Buying a Puppy

Hi PetPals!

Hope you've had a wonderful Easter and Bank Holiday Weekend. Today's post is all about buying a puppy :)

When buying a puppy it's important to think about it long term. Puppies are a huge commitment and require a lot of time, love and care. Just like any other animal, puppies come with a financial commitment too. Potential owners need to make sure they can afford the vet bills, food, toys and grooming costs as otherwise owners may have to rehome their dog which can be stressful on both parts.

These are a few things that every potential owner should do/consider

1. Research your breed thoroughly - whatever breed you choose, make sure you do your homework first. Talk to owners of the breed, go to the library, research on the internet. Whatever source you choose, make sure you know what the breed is like, how it behaves?, how much food it eats? How much exercise does it need?,  Can it be trained easily?, do they suffer with any health problems?. It's extremely important to know what dog your buying before you bring it home.

2. Your lifestyle - it's important to look at your lifestyle also. Do you work long hours?, Do you have time to care for your pet?, Are you fit and healthy enough to walk the dog? Can you afford to care for the dog? Do you live in the right area/house?

3. Research your breeder - it's okay to check out your breeder before buying, ask to see certificates and check them out on the assured breeder scheme (http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/breeding/assured-breeder-scheme/). Also ask them questions like when can I take my puppy home? If they say at 7 weeks, do not buy from them and report them to the police. Good Breeders will sell their puppies at 12 weeks. Always ask to see receipts for vaccinations and worming products, even ask for their vet details so you can check the puppy has had their vaccinations.

4. Prepare early - So you have decided to get a puppy and have put your deposit down. Now it's time to prepare for the arrival. Get your house puppy proof and purchase all the necesseties. Always follow the breeders guidelines when it come to feeding as for so many weeks they will need a particular diet. 

5. Viewing your puppy - when viewing your puppy make sure the mother dog is present too. If the breeder makes up any excuses, do not buy from them and report to the police. Good breeders will allow you to see the mother and sometimes the father depending on if the studs owner has agreed to it. Also check the mother, does she look healthy? Is she friendly? Is she young herself? (Bitches should not be bred until they are at least 18 months old and should not be bred more than 6 times in her lifetime) Does the mum look like she's had more than one litter this year?. Don't be afraid to question the breeder, it shows you are a serious and dedicated dog owner. If the puppy is still suckling then they are too young to be sold. Make sure the puppies look healthy, have clear eyes and nose, clean bums and are alert to their surroundings. Check the dogs environment, is it clean? Is it safe? Are they being provided with food, water, toys? 

And there you have it, 5 key points to buying a puppy. 

If you ever have any doubt about a puppy or a breeder, do NOT buy. It's tempting to purchase a puppy just to save them but the best thing you can do is to report the breeders to the police and RSPCA. If you need to, revisit the puppies and take pictures/videos. The more evidence the police/RSPCA have, the better chance they have at taking the breeders to court and getting them convicted. 

If you are looking to buy a puppy, please remember all the dogs in rehoming centres who are looking for a second chance.

Staffie Saturday || 2

Hi PetPals,

Woodgreen Animal Shelter are running a campaign on changing the perception of staffies. On their website (link below) they have explained why staffies make good pets and what they need from their owners. 

Please check the website out and make sure you share to your friends so together we can change the perspective of these friendly dogs. 

http://www.woodgreen.org.uk/what_we_do/animal_welfare/give_staffies_a_chance

Help Find Tess

Hi PetPals,

You may have heard through the media about Tess, the guide dog who has gone missing.

The six-year-old black curly coated retriever disappeared while walking off-lead with her owner in Nairn, a seaside town about 16 miles east of Inverness. 
The Guide Dog society are doing everything they can to locate Tess and reunite her with her owner. We can all do our bit by sharing this poster and putting it in shop windows/on lamposts. 

Although she went missing in Scotland, Tess could now be in any part of the UK, so we really do need everyone’s help to find her. If you see a dog who looks like Tess for sale in your local area, or notice that someone has recently acquired a black curly coated retriever, or if you have any other concrete information which may help us, please get in touch with us immediately on 0800 688 8409. 
The more people that are aware of missing Tess, the more likely we are to find her.


PLEASE SHARE THIS POSTER ON ALL SOCIAL MEDIA AND AROUND YOUR LOCAL AREA. BRING TESS HOME. 
You can download the poster here: http://emails-guidedogs.org.uk/LDK-2OXMJ-651EON-17EY6U-1/c.aspx

Rain + Dog Walking = Frizzy Hair and Smelling Like a Wet Dog

Hi PetPals!

