especially during these difficult days when we're all at home and missing family, friends and work colleagues. I really hope the Cat CV will help more people find a suitable

28 FEBRUARY – 28 MARCH 2021 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

rented housing and help landlords take a more open-minded view towards allowing cats."

Jacqui Cuff said: “Cats Protection is delighted that the government has recently updated the model tenancy agreement to make it easier for tenants to enjoy the companionship of a pet.

However, this change will only have an impact if a landlord opts to use the model tenancy agreement - the use of which is entirely voluntary, there is no legal requirement for landlords to use it.

“For those renters who are dealing with a landlord who does not use the Government Model Tenancy Agreement, we hope our Cat CV will help them make a good case for allowing cats.” n For more information about Cats Protection’s Purrfect Landlords campaign and to download an example Cat CV, please visit: www.cats.org.uk/what-we-do/campaigning/purrfectlandlords *CATS report 2020 www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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Sharing the Love: National Animal Charity pledges £1million Loving Lifeline to help struggling Rescue Centres Pets at Home and its charity Support Adoption For Pets have pledged to donate nearly £1million to help struggling rescue centres across the UK amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

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ver Valentine’s Day weekend, the charity surprised 278 animal rescue centres with £2,000 each, to recognise the tireless efforts and hard work of all staff since the Covid-19 pandemic began.

In a move which takes Support Adoption For Pets’ combined financial support for rescue centres during the pandemic to a total of £2.75m, the charity has also increased its emergency grant funding to £400,000, meaning rescue centres can apply for grants on a weekly basis and the charity can react accordingly.

Applications to the charity’s grant programme have soared since the pandemic began. The first emergency grant programme in April 2020 saw £400,000 given away in two weeks. Since then SAFP has adapted its grant programme throughout the year in line with current lockdown measures so rescues can apply for help from the charity.

Support Adoption For Pets charity manager, Amy Angus, said: “It’s a simple message and one that we’re really passionate about as a charity. We’re here to spread the love and surprising our Charity of the Year rescues with a donation of £2,000 meant the world to them.

“The impact of Covid-19 is monumental and rescue centres continue to fall under real pressure. We’re reaching out to provide them with much needed financial help and to do our best to ensure that abandoned pets are given a second chance of happiness.

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“Not only has the charity surprised rescues with nearly £600,000 but we have also increased our emergency grant programme by £400,00 so rescues can apply for funding during these difficult times.”

The charity has worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to fundraise for rescue centres facing hardship, pledging around £2.75m in total through various initiatives since the first national lockdown last March. In summer 2020, it distributed £323,805 as part of its Summer Fundraiser initiative and in December, a further £651,300 was allocated through its annual Santa Paws campaign.

The charity also awarded more than £830,000 in rescue grants via its ongoing grant programme in 2020.

Support Adoption For Pets is a charity established by Pets at Home in 2006. Since then it has helped more than 1,000 rehoming centres and animal welfare organisations across the UK. In addition to its fundraising work, it also runs dedicated adoption centres in Pets at Home stores. n For more information, and to make a donation, please visit: https://www.supportadoptionforpets.co.uk/support-us/donate/ To apply for a grant, please visit: https://www.supportadoptionforpets.co.uk/grant-programme/

www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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Play and meaty food reduce hunting by cats Domestic cats hunt wildlife less if owners play with them daily and feed them a meat-rich food, new research shows.

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unting by cats is a conservation and welfare concern, but methods to reduce this are controversial and often rely on restricting cat behaviour in ways many owners find unacceptable.

The new study – by the University of Exeter – found that introducing a premium commercial food where proteins came from meat reduced the number of prey animals cats brought home by 36%, and also that five to ten minutes of daily play with an owner resulted in a 25% reduction.

"Previous research in this area has focussed on inhibiting cats' ability to hunt, either by keeping them indoors or fitting them with collars, devices and deterrents," said Professor Robbie McDonald, of Exeter's Environment and Sustainability Institute.

"While keeping cats indoors is the only sure-fire way to prevent hunting, some owners are worried about the welfare implications of restricting their cat’s outdoor access.

"Our study shows that – using entirely non-invasive, non-restrictive methods – owners can change what the cats themselves want to do.

"By playing with cats and changing their diets, owners can reduce their impact on wildlife without restricting their freedom."

Play in the study involved owners simulating hunting by moving a feather toy on a string and wand so cats could stalk, chase and pounce. Owners also gave cats a toy mouse to play with after each "hunt", mimicking a real kill.

It is not clear what elements of the meaty food led to the reduction in hunting.

"Some cat foods contain protein from plant sources such as soy, and it is possible that despite forming a 'complete diet' these foods leave some cats deficient in one or more micronutrients – prompting them to hunt,"

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said Martina Cecchetti, the PhD student who conducted the experiments.

"However, meat production raises clear climate and environmental issues, so one of our next steps is to find out whether specific micronutrients could be added to cat foods to reduce hunting.

"We also plan to investigate whether different kinds of play have different effects, and whether combining strategies can reduce hunting even further."

The study – based on a 12-week trial of 355 cats in 219 households in south-west England – also examined the effect of existing devices used to limit hunting by cats.

Colourful "Birdsbesafe" collar covers reduced numbers of birds captured and brought home by 42%, but had no effect on hunting of mammals.

Cat bells had no discernible overall effect – although the researchers say the impact on individual cats varied widely, suggesting some cats learn to hunt successfully despite wearing a bell.

Lisa George, from Helston, Cornwall, looks after Minnie, a 3-year old tabby cat who took part in the trial, said: “Minnie loves to hunt. More often than not she will bring her prey home and let it go in the house. We’ve had birds in the bedroom, rats in the waste paper bin (which took us three days to catch), rabbits in the utility room.

“On changing Minnie’s food (previously supermarket own-brand), to Lily’s Kitchen, I found she hardly hunted at all. This continued the whole time she was on this food. I can honestly say I couldn’t believe the difference as regards her hunting behaviour.”

George Bradley, from project sponsors SongBird Survival, said: “This latest study we have funded is excellent news for birds.

"The data show that cat owners (like me) can make a few small and easy steps to really improve the health and happiness of our pets as well as make a really big difference for all our wildlife, especially our beloved songbirds.

