Bath Cats & Dogs Home is launching its ‘Poorly Pets Appeal’ to help fund the treatment of hundreds of sick animals arriving at its doors during the recession.

The animal charity continues to be inundated with poorly dogs and cats owing to owners who cannot afford vet treatment thanks to the ongoing effects of the recession. Since the economic downturn took hold a year ago, the Claverton Down based independent charity has seen a two-fold increase in the number of animals, particularly older sick animals, dumped in the area requiring urgent attention, thanks to some owners choosing not to pay for vet care. In January alone, the Home took in 19 animals compared to 30 in the same period last year.

Rachel Phelps-Allen, spokesperson, comments: “The challenging economic climate means times are still tough for us and our vet bills are higher than ever due to the consistent increase in sick animals arriving at Bath Cats and Dogs Home. Cat flu is a particular problem at the moment. It spreads quickly and easily and symptoms such as a runny nose and eyes, loss of appetite and a persistent wheeze are common. Dogs are coming to us with arthritis and diabetes and a host of other ailments requiring urgent treatment. We are finding that symptoms seem to be particularly severe in the animals arriving, since many have not been vaccinated or their ailments properly treated.”

Netty the Staffordshire Terrier, pictured above, is in constant pain with sore legs and lameness, caused by arthritis. She requires urgent hip treatment, for example, which will total almost £600. Her carers must pick up her hind legs to enable her to stand. She will only eat when around people, thanks to a fear of the kennel environment and has luckily found a temporary home and human company behind the centre’s reception. Then there’s Nelly.

Nelly the lurcher has a severe case of arthritis, incontinence and a skin allergy, which has caused her serious pain. She has been prescribed a range of antibiotics and painkillers to relieve the soreness for an indefinite period costing hundreds of pounds.

Then there’s Drift, the cat, for example. Found lying in the snow near Frome by a passer-by two weeks ago, this old boy of 12 was severely malnutritioned, underweight and suffering from a serious form of cat flu. He is making a good recovery following medical treatment, including antibiotics and eye cream and is enjoying his cosy new temporary home! However, treatment is not cheap, with the cost of ongoing flu drugs, including IV fluids and antibiotics ranging from £50 to £200 for a very sick animal.

The Home frequently takes in diabetic cats, requiring urgent stabilisation, including glucose curbing and insulin with costs ranging from between £400-£900. There are also sometimes cases of leukaemia and immune deficient FIV, the cat equivalent of HIV, treatment for which does not come cheap.

Mrs. Phelps-Allen continues: “Our Poorly Pets Appeal is seeking to encourage supporters to help us pay for the treatment of so many ill animals requiring both urgent operations and ongoing medical treatment. In trying to care for so many sick animals vet bills total hundreds of thousands of pounds each year and it is only with the continuous financial support of animals lovers we are able to continue our work. With your support we can help give them the healthy, happy, pain-free future they deserve. This is a particularly tough time for our animals and any help given will be gratefully received.”

Commenting on the launch of the campaign Kim O’Meara from The Better British Dog Owner’s Campaign in association with Butcher’s Pet Care said, “This is a very worthy cause. The recession may have officially come to an end, but many dog owners still continue to worry about money and the affects it has on themselves, their families and their family dog. ”

Anyone able to give a donation to Bath Cats and Dogs Home can donate on-line via its website: www.bathcatsanddogshome.org.uk or can contact the fundraising team on 01225 78733.

Alternatively, please send a cheque made payable to Bath Cats and Dogs Home, The Avenue, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AZ.

DogsBlog.com, the innovative dog adoption website published by K9 Media Ltd (publisher of K9 Magazine / DogMagazine.net) has announced a new official partnership with Butcher’s Pet Care, a UK manufacturer of natural high meat content wet dog food, including tripe a Superfood for Dogs.

DogsBlog.com launched in 2007 and has gone on to achieve amazing success for more than 6700 dogs who have found new homes via the website which gives a free platform for 212 rescue shelters who use the service to promote their dogs (free of charge.) Continue Reading »

Leicester Animal Aid are seeking a foster carer for Violet, a 1-2 year old female Staffordshire Bull Terrier nin their care. Violet is seeking a foster carer as she is not coping at all well in the kennels. She has a natural separation anxiety which is materialising with inappropriate ‘grabbing’ behaviour. We understand that this environment is not conducive with her needs and are desperate to give her a chance in a home.

Violet is a very pretty and loving. She craves attention and loves to be massaged and her tummy tickled. She is looking for a foster home without any children or other pets and someone with experience of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed. Please contact the Leicester Animal Aid on 01455 888257 for more information.

If you’re interested in adopting Violet, please see the link below for further information.

http://www.dogsblog.com/violet-3

The Scottish Dalmatian Welfare are delighted to annouce the 2009 Dally Rally Family Fun Day taking place on 20th June 2009 between 10am-4pm at Lochore Meadows Country Park Tourist Attractions in Lochgelly, KY5 8BA.

