RSPCA statement in full:

Every year thousands of animals are abandoned or find themselves in the care of the RSPCA or other welfare organisations, and it is pushing animal charities to breaking point. 

Overpopulation in companion animals leads to unwanted cats, dogs and rabbits – which often suffer from neglect and abandonment, terrible living conditions and insufficient or non-existent veterinary care.

James Yeates, Head of the RSPCA’s Companion animal department said: “There are a number of reasons why we have an ‘overpopulation’ of animals, from people who breed animals without knowing or caring whether they will find good homes to those breeding their animals accidentally, by not getting their pet neutered before they have a chance to reproduce.

“Animals can be abandoned due to irresponsible breeding practises, such as breeding dogs with genetic problems, which may then need expensive vet treatment.

“We, and other animal charities, also see the fallout from people that get pets without knowledge or ability to look after them and then abandon them or hand them over to us.

“Ideally what we would like to see is everybody who breeds an animal, everyone who has an animal and everyone who is thinking about getting an animal, all thinking responsibly about how they can be part of the solution and not part of the problem.”

National trends show that the number of stray dogs being picked up by local authorities rose in 2010/ 2011. Meanwhile there are still hundreds of animals being privately boarded at the RSPCA’s expense because there just isn’t any room in our own centres.

The RSPCA want to see a drop in the number of abandoned and stray dogs; fewer cats, dogs and rabbits being taken into our centres and fewer animals on our waiting lists because there is no space to take them in.

There are a number of projects underway to help achieve this, including:
Promoting and performing neutering, especially in communities where it’s needed most.
Improving adoption packs to support adoptees pre and post adoption-to cut down on number of returned animals.
Engage and inform through companion animal campaigning activity such as our Puppy Buying campaign ‘Get Puppy Smart’; rabbit campaign and our irresponsible breeding campaign ‘Born to Suffer’*
Tackling irresponsible dog breeding through our work with Welsh Assembly Government on legislation to improve regulation of dog breeding.
Working with youth offending teams to address attitudes and behaviour of young people towards pet ownership.
Working with companies to improve internet selling policies.

And it cannot be done without the help of the public. The RSPCA are urging people to take a few small steps when considering taking on an animal.

Pet owners should get their own pets neutered and microchipped.
To help stop pet overpopulation further, consider adoption from an animal centre rather than buying from a pet shop or breeder.
Plan ahead and carefully – getting a pet is a long term commitment. Make sure you understand what a pet will need before you get one

The RSPCA will be tracking its progress over the next five years, and will be publishing yearly information to show the public how close we are to achieving our goal.

What's your view? Do you think this is a step in the right direction from the RSPCA?

RSPCA Say Stop Breeding Dogs is a post from: My Dog Magazine

Tony Aston’s tenure was due to end at the July 2012 AGM but he has brought the date forward in light of medical advice. Tony, a guide dog owner, has served as a Trustee of Guide Dogs for nine years. He took up the role of Chairman in 2007.

Deputy Chairman, Amos Miller, has assumed the Chairman’s duties until a new Chair is elected in July. Amos, who is also a guide dog owner, said: "Tony leaves the charity in great shape and his devotion to Guide Dogs has been exemplary."

Rodney Buse has stepped down as Chairman Designate.

Tony said: "I leave Guide Dogs with great sadness. This is a fantastic charity without which my life would have been significantly diminished.

"Guide Dogs is a magnificent organisation. We have thousands of committed volunteers and supporters. I thank them for their dedication and recognise the vital role they play in helping blind and partially sighted people get out and about on their own terms. I wish them every success for the future."

Chief Executive Richard Leaman said: "I am deeply saddened that Tony has had to curtail his time in charge of Guide Dogs. He has been a powerful and highly effective advocate for blind and partially sighted people for much of his life."

Guide Dogs Chairman Resigns is a post from: My Dog Magazine

Following the awful news over the weekend of another dog attack on a member of the public, in this instance a child, leading veterinary charity, PDSA has today released a shock statistic which reveals that over one million* dogs are displaying aggressive behaviour towards people and pets on a weekly basis which includes growling, snarling, and biting.