"Making these easy-to-implement changes will be a win-win for birds, cats and cat owners.”

Dr Sarah Ellis, Head of Cat Advocacy at iCatCare, which is part of the advisory group for this research project, said: “We are really encouraged by the findings of this study.

"While many cat owners are wildlife lovers and find the killing and injuring of wild animals by their cats upsetting, many owners also feel that keeping their cats www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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indoors or restricting their outdoor access would impact negatively on their cats’ quality of life.

"At iCatCare, we are particularly excited about the positive effects of play – this is an activity that owners can easily introduce at no or little cost, takes little time and is very cat-friendly.

"The mental and physical stimulation of predatory-like play are likely to help keep a cat in tip top condition and provide an appropriate behavioural outlet for its predatory behaviours."

Dr Adam Grogan, Head of Wildlife at the RSPCA, welcomed the results of the study: "The RSPCA cares for both cats and wild animals and we want to provide advice to cat owners that will benefit both cat and wild animal welfare.

"This project provides us with alternatives for cat owners that are simple and effective and so easy to adopt.

The paper, published in the journal Current Biology, is entitled: "Provision of high meat content food and object play reduce predation of wild animals by domestic cats Felis catus."

Once live, the paper will be available at: https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S09609822(20)31896-0

Our recommendations following this study:

To reduce predation of wildlife by cats, and to protect your pet from outdoor hazards, like roads, diseases, and fights with other animals, the only sure-fire approach is to keep your cat indoors. Keeping cats indoors overnight reduces these risks. Our research shows, however, that many cat owners value outdoor access for their cats, so this approach won’t suit everyone. You can find out more about improving the indoor environment to keep your cats healthy and happy on the iCatCare www.icatcare.org and RSPCA websites www.rspca.org.uk Because many owners do let their cats outdoors, we researched other methods that reduce predation while making positive contributions to cat health and welfare.

Our study found good evidence that the following methods led to significant reductions in predation of wildlife by cats that were regular hunters. The effects vary between cats. Most of our study cats still killed wild animals – old habits die hard – but overall numbers can be greatly reduced.

If your cat hunts birds and mammals:

Try using a complete diet, where the protein source comes from meat. Our trial used Lily’s Kitchen, though other similar brands are available. We recommend you

seek and follow veterinary advice when changing your cat’s food, and follow the manufacturer’s guidance on the amount you should feed. Always introduce new foods gradually, over at least a week. A combination of dry and wet foods can be used.

If your cat mostly hunts mammals: l l

Try the dietary change!

Introduce daily play with your cat. The owners in our trial played with their cats for 5-10 minutes a day. We used a feather toy on a string attached to a “wand”, like a short fishing rod, which owners moved in a manner that allowed the cat to chase and pounce on the feather toy. After playing like this for a few minutes, we let the cats capture the toy and then quickly replaced it with a crinkly mouse-type toy for the cat to ‘kill’, kick and manipulate. Playing with their cat was positively received by our owners as it made them feel closer to their pets.

If your cat mostly hunts birds:

Try the dietary change!

If your cat is comfortable with wearing a collar, try fitting a Birdsbesafe collar cover over an existing, safety (quick-release) cat collar before it goes out. In our trial we used a rainbow-pattern cover. Remove the Birdbesafe collar cover when your cat is indoors.

About the study

The University of Exeter’s "Cats, Cat Owners and Wildlife" project aims to work with cat owners to identify effective, practical means of reducing cat predation on wildlife, without compromising, and potentially enhancing, cat welfare. More details at: https://wildlifescience.org/catproject2019/ The project’s advisory group comprises bird conservationists and independent experts in feline health and behaviour, and representation from iCatCare and the RSPCA. In this new study, the meat-rich food given to some cats was produced by Lily's Kitchen, details at: https://www.lilyskitchen.co.uk/. Details of Birdsbesafe are at: https://www.birdsbesafe.com/

Study sponsor

SongBird Survival, the project sponsor, is the only charity in the UK solely dedicated to halting the alarming decline of songbirds – birds, such as corn bunting, willow tit, tree & house sparrow. It does so by funding independent scientific studies that aim to shed light on the reasons why around 50% of our songbirds have disappeared over the past 50 years. These studies will help determine how land can be managed more sustainably, with a view to restoring a rich, balanced and resilient population of birds similar to that of the 1970’s to keep a healthy dawn chorus alive. www.songbird-survival.org.uk/

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How can I help songbirds?

Whatever space you have, you can help your birds and wildlife Interest in wildlife has never been higher, and studies have found that living in an area with lots of birds, shrubs and trees can have a positive effect on your mental health.

A

ttracting wildlife into your garden is not just good for your health and wellbeing, but can also make a big difference to the lives of our furry, feathered and scaly friends.

Individually each garden, wall or back yard may not seem much, but add them all together and UK private gardens make up an area the size of Somerset!

If you are lucky enough to live in a more rural area, then rural gardens and farmland make up around 70% of the UK; of this a sixth is woodland.

So if each household does a little bit, we can make a big difference

Terrace or Patio Small Garden (up to tennis court size) Medium Garden (up to 2 tennis courts) Large Garden (around 4 tennis courts) Very large Garden Source: HTA/Ipsos Mori survey of GB adults 2014

to our wildlife and birds.

Most garden birds have moved from their natural homes in woodland to take advantage of the

food and nesting places in your gardens.

Some rural gardens may see farmland birds visiting birdtables too.

What do birds need?

Food

Places to have babies

Water

Safety from predators

Places to roost

PLACE TO ROOST

PLACE TO SING & DANCE

PLACE TO NEST BUILDING MATERIAL

PLACE Other wildlife have the same needs. All plants TO HIDE and animals are connected. They often depend on each other to survive or reproduce.

The more varied the plants and features of SOURCES OF your garden, the more birds and animals will FOOD use it. A greater variety of creatures coming to your garden will lead to a broader range of INSECTS birds coming to visit.

Think about how you can help by taking bird FOOD and other wildlife needs into account.

SEEDS Offer plants or supplementary food to eat.

And, where possible, places to nest or hide in SAFETY FRUIT and water to drink and wash in.

