Rescue & Animal Care - August/September - Issue 167

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RESCUE and ANIMAL CARE 29th July - 29th September 2021 - Issue 167

Deaf Cat saved from going Blind Maggot-infested foal transforms into show ring Star!

ISSN 2050-0572

FREE TO READ Promoting Responsible Pet Ownership and Animal Welfare

www.rescueandanimalcare.com

In s ide .. .

See Mayhew’s Summer issue of tails Magazine!

Beware of heatstroke if you’re taking your dog to the beach this summer

Cat Carrier training advice Meet Cleveland Police's first Wellbeing and Trauma Support Dogs Cover Image

The UK’s No.1 vitamins also available for four legged-friends

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Dear Readers I hope the sun is shining wherever you are ☺ You’ve just opened our bumper summer issue.

Thank you!

You will find is packed with lots of very interesting articles. In the centre pages there is the lovely Mayhew ‘tails’ magazine. A very good read indeed.

We have some great ‘happy ending’ rescue features about some of the animals in plight that have come into animal charity care.

One rescued foal has become transformed into a Read tails Summer showroom star!

There is an Animal Rescue Funding Crisis in the UK so if Magazine online you can spare any time to volunteer or raise funds how (see centre pages) gratefully appreciated that would be.

The Border Collie Trust GB has launched their ‘Hero’ Fundraiser of the month. Their video really is a must watch. Think you’ll love it!

More people are taking their furry friend to work with them as many forward-thinking companies are welcoming dogs in the office. Read more inside.

Book reviews, animal care advice, training on using a cat carrier, pet products and many more topics covered in your free copy of Rescue and Animal Care.

We are taking a couple of weeks off to re charge our batteries but we will be back with our September issue.

Until then keep you and your pets cool and safe – Happy holidays!

Love Jennifer x

RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE MAGAZINE Promoting Responsible Pet Ownership and Animal Welfare

THE TEAM PUBLISHER: Jennifer Prowse FEATURE CONTRIBUTORS Mary Lloyd, Bio-Life International Juliet Abrahamson DESIGN Vicki Barnes WEBSITE WDL Website Design Ltd 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.

In this issue ...

28 The rise of th

e Four-legged

16

colleague

On this Month’s Cover

are taking tstroke if you Beware of Hea mmer e beach this su your dog to th

19 AFP Chill Out Ice Bandana Visit www.petcetera.co.uk

Contact us

Vitabiotics Superdog

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12 Meet Cleveland Police’s first Wellbeing and Trauma Support Dogs

PHONE: 07885 305188 EMAIL: Jennifer@jspmedia.co.uk TWITTER: Troublesome Treacle

Follow us on facebook Rescue and Animal Care www.facebook.com/rescueandanimalcare RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE MAGAZINE: JENNIFER PROWSE MEDIA, 21 THE MALTINGS, BURES, SUFFOLK CO8 5EJ

www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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My first ever selfie!

I’m crossing my paws right now so I must overcome my fear!

Hello my fabulous Furry Friends It’s not that cool to be furry this August and there have been times that I wish I could hang up my coat and go nude!

It has been so hot and too risky to go for a walk in such high temperatures.

Bundles of my fur are to be found all over our house despite Mistress chasing me around (I enjoy running away from her) to give me a good brush.

Now our hoover has started to make a weird noise and resembles a dog .I think we will need a new one very soon.

I have developed an aversion to going for a wee or a number two in our garden and Mistress is trying to work out why I am so fearful.

I was ok when she put me on my lead late last night to walk me around the very small area of grass until I bravely did a number one.

When my ball is thrown along with my favourite toy Piggy into the garden I refuse to retrieve it and this is usually one of my favourite games.

I’m crossing my paws right now so I must overcome my fear.

I can’t explain it to myself or to Mistress but I think it may be the spooky white statue that sits in the corner or the ants nest we found the other day. It may have been that I had a nip from one of those little black crawlies.

Mistress is looking for a safe way to destroy the ants and move the statue elsewhere.

We are off to the park in a moment as I can’t concentrate on my column until I’ve been to the toilet!!!!

Right, back now. Phew, that’s better.

I did what seemed like a hundred wees and big jobs!

I took my very first selfie the other day

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

and as you can imagine, that is no mean feat for a dog.

I had to pick up my dog friendly mobile gently in my mouth then carefully place my paw around it to hold it up high and click.

It took several attempts and I wasn’t even in the photo in most of them. I hope you like it and any of my fans are welcome to frame it and put it by their beds. Not that I am being conceited or anything ☺ This issue you are reading now is our bumper double summer month magazine. I hope you enjoy reading it.

We are taking a couple of weeks off to recover from all the hard work our team (particularly me) has put into this publication.

But we will be back in September.

Follow us on twitter 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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29 JULY – 29 SEPTEMBER 2021 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

www.rescueandanimalcare.com

t

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WATCH NOW

Watch our ‘Hero’ Fundraiser of the Month Video

Border Collie Trust GB

To watch our Animated video go to https://vimeo.com/580243340

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Do you run an Animal rescue centre or shelter?

Recording details of the animals, your supporters and keeping on top of assessments, medication, feeds and appointments taking too much time?

S

ANCTURease, the new animal management system will help you. Store details of the animals in your care in one central location, accessible via a web browser, the system will record full details of the animals in your care.

Our unique assessment builder allows you to design your own assessments, with multiple questions to meet the needs of your organisation exactly.

Whether you rescue or rehome, SANCTURease will streamline your animal and supporter administration.

Recording details of Supporters who support you, whether as Volunteers, rehomers, donors or any other connection that you define. Connect supporters to animals, recording finders, claims and fosterers.

Our mailing feature allows you to keep in constant contact with the supporters via email or letter at the click of a button. Send email newsletters, flyers and individual emails to keep in contact.

SANCTURease has been developed by ICARIS, who have been developing animal

management systems for large centres for over 20 years, with clients including Birmingham Dogs Home. Let us help you with the administration of your centre, freeing up more time to help the animals. n For further information visit www.sancturease.co.uk or email sales@icaris.co.uk or call 0845 075 8175.

Photo image: ©Adobe Stock stock.adobe.com

Commercial Pet Waste Removal Passionate about Animal Welfare We are pleased to help sponsor Animal Rescue Centres in this Magazine We provide a professional pet waste removal for businesses of all sizes and can arrange the collections of dog bins from Rescue centres, Kennels and Catteries, Dog day centres and Breeders.

Tel: 07907136300 6

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www.petwastesolutions.co.uk www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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Natural de-stress & calming for pets

https://youtu.be/czceHkHAptA

t

Cooling off at The Donkey Sanctuary

PLAY NOW

https://youtu.be/snWK4noGMsM

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www.rescueandanimalcare.com

RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE 29 JULY – 29 SEPTEMBER 2021

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Catit Play Treat Spinner The Catit Treat Spinner is an interactive slow feeder with dynamic treat spaces that provides your cat with hours of fun while encouraging physical activity reducing the chance of obesity.

Visit www.catit.com

Divine Shreds Premium cat food topper/mixer. 4 delicious chicken varieties with tender shreds in flavourful moisture. Visit www.catit.com

Catit Litter Scoop, Pink The Catit Litter Scoop is specially designed for use with Silica Litter Beads. The scoop's large bowl design allows the consumer to scoop up greater quantities of litter at a time. Visit www.catit.com

Groovy Fish Cute and cuddly fish toy. Motionactivated dancing fish. Grooves and moves in 3 movement modes.

Visit www.catit.com

Go Natural Wood Clumping Cat Litter High-performing and sustainable cat litter. The granules absorb up to 3 times their weight in liquid.

Visit www.catit.com

Catit Cat Double Diner The multi-purpose Catit Double Diner for cats can be used for either food, water or a combination of each. Visit www.catit.com

Catit Fish Dinner High in protein with added vitamins and minerals.

Available in six delicious varieties. Visit www.catit.com

Catit Hooded Cat Pan, Pink The Catit Hooded Cat Pan provides privacy while retaining the litter inside the pan. The large hood lifts up for easy access for cleaning, while the built-in bag anchor helps keep the bag open and frees hand for scooping. Visit www.catit.com

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Sol

Sol and his owner

Meet Cleveland Police’s first Wellbeing and Trauma Support Dogs Cleveland Police has welcomed two new four-legged recruits to help support officers and staff with their mental health.

B

ella and Sol are the Force’s first ‘Oscar Kilo OK 9’ Wellbeing and Trauma Support dogs.

In a launch ceremony held on Monday 26 July 2021, Bella, a 1-year-old female Labrador and Husky cross and Sol, a 9-year-old male Standard Poodle were presented with their official ‘OK 9’ wellbeing jackets and their handlers presented with certificates and pin badges.

Bella and Sol will work with the Force’s Wellbeing and Blue Light team to deliver a programme of wellbeing initiatives across the organisation.

Their handlers, Amanda Buck, Centre Manager of Breckon Hill Community Centre and Hilary Brown, Cleveland Police Volunteer are both trained in First Aid Mental Health and Peer Support and will be available, on a voluntary basis, to any officers and staff who may need signposting to other services available within the Force.

Amanda Buck, Bella’s handler said: “Bella joined our family at the age of 6 months in December 2020. The Community Centre was operating a scaled down service during the pandemic, so Bella attended work with me daily.

“By week 3, I noticed that Bella would

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gravitate towards people who were anxious or stressed. She showed compassion and her behaviour changed towards each individual. Bella greets some people with excitement, others with a submissive roll over and others a slow snuggle.

“At home, she is a typical puppy, chewing, stealing, and ruling the roost claiming every bed or chair as her own.”

Hilary Brown, Sol’s handler said: “I was so pleased to hear of this national initiative of having wellbeing dogs. I was approached by Inspector Phil Spencer, who had heard about Sol, to see if we would be interested in this. I said yes straight away as the pressure on officers and staff is immense and I hope that Sol can help.

“I find that my pets provide me with a lot of emotional support at times. He passed his assessment with flying colours.

“I volunteer for Blue Cross as an educational speaker and Sol is a Blue Cross education dog too. I have often said that Sol has such a lovely nature that he is here to bring joy to people's lives, so now he may be able to help even more people.”

Cleveland Police’s Inspector Phil Spencer, Wellbeing and Blue Light Co-

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ordinator said: “It’s proven that the presence of a wellbeing dog has a calming influence and through interaction with Bella and Sol, we are hoping to encourage officers and staff to engage and speak about mental health and wellbeing.

“Both dogs are great to work with and we are delighted to be welcoming them to the team.”

Sergeant Garry Botterill, Wellbeing and Trauma Support Dog Project Lead for The National Police Wellbeing Service said: “Police officers and staff do a demanding and sometimes dangerous job, and in many roles are frequently exposed to trauma. Over recent years, police forces around the country have recognised the value of dogs in helping officers and staff with their wellbeing.

“When a dog is introduced to the workplace, the atmosphere immediately changes, and people want to interact with the dog.

“These interactive sessions provide light relief from the rigors of the job and the dogs help get people talking and create expressions of genuine feeling just by being friendly and non-judgemental.” n For more information www.bluecross.org.uk www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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Petwise – to the (dog) rescue Are you thinking about adopting a rescue dog and giving an unlucky canine a second chance at a happy life? Welcoming a new dog into your home is such a rewarding experience – even more so when they’re advancing in age.

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t Petwise, we understand the changing health needs of older pets. There’s no upper age limit when joining and we specialise in cover for those over seven. That’s why we’ve produced a guide to adopting senior rescue dogs – where to go, how to do it, and why they shouldn’t be overlooked:

• How long will the process take?

Adopting a dog is likely to take a few months but it could be much less, especially if you’re an experienced owner.

The quickest way to start your search is online. Popular rehoming charities in the UK include the RSPCA, Dogs Trust and Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

The website Oldies.org.uk is a charity that specialises in finding homes for aging canine companions.

You could also visit a rehoming centre near you to see the dogs they have available. Who knows, you might feel an instant connection to one particular pet!

Many charities and adoption centres conduct home visits in order to assess the suitability of your property for a new dog. For example, if you have a secure garden area, or a park nearby where you can take them for regular exercise.

This might also help to speed up the adoption process.

Any rehoming charity will want to know that you can meet basic health and wellbeing needs before matching you with a suitable pet. No rehoming or adoption centre wants to see animals being returned yet again – so they will take the time to match dogs with what will hopefully be their forever homes.

There is usually a one-off adoption fee to pay. For example, the RSPCA adoption fee is from £135 for adult dogs, but this can vary from centre to centre.

• Three reasons to adopt an older dog

1. They’ve already mastered the basics Older dogs should be dab hands at the basic commands of sit, stay, lie down and so on. If you’re a first-time owner, this will save time, and you can just start the fun process of getting to know one another.

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2. Old dogs never stop learning Whoever said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks was so wrong! In fact, keeping your rescue canine mentally stimulated will help their cognitive function and keep their minds active well into old age.

Keeping mentally as well as physically active will also help prevent or delay diseases linked with getting older.

3. They’re not as manic as puppies If you’re not a fan of the night-time trips to the garden that come with puppy training or the half-chewed slippers that you might find under your sofa, older dogs are definitely for you. Aging canines will be more chilled out and more likely to sleep for longer in the day, giving you time and space to do other things.

Aging canine health issues

No matter what their age, dogs can become ill or injured. It’s up to you as a caring owner to be ready to give your canine the best quality of life you can.

Common health issues in older dogs can include things like loss of hearing or vision, obesity and arthritis. Some develop heart and kidney problems, while others will sadly suffer with cancer or dementia.

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Protect your best friend with insurance

Giving an old dog a new lease of life is a great feeling, especially when you know you have insurance in place to cover medical treatment they might need.

As pets age, they become more susceptible to disease, which can mean costly vet treatment for loving owners.

That’s where Petwise comes in. With no upper age limit for our insurance policies, you can protect your faithful friend without the financial worry.