And it appears the public feel the current dangerous dogs laws may not be as effective as they could be, as the charity’s research also reveals that an overwhelming 87% of people believe pet owners should face tougher penalties if their dog attacks another person or animal.

According to the charity, problem dog behaviour is most often due to a lack of training and little or no socialisation – which involves getting pets used to certain sights and sounds at a young age. PDSA’s research has found that around 4.1 million dogs never went to training classes within their first six months of life, and 25% of owners who had their dog as a puppy did not adequately socialise it.

These figures were taken from the charity’s groundbreaking PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report*, which is the largest survey ever conducted into companion animal health and welfare standards in the UK today, using data from over 11,000 UK pet owners.

PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Sean Wensley, says: “The aggressive behaviour displayed by some dogs is a grave concern due to the serious and sometimes fatal consequences it can pose to both people and pets.

“PDSA is urging owners who may have concerns about their pets’ aggressive behaviour to seek professional advice as soon as possible. Anyone with a young dog should, without exception, make a commitment to socialising and training their pet using effective and humane methods. It is up to owners to make sure that they provide appropriate early experiences for their young dog so that their pet grows up to be confident and sociable. Effective socialisation also prevents fears from developing which can be a cause of aggression in later life.

“The first thing any worried owner should do is consult their vet who will advise them on the right approach for addressing anti-social behaviour. What is important for owners to remember is that in most cases, any behavioural issues pets have can be overcome with the right approach. Behavioural professionals will always seek to find out the underlying reason for why a pet is behaving the way it is, then use kind, evidence-based techniques to change that behaviour for the better.”

Another shocking revelation from the PAW Report is that over a third (35%) of owners admit they would consider giving up their dog if its behaviour became a problem, emphasising the need to educate owners about how they can prevent such problems from developing.

Sean adds: “We keep hearing awful stories about dog attacks and it’s something that dog owners have to take very seriously. Owners have a responsibility for their dog’s behaviour and must consider the effect their dog’s actions have on others.”

PDSA produces free downloadable leaflets on Behaviour and Training and many other pet advice leaflets which are all available at www.pdsa.org.uk/leaflets. To download a full copy of the PAW Report, which is the biggest report of its kind ever to assess the health and wellbeing of UK pets, visit www.pdsa.org.uk/pawreport.

One Million British Dogs Are Aggressive: Report is a post from: My Dog Magazine

This image has made the national media over the weekend of a man risking life and limb to save a dog from a frozen lake.

It's undoubtedly one of those horrendous situations that none of us would ever wish to find ourselves in, but the question is…what would you do if your dog found itself on the verge of losing their life?

Would you be prepared to put your own life in mortal danger in order to save, or try and save, the life of your dog?

What about someone else's dog? Would you be willing to put your life on the line to attempt to save a dog you didn't know?

Most of us hope the situation would never arise, but as we know, they do – and people have saved dogs from drowning and people have died attempting to save dogs from an icy grave.

For many, speaking after the event, the over-powering thought process going through their mind at the time was one of a compulsive need to do something, not particularly considering the risk to themselves but being more consumed by the idea of not being comfortable allowing a dog to die in such a horrendous way in front of their eyes.

So, what do you think you would do? Have your say in the comments section below…

Would You Risk Your Life To Save Your Dog? is a post from: My Dog Magazine

Over half (56%) of the UK’s dog owners have been accused of spending more time or lavishing more attention on their dogs, than partners.

According to the recent survey carried out on behalf of UrbanPup.com, of the 1,068 dog owners questioned, an astonishing 70% are planning to spend the day doing their pets favourite things – such as a trip to the beach or long walks in countryside, which is just aswell as 18% will receive a specially prepared meal on the day.

Denis Kelly, owner of pet fashion retailer UrbanPup.com offered his thoughts on the findings: “We’ve known for years that dog owners really do cherish their pets and these findings show just that. Over 61% of the owners spoken to said the best thing about owning a dog is the unconditional love and so owners might be taking a day out to show just how much their pet means to them but they feel it’s reciprocated day after day by the love and companionship their pets show them.”

