Microchips for dogs to become compulsory
Early April 2012 Northern Ireland was the first within the UK to introduce compulsory microchipping of dogs and England is soon to follow. The simple procedure of microchipping (inserting a small grain-size chip under the dog’s skin) has been available for many years, but Ministers have now decided to make it compulsory. The legislation should help tackle the problem of dangerous dogs, irresponsible dog ownership and to reunite lost pets with their owners. Most dog owners welcome the new law as about 5,000 new puppy owners already opt for microchipping their pets voluntarily. Later this year Wales may also join NI & England introducing this new law, but Scotland has no plans as of yet to initiate compulsory microchipping.
If you are purchasing a new puppy you may be affected by this issue. Do you think microchipping should still be optional or do you support the government’s decision?
Have you just collected a puppy from a Dog Breeders Association registered breeder? If so, make sure you activate your puppy’s 12 week FREE insurance within 7 days of collection. You can do this by visiting www.dog-breeds.co.uk or calling our free phone number 0800 181886.
The number of dogs stolen is on the increase
Losing a pet is every owner’s worst nightmare and unfortunately the daily number of dogs going missing has increased considerably in the past year. According to figures, last year about 10 - 15 dogs a day were reported as missing, however this has increased to around 30 in 2011. The main blame for this could be down to our current economic climate as puppies can sell for hundreds or even thousands of pounds. Working breeds are especially targeted as they can be used for working and for breeding as well. All owners are advised to get their pets microchipped which will make tracing and identifying pets easier.
If you just collected a puppy from a Dog Breeders Association registered breeder, then make sure you activate your 12 weeks FREE insurance by calling 0800 181886 or visit www.dog-breeds.co.uk.
Doggy raincoats sold in Japan to protect pups from radiation
The Fukushima nuclear accident struck in Japan following the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami on the 11th March 2011.
Dog owners have begun to worry about the radiation from the disaster affecting their pet pooches, as dogs are so close to the ground and tend to forage in shrubbery and the ground.
As a result of this, sales of doggie jackets have now gone through the roof as worried owners have bought their pets protective raincoats. The jackets are now considered a vital survival strategy for animals living in areas near the power plant.
It is hoped that the coats will stop any effects of nuclear rain from soaking into their fur, as they are at risk from airborne radiation which is concentrated in areas which rainwater collects.
Coats are usually made from waterproof nylon in different styles such as tartan and camouflage. The sale of mineral water has also rocketed, after fears of contaminated reservoir waters.
‘Guerrilla raids’ have been staged by animal rights activists to rescue the many abandoned dogs and cats within the 12 mile no-go zone radius around the plant.
Have you just purchased a puppy from a Dog Breeders Association registered breeder? If so, make sure your puppy is registered for the 12 week FREE insurance within 48 hours of collection to make sure it is protected against any unforseen circumstances. You can register by either visiting www.dog-breeds.co.uk or calling our Freephone number: 0800 181886
Dog swallows fishing hook and makes a lucky escape
Dory the three-year-old spaniel was walking with her owner on a beach near Prestonpans, East Lothian, when she ate a razor-sharp barbed fishing hook last Saturday that had been discarded on the beach.
Owner Fiona Marsh spotted a fishing line hanging out of Dory’s mouth, and Dory started to foam at the mouth, writhing in agony. Fiona rushed Dory straight to the vets where she had to have an emergency life-saving operation which cost over £450.
Ms Marsh has issued a warning to all dog owners regarding the incident, and has urged fishermen not to just discard their old fishing hooks.
She said: ‘I was absolutely distraught when I saw Dory had a fishing line hanging from her mouth. She began foaming at the mouth and I knew something was terribly wrong. I rushed straight to the local vets, who took an X-ray and spotted the large hook, which was about two inches long, embedded in her stomach.’
‘She went through a two hour operation, has had numerous stitches and, luckily, she is now on the road to recovery. I just want to highlight the dangers to fishermen who leave their hooks lying around. It’s a really dangerous act and something needs to be done about it before someone’s pet is killed.’