Benefits of cover with Petwise includes: ● No co-payment insurance ● Pre-existing conditions covered (if no signs or symptoms shown in the last 24 months) ● 24-Hour Vet Helpline ● Senior food contribution ● Dental cover as standard ● Direct payments to vets And when the time does come to say goodbye, farewell cover is also included. n If you’ve adopted an older dog and want to find out more, talk to our friendly, UK-based team and get a quote from Petwise today. www.petwise-insurance.com www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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The Rise of the Four-Legged Colleague Being a dog owner over lockdown has had us spending significantly more time with our dogs while we worked from home. Now, as we begin to return to normal, the thought of leaving our dogs at home who have become accustomed to being by our side day and night is a sad one. Offices that allow office dogs every day are becoming a more desirable option for pet parents.

H

ere, we look at companies that have office dogs and what impact they can have.

Companies embracing dogs in the office

Many forward-thinking companies and global corporations have the benefit of office dogs.

According to research from 2019, 64 per cent of workplaces don’t have dog friendly policies. Yet, their current workforce is increasingly made up of millennials, who are much more likely to organise work around their pets.

Companies that offer pet-based policies will attract these prospective employees. Big successful companies that allow dogs at work include: • 16

Amazon

• • • • • • • • •

Ben and Jerry's BrewDog Etsy Google Mars Monzo Nestle RSPCA Ticketmaster

A blog on Etsy’s website says: “It’s one of the ways we strive to maintain a casual, creative, and inspiring work environment.” A quick look on LinkedIn shows 1,365 results* for ‘dog friendly jobs’ in the UK. People are looking for it, and people want it. But it is more than just bringing your dog to work.

The fantastic benefits

Like Etsy states, bringing your dog to

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work can have a number of benefits on the workforce. According to research that surveyed 31 companies in Kentucky, office dogs resulted in pet parents expressing more of their personality. This can be important in cultivating and maintaining company culture and making the team more collaborative and casual – dogs have been found to promote staff interactions and create an improved social atmosphere. Granted, there will be an initial excitement when dogs are first introduced, but this soon becomes the norm, and when things settle, there are also benefits on the work that is being produced.

Productivity rises from office dogs.

When we stroke a pet, our body releases the hormone oxytocin, which helps us Cont. on page 18 www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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workforce happy, productive, and profitable.

Tips to introduce office dogs

Ensure everything goes smoothly when you make the introduction by following these steps.

Photo images: ©Adobe Stock stock.adobe.com

Cont. from page 16

bond and makes us feel happier. Stress levels are reduced and employee wellbeing increases, leading to increased productivity. We are also less likely to want to leave our jobs, too.

In the UK, it is estimated that there are around 17.9 million working days that are lost each year as a result of stress, anxiety, and depression. Putting pooches to work is just one way that we can help support workers struggling with these issues in the workplace. We should take a leaf out of successful corporations and see what they are doing to make their

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1. Prioritise high hygiene standards – like with ill employees staying at home to avoid spreading illness, the same must be considered for dogs. Make sure they are vaccinated and aren’t carrying any fleas. Also, only bring your dog in if they are potty trained.

2. Positive vibes only – any dogs that have aggression problems should stay at home. Even if they are nervous, owners should be cautious.

3. Check about allergies – one in three pet owners have given up their pet because of an allergy. Make sure no one in the office suffers from dog allergies before taking him or her to work with you.

Introducing office dogs can be one of the best things you do for your business.

Think about the benefits this will have as well as how this will affect your workforce.

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Sources https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/newsevents/news/2020/dogs-trust-warnsup-to-40-000-dogs-could-be-at-risk-of-ab andonment-in-the-fallout-of-the-coronavirus-crisis https://blog.etsy.com/news/2013/com pany-culture-the-dogs-of-etsy https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/a nthropology-in-practice/the-rising-trendof-pets-at-work/ https://theconversation.com/why-morecompanies-are-going-dog-friendly123405 Petersson, M., Uvnäs-Moberg, K., Nilsson, A., Gustafson, L.L., Hydbring-Sandberg, E. and Handlin, L., 2017. Oxytocin and cortisol levels in dog owners and their dogs are associated with behavioral patterns: An exploratory study. Frontiers in psychology, 8, p.1796. https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/daysl ost.htm https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/84159 99/one-in-three-brits-pet-allergy/

www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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Summer Essentials Everything to keep your pet cool this summer!

www.petcetera.co.uk

From £9.99

AFP Chill Out Ice Bandana Applying cooling technology to this cool bandana, dog's skin heat goes out at once. Besides, the blue water ripples on it add a nice touch. Don't hesitate to indulge your furry friends with this cool ice bandana.

Available in 3 Sizes: Small Size (cm): L 20.0 x W 20.0 x H 1.0.

Medium Size (cm): L 28.0 x W 28.0 x H 1.0.

Large Size (cm): L 45.0 x W 45.0 x H 1.0.

Mikki Car Ventilator Petmate Replendish Pet Waterers The Replendish filtered gravity watering system contains Microban to prevent the growth of bacteria and mildew.

Each waterer contains a replaceable charcoal filter to help keep the water clean and fresh. From £12.99

Petgear Travel Water Bottle The Petgear Travel Water Bottle is a bottle and bowl in one! £4.59.

Ventilator - 1m Colours may vary. Allows windows to be opened for ventilation without the risk of your pet escaping. £12.95

Chillax Soak Bone Cooling Toy Simply fill/soak the bone in clean water & freeze overnight. Your dog then has a robust cooling toy to play with during the summer. Also a great way to relieve sore gums & teeth in puppies & senior dogs.

Affordable & versatile. £4.00.

All for Paws Chill Out Sprinkler Fun Mat for Dogs

Collapsible Silicon Travel Bowl Small enough to fit in your bag or pocket, big enough for a drink or a snack!

Available in three different colours and 2 sizes.

From £5.49.

Adjustable using a simple velcro fastening

Rosewood Chillout Cool Dog Collar Available in 3 sizes for the ideal fit & instant cooling.

Comfortable to wear & requires no refrigeration.

From £4.00.

This sprinkler mat simply connects to any standard water hose and turns in to a fun, engaging cooling experience. The non-slip central surface helps keep dogs from sliding around, keeping them safe whilst they play and the mat is easy to set up and store. Includes a puncture repair patch and water hose connector. All for Paws Chill Out Sprinkler Fun Mat for Dogs - Medium – 67037 £24.99 / Large - 67038. £33.

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Dogs having TurmerEase™

TurmerEase™ - Every Pet Deserves a Little Extra Our pets are our best friends and that is why they deserve a little extra; turmeric can be a great way to support your dog or cat’s overall well-being.

A

ward-winning, TurmerEase™ is popular with pet owners looking for a quick and easy way to add the benefits of bio-available turmeric to their pet’s diet.

Made with ethically sourced raw chicken, which is dried rather than baked to preserve the goodness within each golden slice, makes TurmerEase™ suitable for pets fed on a raw or kibble diet.

TurmerEase™ has a grain free, high meat, hypoallergenic formula that aids joint health by supporting

the body’s natural inflammation processes, as well as mobility by helping the integrity of the natural defence mechanisms.

This product also supports the micro-flora that naturally occurs in the stomach and aids digestion, thanks to the added yucca, and contains ingredients to

promote skin and coat condition.

With no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives, TurmerEase™ is so tasty even the fussiest dogs and cats love them.

There are around 200 slices in each eco-friendly tube, which is approx. a 50 day supply for a 25kg dog. Suitable for dogs and cats.

RRP £24.99. n For more information visit www.goldenpastecompany.com

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

29 JULY – 29 SEPTEMBER 2021 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

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

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www.penthouseproducts.com

Visit our website or call: 01780 410313

Supplier to the best breeders, rescuers and catteries for 20 years

Tower

Our cat cages offer safe, comfortable, hygienic accommodation and we pride ourselves on an enviable reputation throughout the UK, Europe, USA and even Australia for excellent service and superior product design.

Apartment

The Domain

We can also custom build cat cages to your own measurements.

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#BeCatCurious for International Cat Day on Sunday 8 August 2021 Strengthen the bond with your cat and help them learn with free guidance from feline experts this International Cat Day.

W

e’ve all heard the old saying Curiosity Killed the Cat which serves as a warning not to be too inquisitive.

However, a recent poll run by International Cat Care showed that for cats and their owners, it’s actually Curiosity that Saved the Cat. 95% of cat owners want more advice on training their cat, with at least half saying they struggled to get their cat into a cat carrier.

That’s why International Cat Care, the custodians for #InternationalCatDay, are making this year’s theme #BeCatCurious Training for Cats and their Humans.

Sign up to free positive cat carrier training advice and online events Cat owners can sign up to receive emails with tips and advice on how to positively train their cat to go into the cat carrier at home and for trips to places like vet. They’ll get invitations to free online events, Q&As, and easy to follow short training videos with cat behaviour experts.

Cat companions can join in anytime from 19 July until International Cat Day on 8 August 2021 by signing up at https://bit.ly/3waYcHF Dr Sarah Ellis, iCatCare Head of Cat Advocacy, explains: “Anyone can train their cat – you don’t need a special cat or training experience. International Cat Day is the www.rescueandanimalcare.com

perfect opportunity to introduce owners and cat caregivers across the globe to the concept and start them on their training journey. It’s definitely a bondenhancing experience!”

do it again. Cats and their humans share a strong curiosity to discover and learn.

Learning something new with your cat can strengthen your bond and reduce anxiety for both of you.

Share photos and stories of Cat Carrier Training in Progress In the run up to International Cat Day on Sunday 8 August 2021 @iCatCare will be asking cat companions who want to celebrate Cat Training in Progress to post photos and stories on social media using the hashtags #BeCatCurious for #InternationalCatDay to tell them more about how owners are building trust with their cat and the techniques they used to positively train their cat to go into the cat carrier.

Linda Ryan, iCatCare Cat Advocacy Programme Manager, commented: “When we work with cats positively and kindly, there’s so much we can achieve together, including life skills for our cats so they can learn to enjoy having a great life in our care with freedoms and opportunities. Work out what they love, find the things which benefit them, enrich the human-animal bond and have a go at training with your cat!”

Learning something new is good for cats and people too Training a cat or kitten using rewards reduces stress for everyone. Choose a reward your kitty loves as positive reinforcement for a behaviour, so they’ll

n Follow @iCatCare for announcements and more information as the programme is released, including content from International Cat Day partners Zoetis, Royal Canin and Purina.

Visit to sign up https://bit.ly/3waYcHF www.icatcare.org

RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE 29 JULY – 29 SEPTEMBER 2021

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Deaf cat saved from going blind by expert Swindon Vets The future is looking bright for Kafka, an adorable cat who recently received sight-saving surgery from a leading ophthalmologist at Swindon-based Eastcott Veterinary Referrals.

O

wners James Dickenson and Jo Brydon adopted Kafka when she was just three months old and diagnosed with cerebellar hypoplasia, an incurable neurological condition that causes her head and body to involuntarily twitch. Not long after this, her vets and carers also noticed Kafka was deaf.

Her physical differences meant that Kafka’s owners communicated with her through sign language. So, when they noticed a white mistiness in her eyes at the start of this year they were naturally concerned.

James said: “Kafka has always been a very happy, loving and personable cat, right from when she was born. Despite her physical differences, she has always enjoyed jumping and bouncing about everywhere and she really loves being outdoors with us.

“Her understanding of sign language has come leaps and bounds since she was born and she often treats us to some lovely tricks, knows the sign for food and comes running when you call her.

“At the start of this year, however, we noticed a few changes in her behaviour and also noticed there was a kind of white mistiness right in the middle of both her pupils, which seemed to be compromising her ability to follow our sign language. A trip to the local vet informed us that she may have cataracts in both eyes.

“We were referred to Eastcott Veterinary Referrals, in Swindon, and got an appointment to be seen quite quickly. Due to restrictions, we were asked to stay outside the hospital and the ophthalmologist did a phone consultation with us, after which they came out and took Kafka in for her examination.

“We were invited in at a social distance and the veterinary team informed us Kafka needed double cataract surgery in order to avoid completely losing her vision due to progressive cataracts.”

James gave a glowing review of the expert team, who explained all the details of the procedure that was needed and provided an excellent level

24

of care to Kafka.

She said: “We went away and came back about a month after raising the money we needed for the surgery with the help from Battersea, the animal charity we adopted her from. The team at Eastcott were exceptional and kept us informed and assured at every stage of the entire process.

“They even told us when Kafka was being anaesthetised, so we weren’t worried about how long she was in the operating theatre for.

“The aftercare has been fantastic as well. Not only were we given detailed instructions on how to administer the drops she needed and the dos and don’ts regarding her aftercare, but we are seen very regularly by the surgeon who looked after her case, Ida Gilbert, for follow up appointments.

“Kafka was so comfortable with the entire team at Eastcott and would very willingly allow them to examine her, which speaks volumes about the care at the practice.”

Commenting on the procedure, Ida Gilbert, head of ophthalmology at Eastcott, which is part of Linnaeus, said: “We always recommend that cataracts are seen quickly so they can be managed appropriately with antiinflammatory medication and scheduled

29 JULY – 29 SEPTEMBER 2021 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

for surgery as soon as possible. Ignoring cataracts can lead to inflammation of the eye (uveitis) which can eventually lead to glaucoma and retinal detachment and in some cases may become inoperable.

“When Kafka came to us, she was not fully blind, but had progressive cataracts in her central axis, therefore reducing her vision quite significantly.

“She was able to see moving objects or if they had a good contrast colour for example. She was better at tracking a toy along the floor, rather than a static toy.

“The cataracts were immature in both eyes, with the cataract in the left eye being denser than the right eye. While the anterior parts of her lenses were clear, the cataracts were occupying most of the central axis, significantly reducing her vision. It was very likely to get worse and cause inflammation in her eyes if not treated, which we naturally wanted to avoid.

“The surgery was a massive success and Kafka came out with flying colours.

All her follow up appointments have gone very well and we are over the moon that we were able to save the sight of yet another adorable kitten.”

James concluded: “There is such a big difference to Kafka’s wellbeing ever since she’s had the surgery. After a few days of getting used to having a cone around her neck we ventured outside and it was such a joy to see her chasing after the ants again and running up to people who were far away to say hello.

We cannot thank the team at Eastcott enough for helping us get our little Kafka her sight back.”