23% of Britain’s dogs will receive special gifts bought especially for them to celebrate Valentine’s Day costing on average £10 however a lucky 4% will have gifts worth more than £100 waiting for them to open on the special day.

Meet Lilly Lou, above, owned by Caroline Loughman, treated to a luxury hamper by UrbanPup.com this Valentine’s day including designer tshirts for dogs, pet accessories and a quilted dog coat!

Collars and leads are the most favoured present, with pampering sessions as doggy spas and groomers followed by new beds topping the list of most bought presents.

K9 Magazine editor Ryan O’Meara offered his advice, “The fact that over half of all dog owners are prepared to be told they’re ‘spending too much time with the dog’ on Valentine’s day shows just what our pets mean to us. This may be a special day when we make an extra special effort to show our loved ones just how much they mean to us and this research shows that pets aren’t excluded from our thinking. And as a fully fledged member of the family – why not!”

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Syndicated by petbuzz distribution: pet owner market research providers

More Than Half Of Britain’s Dogs Receive More Attention From Owners Than Partners is a post from: My Dog Magazine

Thirteen year-old Ben has a grade four heart murmur (useful: learn more about heart murmurs in dogs) and requires medication for the rest of his life. Although his day-to-day life is relatively unaffected by his condition he needed an owner willing to keep an eye on his medical condition. Seven year old crossbreed Max meanwhile has atrial fibrillation, a condition causing his heart to ‘mis-fire’ and not beat as it should. This combined with an infection around his heart (endocarditis) meant that he needed a very calm home.

Sandra Lawton, Dogs Trust Glasgow Rehoming Centre Manager, says:

“It is usual for it to take longer to find an older dog a new home than a younger one and dogs with medical problems struggle even more, so we are thrilled that Max & Ben have found such wonderful new homes so quickly.

“We’d like to thank the local press for their support as the rehoming features on Max & Ben really helped highlight them to a wider audience and especially to people able to cope with their particular requirements. We wish Max, Ben and their new owners every happiness.”

Mrs Morgan of Pollok, who rehomed Ben, says:

“Ben might be 13 years of age but he is still a feisty little chap. He loves going for walks and keeps our other Jack Russell Chloe, who is six years old, on her paws! He does need medication every day but apart from that you wouldn’t know he had a problem. We are just pleased that we were able to offer him a home for his remaining years, he is a great addition to our family.”

Mrs MacIntosh of Paisley, who rehomed Max (now called Prince), says:

“Prince is so full of life, he loves playing with his toys and going for walks – his condition hardly holds him back at all. He is such a bright dog, and can open all the doors in the house, and he is a real charmer – he’s the only dog I’ve owned that has managed to persuade me to allow them on the couch. Prince has provided me with such companionship, I think we were made for each other!”

Dogs Seek Owners With a Heart is a post from: My Dog Magazine

Unfortunately, some establishments claim to provide "dental cleaning" in order to "supplement income despite the negative impact on the patient," according to www.veterinarydentistry.net, a forum where veterinarians discuss current issues within the industry.

"Regardless of what some groomers and clinics offer as 'teeth cleaning,' owners should recognize and be cautious of these procedures because the most important findings regarding dental care happen below the gum line. These findings cannot be determined without probing and radiography, and should not be attempted without anaesthesia," said Larry Kimberlin, DVM, FAVD, CVPP, of Northeast Texas Veterinary Dental Center. "There is nothing wrong with a groomer or anyone else brushing a pet's teeth; however, to claim that proper cleaning under anaesthesia is not needed is a completely false statement," said Dr. Dodd. "Additionally, anyone not under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian administering sedatives or anaesthetics is committing malpractice." The American Veterinary Dental College has stated that anaesthesia is essential for veterinary dental procedures, to ensure that the procedure can be completed successfully. Because some pet owners are reluctant regarding the use of anaesthetics, it is important to note that veterinarians are trained to administer a proper dosage of anaesthesia to an animal based on health, size and blood work. This creates an extremely low risk for the patient as well as much less pain.