Plants offer berries, nuts and seeds as well COMPETITION as insects that live on them. Many plants and trees offer protection from predators, with leaf PREDATORS cover to hide in and prickles to deter bigger WEATHER animals. Trees, hedges and nestboxes offer safe places to nest and rear young.

HABITAT

SOURCES OF WATER

NEST BUILDING

WASH IN

WATER

DRINK

FIND FOOD IN

CLIMATE

NOT TOO HOT

FIND SOURCES (INSECTS)

NOT TOO COLD

n For more information visit www.songbirdsurvival.org.uk 34

28 FEBRUARY – 28 MARCH 2021 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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

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Split Peanuts

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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

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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

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

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ALL YEAR ROUND FEEDING

Sunflower hearts Bakery grade premium sunflower hearts.

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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

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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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Safe to used aroun. pets SupaClean Powair Spray Eliminate those nasty odours safely and permanently with PowAir Spray, a proven, industrial strength, essential oil based odour neutraliser infused with refreshing aromatic scents.

Caniflex A liquid devils claw supplement for dogs. To assist with joint care for older dogs or dogs with reduced mobility. Also contains Glucosamine Sulphate, MSM & Vitamin C. Available in 250ml, 1lt, 2.5lt 7 5lt containers.

H ealth products

The importance of keeping everywhere clean has been a top priority for everyone this year. Use this steriliser to clean all areas indoors and out, floors, surfaces, patios, door handles and even wild bird feeders. Makes light work of even ground in dirt. Dilutes up to 1;400 so a little goes a very long way.

All these products are available from OUR BRAND NEW WEBSITE www.animal-health.co.uk

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.

Cage Spray A ready to use disinfectant spray containing our Parvo-Virucide.

Ideal for hutches, cages, grooming tables etc.

Read th Revie e w on ou s bRa n R dn websi ew te.

Stablezone Bio-Safe Space and surface spray. A breakthrough in disease and odour control. 100% safe for animals, the environment and you. A blend of organic acids, wetting agents, essential oils with Tea Tree Oil and Eucalyptus. Bio-Safe can be sprayed into the air while the animals are present and has a range of excellent uses.

Not just for stables, but also for all animal housing including chick coops. With animals hunkering down inside their accommodation longer through the short days and longer nights. This powder helps to keep the bedding drier for longer as well as being an antibacterial powder. A little goes a long way with this fine powder. Available in 5kg buckets or 25kg bags.

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Visit our website or call: 01780 410313

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Tower

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National Love Your Pet Day: Labradors & Cockapoos Are the Most Huggable Hounds Now, we’re pretty certain we don’t need a day to tell us to love our pets; we do it multiple times a day. But at the same time, we’re very excited a day like this exists so that we have an excuse not to let go of our furry friends. This Saturday is National Love Your Pet Day —a whole day dedicated to displaying affection to our dogs.

D

og food experts at Butternut Box carried out a survey and collected 296 answers around which dog breed respondents think is the most huggable and the verdict is in.

Women adore Labradors

We collected 296 answers around which dog breed respondents think are the most huggable, and the verdict is in. The majority of 38

respondents, equating to 16%, agreed that Labradors are the most huggable pooches, with 18% being female and 14% male. According to the data, it seems that there are gender differences in which sort of dogs we think give the best hugs.

The majority of men (17%) answered that Cockapoos were the most huggable. Both dogs are big and fluffy, so it seems those are the characteristics we value the most

28 FEBRUARY – 28 MARCH 2021 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

from a hug with our four-legged friend.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers, German Shepherds, Huskies, and St Bernards all coming in a joint second.

How to celebrate National Love Your Pet Day

First, no matter what breed or size they are, give your pooch a hug and let them know how much you love them—tell them, too! If your dog is displaying any negative behaviours, www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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Which dog breeds are the most huggable?

“

No matter what breed or size they are, give your pooch a hug and let them know how much you love them tell them, too!

”

Image Source: Shutterstock, by 4 PM production.

volunteering or donating money to your local dog shelter!

If you own a business, you could put measures into place to make your business dog friendly, so owners can bring their dogs when they venture outside. This can have tremendous effects for emotional wellbeing in work, with research showing that canine colleagues can improve both staff wellbeing and productivity—a win for everyone.

Why does hugging your hound feel so good?

Research reports that as well as tremendous emotional benefits hugging your dog can improve both your physical and mental health— reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, preventing heart disease, and helping fight depression.

Physical affection also helps soothe your pet, so it is a mutually beneficial relationship!

So, celebrate the best day of the year with your dog. Why not take them for an extra special walk or feed them their favourite treats too? try to put yourself in their paws and think of ways to remedy anxious or destructive behaviour. We know that modern life can be busy, but when you get in from a long day back at work, they may just be wanting more attention and affection off you.

Most negative behaviours are signals of unhappiness, so use this celebratory day the way it was intended—to display affection and recognise how we can create a safer and happier environment for our dogs. www.rescueandanimalcare.com

If you don’t have a furry friend in your life, why don’t you spend the day visiting local animal shelters to see if you can bring a forever friend home—but only if you’ve been thinking about it seriously. Try to avoid bringing a dependent animal into your life because of lockdown.

There are many rescue dogs that have been left without a home after owners realised that they weren’t ready for the responsibility. If you’re not prepared for a four-legged companion, then spend the day

Sources Dotson, M.J. and Hyatt, E.M., 2008.

Understanding dog–human companionship. Journal of Business Research, 61(5), pp.457-466. https://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-bloodpressure/features/6-ways-pets-impr ove-your-health n For further information visit Butternut Box https://butternutbox.com/

RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE 28 FEBRUARY – 28 MARCH 2021

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The Rescue Journey of Max The true impact of the Pandemic struck home just before Christmas when we were asked to take in a 9 month old Labrador who had been bought and was being trained to be a guard dog. Anne Carter from Labrador Lifeline Trust explains

I

wish I had a £ for everyone that tells me they want a Labrador because they are such kind, friendly and trustworthy dogs and so good with children. A Labrador is a dog like any other and their early life reflects on what they will be like as adults. This dog was bought at the start of lock-down by people who wanted to use him as a guard dog. They wanted him to be mean and unapproachable to strangers but sadly this went too far. The methods employed to train him with the use of beatings and a prong collar had already taken their toll and in the end he turned upon his owners, who could not get near him. In desperation they brought him to us.