Eastcott offers expert care in cardiology, dentistry, neurology, internal medicine, ophthalmology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oncology, orthopaedics, soft tissue surgery, laparoscopy, thoracoscopy, diagnostic imaging and CT, anaesthesia and analgesia and has its own emergency and critical care centre. n For more information about Eastcott Referrals visit www.eastcottreferrals.co.uk or search for Eastcott Veterinary Referrals on social media. www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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Misty at door

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home Launches Separation Anxiety Campaign Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home is urging pet owners to take steps to reduce the risk of separation anxiety in their animal companions as restrictions are lifted further.

S

eparation anxiety is, much as with humans, when an animal becomes exceedingly worried when left alone or separated from their human companions. In a new educational campaign, the Home is highlighting the signs and symptoms an anxious pet may display, as well as what can be done to help alleviate stress in our animals.

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home’s education officer, Daniel Tipping, said: “Our pets find comfort in routine and – like it or not – due to the pandemic, working from home, and not being able to socialise as often, many of our routines have become quite predictable.

We at the Home worry that as more workers return to the office or people leave the house more to socialise with friends and family, the sudden change from being home all day to hardly home at all may come as quite a shock to our pets.

“One of the difficulties of separation anxiety is, because it only happens when we’re separated from our pets, we can easily miss the early signs of stress and not be aware of the condition until 26

it’s become quite serious.”

In the resources made available at the Home’s website, some of the signs of separation anxiety have been highlighted and include easily missed cues such as pacing around the house and excessive panting, or more undesirable behaviours such as destruction, soiling and vocalisation.

The Home is encouraging pet owners to start observing their pets, either as they prepare to leave the house or once they have departed by using a remotely controlled camera, to watch for early

29 JULY – 29 SEPTEMBER 2021 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

signs of stress.

They advise owners to start making gradual changes now to help desensitise their pets to being alone and to make use of enrichment aids, exercise and other sources of comfort to ease their pet into a new routine.

For those who are concerned at their pet displaying more worrying signs of separation anxiety, the Home is encouraging a more comprehensive approach and, where possible, to speak to a reputable trainer or animal behaviourist. n For more information on separation anxiety in pets, including what to look for and what can be done to help alleviate the condition in your own pet, visit www.edch.org.uk/separation-anxiety www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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Beware of heatstroke if you’re taking your dog to the beach this summer National pet charity Blue Cross is warning owners to be aware of heatstroke if taking their dogs to the beach this summer.

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ith the weather set to heat up from today, the charity has put together some top tips on visiting dog-friendly beaches and urged owners to avoid taking their pets during the hottest parts of the day and spending the whole day at the beach.

Signs of heatstroke – which include excessive panting, dribbling and collapse, can come on suddenly and can prove fatal for your pet if not quickly treated. Short nosed dogs such as French bulldogs and pugs, along with boxers can be at a higher risk of heatstroke, along with older or overweight dogs.

The charity is also urging owners to check with the local council to make sure the beach they’re planning to visit is dog friendly, as many around the UK have restrictions between Easter and September.

Salt water: Although a great way to cool down, if your dog drinks salt water or licks it off their coat it can make them sick so make sure to keep an eye on your dog and to rinse their coat with fresh water

Follow these steps to keep your dog safe at the beach this summer:

Picnics: If you’re taking food with you to the beach, or are near those with food, then consider keeping your dog on the lead while its out. That way people can enjoy their picnics, and you can make sure you dog doesn’t snatch a treat or two that they shouldn’t.

while others are nearby. Some areas such as promenades may also require you to keep your dog on lead.

Alison Thomas, Head of Veterinary Services at Blue Cross, said: “Going to the beach is fun for the whole family, including your dog, but we often see cases of dogs who have collapsed due to the heat here at our hospitals while just out on a normal walk during the summer months, especially flat-faced breeds such as French bulldogs and pugs.

“The beach holds many dangers for dogs so it’s important to keep a close eye on your pet, make sure they have access to clean water at all times, and to make your visit short during the cooler parts of the day.”

Other dogs: Be mindful of other dogs on the beach and if needed pop your dog on lead

n For more pet advice or to rehome a pet from Blue Cross visit www.bluecross.org.uk

Sunburn: Dogs with pale-coloured fur or a sparse coat can be more vulnerable to sunburn. It’s important to make sure these dogs are kept in the shade on sunny days when the strong is at its strongest. You can also buy dog-friendly sun cream to pop on your dog’s ears.

28

Swimming: Not every dog can swim and some are better than others. Keep an eye on your dog as swimming can be tiring for them.

You should also be mindful of the tide as it’s not unknown for people and dogs to have been carried out to sea by riptides Rock pools and other sharp objects: Keep an eye out for broken shells and other debris on the beach which could cause injury to your dog, and also keep an eye on them near rock pools as many have uneven and sharp surfaces which could cause injury to your dog.

29 JULY – 29 SEPTEMBER 2021 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

www.rescueandanimalcare.com

Issue 14 I Summer 2021 I themayhew.org

In this issue...

Protect your pet from theft Paws up for the microchip!

Living their best life: tips for keeping dogs and cats healthy

SUMMER 2021

Front cover photo of Mayhew rescue Claude relaxing in his new home. Credit: Alissa Johnson.

Our vision

A society where people understand the importance and value of animal welfare.

Our mission

To promote animal welfare by delivering a broad range of community-based veterinary, care and education services in the UK and overseas.

Editor: Shelley Warnaby shelley@mayhewanimalhome.org Design: arc, www.arc-cs.com

Many thanks to our contributors and photographers: Charlie Care, Jess Feehan, Audrey Granger, Sarah Hastelow, Alissa Johnson, Marie Claire Macintosh, Pooch & Pineapple, Natassja Yoxall. Stock photography © iStockphoto.com, shutterstock.com, stock.adobe.com, unsplash.com.

Printed on 100% recycled paper. Please pass on to a friend and recycle after reading.

Contact us

@

info@mayhewanimalhome.org 0208 962 8000

Mayhew, Trenmar Gardens, Kensal Green, London, NW10 6BJ themayhew.org

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @themayhew Registered charity number: 1077588 VAT number: 820 4030 87

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Taking care of your pets

H

ello and welcome to your summer issue of Tails magazine!

It’s been a promising year so far for animal welfare supporters, with government taskforces established to tackle two issues that are very important to us here at Mayhew: pet theft and microchipping for cats. Perhaps you’ve seen the headlines about petnapping and are wondering how to keep your dog or cat safe – if so, turn to page 10 for our expert advice. And if you’re a cat owner whose moggy isn’t yet microchipped, read all about the benefits and the upcoming Animal Welfare Bill on page 19.

With the focus on responsible pet ownership, we talked to staff at our Community Vet Clinic about maintaining a healthy lifestyle, sharing top tips for pet weight loss and a balanced diet on page 16. Unsurprisingly, an easy fix for pups who need to lose some pounds is exercise! You may already have a favourite, but on page 20 you’ll find our pick of the best dogwalking spots in the UK to get those bodies moving.

We wish every pet had a loving owner to take care of them, but sadly every day cats and dogs come through our doors terrified, sick or injured and in desperate need of help. If you’re able to offer even a little to support our work, it would make a world of difference – just use the cover sheet included with this issue or visit mayhew.org/donate to give animals like Dyson (see page 7) a second chance. Thank you.

Contents 04

Mayhew news

08

16

In their shoes: Cat Adoption Officer

Managing your pet’s diet

10

19

06

Guest chat: Miranda Richardson

Keeping your pet safe from theft

07

An abandoned Pomeranian gets second chance

The importance of cat microchipping

13

Supporting pet owners when crises hit

20

Great British dog walks

14

Mayhew International

22

Your letters

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NEWS

SUMMER 2021

Exciting changes at Mayhew

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ayhew has started 2021 with some big changes in the leadership of our domestic and international work, which will enable both to go from strength to strength! After 14 years as CEO, Caroline Yates took up a new position with Mayhew: Head of International Projects and Relations. You can read more about Caroline’s new role on page 14. While we undertake recruitment for Caroline’s replacement, we are incredibly excited to welcome Howard Bridges as Interim CEO. Howard brings extensive experience from his work as CEO for a number of animal welfare organisations and will support the team to adapt to the changing needs of our dogs, cats and communities as we move out of the pandemic.

“I feel privileged to be leading Mayhew into an exciting period of opportunity post-pandemic. It’s an honour to be involved with one of London’s most respected animal welfare charities, known for serving dogs, cats and communities for 135 years.” Howard Bridges, Interim CEO

Reflecting on an unforgettable year

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ayhew’s annual review for 2020 is here! Head to themayhew.org/making-an-impact to read about how we adapted to the challenges of the pandemic and responded to the animals and people who needed us, and the impact this work has made.

The events and consequences of 2020 will never be forgotten, and we’ve reflected on everything we learned during this monumental year. The review includes a special message from our Patron, The Duchess of Sussex, who said, “We may have been forced apart, but we found new ways to be close and to support each other through this shared crisis. For many of us, this was made all the easier with our pets by our side.” We couldn’t agree more!

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WIN

Updates from our Community Vet Clinic

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ur vet clinic is currently working hard to meet the increased demand for neutering after a rise in the number of new pet owners and a reduction in available veterinary services over the last year. Dog neutering restarted in April and the clinic has been inundated with enquiries.

Meanwhile, our Vet team is working with our Animal Welfare team to focus on cat neutering, targeting the huge numbers of ferals and strays through our Trap, Neuter, Return programme and reaching out to those pet owners most in need through Pick & Snip.

Check our website for vet clinic service updates: themayhew.org/ community-vet-clinic.

A novel dedication to Mayhew

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e were thrilled to hear that bestselling author Jane Fallon has dedicated her new book, Worst. Idea. Ever., to “the wonderful staff of Mayhew for their tireless work with animals”. Jane and her partner Ricky Gervais are long-standing supporters and we are honoured that our work has been recognised in this way.

The book is a razor-sharp tale of friendship and secrets which quickly entered the Sunday Times Top 5, and we have a signed hardback copy to give away to one lucky reader! Simply email tails@mayhewanimalhome.org, giving your full name and address, to be in with a chance of winning.* *T&Cs: themayhew.org/prize-draw.

Supporting our community with TheraPaws®

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heraPaws dogs Luna and Roobarb brightened the day of staff at London’s Charing Cross Hospital recently with cuddles and lots of super supportive tail wagging. As restrictions ease, we very much hope to restart all of our regular TheraPaws visits to care homes, hospitals and adolescent mental health units across the capital.

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SUMMER 2021

Guest chat: Miranda Richardson

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ward-winning actress Miranda Richardson, who starred in Blackadder, The Crying Game, Damage and Tom & Viv, is a lifelong animal lover.

She is focused on raising awareness for animal welfare and supports many initiatives to improve the lives of animals, both domestic and wild. We spoke to her to find out more.

My sister was passionate about Mayhew, even though she lived on the other side of London. In her will, she asked that people make donations to Mayhew, alongside other charities, on her behalf.

You’ve kindly donated a collection of paintings for us to auction (details below) - thank you! Could you tell us a little more about the artwork?

Some of the pieces belonged to my sister and are various depictions of cats that she liked. I think the watercolours were painted by a family friend who, like my sister, was very keen on cats. I bought her the picture with the two cats, one of whom is washing itself, or “playing the cello” as my mum always called it!

Do you have any pets of your own?

Why do you support Mayhew?

Unfortunately, not a day goes by without some animal welfare nightmare rearing its head and I think I’ve been aware of that from an early age. Mayhew does amazing work and gives a second chance to animals.

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I’m now back up to my regular four-pet household, comprising two German shorthaired pointers (Noomi, 3, and Louis, a very fit 11) and two cats. I’ve inherited my sister’s two Burmese cats, Daphne and Chloe, who came to me just before the first lockdown and are now accustomed to the dogs and the garden and all my fish in the pond!

How has the past year been for you?

In truth, despite the awfulness, the first lockdown was somewhat miraculous with the chance to reconnect with nature, to feel the clear air in London, experience the quiet and take time to do the small things. Walking my dogs was, more than ever, a real tonic.

Which acting role do you think is closest to the real you?

I couldn’t possibly call that one! We’re all a mix of so many things. I did once play a woman who turned into a cat and that made me quite happy – I find it’s much trickier being human.

A pawsome auction

The collection donated by Miranda – a must-see for any cat lover – is being auctioned online until 9 July at 12pm. All money raised will go towards helping fund our vital services for animals and the community. To check out the artwork and place your bid, visit ebay. co.uk/usr/mayhewanimalhome.

An abandoned Pomeranian gets a second chance

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arlier this year, a member of the public spotted Pomeranian cross Dyson wandering alone down the middle of a busy London road. He seemed lost and extremely scared, but luckily the woman managed to pick him up and bring him to Mayhew, where our Animal Welfare Officers (AWOs) immediately admitted him.

During the intake examination, we discovered that Dyson had no collar or microchip. As we checked him over it was clear he was in a really bad state: he was emotionally shut down and incredibly wary, and his coat was severely matted, with faeces stuck all around his rear end. Our AWOs suspected that poor Dyson had been used for breeding and had possibly escaped or was thrown out as he was no longer of use.

We settled Dyson into a warm and cosy kennel and made sure he felt safe and secure; he was visibly nervous and we needed to build up his trust before our vets took a closer look at him. Our Kennels team watched over him around the clock, slowly trying to bring him out of his shell. Staff spoke softly to him, gently stroked him and fed him by hand.

As Maria Markey, our Head of Kennels, explains: “When Dyson arrived, he was extremely worried. It was important that we helped him settle in at his own pace, allowing us to develop a bond so that he could feel comfortable and able to trust us.”

Once Dyson had become more familiar with us and his surroundings, we admitted him to our vet clinic for a more thorough health check and clipped off his heavily matted fur. Over the next few weeks, our Kennels team developed an individual care plan to help build Dyson’s confidence and lower any anxiety and stress. He had daily grooming sessions to make his coat healthier and we slowly introduced him to walks on a lead and harness, with which he seemed to be unfamiliar.

