Yelp for Heroes!

Hi PetPals!

I was horrified by the articles published in the Sun this week about retired MOD (ministry of defence) dogs being euthanised because they are no longer of use. The MOD tried to justify the euthanisations by saying 'these dogs were not suitable for rehoming due to behaviour problems', this is simply UNTRUE. Dogs used in service have to have good behaviour in order to respond to training and carry out their roles. 

These dogs put their life's at risk everyday to protect us and they are being killed just because they are no longer of use. It's absolutely disgusting, these dogs are not tools or chess pieces, they're animals with rights - a right to live a healthy, happy life. 

In 3 years, 288 retired MOD dogs were euthanised just because they are no longer of use to the forces. That's on average 96 perfectly healthy, loving dogs that have had their life's cruelly taken away from them after doing SO much for us humans. The British police rehome all their retired dogs and currently have more people waiting for a retired dog than they do retired dogs. So why didn't the MOD contact those people wanting to rehome an ex force dog?

The most upsetting thing is that these dogs have given up their life's for us humans and yet they're killed as soon as they're of no use. It's quite similar to the badger cull, the badgers are not 'fitting into our lifestyle/expectations' and so we're culling them with no scientific and plausible reason. 

We should be thanking not only these dogs but all the other line of service animals that give up everything to protect us so that we can live without fear. It's about time, they were given recognition and more animals were awarded with the Dickin Award. 

The Sun have created a petition to stop the euthanisations of service animals, please, please sign it and share with your friends. Save their life's, give them a second chance, reward them for their dedication to us by giving them a loving home where they can live the rest of their days content, happy and healthy. (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article5146603.ece)

For more information please check the following links:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/5146624/Ministry-of-Defence-kills-288-dogs-in-3-years.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2424710/Why-MoD-quick-destroy-dogs-guarded-Prince-William.html

Small Animals see in Slow Motion

Hi PetPals!

Did you know that small animals see in slow motion? Well, today research from a study was published showing that the smaller and older an animal is, the slower they see things.

This means that they can observe movement on a finer timescale than bigger creatures, allowing them to escape from larger predators. Insects and small birds, for example, can see more information in one second than a larger animal such as an elephant. 

The current study focused on vertebrates, but the team also found that several fly species have eyes that react to stimulus more than four times quicker than the human eye.

When you relate this to the common pets we all own, it means that pets like guineapigs, hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, rats and degus see in slow motion compared to other pets like dogs and horses. 

Some of the animals with the fastest visual rate include:

- Starlings

- Pigeons

- Squirrels

Some of the animals with slowest visual rate include:

- Leatherback turtle

- European Eel

If you would like to find out more then please visit: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003347213003060

Warning! Don't feed your pets watercress!

Hi PetPals!

Thursday evening, Sainsburys recalled several products which included the individual bags of Watercress and the mixed bags of Watercress, rocket and spinach. This was after 15 people fell ill from consuming them. After a lot of research if was found out that the products were contaminated with E.coli which is life threatening if left untreated. Now all supermarkets have stopped selling products with watercress in as a precaution. 

If you feed your small pet (rabbit, guineapig) watercress, PLEASE STOP. You cannot guarantee that your watercress source has not been affected and so it's best to not buy any/feed your pet any until the food standards agency have confirmed that it is ok to do so. 

E.coli is very dangerous and can cause animals to have kidney failure and severe diarrhoea. It can make your pet very ill and may even result in the death of your pet.

Please DO NOT FEED your pet any WATERCRESS PRODUCT. If you have fed your pet any watercress product, go to your vet just to make sure your pet is fine. 

For more information, please check out:

http://news.sky.com/story/1140923/sainsburys-recalls-watercress-over-e-coli-alert

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24073022

Save an Animal Sunday || 4

Hi PetPals!

This weeks Save an Animal is the lovely Rizzler from London's Battersea Dog Rescue. 

Rizzler is a 3-5 year old Male Staffordshire Bull Terrier and is a very playful and energetic dog. He was finding it quite hard and stressful in the rehoming centre and so is currently in a foster home.

His foster family speak highly of Rizzler and how loving he is. Rizzler can be quite hyper at times and so needs a good routine and some ground rules.

He loves playing fetch with his favourite tennis balls, being with people and getting lots of cuddles.

Due to not being socialised properly as a puppy, Rizzler needs a little training with other dogs just so that he can learn how to play with other dogs correctly. This also means that Rizzler needs to be the only dog in the house and can only live with sensible children from the age of 13 years old and upwards.

Rizzler is an adorable dog who with a little bit of love, time and extra training will make a suitable and loving addition to any family. 

If you can provide a new home for Rizzler please contact Battersea on:

Telephone:

0843 509 4444 (Cost 5p per minute from a BT landline, mobile charges may vary)

Email:

rehoming@battersea.org.uk

Additionally to this you can find out more about Rizzler and fill out an online rehoming form found here: http://www.battersea.org.uk/dogs/rizzler_1300483.html

Have you seen the WWF app?

Hi PetPals!

Slightly different post today but I wanted to share with you a fascinating app that I have been loving. 

It's called WWF Together and is completely free to download from the App Store (https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/wwf-together/id581920331?mt=8) 

It's a really informative app and has lots of information on endangered animals around the world. Each month, a new animal is unlocked for you to read about. You can also see whereabouts these animals are in regards to your location and it will tell you how many miles away they are.