Our kennels are very experienced and took him as we had the inevitable threat hanging over us from the owner ’either you take this dog or we will open the door and kick him out.’ Can you imagine what could have happened?

We sought advice from the best in the land and also a trainer in France who was used to working with dogs so badly abused by humans. After 8 weeks we are lucky enough to have passed him to a specialist training establishment who will treat him with kindness and care in the hope we can put the events of the past behind him and hopefully find him a new home.

Another youngster arrived in our kennels having been bought for a small boy with health problems at the suggestion of his care worker. A dog needs training from an early age to cope with this type of environment and not every dog can. We have had several dogs placed into our care who have been traumatised by being mistreated through ignorance.

This poor lad had never been taken for a walk and had no socialisation with his own kind. I hasten to add that this was not entirely the fault of his owner as a single parent family and coping with a small child plus a puppy was all too much for her. She did the right thing by placing the dog with us knowing that we would find him the right home. They keep in contact with me for regular updates on his progress.

Ted was frightened beyond belief of sudden movement and loud noises including shouting and screaming. It has taken weeks of gentle care and training to gain back the trust that the dog has lost. Most dogs eventually come right but some keep the memory and remain nervous, shy and worried. After a period of 3 months Ted is now ready to face his new home which is child free and where he can relax with his new people. His training will continue and his new life awaits.

All these cases and many more like them are costing rescue charities a lot of money and being unable to

40

28 FEBRUARY – 28 MARCH 2021 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

fundraise through their shops or events has placed a heavy burden upon them. Some rescues will undoubtedly face closure which in turn will increase the amount of help and assistance with unwanted dogs placed on the remaining rescues.

Labradors are currently fetching such high premiums on the internet the majority are not being placed into Breed rescue. A recent advert for a 10-year-old Labrador being sold for £500 is a clear indication to us that money is far more important. It worries all of us engaged in Labrador Rescue as to what will become of some of these dogs when this pandemic abates.

The market will undoubtedly stagnate at some time in the future and owners may return to rescue once more for help. One has to ask will they demand payment to sell their dog on to a rescue? n To find out more visit Labrador Lifeline Trust www.labrador-lifeline.com info@labrador-lifeline.com

www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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We provide High Quality, well priced food supplies for RAW and BARF diet A High Quality Range of Natural Supplements, Health Aids, Remedies and Natural Healthy Treats which Enhance Your Pets’ Diet.

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Photo image: ©Adobe Stock

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Poo Happens Before you turn the page quickly, holding your nose, let me just tell you how some members of my family reacted when I told them I was asked to write something on dog poo. Juliet Abrahamson tells us more

M

y son said, “Do you remember the time when our puppy would only poo on flat shiny surfaces, and we took him to a friend’s house, where a child had left a CD out on the floor? The puppy ran over the lino and carpet, and carefully dumped a neat poo right in the middle of the CD!” My other son described with pride the small square poos his dachshund deposited, while my husband just said, “Remember to mention that you can buy recyclable poo bags.”

‘Healthy’ poo

So what is ‘healthy’ dog poo, and how can you adjust your dog’s diet if it is not?

A dog doesn’t chew his food as we do, and digests it in the stomach with powerful acids. Mostly this works fine, except when food is bad, when a dog maybe allergic to it, or if it is poisonous. The list doesn’t stop there. Your dog may be stressed, or have parasites or other infections, or may be he has eaten too much or something he shouldn’t have eaten at all. Dogs need us to keep an eye on what they eat and what comes out the other end as a result. Poo that is watery signifies some disturbance in the gut, possibly inflammation, and can arise from any of these causes.

42

28 FEBRUARY – 28 MARCH 2021 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

Toxic to dogs

Some foods are toxic to dogs, and will certainly show up in their poo as diarrhea. They should never eat chocolate, raisins or grapes, any kind of onion, macadamia nuts, foods with artificial sweetener, and avocados. All are toxic for dogs and can lead to serious illness. Cooked bones can be dangerous if they break up and splinter in the gut; the cob from corn on the cob can cause a blockage and never should be given to a dog; alcohol can have a serious effect on a dog’s nervous system. Grass is not a problem, and dogs like chewing on it sometimes, but chewing other plants should be stopped since there are many that are poisonous – both to humans and to dogs, and there’s no point taking any chances.

The poo you scoop up on your walk shouldn’t be runny but compact, and the colour should be chocolate brown.

If your dog has diarrhea it may clear up or it may need a vet’s attention. There are things you can do to help first, though.

Home help

Diarrhea consistency can be firmed up by certain foods: rice, cooked pumpkin, yoghourt with probiotics (suitable www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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for dogs without lactose intolerance), plain cooked egg and boiled potatoes. Some dogs, like our Tibetan Terrier, fortunately think these foods are a treat, and the foods in moderation certainly can sort out a gut imbalance quickly. If a poo is very hard and dry-looking it may signify a lack of water in the diet, so just increase fresh water for your dog – perhaps a few bowls in different rooms to encourage drinking.

Changing diet can help, and some people advocate a raw meat diet. Certainly the preservatives used in cooked meats are mainly responsible for the offensive smell of dog poo, and a raw diet may be something to consider.

Photo image: ©Adobe Stock

Disposal

I’m sure I would be preaching to the converted if I told you always to take a (recyclable) doggy bag on your walk (or two, if your doggy is a two-poo-a-walk dog, or you want one to give to a forgetful owner) and always to pick up any deposits your dog may make. Most dog owners do, and it’s just a small number who antisocially leave it where it lands. These are the people who need to be told that someone will have to clear their mess if they don’t pick it up.

But it’s true that apparently 200% more people have left poo on the streets during lockdown. It’s difficult to explain why this might be – maybe thinking they won’t be caught because there are not many people outdoors, or perhaps it is those few people who are not used to having a dog, and forget to take a bag. The latter is no excuse, however, since you can be fined even if you plead forgetfulness. And the fines, should one be caught, are prohibitive: £100 straight off, or £1000 if one is taken to court.

One thing I didn’t know when researching this article is that you can actually use any public waste-bin to dump the filled plastic bag – it doesn’t have to be a special dog-poo bin. And if you cannot find any bins, then there is no harm taking the bag home to dispose of. Throwing the bag in a bush is just as antisocial as leaving it on the ground.