It became clear that Dyson was playful and sociable at heart and that he loved his toys

and being with our team. He opened up a little more each day and soon became known inside Mayhew as a sweet and affectionate boy. As time went by, he was unrecognisable from the dirty, shell-shocked dog we first encountered.

Although we tried to locate a previous owner, no one came forward to claim him, and after almost two months in our care we knew he was ready for rehoming.

Dyson was soon matched with an adopter and has now left Mayhew to start life in his new home. His new owner is continuing to work on his care plan and told us that he is “an amazing little dog”. We’re so happy for Dyson and wish him all the best!

At Mayhew, we will never give up on dogs like Dyson, no matter how much time, care or hard work it takes. Can you help us give them a second chance? Please turn to the cover sheet included with your copy of Tails or head to themayhew.org/ donate to find out how you can support our work.

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SUMMER 2021

In their shoes T

his issue we’re spending a day in the shoes of our pawsome Cat Adoption Officer Matt Pearson.

Matt does a fantastic job of finding wonderful new homes for all of our feline residents, and so far this year 125 cats and kittens have headed off to new families. We find out more about his varied and fulfilling role.

Hea themay d to h cats to ew.org/ m rescue eet our kittens cats and looking for a forever home!

What does your role involve?

I process applications and interview potential adopters, as well as offering advice, support and guidance to help people pre- and post-adoption on catrelated queries. I try and spend time socialising with our cats and take photos for their profiles on our website. When I interview people who are looking to rehome, I need to assess their ability to look after a cat and provide them with a happy home – you need to put emotion aside.

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How did you become Mayhew’s Cat Adoption Officer?

Cats have always been a part of my life and I can even remember when I was around four sleeping curled up on the sofa with Dusty, our first family cat. I’ve had eight cats, including three adopted from Mayhew. I always wanted to work with animals but only had the chance later in life when I became a seasonal zookeeper. When the role at Mayhew came up I seemed a good fit, and I think my degree in journalism and creative

writing helped as I was happy chatting with people and writing cat profiles for the website.

Favourite – and least favourite – part of the job?

For me, the best part of the job is when someone wants that older cat who no one else wants. The least favourite part is having to tell people they are not suitable; however, mostly that involves helping them realise what a cat truly needs, as some

Mews from the cattery FIV+ boy Lenny has clearly hit the

people think all cats are the same and just need food and a lap to sit on!

jackpot and is settled in his new home, where he surveys the views across London from his glass ‘lookout’ by the docks. His new owners told us: “He has been eating and exploring the flat and he’s also showing us his playful nature too.” Well, Lenny, it’s time to sit back and enjoy the spoils of victory, watching over your new kingdom!

Any advice for those hoping to work for an animal charity?

Find out what you’re interested in and try to get involved as young as possible. So many people want to work with animals and it’s very competitive, but if you’re helping an organisation you believe in, people will see you are dedicated to the cause.

It’s important to realise that in an animal charity not all roles involve you working directly with animals. Even as Cat Adoption Officer I deal mostly with humans, so communication and rapport with people is key.

(The) Riddler arrived at Mayhew

after he was found as a stray (or, as he tells it, after having a skirmish with Batman). Jokes aside, Riddler’s a sweet, friendly little boy who welcomes the quiet life – less comic crusading and more home comforts, which is exactly what he has found. He’s now happily settled in a new home and spending “80% of his day on the windowsills watching the world go by and laying in the sun”. Go, Riddler!

Have there been any really memorable cats?

Definitely! There was three-legged Lavender, who was returned to us once and then found a home with a lovely older couple. Sadly, four years later they both passed away and she was back with us again. It was third time lucky, however, and she found a home with friends of one of our vets. There was also Aslan, a Norwegian forest cat who was abandoned in our reception and was grumpy with everyone except me, so at first I was the only one who could handle him! Other memorable residents were Jemima Puddleduck, with her duck-like miaow and wonky leg, and Stoney, a big classic tabby-and-white tom who was a bruiser nobody wanted. He needed a home out of the city and was with us for ages until we finally found him his country pile.

Recent resident The Colonel

is a real heartbreaker – a handsome boy with a moustache and a sweet nature. What’s not to love? Luckily, he’s found a lovely new home where he’s now settling in. Apparently, he did pee in the flowerpot but otherwise has been very well behaved!.

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SUMMER 2021

Keeping your pet safe from theft

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fficially, 2020 was the Chinese year of the rat; in the animal rescue world, however, it was the year of the ‘lockdown pet’.

Between forced furlough and working from home, many people felt it was the perfect opportunity to welcome a furry family member. At Mayhew, we received

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almost 3,000 adoption applications from April 2020 onwards, and research revealed that around 3.2 million households nationwide had become pet owners since the beginning of the pandemic.* Prices for puppies in particular soon skyrocketed – from £500 to £2,000 for some breeds – and it wasn’t long before thieves caught on.

Reported statistics for pet theft vary, but UK charity DogLost estimates a 250% rise in dog thefts since March

2020, with spaniels, poodle mixes, French bulldogs and other popular breeds all at greater risk. In May 2021, the government launched a taskforce to tackle the problem at a national level, but for individual pet owners commonsense precautions remain the best form of prevention – so we spoke to Adoption Officer Lisa Guiney and Animal Welfare Officer Tania Mazzoni about advice for keeping your pet safe. *Pet Food Manufacturers Association, March 2021.

international

What about cats?

Although the numbers are smaller, pedigree cats and kittens are also a target for thieves, particularly desirable breeds such as Bengals.

Keep your cat safe with the same measures used for dogs: neuter, microchip and check that your home and garden are secure (PetProtect fencing is great for indoor/outdoor cats). For safety reasons, we don’t recommend that cats wear collars (see page 19), but if you do want to use one, make sure it has a breakaway clasp and no elastic.

When you are on the move, our experts recommend a mix of personal safety measures and basic canine training.

Under the Theft Act 1968,

pets are classed as personal property and their theft carries a maximum prison sentence of seven years. In October 2020, a petition calling for the devastating emotional impact of pet theft to be acknowledged by making it a separate offence triggered a debate in parliament, and Home Secretary Priti Patel has since said that the case is mounting for a change in the law.

Protect your pet

First thing’s first: is your pet neutered and microchipped? If so, you’re off to a great start say Lisa and Tania. A traceable animal that isn’t able to be used for breeding is less likely to be a target, so including those details on your pet’s ID tag (legally required for dogs) along with a contact number may act as a deterrent. Leave off your pet’s name, though, as this information can be used to lure friendly animals and fool potential buyers.

At home, a working alarm system, security lights and even CCTV can all provide peace of mind, while video doorbells are a relatively cheap and easy way to monitor who’s coming and going. According to the Kennel Club, 52% of dogs are stolen from gardens, so make sure your fencing is secure and gates are locked, and never leave your pup unsupervised.

• Keep your dog close: train your pup to walk to heel and have reliable recall if walking off-lead.

A long lead can be useful for exploring unfamiliar places.

• Try not to walk your dog at night and avoid poorly lit or secluded areas; if possible, walk with a family member or friend rather than on your own.

• Mix up the route and timing of your daily walks – your dog will enjoy the variety and you’ll make it harder for thieves to predict your whereabouts.

• Be aware of your surroundings, including strangers asking questions about your dog, and consider carrying a panic alarm for emergencies.

• Never leave your dog unattended, whether that’s tied up outside a shop or in your car.

• Consider an anti-theft dog lead or harness such as PetLoc, or a security attachment. There are also GPS pet-tracking devices available.

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SUMMER 2021

Think before you post!

It’s hard to imagine a time before social media, but our love of sharing is making pet theft easier.

“People share pictures of their dogs and puppies […] and very often haven’t got their privacy settings set correctly,” Detective Superintendent Neil Austin from the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s acquisitive crime unit told The Guardian in February. Be mindful of how much information you’re revealing when you post or comment, especially if your account is public; blur out any identifying details like pet ID tags, house numbers or street names in photos; and if you’re somewhere new, leave tagging locations till you’re home.

What to do if your pet is stolen

• Report it to the police: if the theft is currently taking place dial 999; otherwise, call 101 and request a crime reference number (CRN).

• Inform your microchip company: ask them to mark your pet as stolen on their database and ensure all your details are correct.

• Alert local authorities: get in touch with vets, rescues and your area’s animal warden in case your pet is handed in.

• Put up posters: include a contact number and photograph of your pet along with their name, sex, microchip and neuter status, identifying features and the date they were stolen.

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uy al,” says “When you b stolen anim a g n yi u b ly a Mayhew of unwitting a. Rehoming is L r ce ffi O your new Adoption u can be sure yo s an e m g e’s missing cat or do someone els ’t n is n io an ehome to comp ayhew.org/r m e th it is V pet. fect match! find your paw

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• Register with missing pet websites: online forums such as Pets Located, DogLost and the National Pet Register allow users to easily report and search for lost or stolen animals nationwide.

• Use social media: post information to local Facebook groups and the Nextdoor app, and use relevant hashtags to spread the word on Twitter and Instagram.

• Scan free ad websites: keep an eye on Gumtree, Preloved, Pets4Homes, Dragon Driving and other places where pets are advertised for sale.

Supporting pet owners when crises hit

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t Mayhew, we try our hardest to keep people and their pets together, and this can mean offering extra support to those going through a temporary crisis. For the individuals who need it, our Pet Refuge programme is a lifeline.

There are many reasons why people request our service, and every crisis situation is assessed by our team, but often it is because a pet owner is in desperate need of hospital treatment and has no one to ask for help. We step in to look after pets for short periods of time and make sure that every animal admitted to us through Pet Refuge receives the best possible care for the duration of the crisis, so owners can get the care they need knowing that their dog or cat is in safe hands.

Jacqueline’s story

For Jacqueline, a series of extremely unfortunate events led her to entrust us with her three beloved cats – Vince, Violet and Tegan – for almost three months at the beginning of this year.

After undergoing multiple surgeries on an arthritic knee, Jacqueline was urgently admitted to an intensive care unit with sepsis, a life-threatening condition. Her neighbour was able to visit and feed her cats, taking a weight off her mind for the first couple of weeks; however, when Jacqueline was discharged into a rehabilitation centre to recover, her neighbour caught Covid-19 and was no longer able to leave her house.

With nobody close by to check on Vince, Violet and Tegan, and Jacqueline not yet ready to return home, she was understandably worried about their welfare.

Her care team thankfully found Mayhew’s Pet Refuge programme and when they got in touch we were more than happy to help.

Road to recovery – and reunion

Jacqueline unfortunately had a few more roadblocks to navigate before they could all be reunited. A few days before she was due to be discharged, she caught Covid-19 herself and had to extend her stay at the rehabilitation centre until she and her fellow patients and staff were given the all clear.

Throughout Jacqueline’s ordeal, Vince, Violet and Tegan were safe and happy

together at Mayhew. After two and half months, we were thrilled to hear that Jacqueline had recovered from Covid-19 and was once again preparing to be discharged from hospital. Luck was on her side this time, as she finally made it home and was reunited with her beloved cats at long last.

“I don’t know what would have happened without your help,” Jacqueline told us. “I probably would have had to rehome them all, and that would have been absolutely heartbreaking. My cats are my reason for living and they gave me the determination to get better and walk again. I don’t know what I’d do without them.”

Jacqueline is still receiving rehabilitation at home and we’ve helped arrange for a cat sitter to provide extra support for a couple of weeks. With her four-legged best friends back by her side, she already feels better than ever and credits Pet Refuge with helping her get back to health.

Find out more about Pet Refuge at themayhew.org/community-support/ pet-refuge.

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Mayhew International updates

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Increasing our impact overseas

At the end of March, after 14 years as Mayhew’s CEO, Caroline Yates took up a new role as Head of International Projects and Relations. This is an area that Caroline is particularly passionate about and she will be working with existing teams in Afghanistan and Georgia to build on our successes and increase our impact in improving animal welfare overseas. Caroline commented: “I’m incredibly excited to have the opportunity to create and implement the vision to elevate our international efforts and build upon the exceptional work that our teams have been doing for many years.”

If you would like to find out more about our work overseas and ways to support us, drop us a line at international@mayhewanimalhome.org.

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Safer and healthier lives for freeroaming dogs

Rescued!

At the end of April, our team in Afghanistan completed the third year of our mass rabies vaccination programme in Kabul.

An incredible 71,885 dogs have been vaccinated against rabies over three cycles, and our post-vaccination surveys show we have reached our target of vaccinating a minimum of 70% of the dog population in each of the 16 districts in the capital. We’ve now begun the fourth year of the programme and will be targeting some particular hotspots in Kabul, areas which have recently expanded as a result of people – and dogs – migrating to the capital.

This young free-roaming dog had fallen deep into a well in District 13 but fortunately was rescued by our team, who happened to be working nearby. Dr Jawid lowered himself into the well and, armed with a dogcatching pole and net to facilitate safe retrieval, managed to pull the dog out.

The shocked but lucky pup was then vaccinated and taken by our team to the ABC Centre for neutering.

Our team has also made fantastic progress with our Trap, Vaccinate, Neuter, Return (TVNR) programme: we have neutered 5,121 dogs at our Animal Birth Control (ABC) Centre so far this year, and more than 18,000 dogs since the centre opened in July 2019!

Community outreach

Our community engagement programme is a vital part of our work in Kabul, with presentations at local schools and community groups ensuring that residents understand how to stay safe around street dogs. So far this year we’ve reached 378 children and 112 adults through our programme, and Surveyor and Community 14 I

Engagement Officer Dr Jawid has observed a change in attitudes to dogs: local children are now bonding with street dogs and helping our vaccination teams find dogs hiding in buildings or dugouts.

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On the road with Mayhew Georgia

ayhew Georgia has had a great start to 2021, and by early June Dr Ana and the team have neutered and vaccinated 598 free-roaming and community-owned dogs under our Trap, Vaccinate, Neuter, Return (TVNR) programme.

Moving into the regions

With the TVNR programme running smoothly in Tbilisi, we were conscious of the need to expand outside the capital, where there have been very few interventions to help local communities tackle concerns around free-roaming dogs.