There are even cool little interactive activities for you to do. I particularly like the penguin activity which demonstrates how penguins protect themselves in water.

The quality of the graphics is superb, the photos are amazing and overall it's just a really good app. I look forward to the start if every month where I get to learn about a new animal.

So, if you are looking for something fun, informative and with cute animal factor, make sure you download the WWF Together App. It's completely free and you'll really enjoy it.

Save an Animal Sunday || 3

Hi PetPals!

This weeks Save an Animal Sunday is the beautiful Sasha from the RSPCA Leeds Branch.

Sasha is a stunning 4 year old female mastiff cross who came into care from the inspectors. She has been at the Leeds Branch for a very long time and is desperate for a new home. Sasha does struggle with trust issues but as soon as she knows you, she is the sweetest dog ever. She therefore needs an owner who has a lot of patience and can give her the time she needs.

Sasha is a big, playful and bouncy dog who needs to be the only dog in the house. She also needs to be housed with just adults. 

She is very intelligent and knows basic commands such as "sit" and "stay". 

Sasha would make a lovely addition and really deserves a second chance. 

It's important to remember that dogs get bad press a lot and they're really not as bad as they're made out to be. It is entirely down to how you raise the dog from their birth. A good, loving, caring home means a good, loving and caring dog.

If you can offer Sasha a home or would like to know more information please contact the Leeds Branch on: 07743 773871. Alternatively, check the RSPCA website.

Guineapigs- Accomodation

Hi PetPals!

Guinea-pigs are really cute pets and are fascinating to watch. But what's the best house for them to live in?

Guinea-pigs MUST live indoors, they don't cope well outside especially when it's cold. Of course, I understand not everyone has room for a cage/hutch in their houses but it's really important that you are willing to adapt your house for them especially in autumn and winter months.

Guinea-pigs need a lot of room in order to be able to exercise, feel safe and comfortable. This is also one of the 5 freedoms (see previous posts).  They can be housed in either a hutch or cage, I personally think cages are better especially if your guinea-pig is going to be housed indoors as it allows you to see them and for them to see you thus a stronger relationship between you both.  

I love the Ferplast brand of cages, they're perfect for guinea-pigs. They're easy to build, clean out, are big enough for your guinea-pig and most importantly safe too. 

Guinea-pigs MUST live in pairs or small groups. The Ferplast Rabbit 100 cage is the perfect size for 2 guinea-pigs.

You DO NOT want a cage any smaller than this as it's not enough room for your guinea-pig. If you have more than 2 guinea-pigs, I recommend you go up a size, for example the Ferplast 120 cage. 

Please remember that if you choose to house your guinea-pig in a cage it must live indoors! 

Hutches are suitable if your guinea-pig is going to be housed outside. Again, the hutch must be big enough for your guinea-pig. The best thing as a pet owner you can do is to actually go to the shop, look at the hutches themselves to get an idea of how big they actually are. Buying online may be easier but you don't really get to see how big the hutches actually are. By all means, look in shops, take notes on the sizes and then find that hutch online but make sure you know exactly how big the hutch is going to be before buying. You want your guinea-pig to be comfy, safe and happy. 

If you decide that your guinea-pig is going to be housed outside, be prepared to bring your guinea-pig inside during the autumn and winter months (You may want to invest in a cage also). Guinea-pigs that live outside should come inside in October and not go back outside in their hutch until about April/May time. Of course, check the weather before you do this. 

Guinea-pigs are extremely sensitive to temperature changes. You may think its freezing outside but to a guinea-pig it's like arctic conditions- super ice cold! So, bare in mind that when your cold, your guinea-pig outside is going to be extra cold. 

The positioning of your guinea-pigs house is important to. Make sure cages are away from drafts, radiators and noisy areas. Hutches need to be away from direct sunlight, windy areas and not at the bottom of gardens. Place the hutch nearer to your back door so you can see them. 

If you can't bring your guinea-pigs hutch indoors during winter, it's a good idea to put the hutch in a shed or garage and give them extra bedding. You can also use blankets to cover the hutch for extra insulation.

I personally think that if you cannot house a guinea-pig indoors then you may want to rethink about getting a guinea-pig. They are very sensitive to changes and can fall ill quickly.

For more information, please check out the following links or leave a comment below:

http://www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/pets/rodents/guineapigs/environment

http://www.rspca-online.co.uk/guineas/needtoknow/accommodation/

http://www.cavyhaven.org.uk/accommodationoutdoors.html

http://www.woodgreen.org.uk/pet_advice/558_guinea_pig_accommodation

Save an Animal Sunday || 2

Hi PetPals!

Following on from my last Save an Animal Sunday I would like you to meet another gorgeous animal in need of a home. So meet Belinda..

Belinda is currently in the care of the RSPCA Goole centre and is a 1 year old female. The RSPCA Goole centre does not have an animal shelter on site so Belinda has been living with the volunteers of the centre in their homes.

Belinda was actually brought in just before Christmas 2012 and was heavily pregnant at the time. Belinda nursed her six kittens and was a fantastic mum to them. Now they have all found loving homes, it's her turn to have a chance and find a loving forever home.

She is an adorable cat who loves to be stroked and picked up. She knows her name and comes when called. She is very playful and very inquisitive. Anyone who meets her will be smitten and she truly would make a lovely addition to any family.

If you would like more information about Belinda or would like to offer her a new home, please contact the RSPCA Goole & District Branch:

Tel: 07599087527

Email: debbierspca@gamil.com