Poop Bag Pocket, Beco The Beco Pocket is designed with a unique bungee system, this means the Pocket can be easily attached to a variety of places, from your dog’s lead to even on a pram or inside a car boot! £3.75. Visit www.naturalhealthypets.co.uk

A Bad Thing

So why is it such a bad thing? Apart from being smelly, disgusting to look at and worse to step in, dog poo can be dangerous to humans, particularly to children, who may readily fall in it – a very upsetting experience.

Contact can cause a nasty disease called toxocariasis, a rare infection causing dizziness, nausea, asthma and other horrible symptoms.

This is why it is essential to always pick up after your dog, and to encourage others and teach children who help walk the dog to do so as well.

Finally, my sister’s ‘good advice’ was: “Why not tell people that picking up dog poo in a plastic bag is really nice if you’re on a freezing cold walk in winter and want to warm your hands!”

Poop Bags, Compostable Unscented, Beco Big, strong and home compostable.

These poop bags are made from natural plant based materials.

They cater for almost all poop sizes and will break down once disposed of. Fit all standard bag dispensers.

4 rolls of 15. £5.99. Visit www.naturalhealthypets.co.uk

www.rescueandanimalcare.com

RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE 28 FEBRUARY – 28 MARCH 2021

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Hot and Cross Buns It’s that time of the year when ‘things’ begin to ‘bloom’ and temperatures begin to ‘rise’. Spring Fever is definitely a Thing …

T

he onset of spring, for most animals, is like an awakening.

And this is particularly apt for rabbits (hence the association with … well, you know what!).

But it’s not just about the pitterpatter (or pitter-patter-pitter-patter, being four-legged) of tiny fluffy feet, but sometimes a complete 180degree personality change that the onset of spring can also bring (think stroppy teenager and you’ll not be far wrong!). This is commonly known as Spring Fever.

Although rabbits can breed throughout the year, hormones are at their highest during spring, so it’s good to be aware of what can happen and how this can affect the little ones in your care.

confidently, without the fear of Daisy having to be renamed Dave after ‘things’ become obvious. Or Dave becoming Daisy when there’s the pitter-patter of many, many, many little fluffy paws a little while later.

Unexpected litters

Spring is not a great time of year to start a new bond between rabbits as it could take longer, be more challenging - or not work at all. So if you plan to bond rabbits, make a plan to start very slowly, or perhaps later in the year.

It’s not uncommon for girl bunnies to be confused with boy bunnies (it’s a bunny thing!), so check with your rabbit-savvy vet or local rabbit rescue to make sure you know ‘what’s what’ and ‘who’s who’ if you’ve recently become a new bunny parent.

Rabbits can become pregnant at a staggeringly young age of 3 months.

Or, put another way, pregnant at just12 weeks old! This is not good for the health of Mom or for the babies, so must be avoided. Check, check again and then triple check!

And then you can name them 44

Fighting

The bond between rabbits who have been happy together, can become quickly challenged during the spring months. Monitor behaviour closely and seek advice if you notice any changes in the partnership. And rabbits can really fight if they need to, quickly causing a nasty injury to other rabbits. Prevention is definitely better than cure.

Bonding new partners

Hormones & Neutering

In addition to stopping cancers and preventing pregnancy, neutering your rabbits helps minimise hormonerelated issues. And it’s always best to neuter all the rabbits in a bond, not just the females. No one likes a pester!

28 FEBRUARY – 28 MARCH 2021 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

And finally, just a quick word on spring grass…

Fresh spring grass is very tasty and sweet, but please be careful; new grass can cause serious tummy troubles such as gut stasis in rabbits, guinea pigs and others if they’re not used to it.

Gut stasis is very common in spring, and can be triggered by too much fresh grass, a change in diet or routine or other underlying issue. It’s extremely nasty and should be treated as quickly as possible by a veterinarian as it can be fatal. A prompt visit to your vet is essential with any change in eating habits, inappetence, diarrhoea, reduction in droppings or sudden change in behaviour.

Introduce fresh grass, a little at a time, over several weeks to allow their tummies to adapt - and make sure your little ones continue to eat lots of good quality hay and forage to help keep their tummies healthy and happy too!

Despite stroppy teenage-type hormones and ‘dangerous’ fresh grass, spring is a wonderful time of the year; just be vigilant and prepared for the hot and cross bunnies!! n For more information visit www.thehayexperts.co.uk Photo image: ©Adobe Stock www.rescueandanimalcare.com

p45.qxp_Layout 1 26/02/2021 12:44 Page 45

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Feast of Forage for Chinchillas & Degu

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Feast of forage for guinea pigs

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Feast of forage for rabbits

The Hay Experts yummy Feast of Forage for Rabbits includes bunny favourites such as plantain and dandelion, as well as raspberry leaf, coneflower, nettle and chicory root amongst lots of other tasty leaves and nibbles. Feed as a treat, feed as a topping to pellets or veg, feed as an addition to hay or a feed on its' own - your little ones are sure to enjoy rummaging through the tasty, high quality natural goodness! https://www.thehayexperts.co.uk/feastof-forage-for-rabbits.html

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FabricCleanse 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. Visit www.bio-lifeinternational.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.bio-lifeinternational.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.bio-lifeinternational.co.uk

PetalCleanse® Dog Anti-allergen pet coat cleanser to prevent eye, nose, throat and lung irritations in the presence of a dog. PetalCleanse® is a simple wipe on, wipe off lotion. £10.20.

Visit www.bio-lifeinternational.co.uk

Pet Power!

Great products for you and your Pets Puppy Power (Chicken & Rice) A gentle wheat free, gluten free, hypoallergenic diet that's packed with chicken & special extras to help your pup thrive. A great diet as a puppy helps set your pooch up for a healthy adulthood so it's important to get it right.

Visit www.cifood.co.uk

PetalCleanse® Cat Anti-allergen pet coat cleanser to prevent eye, nose, throat and lung irritations in the presence of a cat or other small furry or feathery pets. PetalCleanse® is a simple wipe on, wipe off lotion. £10.20. Visit www.bio-lifeinternational.co.uk

COLLOIDAL SILVER PETS EAR DROPS Ear infections in dogs are common and most dogs suffer from this condition at some stage.