Following some successful pilot visits last year, Mayhew Georgia is now delivering its TVNR programme with mobile vet clinic Doggie Doc in several towns and villages in the Kakheti region of Georgia. As the harsh Georgian winter ended and some of the Covid-19 restrictions were eased, Mayhew Georgia and the mobile clinic team have been able to hit the road and resume their vital work. Having carried out a basic count of the number of free-roaming and community dogs in the region, the team’s first focus area has been the town of Sighnaghi and the surrounding villages.

Heading to Sighnaghi

Days on the road for the mobile clinic start early as the team loads up all the equipment needed for full days of

neutering and vaccination. Local volunteers have prepared the community for our visit and they are ready to bring dogs to the place where the mobile clinic has set up shop. With one surgeon working out of the vehicle and a second from a pop-up table close by, both aided by assistants, the team aims to neuter between 40 and 50 dogs over the two-day visit. All the dogs receive a rabies vaccination and another against the most common canine infectious diseases.

After packing up on the second day, it is then back to Tbilisi before the current Covid-19 curfew hours start.

Making great progress

Our team has so far made five trips to Sighnaghi and the surrounding villages and been able to neuter and vaccinate 232 free-roaming dogs. The plan now is for the mobile clinic to travel out to the regions every two weeks, and we look forward to sharing our team’s progress over the coming months.

We’re very grateful for the support of the Marchig Animal Welfare Trust for helping to make this project possible.

“

We are really pleased to expand beyond Tbilisi and reach out to help the dogs and communities outside the capital with these mobile clinic services. In some of the smaller towns and villages there is little or no veterinary provision, so this service is a lifeline.

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Caroline Yates, Head of International Projects and Relations

A lost and lonely kitten

The tiny three-week-old kitten pictured above was found all alone on the streets of Tbilisi. Luckily, an animal-loving passer-by spotted her and brought her straight into our care. Dr Ana fostered her for a few days while we found her a permanent home, and as soon as she’s old enough this sweet little girl will be back to the New Vet Clinic to be neutered and have her vaccinations.

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SUMMER 2021

Managing your pet’s diet

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ike us, our pets need to have a healthy, balanced lifestyle for optimum wellbeing, so ensuring they have the right diet and are kept close to their ideal body weight is essential. Registered Veterinary Nurse Amy from our Community Vet Clinic gives the lowdown on feeding cats and dogs and what to do if your pet isn’t quite on the right track.

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A balanced diet

A complete pet food diet will provide all the nutrients your animal needs to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It is made up of different qualities and quantities of protein, fat, carbohydrate and fibre, as well as water and inorganic matter such as ash. You’ll find key ingredients and a nutritional breakdown included on the packaging.

Speciality versus life stage

Speciality diets are formulated for pets who have been diagnosed with a disease or condition that can be helped by an adapted diet. A speciality diet should be prescribed by your vet and the nutritional

composition will be designed to provide the best ratio of key ingredients, plus added vitamins and minerals, to support your animal’s health.

Unless your pet is required to be on a speciality diet, a life-stage diet is the best option: it’s formulated and adapted to support them as they grow and will alter as they get older. It is especially important that puppies and kittens are fed a diet appropriate to their age group, and dog owners should also make sure they’re feeding the right diet for the breed of puppy they have, as larger breeds will need additional nutritional supplements. Always consult the guide on the packet to ensure

Veggie

pets? Cats a obligate ca re rnivores an d m fed a diet t ust be hat include s the anim protein tau al rine. Dogs , however, omnivores are so could ha ve a balanc vegetarian ed diet, but on ly on the advice of a veterin ary nutritionis t.

Not all calories are equal

Be careful with those human treats: some of our food is toxic to pets, while other nibbles will be laden with calories and contribute to weight gain.

FEEDING YOUR DOG

A piece of buttered toast

=

A portion of French fries

FEEDING YOUR CAT

you’re feeding the correct amount for your pet’s age group and weight.

Home-made and raw food

Home-made pet food diets, particularly raw feeding, are becoming increasingly popular with pet owners. If this is something you would like to explore, we advise doing so with the help of a certified veterinary nutritionist.

A few pet food brands are now producing complete and balanced raw food diets, which is a great place to start.

The majority of allergies in pets are caused by animal proteins or environmental factors such as pollen or dust. Contrary to popular belief, grain allergies among cats and dogs are quite rare and you should only feed a grain-free diet if you have had the allergy confirmed. A food trial completed with the help of your vet is the best way to establish if your pet has any food allergies. If an allergy is found and a switch to a hypoallergenic diet recommended, this should be completed under their guidance.

A tin of tuna

35 chicken nuggets

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A complete pet food diet will provide all the nutrients your animal needs to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

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What about food allergies?

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Amy, Registered Veterinary Nurse

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SUMMER 2021

If your cat h as been pili ng on pounds, the y may be hav the second din ing a ner elsewhe re. Speak to your neig hbours to m ake sure they’re not fe cats are very eding them as good at acti ng as they’ve not eaten for day if s!

What if my pet is overweight?

If you have any concerns regarding your pet’s weight, the first thing you should do is take them to your veterinary practice for a general health check. If they could benefit from losing some weight or are heading into the overweight bracket, you may then be directed to a weight loss clinic with either a vet or vet nurse who will discuss the best options to help reduce their weight.

Of course, to be healthy, pets need to move, and if your pet is too heavy you will likely need to combine diet reduction with increased exercise. Search our advice hub for tips on keeping four legs moving and heart rates pumping: advice.themayhew.org.

It’s especially important to keep an eye on your pet’s weight as increased weight gain can lead to obesity, which is a serious health condition. Animals who are obese can have difficulty grooming themselves and may also go on to develop other issues such as arthritis, diabetes, poor dental health and reduced life expectancy.

There are a variety of weight loss diets available for cats and dogs and your vet practice will be able to advise you on what is best for your pet. They all consist of high protein and fibre to ensure your pet will feel fuller for longer and help reduce any begging. It’s very important that you stick to the recommended feeding guide for these diets to work. If you want to use treats for training and/or rewards, you can do this by weighing out 10% of their daily food allowance and using that instead (remember to reduce their meals accordingly).

If you’re concerned about your pet’s health or weight, or are considering altering their diet, always speak to your vet before making any changes.

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Our friends at Burns Pet Nutrition are here to help

If you suspect your dog is overweight, you’re not alone. Dog weight loss is quickly becoming a hot-button issue that’s affecting more and more owners, with sadly nearly 60% of dogs in the UK now overweight.

To get your pet back on the right path, small changes can make a big difference.

If your dog needs to lose a lot of weight in the healthiest way possible, your vet practice might recommend a food that has been specially created for doggy weight loss, such as the Weight Control range from Burns Pet Nutrition.

Burns also has a great support group for caring owners with free help and advice on managing your pet’s weight. The Hounds Dropping Pounds Facebook group (@HoundsDroppingPounds) is an informative, supportive and motivational group that’s staffed by a team of doggy nutritional experts, giving you everything you need to help your dog be as happy and healthy as possible.

The importance of cat microchipping is a safer Microchipping ble method of and more relia an a collar, which identification th e or may becom can often fall off te jure or suffoca too tight and in cially if , an animal espe they are lost.

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hile the law has demanded compulsory dog microchipping in the UK since 2016, there is currently no equivalent legislation covering the microchipping of cats. Mayhew and fellow animal welfare charities have unanimously called for this to become an essential, not optional, part of responsible cat ownership, arguing that it would help to drastically reduce the number of lost and abandoned cats coming into rescue shelters every year.

At the start of 2021, we were pleased to hear that the government had opened a consultation into cat microchipping and, along with a handful of other organisations, made a series of recommendations.

Thankfully, a government taskforce was set up in response to the consultation, and in the Queen’s Speech in May the government committed to bringing in mandatory microchipping for cats in the upcoming revised Animal Welfare Bill later this year.

It is estimated that approximately 70% of cats already have a microchip, but we believe the true figure to be much lower. Of the 228 stray cats admitted to Mayhew in 2020, only 20 were microchipped, and of those 20, only 50% of the microchips listed

the owners’ details correctly. Here are the stories of three strays who came into our care.

which could quickly have turned cancerous if left untended. He needed surgery and treatment and it would have helped our team to have been able to contact his owner through a microchip to learn about his medical history and any pre-existing conditions. However, we’re delighted to report that Callum recovered well and is now settled with his forever family.

Graham

Graham was found lost, frightened and injured. We were certain he was a domestic cat as he wasn’t fearful of humans and indeed was very affectionate once he began recuperating. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts to locate an owner, without a microchip we weren’t able to find out who they were or if they were still looking for him.

Graham has since been happily rehomed.

Callum

When we rescued Callum, he had extensive sunburn on his ears and exposed skin,

Raven

Raven was found wandering by a member of the public, who brought him to Mayhew to get checked out. Luckily, we found a microchip and were able to contact his existing owner, who was delighted! Raven had been missing for 10 months, and even though his owner had since moved house, her email address on the microchip record was thankfully still correct.

Visit our Community Vet Clinic for low-cost microchipping

services. Our Vet team uses the smallest microchips available, which can be comfortably and safely administered in the consulting room.

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SUMMER 2021

Great British dog walks

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here’s nothing better than getting outside in the fresh air for an adventure with your four-legged friend, and the UK has so many wonderful spots to enjoy together. From woodland strolls to coastal walks and historic house visits, here are our top picks!

ENGLAND – LONDON HAMPSTEAD HEATH

One of London’s largest green areas and the location of our popular Hounds on the Heath event. There are several hills to conquer and you’ll be rewarded with some of the best views in the city. You’ll also be sure to find lots of other dogs for your pup to socialise and play with.

WIMBLEDON COMMON

Over 1,000 acres of common land to explore with your pooch, including woodland, sandy tracks and grassy fields. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for the windmill – and maybe some Wombles!

WORMWOOD SCRUBS

This is one of the largest commons in London, with plenty of open space for your dog to tire themselves out. It’s also Mayhew’s favourite, so wave to our Dog Care team if you see them out and about with our rescue residents!

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ENGLAND – OUTSIDE THE CAPITAL LULWORTH COVE AND DURDLE DOOR (DORSET)

The natural limestone arch is among the most recognisable landmarks on the south coast, an area known for breathtaking views and challenging trails.

Well worth a visit for the combination of windswept clifftops, steep hills and golden beaches – make sure to keep your eye out for fossils in the sand.

NEWMILLERDAM COUNTRY PARK (YORKSHIRE) There are plenty of amazing walks to discover in Yorkshire and this beautiful country park just south of Wakefield is ideal for both short walks and longer yomps with your pup. Once part of the Pilkington family estate, the park is home to woodland, an arboretum and a lake complete with historic boathouse.

Llyn Padarn Circular

HOLT COUNTRY PARK (NORFOLK)

Explore 100 acres of mixed woodland on the Norfolk coast, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. All the walks around the park are circular, so you and your dog are free to ramble at your leisure without worrying about navigation.

LIZARD POINT COASTAL WALK (CORNWALL)

Situated at the most southerly tip of mainland Britain, the full trail is seven miles of fantastic cliffs, magnificent coastal views, enticing turquoise sea and demanding terrain. Along the way, you may even spot seals as they are common along these shores.

WALES LLYN PADARN CIRCULAR (GWYNEDD)

This 7.88km walk circles around Llanberis’ scenic lake and is a lesser-known, low-level trail in Snowdonia, which makes for a great adventure. You and your dog could also take a trip on the Llanberis Lake Railway to appreciate the views from a different angle!

ALLT YR ESGAIR CIRCULAR (POWYS)

Located in the Brecon Beacons National Park, this scenic 6km circular is a must-visit for any nature lover. Once you reach the top of the rocky knoll, you’ll enjoy panoramic views overlooking the River Usk as your reward.

SCOTLAND

OUR BEST OF THE REST

FARAID HEAD (NORTHWEST HIGHLANDS)

OXLEAS WOOD (LONDON, ENGLAND)

If your dog loves running through the surf and rolling in the sand, then this spectacular, far-stretching beach walk north of Durness is for you. Hailed as one of Scotland’s finest beaches, the shore has plenty of big sand dunes to climb and seabird colonies to spot along your way.

LINN PARK (GLASGOW)

For a more suburban Scottish adventure, take your pooch for a jaunt around Linn Park. There are a number of walking loops to choose from with a diverse range of wildlife and plants, as well as historical sights such as the old Snuffmill Bridge and the remains of Cathcart Castle.

A picturesque and peaceful woodland with one of the only remaining areas of ancient deciduous forest in the capital.

BRIGHTLING PARK FOLLY TRAIL (SUSSEX, ENGLAND)

Take a 5.5-mile walking tour of John ‘Mad Jack’ Fuller’s six follies and enjoy beautiful vistas of the North and South Downs.

CAT BELLS (CUMBRIA, ENGLAND)

One of our favourite dog walks in the Lake District, with stunning scenery and fantastic views of Keswick, Derwent Water and Borrowdale.

TOLLYMORE FOREST PARK (COUNTY DOWN, NORTHERN IRELAND)

Game of Thrones fans might like to take a walk through these woods and keep their eyes peeled for any orphaned direwolves!

THE QUIRAING WALK (ISLE OF SKYE, SCOTLAND) A must-see for any amateur photographers, this 6.8km walk has some of the most truly spectacular views in the UK.

NORTHERN IRELAND GIANT’S RING TRAIL AT MINNOWBURN (COUNTY DOWN)

On the southern edge of Belfast, you and your pooch will be treated to an array of woodland walks, wildlife and fabulous views across the Lagan Valley. Don’t miss the natural amphitheatre that was created by melting glaciers during the last Ice Age.

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Your letters Judy Ozzy (was Pudding) Dear Lisa,

Ozzy is such a wonderful boy and we adore him. He’s settled very quickly and loves his creature comforts – at one point we noticed he was very quiet and found him on my mother-inlaw’s bed tossing the pillows around and getting himself comfy.

He snores so loudly we can hardly hear the telly at times!

Kind regards, Angela

In memory of Boo Dear Lisa,

I wanted to let you know about our beautiful Boo (Boadicea).

When we met Boo at Mayhew over eight years ago, she looked at me like she had known me forever. She was the most caring soul, loved the children and grandchildren, and had lots of doggie friends.