Fiona’s beloved Dory is now thankfully on the mend, but has to wear a ‘lampshade’ collar around her neck to stop any biting at stitches, and has been banned for walks for ten days.
Have you just purchased a puppy from a Dog Breeders Association registered breeder? If so, make sure your puppy is registered for the 12 week FREE insurance within 48 hours of collection to make sure it is protected against any unforseen circumstances. You can register by either visiting www.dog-breeds.co.uk or calling our Freephone number: 0800 181886
Stolen dog is found 16 months later by eating a conker
Molly the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was stolen from her home in Tenby, Wales, 16 months ago. Owners Tom and Andrea Richards were devastated when Molly was snatched from a seaside resort at only 10 months old and gave up all home of seeing her again.
Mrs Richards spoke about when Molly went missing, and said: ‘I ran out after her and asked the car park attendant had he seen my dog. He told me she’d got into a car with some people from up north who had told him they were taking Molly to the vets. That was the last time we saw her.’
Meanwhile, Molly had been sold to unsuspecting new owners in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, 300 miles away. Molly swallowed a conker whilst in her new owners’ care, and was taken to the vet. When at the vets, she was scanned, and the microchip she had listed that she had in fact been stolen.
Within days, Molly was returned to her owners in Pembrokeshire, Wales, and Mr & Mrs Richards are absolutely over the moon, as they never thought they would see her again.
Mr Richards said: ‘The family who had her were really upset, the children and grandchildren were crying. They brought her in good faith but are now going through what we went through last year. She’s an absolutely beautiful dog and we’re very grateful to have her back.’
Have you just purchased a puppy from a Dog Breeders Association registered breeder? If so, make sure your puppy is registered for the 12 week FREE insurance within 48 hours of collection to make sure it is protected against any unforseen circumstances. You can register by either visiting www.dog-breeds.co.uk or calling our Freephone number: 0800 181886
Puppy’s life-saving pyjamas
Five month old crossbreed Mr Bojangles was due to be put down after being found with a horrendously painful skin condition.
Fortunately, however, Impawtant Pups Rescue charity from Burton in Staffordshire rescued Mr Bojangles from the dog pound he was in and gave him ‘doggy pyjamas’ to stop him scratching and biting his skin from the condition.
Mr Bojangles turned out to have demodex mange, which is a contagious skin disease caused by mites which had not been treated. This lead to ‘Bo’ biting and scratching his skin to pieces to stop the itching, leaving open sores and wounds that would never heal due to the scratching.
After his pyjamas had been fashioned, Mr Bojangles is doing very well; his is skin healing and he is on the mend. The charity are currently looking for funding to continue his treatment, but hopefully in the future Bo will find a new loving home.
Have you just purchased a puppy from a Dog Breeders Association registered breeder? If so, make sure your puppy is registered for the 12 week FREE insurance within 48 hours of collection to make sure it is protected against any unforseen circumstances that puppies can get into. You can register by either visiting www.dog-breeds.co.uk or calling our Freephone number: 0800 181886
Puppy raises alarm to struggling swimmer
Wilson the Doberman puppy has been crowned a hero after alerting his owner to a distressed and struggling swimmer in the sea near a lighthouse off the coast of Swansea.
The swimmer had been caught up in a strong tide and was trying to signal for help.
The courageous canine Wilson ran to the sea, despite not liking water, and started barking, fixated on the swimmer out to sea.
It was doubtful that the swimmer would have been spotted if Wilson had not drawn attention to the swimmer.
Wilson’s owner Richard Absalom said: ‘He was in quite a choppy part of the water. I noticed he was waving his arms. He could not shout because he was swallowing water.’
Mr Absalom, 31, went to the lifeboat station where he has volunteered for the past 5 years. A boat was sent out to the exhausted swimmer, who was clinging to a rock on an island. The boat got there just in time, and the swimmer was rescued all thanks to Wilson spotting him so quickly.
