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.

• Screw a hook into the ceiling above your tree to act as an anchor to make sure it isn’t pulled down.
• Use foil or sticky tape around the base of your tree, and also perhaps use lightweight or material ornaments for the bottom of the tree to help prevent them being pinched or attacked by your furry friends.
• If you have a real tree this year, make sure the water used at the base of the tree is covered and pets are discouraged from drinking this water, as it can contain very dangerous fertilizers and pesticides.
• Coatings such as Bitter Apple or citrus fruit scents on your electrical cables can help prevent unwanted chewing. Try to bundle up cables or use a cord cover where possible.
• Avoid tinsel at all costs, as the ingestion of this by your pet can cause choking or intestinal obstruction.
• Again, if you have opted for a real tree, make sure if you have cats that your tree is not pine, as the ingestion of these needles is toxic and can be fatal. Other needles from different types of tree are less toxic but can also be very dangerous is eaten by a cat or a dog, as they can puncture the intestines of animals. Keep needles up from the floor as much as possible and clean them up regularly.

If you suspect your pet has ingested anything dangerous or is showing symptoms of such, contact your vet immediately.

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.

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.

-   Chocolate is very dangerous to dogs and cats, so make sure the ‘treats’ are well out of the way of your pet. Also, many different sweets can contain xylitol, which can cause problems. Take your animal straight to the vet if you notice they have ingested anything.

-   If your pumpkin contains a candle, be aware of where it is placed and make sure you are ‘supervising’ your pet while the candle is lit to avoid any accidents. Curious kittens are very easily burned by a flame or can knock them over, so keep your eye on your pet while burning a candle.

-   Don’t dress your pet up unless you know for certain the animal isn’t distressed by the costume/dress up. This can be extremely frightening and upsetting for an animal. If your pet doesn’t mind, make sure the costume is not restricting to your pet in any way, is not unsafe and does not have any choking parts.

-   Make sure your pet is micro-chipped, has a collar and tags in case of running away or escaping – so your pet can be easily identified in case they get lost. Make sure your pet doesn’t try to dart out the door when you are answering to trick or treaters

-   If your pet is easily unnerved or scared by strangers or groups of people, make sure they are safe in another room away from the front door or windows, keeping them away from scary strangers.

-   Any wires from decorative lights and electrical cords should be kept out of reach – anything new, dangly, and different can be an attraction for your pet, and this can cause strangling, cuts or burns, and even life threatening electrical shocks.

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 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

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

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

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

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

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