She suddenly started to have fits and our vets couldn’t get them under control. Eventually, we had to do what was kindest for her. I held her and told her to rest as we said goodbye.

Judy had been missing for three months when a member of the public spotted him. They alerted our Animal Welfare Officers who were able to catch him and trace his owners.

Dear Mayhew,

A big thank you for bringing our bundle of joy home. We were losing all hope of finding Judy and I’m very grateful to everyone at Mayhew for all your help. I’d like to say to people that lose their animals: never lose hope and never stop trying.

Maria

Piano (was Cassie) Dear Matt,

We wanted to send you a quick update on Piano.

She’s pretty fearless and races around the place like a little rocket. When she’s not exploring the garden, she loves nothing more than to curl up on our laps, purring away. We’re totally in love with her.

Thank you so much, Rachael and Claire

Thank you for bringing this beautiful soul into my life. I don’t know what I’m going to do without her.

Diana

Milo (Brave)

Milo was a three-month-old pup when he was adopted in 2019.

Hi Lisa,

Gatsby and Albert (Mushroom and Carrot) Hi Matt,

Gatsby and Albert have settled in so well and are both currently with me, asleep on my desk. They are such lovely little boys and I am very grateful to have been able to give them a home.

Kind regards, Teresa

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It’s Milo’s 2nd birthday today! He’s such a character and provides us with so much laughter. He’s spoiled rotten and has been nicknamed ‘momma’s boy’ as he will run past everyone and straight to me. He is a chewer of toys and won’t rest until nothing is left – the record for him to break a squeaky toy was under five minutes. In the end we gave up!

Patricia

Mill Lane Veterinary Surgery Advanced medical care for your pets Proud to support Mayhew Joshua Rusnak BVSc CertSAS MRCVS 68-70 Mill Lane London NW6 1NJ www.mill-lane-vet.com 020 7794 1777

New clinic now open: Alymer Parade Vet 17 Aylmer Parade London N2 0PH

Mayhew supporter and dog lover Sunil Beri sadly passed away earlier this year. Sunil was joined in life by his faithful friend and companion Chino, a Labrador whom he adored. Sunil’s friends and family decided to donate to Mayhew in his memory and raised over £5,000, which will be used to help animals in our care this summer.

Making a donation to Mayhew in memory of a loved one is a unique and personal way of ensuring their love for animals can continue to make a di�erence.

Make your Will For Good We have partnered with online will writing service Bequeathed, who are o�ering our supporters free expert/professional advice to help you write your will.* Find out more at bequeathed.org/mayhew. *There is no obligation to leave Mayhew a gift in your will.

Sunil Beri, 1954–2021

For 135 years we’ve been here for dogs, cats and pet owners in need.

Thank you for helping us to help them.

Find out how you can get involved at

themayhew.org.

Registered charity no. 1077588

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Animal Rescue Funding Crisis in the UK! Coronavirus has resulted in a significant decline in funding for the 300 or so animal rescue charities in the UK. There has never been a more important time to donate funds or leave a gift in your will to these charities bearing in mind that they rescue an estimated 250,000 pets each year in the UK alone! Mary Lloyd tells us more Most Active Charities

It is impossible to document all the charities that carry out this wonderful work but the following are certainly the most well known and of course properly supervised: • RSPCA • Cats Protection • Dogs Trust • PDSA • PetCare Trust • Battersea Dogs Home • Greyhounds in Need • Brooke Horse Donkey Sanctuary • IFPW • Wildlife Trust • Four Paws UK • Border Collie Trust GB • Labrador Lifeline Trust www.rescueandanimalcare.com

• National Animal Welfare Trust • Wood Green Animal Shelter • Redwings Sanctuary • HorseWorld Many of the UK based charities support pets but organisations such as Four Paws and WWF also support conservation and rescue missions across the world. Even the RSPCA has special centres for our native wildlife. All these organisations are dedicated to prevent cruelty, promote kindness and alleviate animal suffering.

The Demand

The RSPCA alone takes over 1.2 million calls per annum and investigates over 185,000 cases of animal cruelty and neglect. The number of animal rescues in the UK are staggering: RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE 29 JULY – 29 SEPTEMBER 2021

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Knowing you have given a forsaken pet a second chance at happiness and a loving home is a wonderful feeling!!

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• Dogs 130,000 • Cats 29,000 • Horses 6,000 • Donkeys 480 • Wildlife 200,000 Animal rescue charities receive no government funding instead they depend on contributions from the public. They are all dedicated to saving lives wherever possible and pledge never to put a healthy animal down.

Cost of Treatment & Care

Costs vary greatly depending on the condition of the animal when it arrives. Typical costs per head are shown below: • Dogs • Cats • Horses • Donkeys

£700 - £1565 £350 - £1260 £3000 £1500

When you look at the numbers, it comes as no surprise that animal rescue is a an expensive but necessary task.

How to Help Animal Rescue Charities

Monthly donations or leaving a gift in your will is the most obvious way to help. However, the most important route is to adopt a rescue pet if you decide you have room in your life for one or more. When you adopt, make sure you select the right type of pet and assess accurately the annual cost of looking after them. Animals do not come cheap but they do give you unconditional love and joy. Knowing you have given a 30

29 JULY – 29 SEPTEMBER 2021 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

gift a e Leav r will u in yo

forsaken pet a second chance at happiness and a loving home is a wonderful feeling!!

Joe our Springer Spaniel is one such example. When he first came, he did not trust anyone and at times became quite aggressive. He was an extreme example.

Most charities screen rescue pets to make sure they are safe for adoption. In Joe’s case, we were his third home and he was only a year old. The first owners were an elderly couple who just could not give him the exercise that his boundless energy demanded. The second was afraid to leave him with the children so he was caged for a substantial part of the day. All in all, you could not do anything worse to a Springer Spaniel adult let alone a lively puppy. After 2 years of constant care and attention, Joe has turned from an aggressive dog to the most loving, soft pooch you can imagine.

Now he has only one problem, he hates leaving the homestead. I guess he is terrified of not being allowed to return. Hopefully, he will realise that he has found his forever home and I hope that you are able to do the same for another pet.! n For further help or advice, visit www.biolife-international.co.uk Photo images: ©Adobe Stock stock.adobe.com www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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Will you remember the horses at Redwings Horse Sanctuary?

Redwings Horse Sanctuary believes that every horse, pony, donkey and mule has the right to a happy and healthy life, free of fear and neglect.

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he charity rescues neglected and abandoned equines from all over the country, giving them a safe place to live and providing essential veterinary treatment, rehabilitation and care for the rest of their lives. Indeed, the charity currently provides daily care for over 1,500 rescued residents, making Redwings the UK’s largest horse sanctuary.

Redwings is 100% funded by public donations and every donation helps the charity help horses in need. In addition to giving every equine the opportunity for lifelong sanctuary care, Redwings also has visitor centres around the UK, where visitors have the chance to meet some of its rescued horses and donkeys, hear their stories and find out more about the importance of equine welfare.

Gifts in Wills make up the largest

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Louise and Audrey

proportion of Redwings’ income and the charity simply wouldn’t be able to function without them. Remembering Redwings in your Will is a wonderful way to support the charity’s work and leave a lasting legacy that will help them to help horses, ponies, donkeys and mules for generations to come. Whether your gift

29 JULY – 29 SEPTEMBER 2021 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

is large or small, every donation makes a real difference to the future of Redwings’ residents. n To remember Redwings in your Will, call 01508 481030 or email legacies@redwings.co.uk.

www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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The Labrador Lifeline Trust is a charity dedicated to rescuing, rehoming and helping Labradors They are now in their Twenty first year of helping Labradors in need of new homes and their main priority is placing the right dog in the right home.

They cover the areas of Berkshire, Hampshire, Lincolnshire, Middlesex and Surrey

Registered charity number 1076061

Tel: 01256 884027 / 07860 691251 / Email: info@labrador-lifeline.com

www.labrador-lifeline.com

www.rescueandanimalcare.com

RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE 29 JULY – 29 SEPTEMBER 2021

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Who Rescued Who?

Fridge Magnet £2.99.

Border Collie Glass Clock

£14.99 Diameter 20cm.

Border Collie Mounted Print

Border Collie Trust GB

£9.99 Overall Size 10”x 8” – Print Size 8” x 6”.

www.bordercollietrustgb.org.uk

Border Collie Wooden Placemat Size 190mm x 230mm x 3mm. £9.99.

Border Collie Wooden Coaster

Matching coaster. £2.99.

The Worlds Greatest Border Collie Dad & Mum Mugs

Identical print on both sides 00053 – Dad or 00052 – Mom £11.99.

Totally & Utterly Pawsome Border Collie Mugs These mugs are seconds there is no damage to the mug itself just very minor imperfections to the writing on the mug. Dad mug £5.99. Mum mug £5.99.

SPE CIA O L F B uy F E one R of f or £ e 9.9 ach 9.

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Naylor Agility Equipment Naylor Agility are pleased to introduce their new range of dog agility equipment to complement their popular range of Dog Agility Tunnels. Naylor Agility Equipment is manufactured using high quality materials in the UK. The new range of dog agility equipment is ideal for agility training at home and at club level.

The new range comprises:

• Wobble Board – a 60cm diameter board with paw print design and a secure wobble dome in the centre.

Fantastic for building confidence on unstable surfaces, promotes balance and co-ordination and is great for rehabilitation exercises. The wobble board is also fully rubberised for safety.

• 4ft Contact Trainer – for training stop and 2 on 2 off contacts at home. Fully resin bound rubberised surface with contrast colour contact area. The contact trainer is 4ft in length and 1ft wide with the contact end angled to sit closer to the ground when in use.

• Stacking Blocks – ideal for posture and form training. The stacking

blocks are fully reversible with wider and narrow sides for big and little paws, both sides are rubberised. Suitable for creating a still position for standing pose and can also be used to grow confidence and teach paw awareness.

• TanGo Mat – a 180cm x 90cm resin bound rubber surface on rubber backing with durable plastic buckles to fix to Marker Poles. Rolls up for transportation.

• 4ft Rocker Board – a 4ft long x 1ft wide fully resin bound rubberised surface with angled ends to sit

Full Agility 600 5M Red Tunnel 36

29 JULY – 29 SEPTEMBER 2021 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

600mm-diameter-rainb ow-dog-tunnel

closer to the ground when in use.

Each end of the rocker board has contrasting colour contact sections.

The rocker board is ideal for building confidence in movement under foot for young and nervous dogs and is a perfect introduction to seesaw movement.

• Competition Standard Jump Wings – supplied with 2 pairs of removable jump cups and weighted pole.

Made using high quality treated timber with removable feet for easy transportation and storage. All 4 KC standard heights, with 200mm available on request for UKA select height the specification allows use in KC and UKA competitions.

Can be ordered directly via the webshop www.nayloragility.co.uk or phone our sales team on 01226 444378 to discuss your exact requirements.

Please note all agility equipment is made to order with a 6 week lead time. www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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4ft Rocker Board

Competition Standard Jump Wings

TanGo Mat

Stacking Blocks

Wobble Board

4ft Contact Trainer

www.rescueandanimalcare.com

RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE 29 JULY – 29 SEPTEMBER 2021

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Pet Power!

Great products for you and your Pets

Wilko's 2 in 1 water and treat bottle Since the UK weather is getting hotter and hotter, we're always looking for new products to keep our pets cool.

Wilko's 2 in 1 water and treat bottle is the perfect travel accessory for long walks with your pooch. With it's built in collapsible bowl and dual compartments, it's made to make sure that pets stay hydrated all day long and have snacks available on the go.

Visit www.wilko.com

Pet Remedy Natural De-Stress and Calming Plug-In Diffuser Plug-in and let the de-stressing properties slow release into the surrounding area. £21.00. Visit www.petremedy.co.uk

Colloidal Silver for Pets 20ppm Pocket Spray 20 ml. Keep it in your pocket for those unplanned doggie emergencies. Visit www.naturesgreatestsecret.co.uk

Pet Calming Spray Ideal for pets including dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, rodents and birds.

Can be used in conjunction with plug-in diffuser. £18.50.

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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29 JULY – 29 SEPTEMBER 2021 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

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.

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

Suitable for Cats, Dogs, Ferrets, Reptiles and Raptors l l

Natural Treats Natural Healthcare Products

SHOP ONLINE DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR SOME OF OUR PRODUCTS

Chicken necks

Atomic Ball

Bully Combat collars

Peamutt Butter

Squeaky toys

Tripe nuggets

www.naturalhealthypets.co.uk

Itchy wash bar

Telescopic training pole

Lucky Duckies

Becobowl

Patchwork collars

Paw print bowls

Tel: 07590 621636/01763 247929

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COULD YOU ADOPT ME? Can you give any of these lovely pets a place in your home and your heart?

Sweep M8

he has a busy mind and a feisty character. He is a lot of fun to be around but does find the world quite an exciting place to be.

Available to rehome from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home www.battersea.org.uk

Sweep

Tiger Tiger M4

Barney M14

I am super social boy who enjoys a good fuss, who doesn’t? but I’m also quite independent and I enjoy having some me time and exploring the outside world so a lovely garden would be amazing.

I am a sweet boy who really doesn't require much, a warm bed, cuddles, a full belly and company.

Available to rehome from Blue Cross Jerry Green Dog Rescue www.jerrygreendogs.org.uk

Barney

Available to rehome from Blue Cross www.bluecross.org.uk

Danny M2

He is a chatty boy and loves his grub and would be a great buddy to chill out with while you work from home.

Available to rehome from The Mayhew www.themayhew.org

Reggie M

I am a lively, energetic chap that will provide hours of fun.

Available to rehome from RSPCA Danaher www.danaheranimalhome.org.uk

Danny

Reggie

We are delighted to support the Animal Charities featured in this Magazine Tel: 01952 245330 40

29 JULY – 29 SEPTEMBER 2021 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

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

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Hades at RSPCA South Cotswolds

Hades

RSPCA Cotswolds hopes to find special home for terrified dog who has undergone transformation Lockdown left Hades under-socialised and terrified when he first came into RSPCA care

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he RSPCA South Cotswolds branch is hoping to find a special home for a Labrador and Staffie cross called Hades who came into the charity’s care undersocialised and was very fearful.