After months of lovely, hot weather, the rain has returned to the UK and boy is it making up for its absence. As I write this it's pouring it down and there are lots of people running into their houses having just gone out for a walk with their dogs.

It got me thinking, what do you wear to walk the dog that makes you feel good and keeps you dry? 

Well....

Firstly, it's important you're wearing sensible shoes. There's nothing worst than getting wet feet! These Chelsea boot Wellies from Asda are the perfect thing to wear. They're a lot more stylish than ordinary wellies, cut just above the ankle too so you don't have to struggle getting them on/off. They're a patent black which means they're not too in your face and can be paired with pretty much anything. These are £12, so are super affordable. 

Pair these with skinny jeans, leggings, shorts and dresses and you'll look super stylish walking your pooch.

Another important thing to wear is a coat or jacket of some sort. Asos have this super cute Daisy Print Mac which  can be worn anytime really. It's quite pricy at £45 but it's a great investment as it's high quality, thicker than most macs and will never go out of fashion. It's a great way to jazz up your outfit.

If you don't really want to pay that much for a mac, Asda do their own. This one is £20 and is a plain dark grey which you can dress up or down. It's great quality and the reviews speak for themselves.

Finally, we can't forget your beloved pet pal! As much as they love walks, they don't like getting caught in the rain either.

This coat is from Pets at Home and comes in a range of sizes. It costs between £20-£25 pounds depending on the size you get. It's waterproof which means your dog won't get soaked and keeps them warm in the colder months. It's called Repels-It Nano Proof and comes in blue or red. 

If you would prefer your dog to be bone dry and not muddy, I recommend you purchase this. It's from PetPlanet and it like a tracksuit for your dog. It's got 5 star reviews and starting at £15 it's a bargain! It's called Cosipet Trouser/ Tracksuit and comes in a range of sizes. The coat covers your dogs body and legs leaving only it's head and tail exposed. The fact it covers your dogs legs means your dog won't come home with muddy legs. 

So there you have it, items for you to look stylish and keep dry in the UKs wet summers and so,etching for your pet pal too! 

Let me know in the comments if you enjoyed this post or have any tips on how to look stylish yet stay dry when walking your dog in the rain.

Staffie Saturday

Hi PetPals,

Staffies are always getting bad press. Everyday in the newspaper or online, there are stories about these 'Monster' 'Killer' dogs. The truth is, Staffies are good, soppy, gentle dogs if the owner trains them correctly. Of course, every dog poses a threat/risk but with the right training and common sense, all dogs can live side by side with humans. If we educate ourselves on better care for our dogs than the dogs will be a lot better. 

Anyway,  I found these pictures which I totally agree with and I'm sure you will too.

If you have a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, I would love to feature your pet on my blog. Please leave a comment below detailing life with your Staffie. Let's change peoples perception of this lovely breed together. 

Save an Animal Sunday || 7

Hi PetPals!

This weeks Save an Animal Sunday is Prince from the Woodgreen Animal Shelter.

Prince is a 4 year old American Bulldog who would love a home with children above 11 years old and the company of a female companion. He doesn't like cats but is a kind-hearted obedient soppy dog.

If you would like to give Prince a loving new home, please contact the Woodgreen Animal Shelter on tel:084420248208181 and state Prince's reference number 16569-Dog. 

Alternatively, you can donate to the shelter to help them care for the animals they have in care. You can do this by going on their website: 

http://www.woodgreen.org.uk/how_to_help/donate/make_a_donation

Happy Easter

Hi PetPals!

Easter has come round so quick and it's fair to say it's everyone's favourite holiday. It's a great excuse just to eat lots and lots of chocolate and not feel guilty. 

Whilst Easter might be a joyous holiday for us humans, it's not quite as enjoyable for our pets.

All over the bank holiday weekend, people will be popping into pet shops and purchasing rabbits as Easter gifts. Just like a dog is not just for christmas, a rabbit is most definitely not just for Easter. Rabbits need a lot of care and attention. Whilst their needs might be met for the first month after Easter, they are soon forgotten about and eventually are put 'up for sale' or are handed in to rehoming centres that are already bursting at the seams! 