To find out about dogs in the care of the Scottish Dalmatian Welfare looking for new homes, please see:

http://www.dogsblog.com/author/scottish-dalmatian-welfare

When adopting a dog there are many things to consider, such as what to do when bringing your new dog home, to how to best bond with your new dog, to the right diet and nutrition.

Here, Michael Bellingham, Chief Executive of the Pet Food Manufacturers Association, the trade body representing the UK pet food industry, offers his support to DogsBlog and advice to new dog owners:

“Understandably, when considering adoption, nutrition can be a concern for ‘would be’ pet owners. It is important that owners exercise their pets and feed them a good diet, and particularly give them the correct amount of food for their life stage and lifestyle. A pet that is fed and exercised correctly will lead a longer and healthier life. Owners can easily check how much to feed their pets by following the guidelines that can be found on the back of pet food packs. Remember, these are guidelines and you may need to adjust the amounts you feed depending on the individual needs of the pet. Pets that become overweight as a result of overfeeding are more likely to develop serious health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and arthritis, so it is in everyone’s interests to take care when feeding.

“The PFMA has developed helpful, practical tools to help owners monitor the condition of their pet. We also recommend steps to take if a problem exists. Prevention is better than cure, so keeping a regular check on a pet’s weight will ensure that pets have the best chance of a long and happy life.”

Night-staff at The Mayhew Animal Home found an abandoned dog tied up outside the centre on Wednesday night –another in a spate of ‘dump and run’ occurrences for the Home. The female dog, now named Lulu, was tied to the lamppost by The Mayhew entrance on Trenmar Gardens in Kensal Green at some point after 9pm. Extremely thin with some scars and scratches she has additionally only recently given birth and is still full of puppy milk.

Still only a young dog at around five years old, Mayhew vets have identified she has already had several litters and speculate she may now have simply got past prime breeding age and has been abandoned as if past her sell by date.

Animal Welfare Officer, Zoe Hubbard, said: “It is astonishing to think that someone can just discard an animal so readily, with no knowledge of what may happen to her tied up alone on the street. This is clearly someone who has no concern for an animal’s welfare.”

However, this is not an isolated incident for the Home, as only over a month prior Night – staff found another emaciated and injured pup left cowering on the ground outside at 6am.

The 10 month old dog, renamed Hero, was in a terrible state with the majority of his teeth either filed down or knocked out, leading staff to believe he may have been used as bait in dog-fighting as he would have been unable to defend himself.

The Mayhew CEO, Caroline Yates, said: “These are just two of the most recent incidents of people just discarding their dogs like rubbish and we dearly wish it would stop. As well as animals outside the Home, our Animal Welfare Officers have answered calls for dogs tied to public lampposts with notes around their necks and others left to roam alongside busy roads.”

She added: “We would appeal for anyone who recognises the dog to come forward as we are concerned for the welfare of her puppies. Although we are glad her owners brought her to the Home rather than turn her out into the street, we would prefer they approached us for advice and help rather than as a drop off point for discarded dogs.”

Jerry Green Dog Rescue in Nottinghamshire have announced the dates of their fun dogs shows. Show dates are: 4th May 2009, 16th August 2009, 27th September 2009.

All start at 11.30 am and £1 gate entry fee. All monies raised will go to the dogs in rescue.

For further details please telephone 01623 792886 or email notts@jerrygreendogs.co.uk.

As a long time animal lover Springwatch TV presenter Kate Humble adopted her own dog Badger last year and has now voiced her support of DogsBlog.com.

(Image courtesy of RSPCA Pet Week 2008 campaign)

Kate says: “Dogsblog is a great place to start if you are thinking of adopting a dog. The site has lots of helpful advice and can put you in touch with a range of re-homing centres right across the country. If you can give a dog a good, loving home, adopting a rescue dog is fantastically rewarding. I did exactly that a year ago and it is the best thing I’ve ever done.”

Visit www.dogsblog.com to find the dog of your dreams!

TV vet Emma Milne and author of The Truth About Cats & Dogs has announced her support of the UK’s no 1 dog adoption site DogsBlog.com.

Emma owns two Collie crosses Pan and Badger and has been a long term supporter of the concept of dog adoption and also mentions dog adoption in her book. She hopes by speaking out she can encourage more people to give a rescue dog a second chance and new home!

Emma says: “Having only ever owned rescue dogs I am one of their biggest fans. Many people assume the words ‘rescue dog’ somehow mean an inferior pet or damaged goods. Dogs are truly wonderful animals to share your life with and this is the same no matter what their origin. So many dogs need loving homes and providing such a home for an animal in need is one of the most satisfying and rewarding experiences imaginable and I highly recommend it.”

Endangered Dogs Defence & Rescue are appealing for experienced bull breed/large breed foster homes due to being overwhelmed with calls. Foster homes must have someone at home most of the day and secure full fenced garden. Foster dogs range from puppies to older dogs (male and female) in need of a foster home. Full Endangered Dogs Defence & Rescue and expenses are provided.

Becoming a foster carer offers its own rewards seeing dogs develop their personalities while they’re waiting for their forever home.

If you feel you’d like to know more about becoming a foster carer, please email mail@dangerousdogsact.co.uk