Handsome boy Hades arrived at the Cotswolds Dogs and Cats Home in April this year as his owners were struggling to cope with his behaviour and knew they couldn’t give him the time and patience he needed.

He was so scared when he arrived at the centre that he would not leave his bed for three days. However, slowly but surely, Hades has come on leaps and bounds thanks to the kindness and dedication of RSPCA staff.

Haley Medlock, at RSPCA South Cotswolds in Gloucestershire, said: “Poor Hades was under-socialised and terrified of new environments and experiences when he arrived in our care. Sadly, as he was still a young pup when the lockdown began in 2020, we think this has had an impact on him and left him without the social interactions a young puppy needs to develop into a confident dog.

“He’s now come such a long way. He walks confidently on the lead and deals with busier areas like a trooper. It’s exciting to see his improvement in such a short time and he will only continue to flourish in an understanding and loving home environment.”

Many people have understandably sought comfort and company with pets during these unprecedented times but the charity is concerned that many young dogs will have missed out on critical socialisation experiences and training which may cause behavioural issues.

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Hades, who is one year and seven months old, can still be nervous around strangers so will need a little bit of time and patience to build up some trust with any potential adopters.

Haley added: “Any adopters will need to be willing to make multiple visits to the centre to get to know him, but it’s definitely worth it, as once you have built that trust, you will see how sweet and affectionate he can be!”

Hades would thrive in an adult-only home with no other pets, where someone is around for a good part of the day as worries when left for too long.

Sorrell Allen, Animal Care Assistant at CDCH, who has developed a lovely bond with Hades, said: “It’s been so rewarding working with Hades during his stay with us. From being totally shut down with fear on arrival, Hades would not leave his bed for three days and growled whenever we tried to make friends, to seeing him now and how far he has come is definitely a highlight.

“It took time to build his confidence and trust, and get him used to new sights and sounds, but you now wouldn’t think he was the same dog. He loves his friends at the centre and nothing more than doing zoomies in long grass or playing tuggy with his toys and after all this he will settle next to you on the sofa as long as belly rubs are included.” n If you think you can give Hades a loving home, please fill out a perfect match form found on the website: https://www.cotswoldsdogsandcatshome.org.uk/hades

www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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Chicubes

Durable - Easy clean Kennel and Cattery systems

Dog cabin

Chicken House

n Perfect for any size of dog n Door can be pinned back with a hook and and eye n Flooring made from phenolic coated board which is non-stick and scratch resistant

Rabbit Hutches n Fully insulated panels n Removable roof

n

n Easily removable side panel for fast cleaning and access

n Removable raised dog bed - 1m deep

n Secure turn button latch on door

n Chew-proof edging

n Vents on both sides allowing good air circulation for your hens

n Box profile metal roof over thermally insulated roof n Sliding guillotine hatch

Walk-in Kennels n Have a plastic outer layer with polystyrene insulation n Chew proof edging

Quality and durability

n

Fully thermally insulated

n

n

Greyhound kennel

Thermal Dog cabin n Easy clean and hygienic n Removable roof

Bespoke design service Easy cleaning and hygenic

Plastic thermal insulated dog kennels and catteries that are durable andboarding and commercial use, can be difficult to find. Chicubes offers a wide range of products designed and built in the UK. Chicubes animal housing for dogs and cats and other small animals brings the full package, quality and durability, value for money and helpful customer service. With a standard and bespoke design service, finding the right system for you and cutting through the difficulties when setting up or renewing your establishment couldn’t be easier. Built to last and meet current regulations for home use as well as breeding.

www.chicubes.co.uk

01782 499915

sales@chicubes.co.uk

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Padded Leather Buckle Collars TO SUIT ALL YOUR DOGS’ NEEDS Customisable Whelping boxes. Any colour, Lightweight, Robust, Come pre-assembled, Easy to clean and maintain.

Visit www.thedaleskennelcompany.co.uk/whelpingbox

The Boett® Veterinary Blanket The boett blanket provides a totally effective barrier against insect attack and prevents the typical symptoms of this allergy. Unique, breathable, water repellent fabric. Does not damage hair.

Imagine your horse is backed up against the wall, the measurement is taken from the centre of the chest, to the end of the hindquarters (but not around to the tail). This measurement should be within a few inches of the length of the rug that the horse normally wears. From £165.50.

Visit wwwitchyhorse.co.uk

Dogmatic Headcollar The New Luxurious Soft and Lined Leather Dogmatic Headcollar. £39.99. Visit www.dogmatic.org.uk

Our Modern Groove collection of handmade leather dog collars offers a range of stylish colour combos. Each collar is handmade to order.

Visit www.annrees.co.uk

Pet Power!

Great products for you and your Pets

Feed them Salters For the best start in life for your puppy!

Salters food for all generations. Visit www.salterspetfood.com

Emmi-Pet Ultrasonic Toothbrush Is motionless and vibrationless. Give your dog a ‘dentist like’ clean stress free from the comfort of your home! Save not only money but also the risk of anaesthetic by avoiding Veterinary dentals. Visit www.bentleysdogfood.co.uk

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Vitabiotics SuperDog Health & Vitality Contains a complex blend of 25 essential nutrients to promote the overall health and wellbeing of your dog, whatever their size or breed. Available in delicious, braised beef flavour that your dog will love. RRP £12.95 www.vitabiotics.com

ger

Vitabiotics SuperDog Joints & Bones Pet supplements contain a unique allin-one combination of joint health ingredients as well as 22 essential nutrients to promote overall wellbeing, help maintain flexibility and keep your dog active. Available in delicious, braised beef flavour that your dog will love. RRP £18.95 www.vitabiotics.com

Turmeric cookies Are a great holistic option as a powerful Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Antiviral, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Wound healing and Anticancer supplement.

Chronic inflammation is the root of many problems faced by dogs, including allergies, arthritis, cancer, digestive issues and kidney Issues.

Visit www.bentleysdogfood.co.uk

The George Barclay Ashurst pillow style dog bed

A simplistic, yet effective dog bed design. The large plump sleep area helps dogs to settle in the centre of the bed, making them feel comfortable and secure. The bed is fitted with a 'Moisture Shield' inner liner, filled with blended memory foam.

The outer cover is removable for washing. Size: 100 x 70cm (39 x 27.5in) £34.99. Visit www.georgebarclay.co.uk

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Matty when he arrived at Redwings

Redwings Matty with Guardian Sarah Prior at the Royal Norfolk Show

Maggot-infested rescued Foal transforms into show ring Star A rescued pony who was discovered emaciated with maggot-infested wounds as a foal is now a rosette winner in the show ring.

S

even-year-old cob Matty, who received emergency treatment at Redwings Horse Sanctuary and has since been rehomed to Guardian Sarah Prior, was placed third in the Rescue In-hand Class at the Royal Norfolk Show on 28th July.

Fellow Redwings rehomed pony, 19-year-old Welsh Shetland cross Domino, also placed fourth in the same class.

Guardian Sarah, who works as a veterinary surgeon at Redwings and played a key role in Matty’s recovery, said: “I’m so proud of Matty and our rosette! We haven’t been out showing much and to be here at the Norfolk Showground with so many other horses is very new to him. He did such a good job in the ring and a lovely trot for the judges.

“I think Matty shows the joy of the process of rehoming.

When he came to Redwings he was as sick as sick can be but, with the care he received, he made a full recovery and is now able to enjoy life in a home and opportunities like this to show what rescued ponies can do. I’m glad the judges could see in him what I do – he is a lovely boy!”

Matty came to Redwings in 2013 at just eight weeks old. A passer-by had found him abandoned in a field in Norfolk and barely able to move.

On arrival at the Sanctuary, it was clear that Matty was severely dehydrated, very thin and with an untreated wound on his leg that was completely covered in flies and maggots. A veterinary examination also discovered that maggots had entered his hoof capsule and were eating away at it from the inside, causing him extreme pain.

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29 JULY – 29 SEPTEMBER 2021 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

It is likely that Matty, whose name was inspired by the once densely matted state of his coat, was abandoned due to the severity of his condition and, if it hadn’t been for the swift actions of that member of the public and the Redwings Rescue team, he would have died in days.

Meanwhile, Sarah had just started working at the charity’s Horse Hospital and was one of the team who provided little Matty with round the clock intensive care.

She said: “It was love at first sight and I knew that one day I would like to offer Matty a home with me. At the time, Redwings waited until horses had turned four before considering them as candidates for its Guardianship rehoming scheme so I waited patiently until 2018 when I could then take my special boy home.

“Matty is so brave and so trusting despite what he went through as a foal. He still always drinks when offered a bucket of water, just like he did so desperately the day he was rescued. He loves a good wither scratch and being groomed.”

Sarah rehomed Matty as an unbacked project, meaning that she took on the responsibility of teaching him how to be ridden after he had received basic training at Redwings. And last year, she offered a home to another Redwings rescued pony, 23-year-old Native cross Oak, to become Matty’s companion and the pair are now inseparable. n To find out more about Redwings’ Guardianship Scheme and the rescued horses currently looking for new homes, please visit www.redwings.org.uk/rehoming www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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Twiglet on arrival at HorseWorld

Twiglet now fit and healthy

Horse rescued after being beaten and starved has new purpose in life A horse rescued following a sickening attack where he was left for dead in the road with fractured bones is now fully recovered and working in a program with vulnerable children.

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wiglet, whose life has hung in the balance for many months, is now finally able to live life to the full.

The young horse was found collapsed and emaciated on an industrial estate in Avonmouth, Bristol in August 2015.

“Twiglet had been through a horrific ordeal.” Said HorseWorld Yard Manager, Sarah Hollister who helped to nurse Twiglet back to health. “We were called out in the middle of the night to pick him up. He had collapsed in the road.

He was weak, painfully thin and had a fractures in his back and neck which we discovered on return to HorseWorld when our vets examined him. He was emotionally shut down, there was no life in his dull, sunken eyes.”

When Twiglet was first rescued, on examination Carys Chadwick, Veterinary Surgeon of B&W Equine group stated “The injuries are consistent with a blunt trauma. My guess is that this horse has been severely beaten over the back and neck with something heavy, for example a metal bar. He is also dangerously underweight and covered in sores.”

A few months after Twiglet's arrival, his front leg started to buckle forwards at the fetlock. The vet explained that due to his extreme malnutrition followed by the dramatic change of finally receiving the appropriate feed, his

www.rescueandanimalcare.com

growth rate had suddenly accelerated but the tendons were not all growing at the same rate. Twiglets tendon had to be operated on to correct this and he wore a cast for several weeks.

The young colt was named Twiglet due to his appearance. His skin was stretched tight over his frail skeletal frame and his long knobbly legs resembled the snacks known as Twiglets.

Despite his heartbreaking condition on arrival at HorseWorld, Twiglet has made a remarkable recovery and is now a fully trained Equine Assisted Learning pony working with children who are outside mainstream schooling or struggling to learn in a classroom environment.

Young people referred to HorseWorld’s Discovery Courses with a wide range of complex and challenging social, emotional and mental health needs. The 6-week course they take part in alongside the rescued horses is a chance to learn vital life skills outside of the classroom setting in a positive and encouraging environment.

Horses like Twiglet who have overcome a trauma in their life and have gone on to be happy, healthy and successful can be an inspiration to those who are struggling to overcome their own difficulties in life. It is common for

the young people to form strong bonds with them.

“Twiglet has been getting on really well as a Discovery horse” said Discovery Course Facilitator, Louise Hewett “ He’s settled in well to the herd and really seems to enjoy his new routine. As he is still quite new to his role, he spent the first few weeks meeting students but not working directly with them.

“He has now started working with some of the more experienced students and has taken to it like a duck to water.

He has a sweet nature and is proving very popular with the young people.

"In the future, we hope that Twiglet will become a core member of the Discovery herd, working with both groups and individuals, doing all Discovery activities.

He will sadly never be ridden due to the trauma to his back and neck he experienced before his rescue but loves the attention he receives, often falling asleep when being groomed.” 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/discoveryappeal

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Parker

Toto

Lockdown sadness for the UK’s pet rabbits – A UK Rabbit Welfare Crisis Rabbit Residence Rescue, based near Royston, Hertfordshire, is urging anyone thinking of rabbit ownership, to adopt, don’t shop!

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he pandemic has hit all animal rescues very hard, and now the rabbit rescue community is seeing a huge number of rabbits signed over. Rabbit Residence now has 100 rabbits on their waiting list waiting for a space to come in, with 68 rabbits looking for their new homes.

Lea Facey, Manager of Rabbit Residence says: “It’s exhausting to open emails or answer the phone every day for yet another rabbit, or even whole litters of babies, needing rescue space. It breaks our heart that we’re going to have to start saying no, we’re full. Other rescues in the area are facing the same problem, and it worries us greatly, where will all these animals end up?”

“Rabbits can need new homes for all sorts of reasons, but it frustrates us when it’s merely a lack of research into proper care of rabbits that has led to them needing a new home. They aren’t simple children’s pets, they are all very individual and strong willed little animals. They can be fragile and get sick very quickly, which can run up very large vets bills. They can’t be kept in tiny little hutches or cages, they need a lot of space to run around, as much as space as you would offer a cat or small dog, but secure and safe of course.”

Handsome boys, Toto and Parker, were two of an 48

29 JULY – 29 SEPTEMBER 2021 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

unwanted litter of babies that arrived with the rescue.

Their owners hadn’t realised that rabbits who are related to each other could breed. Rabbits can breed from as young as four months old. Toto and Parker are now neutered, so no accidental babies from them, and are looking for single (spayed) female rabbits to be bonded to. The rescue will carry out the tricky bonding process on site, under the watchful eye of experienced staff.