This Easter, please rethink about purchasing a rabbit. Donate or volunteer at a rehoming centre instead. Rabbits require a lot of care, they can become poorly if not looked after and they have a life expectancy of up to 8 years! It's not fair on the rabbit to be forgotten about and moved from house to rehoming centre to another house.

Another pet that will suffer this Easter is our beloved dogs. Dogs are not allowed chocolate at all and yet over Easter a small minority of owners think it's acceptable to give their dogs an Easter egg as it's just a 'one off' or a 'little treat'. Chocolate is highly poison able to dogs and should never ever be given to dogs. 

If you want to treat your dog this Easter, take them for a really long walk (weather permitting) or buy them a nice new bed/toy. They would definitely appreciate that more than having a huge tummy ache and a trip to the vets!

Enjoy your Easter PetPals! 

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

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

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.

The Five Freedoms

Hi PetPals!

Today's post is about the 5 freedoms, for those of you that don't know what the 5 freedoms are, they are a list of requirements that pet owners must provide for their pets.

The 5 freedoms simply are:

1. Freedom from hunger and thirst

2. Freedom to behave normally

3. Freedom from discomfort

4. Freedom from pain, injury and disease

5. Freedom from fear and distress 

To meet the first need, make sure your pet has access to fresh water at all times and has food too. Of course with dogs and cats, they're fed meals so just make sure you always give them their meals at the time they're used to.

To meet the second need, make sure you provide enrichment toys for your pets that will encourage natural behaviour. For example, a hamster wheel for hamsters so they can exercise. A tunnel for Guiana-pigs and Rabbits to mimic the tunnels they run in in the wild.

To meet the 3rd freedom, make sure your pet has a comfortable bed to sleep on. Dogs and cats can have a nice soft bed instead of a hard cold floor. Smaller animals like rabbits and guineapigs  will need plenty of soft hay and a layer of newspaper so they're not walking on hard floor.

The 4th freedom can be met by ensuring all your pets are up to date with vaccinations and worming treatments. If your animal becomes ill,injured or you notice a change in your animal, take them to a vet straight away to ensure they're not in pain etc

Finally, the 5th freedom can be met by making sure their environment is quiet, calm and safe. Provide a hide for small animals so they can retreat to it if they feel scared. Close windows and curtains when it's firework night so animals do not feel distressed. 

It's very important that you aspire to these freedoms to ensure the welfare of your animals are maintained. 

Please check out the following links for more information:

http://www.rspca.org.uk/utilities/faq/-/question/ENQ_Five_Freedoms/category/Pets/

Thanks for reading. Make sure you follow to stay up to date

Save an Animal Sunday || 1

Hi PetPals!

I thought it would be a great idea if I did a weekly 'Save an Animal' post to highlight animals across the UK in need of rehoming.

It's SO important that we give these animals a second chance at life, the animals that are in the care of rehoming centres are often there through no fault of their own and have come from horrible situations.

Too often, rehoming centres are overlooked because people want a 'brand new' puppy/kitten/small animal. The animals in rehoming centres are loveable, friendly and are just as cute as 'brand new' animals. Believe it or not, the rehoming process is really quick and easy too!  (I will do a post on this soon).

So for my first 'Save an Animal' meet Wally...

Wally is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier who has been at the South Godstone RSPCA centre since August 2012, that's a whole year!! He was brought into the centre by an inspector after being abandoned by his previous owner.

Wally is a loveable dog who is very responsive to training and enjoys going for walks. He can be quite exciteable and would need a routine. He doesn't want to be locked up all day so is looking for an owner who would be around most of the day to give him the attention he needs.

Wally would also need to be rehomed with older children and without other pets simply because he needs reassurance and requires help with settling into a new home.

Unfortunately, Wally is overlooked because of the bad press Staffies get. Staffies are NOT aggressive dogs! They are loveable, friendly, obedient family pets who require a good start in life.

Wally is an affectionate, caring dog who would make an excellent addition to any family.

If you would like to give Wally a second chance at life, please get in contact with the staff at RSPCA South Godstone on 0300 123 0741 or email: southgodstone@rspca.org.uk

If you can't offer a home then please share his RSPCA profile (link below) and help him on his way to his forever home!

Please visit the RSPCA blog too where you can find out more info on Wally and other animals in need of homes:

http://blogs.rspca.org.uk/specialappeals/2013/05/24/wheres-wally/

Thanks for reading, if you have any post suggestions then please leave a comment below.