Rubbing and scratching at the ears and shaking the head are common signs of this.

Visit www.naturesgreatestsecret.co.uk

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Battery operated Atomiser Suitable for all mammals showing signs of stress including cats, dogs, rabbits, rodents, ferrets, and horses.

Visit www.petremedy.co.uk

RAISED BED This raised trampoline bed is perfect for ‘lounging on’, in a kennel run, garden or house. Great for Dogs that like to be raised off the ground.

Visit www.thedaleskennelcompany.co.uk

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Heartache leads to true friendship for donkeys A donkey left heartbroken following the loss of his best friend has now found a new companion thanks to international animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary.

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he 24-year-old male donkey called Max, was left forlorn and lonely after the donkey he lived with for many happy years sadly passed away due to colic. Now thanks to efforts by the charity, Max has been introduced to Marian, a 20-year-old mare, and the pair have become inseparable ever since.

Marian lived at The Donkey Sanctuary in Devon, and had initially been passed over as being unsuitable for rehoming due to a dental condition she was born with.

But, when Donkey Welfare Adviser, Tewsday Herbert found out about Max’s fate, she knew she had to act fast and find him a new companion.

After sending Max’s owner some photographs, it turned out that Marian looked very much like Max’s companion Rosie, a sign that would help bonding if they were introduced.

After discussions with the Veterinary Team at The Donkey Sanctuary, Marian was given a full medical examination by veterinary surgeon Vicky Grove to ensure she was fit and well. Then after dental treatment and farrier work to her feet, she made the journey to join Max at his Berkshire home.

Max had been extremely close to Rosie. He had been alone since November and had spent much of his time at the fence looking very lonely, so Marian proved to be the perfect soulmate and the pair hit it off straight away. Lacking confidence, Max was smitten as Marian took the lead, proving to be the strong character he needed.

Marian has given Max a new zest for life and the pair have been enjoying their time together. She has

www.rescueandanimalcare.com

Max and Marian (left) at their home together - The Donkey Sanctuary been by his side since joining him and the pair have clearly bonded.

Marian’s dental condition that initially meant she was passed over for rehoming, requires specialist treatment every six months.

Fortunately Max is also seen twice a year by one of the UK’s top dental vets, meaning she will also receive the best care for her condition.

Vicky Grove, veterinary surgeon at The Donkey Sanctuary said: “When a donkey loses a bonded companion, the need to find a replacement is urgent. However, we try to find the best match, which in Max’s case meant an older, single donkey.

“A rehoming medical allows us to identify any age-related ongoing issues, then communicating this with the potential home to ensure additional care is put in place. As Marion requires expert dental care more frequently than the usual annual check-up, it turns out that the home is already perfectly prepared as Max is seen regularly to

address his own dental issues.

Vicky concluded: “It is so heartening to see the joy Marion has brought to Max and his owner.’

Tewsday Herbert, Donkey Welfare Adviser at The Donkey Sanctuary said: “Donkeys form strong and long-lasting friendships and the separation of bonded donkeys can often cause extreme distress in the form of pining behaviour. So it was very important that we found Max a new companion as quickly as possible.”

Max’s owner, Sally Hunt said: “Marian has been a delight since she has arrived and she given Max a reason to live again. Donkeys are truly magical!”

The Donkey Sanctuary is a global leader for equine welfare, research and veterinary care. The charity operates programmes worldwide for animals working in agriculture, industry and transportation. n For further information visit

www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk

RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE 28 FEBRUARY – 28 MARCH 2021

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Unloved. Tigger the Pony safe at last Tigger was yet another fly grazing owner’s pony picked up by the Horse Warden and taken to safety at The Pit Pony Sanctuary.

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hen this dear little soul arrived at the centre he was undernourished, had rain scalds on his back and caked in mud and very sad.

Tigger had a … mark painted on his side was his position in death row.

He is looking and was feeling much better now although he doesn’t yet seem to know how ponies behave. He walks away from nutritious feed but at least is eating good hay and has access to plentiful grass 24/7.

Now loved and nurtured Tigger is doing well at The Pit Pony sanctuary and they are delighted with his progress.

Tigger at Sanctuary

Pregnant Foal Duchess saved from Owner The Pit Ponies Sanctuary need your help

Duchess at the Sanctuary Duchess before she came to the Sanctuary When a group of kind people saw her condition they managed to raise funds to buy Duchess from her owner.

These watchful carers had been keeping an eye on her the best they could. When the Horse Warden was called out to see her, because Duchess’s guardian angels were feeding her the reality of this dear Foal’s situation did not cause him enough concern to have Duchess removed. He didn’t realise that the owner himself was not taking 48

care of her at all.

Before her rescue and taken to The Pit Pony Sanctuary, Duchess was living in a very wet field and her lower legs were caked in mud. Her mud covered tail was also thick with thistles and burrs and she had lice.

A sorry sight indeed.

Seen here trying out her new stable and likely the first one she has ever been in Duchess has also found to be pregnant! Thank goodness she is now on safe hands.

The centre are working on her trust issues but these are improving as the days go by.

28 FEBRUARY – 28 MARCH 2021 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

Raising funds during Lockdown days for animal charities is even harder.

They have been a registered Charity 30 years this year. Angela and Roy are the only original Trustees still involved and together with a few other caring people look after the running of the Charity for the ponies.

There are so many ways you can help. Why not call them or go to their website. Tel: 01443 480327 or 07798584735 before you visit. info@pitponies.co.uk

www.pitponies.co.uk PROVIDING TENDER LOVING CARE TO NEEDY HORSES & PONIES Fforest Uchaf Farm. Maindy Road, (Maendy) Penycoedcae, Pontypridd.

R.C.T, Wales. UK. CF37 1PS. Registered Charity No. 1002933 www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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REDWINGS LAUNCHES URGENT HAY APPEAL Redwings Horse Sanctuary has launched an urgent appeal having been forced to spend an extra £100,000 on hay this winter.

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he registered charity, which cares for 1,500 rescued horses, ponies, donkeys and mules across the UK, had been facing a hay shortage due to the extreme wet weather conditions.