Lea says: “Unwanted and accidental litters are sadly extremely common. Rabbits will indeed “breed like rabbits” given the chance. It can cost the rescue over £1,000 to prepare a litter of babies for rehoming, that includes neutering, vaccinating and veterinary health checks. We have had 12 rabbits born at the rescue after their pregnant mothers were signed over to us in just 2021, and we’re only half way through the year.” n The rescue offers plenty of advice on the proper care of rabbits and recommendations on where to buy things like food and housing on their website, http://www.rabbitresidence.org.uk If you are interested in adopting a rabbit, do email the rescue on rabbit_residence@hotmail.com. www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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www.kennedywildbirdfood.co.uk

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

SUITABLE FOR ALL YEAR ROUN D FEEDING FROM BIRD TABLES

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

Either scattetered on the floor or placed on a table or ground feeder. Contains no wheat. £35.90/25kg

SUITABLE FOR ALL SMALL BIRDS

Split Peanuts

Economy wild bird mix

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

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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. £26.25/25kg

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. £38.25/25kg

ATTRACTIVE TO ROBINS, BLACKBIRDS AND THRUSHES

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

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ALL YEAR ROUND FEEDING

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SUITABLE FOR A WIDE RANG E OF WILD BIRDS

Suet special blend mix

Small fatballs The best, fattiest fat balls on the internet. Small Fat balls (no nets) offer a wide range of wild birds a nutritious and important source of energy specifically during winter and nesting season. Each fatball at approx 95g available in either boxes of 150 or 2 boxes of 150. £45.80/ 2 x 150.

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. £47.70/25kg

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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. £42.75/25kg

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. £40.75/25kg

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Meryl Harrisons extraordinary story - Innocent Victims When Meryl Harrison, Chief Inspector of the Zimbabwe Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals saw a TV news clip of the brutal beating of a pet dog during the farm invasions of her country in the 2001, her shock turned to action.

W

ithin days, she was setting up her animal rescue operation with the help of friends and volunteers.

Having secured the backing of the local police, she gathered the courage to go into what locals were calling a war zone as she entered devastated, over-run farms which had been looted and destroyed by an army of squatters, and attempted to find, rescue and hospitalise the traumatised pets which the farmer owners had had to leave behind as they fled the angry mobs.

The story of the rescue of Australian Cattle Dog Nandi from Two Tree Hill Farm in August 2001 was typical of hundreds of pet rescues Meryl carried out over the following months.

The Geldenhuys family who had farmed there had already packed what they could into a couple of suitcases and fled, taking with them only their young baby and their 12-year old daughter. They had no choice but to leave their dogs behind, a remaining Boerboel (the other had been killed by the squatters), two Australian Cattle Dogs and eight puppies.

Arriving at Two Tree Hill farm, the scene that greeted Meryl was almost beyond belief. The farmhouse had been 50

29 JULY – 29 SEPTEMBER 2021 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

completely destroyed and was just a blackened empty shell.

But she hoped at least to find and rescue the dogs, sure that some would have been able to hide somewhere. Meryl had been told that the dogs had been abducted by the looters but that one may have escaped. She was looking for: Nandi, her daughter Khanya and eight puppies.

In the living room there remained what was left of the family piano, now reduced to splinters and chunks of wood which lay on the floor amongst the remains of the piano keys. Books and papers lay in a big pile on the living room floor, partially burnt, completely useless. There was smashed glass and broken bricks everywhere and Meryl had to watch her footing as she went down the passageway towards what had once been the bedroom. The contents of all the cupboards had been smashed and strewn on the floor. Meryl checked each cupboard; she was looking for eight little puppies who could have been hiding anywhere.

There was nothing here at all now, just an eerie silence in a house that had been so violated.

As Meryl turned to leave, she noticed a shower stall which www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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ifo Meryl in her un

rm In 2002 Meryl was given a BBC Special Award for Outstanding Work in Animal Welfare (Together with Addmore Chinhembe)

she had not checked. There, lying in the corner of the shower amongst the fittings that had been ripped off the wall, Meryl saw a dog. Her heart raced in excitement and relief: she had almost missed it. This was Nandi. The dog was not moving and her pupils were in the back of her head.

Meryl bent down to stroke the dog and Nandi flinched at even this gentlest of touches. Meryl and her colleague Addmore lifted Nandi as carefully as they could but every movement caused the dog to yelp. Nandi had a very bad wound near her mouth and was obviously in great pain.

Meryl immediately headed back to Chinhoyi town to take Nandi to a vet. If she could save the life of just this one animal, it would help ease the anguish of what had happened at Two Tree Hill Farm. Vet Rob Gordon later told Meryl that there was not an inch of Nandi’s body that hadn’t been beaten. Rob had to anaesthetise Nandi in order to suture the wounds around her mouth. It looked as if these wounds were from where she had been tied up with wire.

Nandi had literally chewed her way free in order to escape.

Nandi’s breed undoubtedly contributed to her courage and determination when faced with such adversity Meryl later found out that Nandi, her daughter Khanya and four of the puppies had been snatched by the looters and taken to a village 15 kilometres from the farm. Of course no one admitted to being responsible for taking the dogs or tying them up for days but some villagers said they had seen a grey dog running through the bush. This could only have been Nandi. Beaten, bleeding and hugely traumatised, the dog had run away as soon as she could escape; run back to the only home she had ever known. Nandi had been born on Two Tree Hill farm and was absolutely devoted to her mistress who she had shadowed, sleeping outside whichever window of the house Tertia Geldenhuys was in.

Meryl offered a reward to the villagers for the return of Nandi’s daughter Khanya or any of her offspring and this resulted in the recovery of two puppies from a nearby village. A further tip-off led Meryl to Khanya, who was found tied to a tree while her new ‘owner’, the settler who had seized her, was cutting down trees to build a house. In the www.rescueandanimalcare.com

days that followed and in-between other rescues, Meryl never gave up hope for the remaining puppies. There were rumours and whispers and false leads but some time later the remaining puppies were found dead.

Nandi took time to recover from her wounds and get over the trauma of what had happened and in the process of her healing she made a lasting impression on everyone she came in contact with. For three months after the rescue, Nandi, Khanya and the pups stayed in the makeshift kennels erected in a friend’s back garden. When Meryl was satisfied that Nandi was ready to move on, she and Addmore took her to her new home with relations of the Geldenhuys’ family in South Africa. It was a very long and tiring journey to Johannesburg, extremely hot in the car, and Meryl heaved a great sigh of relief when they arrived at their night stop. Meryl, Addmore and Nandi were in South Africa at the invitation of the BBC who, unable to get into Zimbabwe, needed to film them for the pending BBC Animal Awards event. There was no doubt that because of Meryl, Addmore and the small SPCA team, Nandi would be able to go on to live a happy and fulfilled life with her new family – a fitting reward for a dog who had endured so much.

In the years ahead when Meryl was plagued with nightmares of what she had witnessed on those looted and destroyed homes in the Chinhoyi district, it was thoughts of Nandi that kept her sane and helped her to cope. ‘Nandi came to mean so much to me. There was a very great bond between us and she would come to me when she wouldn’t go to anyone else. Nandi’s escape was one of extreme canine courage. Amongst the very few pictures I have here in my little flat in England now, thousands of miles away from all the memories of those dark days – I have a photo of Nandi. For me she represents all the thousands of innocent animals of Zimbabwe that bore the brunt of the viciousness of the government’s ‘land reform’.’ n To read more of Meryl’s moving story her book Innocent Victims is available to buy from all good bookshops, and online via the Merlin Unwin Books website (£14.99).

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Book Review

Dogs behind closed doors

By Sue Stafford About the book: This book is Sue Stafford’s memoir of her early career with the RSPCA. Sue trained to be an RSPCA inspector in 1983. The book describes some of her experiences during the training course where she was the only female. Sue goes on to tell of her experiences as a newly qualified inspector in Stockport.

It details some of the cruelty cases she dealt with and the people she met. She talks about learning the job the hard way as a lone worker in a time before satellite navigation and mobile telephones. The book leads on to Sue achieving promotion to Chief Inspector, the second female to reach that rank in the RSPCA’s long history.

It details some of the experiences of Sue and her team working in Wirral and Cheshire in the 1990s.

This book will appeal to anyone interested in animal welfare and the work of the RSPCA in the eighties and nineties.

It will also be of interest to women who have had the experience of entering a

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male-dominated work environment or are thinking of entering one.

The book is a hands-on, real-life account about life on the frontline tackling the many issues of animal abuse.

The book, although it comes with many tear-jerking moments, also has great witty humour; humour that alleviates what could otherwise be a challenging read.

There are also some happy ending stories that make this book well-rounded, leaving the reader with some hope that not all is lost and there are indeed some fantastic people out there willing to put their lives on the line to help some of the most vulnerable in the animal world.

“I became increasingly committed to the animal welfare cause. I recall a sleepless night after reading ‘Animal Suffering’ published in 1980 and written by Dr. Marion Stamp Dawkins. I was really interested in the behavioural research she carried out with hens to discover what environmental factors were important to the hens when they were given choices.”

Sue Stafford

www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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Cain one of the dogs rescued

The NoToDogMeat charity is now caring for rescued dogs An animal rights charity is now busy caring for traumatised and injured dogs after rescuing them from the horrific Yulin Dog Meat Festival.

T

he festival, which sees animals beaten and brutalised for fun before they are eaten, was held a fortnight again in the Chinese city of Yulin, and the NoToDogMeat charity was able to rescue 21 dogs from the horror.

Six of the dogs we rescued from Yulin 2021 last week were wearing collars, as in a previous life they had been people's pets, and had most likely been stolen or sold by authorities who had seized them from their owners.

One of the dogs to be rescued is severely ill Cain who rescuers believe had been suffering for a long time.

Rescuer Mr Zhao, who runs the NoToDogMeat shelter in Hebei, knew he was one to save after seeing his pleading face as he cowered in a dirty cage.

The charity’s CEO Julia de Cadenet, who also worked around the clock to coordinate rescue efforts, said: "We have no idea where he came from but from the deep sadness in his eyes, it was clear he has been suffering for a long time.

“Mr Zhao told us how painful it was to choose who to save. The butchers were

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so arrogant and uncaring, and they did not care. This was a backyard set up behind the Yulin dog meat markets.

Outside they had a stall promoting dog meat, it was one of the few remaining places now still killing dogs just a few meters away from the stall.

“The dogs were kept in a bare holding pen with no light, food or water and they were being dragged out one by one, killed and immediately blowtorched, the dead beside the barely living. Most were lethargic and weak, but a few made eye contact, and our volunteers took the heartbreaking decision of choosing the ones they thought would make the long journey back to Beijing. We would eventually discover they all have multiple infectious, life-threatening diseases.”

Black, short-haired, medium-sized dogs are tough to rehome, but there was something about Cain and his cage-mate that made Mr Zhao and the small team unable to leave them behind.

Negotiations had begun, they had agreed with the butcher that they would take 20 dogs, and went back out to buy cages they could transport them in.

Julia continued: "When they returned, they were horrified to see the butchers blowtorching the fur off one of the dogs we had chosen to save. Cain had not been with them. He was still at the back of the holding pen. A decision was then taken that he must come too. And so our Yulin 20 became 21.

“He was so quiet the two days it took us to get to Beijing and did not cry out despite his body being full of open sores.

“It has been devastating to learn that over half the dogs have distemper – coronavirus variant – dog flu and parvovirus.

“The others have terrible stomach infections, skin disease and kennel cough. We have had to divide the dogs into four clinics as the vets are reluctant to take in sick dogs from the notorious Yulin dog meat market.”

For the past week Cain has been fighting for his life and is on an intravenous drip, however, campaigners believe he will recover eventually. n To find out more about NoToDogMeat and to donate go to www.notodogmeat.com

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Jersey Tiger_Luigi Sebastian, Butterfly Conservation

Keep an eye out for the Jersey Tiger!

People in south England and Wales are being asked to keep an eye out for a very striking day-flying moth, as part of this year’s Big Butterfly Count.

B

utterfly Conservation’s annual three-week citizen science project, the Big Butterfly Count, is well underway, and over 100,000 butterfly counts have already been recorded.

With another week of butterfly counting left to go, butterfly experts are asking people in England and Wales to keep looking for butterflies and moths and ensuring they record what they see.

One species that has been added to the Big Butterfly Count list this year is the Jersey Tiger, which is a particularly striking day-flying moth being seen in increasing numbers across the south of the UK, including in London.

Dr Zoë Randle, Senior Surveys Officer at Butterfly Conservation, explains: “The Jersey Tiger moth flies during the day as well as at night and is often confused for a butterfly because of its beautiful colours and patterns. These moths have been well-established along the south coast of England but are moving further north and are now found in increasing numbers across southern England and Wales. As a result, the Jersey Tiger

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appears on the Big Butterfly Count identification chart for the first time, and we’ve seen many reports coming in of people spotting them.”

The adult Jersey Tiger can be found flying on warm days and visiting flowers such as Buddleia. They also fly at night and like gardens, rough and disturbed ground, hedgerows, coastal cliffs and higher parts of beaches.

Butterflies and moths make excellent indicators of the impacts of climate change and other human environmental factors. This makes collecting data on their numbers through the Big Butterfly Count really important. With another week of the Big Butterfly Count left to run, there is still time for people to take part and contribute to one of the UK’s largest citizen science projects.

The Big Butterfly Count is in its 12th year and is Butterfly Conservation’s annual three-week citizen science event.

The UK-wide survey is open to everyone, of any age, living in towns, cities or the countryside. Taking part requires you to spend 15-minutes in any outdoor space (a great staycation activity) counting the

29 JULY – 29 SEPTEMBER 2021 RESCUE AND ANIMAL CARE

amount and type of butterflies and some day-flying moths you see. It is easy to do and the more people who do it, the greater the benefits to our understanding of nature and how to help it. It’s easy to upload the results either through the free app or via www.bigbutterflycount.org You can do as many 15-minute counts as you like throughout the Big Butterfly Count period – which runs until Sunday 8th August. Dr Randle is keen to remind people that it’s important to upload the results, even if you don’t see any butterflies. She says: “Negative data is important too. If you are in a place you would expect to see butterflies and there aren’t any, or there are only one or two, we need to know that. It all helps us with creating a clear picture of what is happening to our butterflies and moths.

By taking part in the Big Butterfly Count you are making a real contribution to science and our understanding of how climate change and habitat loss are affecting these species.” www.rescueandanimalcare.com

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