Have you just purchased a puppy from a Dog Breeders Association registered breeder? If so, make sure your puppy is registered for the 12 week FREE insurance within 48 hours of collection to make sure it is protected against any unforseen circumstances that puppies can get into. You can register by either visiting www.dog-breeds.co.uk or calling our Freephone number: 0800 181886
Advert created to be heard by your dog
Nestle have recently created an advert which, instead of just targeting you as the dog owner, also targets your dog by including high-pitched sounds like a dog whistle to make your dog aware of the advert.
The dog food range Beneful Dog Food advert uses sounds beyond human hearing, as well as an audible squeak like a dog toy.
The advert makes dogs sit up and pay attention to the advert, pricking up their ears – a new, revolutionary way to advertise, as it gets owners involved with the advert too.
It is being screened for the first time in Austria this week. The idea came from a German award-winning campaign which featured ‘sniffable’ dog posters to attract dogs to the advert and their owners to follow.
Have you just purchased a puppy from a Dog Breeders Association registered breeder? If so, make sure your puppy is registered for the 12 week FREE insurance within 48 hours of collection to make sure it is protected against any unforseen circumstances that puppies can get into. You can register by either visiting www.dog-breeds.co.uk or calling our Freephone number: 0800 181886
Puppy makes a full recovery after swallowing metal pole
Eight week old pit bull Blue managed to swallow a 15 inch metal garden flag post whilst in the garden of his home in Alabama, USA.
Dogs have a tendency to chew and eat different things, such as slippers, shoes and newspapers. However, managing to pick up and eat a metal pole would be a very difficult task!
Blue’s owners discovered what had happened late in the evening, and tried to pull out the metal pole. With a few unsuccessful attempts, they took him straight to Rehm Animal Clinic, where vet Dr Chris Rehm said: ‘Blue was gasping. He was agitated…he couldn’t breathe.’
Dr Caroline Rehm also added: ‘The owners were terrified Blue was going to die.’ Dr Rehm stated that the surgery undertaken to save Blue took around 90 minutes, and thankfully was a complete success, however at one point she thought Blue would not make it.
‘What’s really important is that the owners got Blue in here quickly. He’s already eating again.’ Said Dr Rehm.
Have you just purchased a puppy from a Dog Breeders Association registered breeder? If so, make sure your puppy is registered for the 12 week FREE insurance within 48 hours of collection to make sure it is protected against any unforseen circumstances that puppies can get into. You can register by either visiting www.dog-breeds.co.uk or calling our Freephone number: 0800 181886
Greyhound loses every race as he turns out to be blind
Jack Sprat the greyhound was entered into dog races under his racing name Century’s Gunner in Wimbledon last year after he reached training speeds of 40mph.
However, in both the races he was entered in by his owner, he came last. It turned out that Jack was almost completely blind, and had no chance of seeing the rabbit.
His owner was baffled by his losses, thinking Jack just wasn’t fast enough, and he was handed over to the Dogs’ Trust in Norfolk. After being examined by a vet at the Trust, it was realised that Jack had a rare eye condition called chorioretinitis which left him completely blind in his left eye, and only 20 percent vision in his right.
The condition left Jack with a swelling and irritation of the middle layer of the eye which is irreparable.
A member of the Dogs’ Trust, Kate Brewster, said: ‘Jack would have been terrified facing with no vision in his left eye – used by dogs to follow the rabbit. We don’t think Jack’s racing owner realised the severity of his blindness and it would have been terrifying for him to race because of the noise.’
‘He must have followed the other dogs or maybe used his sense of smell to get around the track. He clearly had no way of seeing the rabbit.’
Jack is now being looked after at the Norfolk Dogs’ Trust branch, and is looking for a new home.
Have you just purchased a puppy from a Dog Breeders Association registered breeder? If so, make sure your puppy is registered for the 12 week FREE insurance within 48 hours of collection to make sure it is protected against any unforseen circumstances that puppies can get into. You can register by either visiting www.dog-breeds.co.uk or calling our Freephone number: 0800 181886