After heavy rain and flooding at Christmas, followed by last week's snow and subsequent thaw, the Sanctuary has had to use much more of its hay supplies than usual to ensure its rescued residents have kept well fed.

Unfortunately, yields from Redwings’ own harvest last year were down 30% due to the very wet start to the growing season, and a national hay shortage has pushed up prices by as much as 40% from some suppliers.

With the charity 100% funded by donations from the public, the extra spend has put further pressure on the Sanctuary’s already tightened budgets which have been significantly impacted by the coronavirus lockdowns.

Rachel Angell, Head of Norfolk Equine Operations, said: “With so many horses to look after on a daily basis, we plan our supplies carefully for each winter, but the recent incredibly poor weather, lower yields and increasing prices have created a perfect storm where we find ourselves appealing for extra support.

“Conditions have been particularly difficult at our Norfolk sanctuary sites where the clay soil has left fields waterlogged for longer, delaying the arrival of the spring grass and forcing us to use more hay to make sure our horses stay healthy.

“Luckily we were able to find a supplier who could provide the right quantity and quality of hay but, with the pandemic having placed significant pressure on our budgets, we urge anyone who can to consider a donation to ensure we can purchase any further hay we may need and continue to provide specialist care for our rescued horses, now and into the future.” n To donate to Redwings’ urgent hay appeal, please call 01508 481000 or visit www.redwings.org.uk/donate www.rescueandanimalcare.com

RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE 28 FEBRUARY – 28 MARCH 2021

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The “Garbage Dogs” This is the story of the “Garbage” Dogs and how it all began. Afrodith, a Greek rescue Volunteer, and her dogs, have an enormous struggle every day.

By Katerina Stratigaki & Julie Scourfield https://www.facebook.com/ethelontesxwmaterisLoutrakiou/ (Volunteers for the animals of Loutraki Landfill)

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frodith moved near the huge Loutraki landfill in 2018.

Passing by the rubbish dump/landfill, was a life changing experience for her, seeing the horrendous conditions the dogs and puppies were living in. She found packs of dogs and puppies in terrible conditions with broken bones, sores all over their bodies, starving, thirsty and sadly some dead. Soon, she began trying to take care of all the dogs she could find in the dump. She has no help from local authorities or from the government.

This dump is huge. And inside live about 130 dogs, dogs living next to tons of garbage in the most adverse conditions.

Countless puppies in a miserable condition are born and die 50

helplessly in there without a chance to live a full life. This is tragic. An endless cemetery of animals.

Dogs drink water from dirty and dangerous puddles, they scavenge in the trash.

Who's going to go to a rubbish dump to take care of dogs there?

Aphrodith alone.

A lady who has been doing incredible work for years to find a solution, who has dedicated her life to this.

Afrodith, a kind hearted and compassionate lady has captured, vaccinated, neutered and treated as many dogs as could be moved to the small plot of land she rents. She has no more space for the dogs left at the rubbish dump/landfill site. So, if a sick dog needs treatment today, she has no alternative but to try and

28 FEBRUARY – 28 MARCH 2021 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

capture the dog, put it in a crate and give it treatment. If very sick, they are taken to the vet's for treatment then released back to the landfill, she has no other place to take the dogs.

Her dream would be to take all the dogs out of the landfill and give them the life they deserve, with a loving family. To make her dream come true she needs a larger plot of land with shelter, to give as many dogs as possible a chance of a happy and healthy life with treatment, love and care - hopefully foster/adoption as well.

She created her face book page in 2018 so that people could see her work trying to help alleviate the suffering of the poor dogs. The smallest donation will help. She is alone in helping the "Garbage" dogs. www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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She can barely make ends meet. https://www.facebook.com/ethelontesxwmaterisLoutrakiou (Volunteers for the animals of Loutraki Landfill) Click on the Facebook page and check out her work. Let's help her if we can. With a sack of food, a few medicines, fostering, adoptions, lots of shares on social media.

Her admirable and selfless work with the dogs has been recognised by a German charity https://www.facebook.com/NeverWalkAloneTierschutzverein.

They send pallets of dry food to help. They are a lifeline for the garbage dogs.

In Loutraki landfill there are about 130 stray dogs, most of which suffer horribly with diseases. The

www.rescueandanimalcare.com

Municipality of Loutraki is uninterested in the well-being of the dogs and no measures have been taken to alleviate the situation apart from providing 4 sacks of dry food per week. The dogs must be captured and neutered, treated for diseases and skin conditions. Food and proper shelter must be provided. The few Volunteers, usually Afrodith alone, that are trying to make things better for the poor dogs are barely able to make ends meet.

Over the past few years Loutraki landfill has become the place for people to discard their rubbish as well as their pets. Irresponsible people, members of the local community dump their unwanted dogs in the landfill. Unfortunately,

the same goes for people who do not live in the area. These animals lead a tragic life. They are or they have become fearful, they are sick, wandering around, scavenging the garbage for food. Most importantly, they are not neutered so their numbers are increasing, the problem is then exacerbated. Due to the conditions they find themselves in, exposed to all weathers, having no medication for ticks, fleas and worms they fall ill. Leishmaniasis, ehrlichiosis, mange, skin diseases, sexually transmitted diseases are some of the most common diseases the "Garbage" dogs are suffering from. These dogs and puppies are doomed to a life of misery and pain.

The sole volunteer at the site is a lady with a heart of gold, Aphrodith.

Greece is a very well-known tourist destination, due to its natural beauty, archaeological sites and beautiful landscape. Every year, it attracts many tourists, both foreign and local. What many people do not know, that behind this beautiful facade, there is an estimated population of 3.5 million strays wandering in the streets throughout the country. A lot of Greeks do not castrate their animals and now there are millions of stray dogs and cats.

Most of them are street strays, starving, sick, in terrible condition and the government does nothing.

So local Greek Volunteers try their best to alleviate this suffering.

Many help but many look away and do not care.

RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE 28 FEBRUARY – 28 MARCH 2021

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Ten years at Number 10 for Britain’s most famous Rescue Cat From charming world leaders, to distracting the press, Chief Mouser Larry has done it all during his time at 10 Downing Street. But before he began prowling the corridors of political power, Larry was a humble stray who came to Battersea in need of help and a home.

