Updates and Animal Friendly Make-up!

Hi PetPals! 

I thought I would add another feature that includes you, the owner. I wanted to show you Superdrugs very own makeup brand that is animal cruelty free! It's called ' I Love Makeup'. 

They have recently just released all their products and I have to say they are absolutely lush! Their products cover a range of makeup needs including, primer, foundation, concealer, eye liner. You name it they've got it!

The best thing about it is that it's super affordable and high quality. Times are tough and not everyone can afford to go into The Body Shop and purchase their animal cruelty free products, so the fact Superdrug have brought out their own is super exciting! 'I Love Makeup' ranges from £2.99 to £4.99 which is a bargain! 

You can now look beautiful whilst looking after your pets with this incredible new brand and feel reassured that it's cruelty free too.

To check out the brand and purchase a few, go to : http://www.superdrug.com/Make-Up/Face/c/makeup-face?q=%3Aname-asc%3Abrand%3A303&text=&minSel=1.0&maxSel=130.0&minSlider=1.0&maxSlider=130.0&resultsForPage=20&brand303=on#

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 

Rehoming Process

Hi PetPals!

Following on from my first 'Save an Animal Sunday', I thought it would be a great idea to explain how easy rehoming an animal is.

I think a lot of people think the rehoming process is very long and so choose to just buy a pet but this is not the case. The rehoming process is straightforward and easy.

Firstly, most shelters have a website or a Facebook page where they advertise the animals that are up for adoption. It's a good idea to look through the animals and see if their descriptions will suit you. Some smaller shelters don't have access to websites and things so its best to go to them and have a look round and talk to the staff there. 

Once you have seen an animal you think you can give a loving home to, you will have to fill out a application form. The forms are very simple asking for your name, age, lifestyle, pet your interested in and experience with that particular species of animals. You will then have to send this off to the shelter where the staff will look over it. They will then contact you within 2-4 days of recieving the application to invite you in to find out more about you and meet the pet too. If the shelter think you're not suited to the animal you first chose, they will help you find an animal that is.

If you are suited to your pet, a home check will be carried out by staff just to ensure the environment the animal is being brought into is suitable too. You will also have several meeting with your potential new animal just to ensure a bond is built up and the animal feels safe and reassured that it will not be dumped again. 

There is a rehoming fee but this is just to cover any veterinary treatment the animal has had. This money goes back into the shelter to help rescue other animals too. 

Once you have brought your new pet home, the shelter usually does a follow up visit just to ensure both you and your new pet are happy. 

The great thing about rehoming is that you are giving an animal a second chance of life and you will have lifetime support from the shelter. 

So before, you rush out and buy a pet, consider those who are longing for a new home and a second chance in rescue centres. You can find a rescue centre near you by simply typing it in google.

Please check out the following links for more information:

http://www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/rehoming
http://www.bluecross.org.uk/1710/rehome-a-pet.html
http://www.battersea.org.uk/dogs/rehoming/
http://www.scottishspca.org/rehoming/centres
http://www.woodgreen.org.uk/rehome/dogs

Rabbits

Hi Petpals!

Did you know that Rabbits are the most popular pets after Dogs and Cats? So why is it, they're the most neglected?

I'll tell you why, it's because not every rabbit owner knows how to care for them correctly and most rabbits live in a hutch at the bottom of gardens where they're easily forgotten about. (Especially in autumn/winter where the weather is rubbish and everyone is reluctant to go out in the cold)

I understand not everyone has the space to keep a rabbit inside their house, however there things that can be done to ensure your rabbit is comfortable outside.

The House

Firstly, make sure your rabbits hutch is big enough for your rabbit, I find the hutches that are made today are not suitable mainly because the sleeping area and hutch themselves are far too small. A rabbit must be able to stand fully on their back legs without their ears touching the hutch roof.

You could try to make your own two teird hutch with the upstairs being specifically for sleeping and the downstairs for general activities. Either way, a rabbit must have a secure sleeping area that will be draft free and big enough so they can move about easily and feel safe/warm.



A suitable hutch design if you were to make your own

An alternative to a hutch could be to convert a shed into a house. Personally, I think this is an excellent option as it provides space, shelter, security and warmth for the rabbit. A few alterations would need to be made to the shed such as making sure there is a gate/screen across the door entrance so that when you go in, your rabbit will not escape. The gate/screen should ideally be a wooden frame with mesh so that during the day you can leave the door open allowing for ventilation.



A 'wendy house' modification

You would also have to line the shed floor so that its flat and smooth, Lino is suitable for this. Windows will also need to be added so that plenty of fresh air and natural light can get in. Again this can be achieved easily by replacing the window frame with mesh.

A run can be attached to the shed and a cat flap installed allowing access between the run and shed. Make sure the run is well secure and has a lid to prevent predators (cats, dogs etc) from getting in.

Another thing that will need to be considered if planning to house a rabbit in a converted shed is security. Make sure the shed is locked by both a bolt lock and padlock. This will ensure not only your rabbits security but prevent unwanted humans from getting access too.

Location

Not many people take into account that the location of an animals house is vital to their health and well being.

Hutches should be away from direct sunlight, free from windy areas and in a quiet area away from children's play areas.

If your rabbit is housed in a hutch, make sure it's not at the bottom of the garden and nearby the back door so that they are not forgotten about.

Bedding

It's important that your rabbit has fresh and clean bedding at all times. A thick layer of newspaper should cover the surface of your rabbits hutch/house and an unlimited amount of hay should be provided, Hay is extremely important for your rabbits digestive system and is essential in the care of rabbits.

Rabbits like to poop, eat and sleep in separate areas. I would ensure that food bowls and water bottles are away from your rabbits pooping area and separate from the sleeping area too. If your rabbit is housed in a shed, I would invest in a cornered litter tray for your rabbit and then place the food bowls and water bottles on the other side of the shed.

Rabbits must be fully cleaned out once or twice a week! I will be covering this in another blogpost so make sure you follow to stay up to date!

Enrichment/Toys

For anyone that does not know what enrichment is, it simply means to make your pets life fuller and happier. In the wild, rabbits live in burrows and only come out for food/exercise. To mimic this, add tunnels and hides in your rabbits house to ensure they behave as naturally as they can. It's also fun for  rabbits too!

Links
Please check out these links for useful information:

http://www.rspca.org.uk/home
http://www.petsathome.com/
http://rabbit.org/category/care/


Thanks for reading and I hope this has helped! If you would like me to write these informative posts in bullet points in future so it's easier to read than please leave a comment and let me know. I will be covering Toys and Cleaning out in more detail in future posts so make sure you follow to stay up to date.