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28 FEBRUARY – 28 MARCH 2021 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

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onday 15 February marks exactly ten years since the confident rescue cat left the leading animal welfare charity’s care to begin a new life as one of British politics’ brightest stars. To celebrate this milestone, Battersea is looking back at some of Larry’s most memorable moments.

Battersea’s Head of Catteries and Feline Welfare, Lindsey Quinlan, said: “It seems like only yesterday that Larry came to our cattery as a stray in need of a home. I don’t think anyone back then could have imagined just how incredible his life would turn out to be.

“Throughout his time at Number 10, Larry has proven himself to not only be a brilliant ambassador for Battersea, but also demonstrated to millions of people around the world how incredible rescue cats are. His rags to riches tale is yet more proof of why all animals deserve a second chance – one minute they may be an overlooked stray on the streets, the next they could become one of the nation’s beloved political figures, with fans around the world.”

During his tenure as Chief Mouser, Larry has been a trusted companion to www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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Larry Zoom Party

“ not one, not two, but three Prime Ministers. David Cameron was ready and waiting at Number 10 to greet Larry on his first day on the job, and despite rumours to the contrary, Mr Cameron confirmed the pair were friends when he dedicated part of his final speech in Parliament to Larry, saying “Sadly, I cannot take Larry with me - he belongs to the house and the staff love him very much, as do I." Larry was also there to offer his support when the next Prime Minister, Theresa May, left office caught live on camera being forcibly removed from his sunbathing spot and escorted away by security so that he wouldn’t upstage the outgoing Prime Minister’s announcement.

Now working under his third Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, the 14-yearold tabby remains as prolific as ever, providing some light relief with impromptu photo opps.

Not content with his duties as Chief Mouser, Larry quickly took on another unofficial role as a diplomat.

His additional responsibilities were www.rescueandanimalcare.com

His rags to riches tale is yet more proof of why all animals deserve a second chance.

”

put to the test soon after he took up office, when the then President of the United States, Barack Obama, came to Downing Street for a visit.

Although he had been rumoured to usually take his time when making new friends, Larry made an exception for President Obama and photos of him happily being fussed by the charismatic world leader were shared worldwide.

When the next US president, Donald Trump, came to visit in 2019, the media were quick to report that the stubborn tabby had created a potential security threat by deciding the perfect spot for his afternoon nap would be to lie beneath President Trump’s vehicle, making it impossible for them to move until Larry had decided to wake up.

No matter what he does, Larry can do no wrong in the eyes of his fans.

Simply being caught in the rain was enough to melt hearts the world over in 2018 when a police officer guarding Number 10 took pity on the soggy moggy after he was caught in a downpour. The scene of a kind policeman escorting Larry to the

door and helping him inside unfolded in the background of live news reports and quickly went viral.

Over the years Larry has become a household name, with a huge social media following, an annual calendar, dedicated news reports from overseas broadcasters and now even a children’s book all about his life.

A Number 10 spokesperson said: “A much beloved member of the No 10 team, Larry plays a vital role as Chief Mouser and in delighting staff and the public alike with his playful antics.

“We’re proud to support Battersea and other animal welfare organisations in their mission to ensure our furry friends have a loving and safe home.”

Lindsey added: “At Battersea we work hard to ensure that every animal goes to their ideal home, whether that be a cottage in the country or the most famous street in the UK. While the majority of our cats are perfectly content with a comfy sofa and someone on hand to offer chin rubs, some cats like Larry prefer to ‘work’ for their supper – from keeping an eye out for pests on a farm, to entertaining the political press with their pigeonchasing antics.” n To find out more about Battersea’s work to support cats, please visit the website www.battersea.org.uk/cats

RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE 28 FEBRUARY – 28 MARCH 2021

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Nylon Polo Mac with Pink Trim

Kong Large Fetch Stick

Fabric stick with easy grip knotted rope - Lenght 22" Stick 11". (£8.49). Visit www.bordercollietrustgb.org.uk

Result Urban Ice Bird Padded Jacket

Super light weight and warm, fashionable quilting design, 100% Polyester fill, windproof, water repellent, front zip, zipped pockets, zipped inside chest pocket, adjustable shockcord hem, inner storm flap, elasticated cuff, contemporary fit. Available in 4 colours and different sizes. £40.99. Visit www.bordercollietrustgb.org.uk

Nylon Mac Polo Neckline Only made exclusively for GIN. Tie fastening and available in Black with a Pink trim. £15.00. Visit www.greyhoundsinneed.co.uk

Labrador Mug

This wonderful Labrador ‘Sit!’ mug will brighten up every cup of tea or coffee and would make a lovely gift for any Labrador owner or dog lover.

It’s particularly popular with our younger audience! £11.00. Visit www.labrador-lifeline.com

Greyhound Glossary Volume 2

Greyhound Glossary Volume 2 by Richard Skipworth 108 Pages of full colour and black & white working sketches showing the antics of Richard's greyhound together with handy definitions of his behavior. £15.00. Visit www.greyhoundsinneed.co.uk

Dogmatic Headcollar

The New Luxurious Soft and Lined Leather Dogmatic Headcollar. £37.99. Visit www.dogmatic.org.uk

Puppy Dog Eyes Latte Mug

Perfect for your coffee morning! £5.99. Visit www.bordercollietrustgb.org.uk

LED POCKET TORCH

These little torches emit a very bright led light.£3.50. Visit www.labrador-lifeline.com

Time for a cuppa!

Kong Wild Knots Bird

Hours of fun with this toy which has rope inside to make it tougher.

• Internal knotted rope satisfies natural instincts • Soft and durable • Minimal stuffing £10.00. Visit www.labrador-lifeline.com

House Collar

1" wide Jaquard ribbon house collar in a lovely Fleur de Lys design in grey and gold. Adjusts to fit 13" to 19" neck size with a curved side release Acetal Buckle for easy fitting. £7.00.

Visit www.greyhoundsinneed.co.uk

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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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Transport cages Your pets can travel in comfort, safety and style

Our range of transport cages come in a choice of colours and configurations.

These are all custom made and tailored to the vehicle and the customer’s needs and requirements.

We offer an extensive range of colours and finishes for the panels and drawers, and can colour match the vehicle if required. info@thedaleskennelcompany.co.uk

01969 666063

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