"With over 20 years of experience cleaning teeth on many species of animals, I cannot, nor will I, attempt to clean an animal's teeth without anaesthesia because the animal's periodontal structures can be too easily damaged with the use of dental instruments when the patient is not anaesthetised," said Dr. Dodd. "A thorough, complete oral exam is extremely difficult to perform on an awake animal so to think someone can properly clean the teeth is misleading and erroneous."

An overview of the process is provided here by the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC): A trained veterinarian will provide a proper initial oral evaluation, including probing, x-rays and polishing with a sealant to help prevent future damage to the teeth and gums. This process is necessary in order to provide a full examination and diagnosis of periodontal disease. This infection begins with the accumulation of plaque and tartar, which could potentially result in profound problems under the gum line. During the examination, a veterinarian uses ultrasonic scalers and sharp instruments, which could be upsetting to a conscious animal. Further, with anaesthesia the doctor can manipulate the patient's mouth for a more thorough visualization and access. Some of the other benefits of using anaesthesia are the opportunity to treat affected dental tissues, such as extraction of teeth or other periodontal surgery, and protection of the airway to prevent accidental aspiration of fluid and bacteria from the mouth, said Dr. Kimberlin.

In some anaesthesia-free teeth cleaning, pets will sit calmly and tolerate the pain, but this is unusual and realistically the discomfort from this type of procedure is most likely unbearable for an animal.

"Why would we even attempt to perform procedures that are painful without proper pain management and anaesthesia?" asked Dr. Kimberlin. "Realistically it is not humane to attempt procedures such as this without regard for pain." In addition, an article written by Dr. Jim Humphries with Veterinary News Network calls attention to the fact that the restraint of the pet could cause the animal to experience unnecessary stress and anxiety and to even retaliate, which could cause harm to a person. So during Pet Dental Health Month, don't put your pet through the trauma and risk involved in anaesthesia-free dental cleaning. Aside from brushing your pet's teeth, be sure to visit your veterinarian every six months for a full examination.

Vets Warn Against Dog Teeth Cleaning Without Anaesthetic is a post from: My Dog Magazine

Speaking at a plenary debate about dangerous dogs led by Labour AM Julie Morgan, the Environment Minister said:

“We are working to manage and control the problem of dangerous dogs focussing particularly on what can be done using new legislation.

“Whilst the aim of new legislation would be to prevent injury to people and protect children, it would also incorporate the principles of our Animal Health and Welfare Strategy.

“Any dog can be dangerous, and dog training, socialisation and the responsibilities of dog owners all play a key part in ensuing that dogs do not pose a danger. In developing any new proposals, these issues must be borne in mind.”

The Minister said that new legislation might encompass measures for owners or keepers of dogs who have failed to keep their dogs under control.

It might also include extending requirements for keeping dogs under control within private premises and ensuring all animals are treated appropriately whatever their breed .

The Welsh Government will be meeting with interested groups and parties over the next nine months to take forward this work and will be considering the introduction of a Welsh bill as soon as is practically possible.

A Welsh Government consultation is already underway on plans that will help Wales to deal with unscrupulous dog breeders and ensure better welfare standards in puppy farms across Wales.

The Environment Minister has also previously spoken of his plans to introduce legislation that would require all dogs in Wales to be micro chipped. This is intended to promote responsible pet ownership, ensure pet owner accountability and help to improve the welfare of dogs across Wales.

The Welsh Government will consult on plans for compulsory microchipping in 2012.

Since Kenneth Baker introduced the widely derided, short-sighted Dangerous Dogs Act in 1991, animal welfare campaigners have called for an end to legislation that seeks to ban individual dog breeds. As we now find ourselves in another period of dangerous dog discussions in relation to new legislation, we want to know what YOU would do if you were given the authority to introduce fair and effective legislation designed to reduce irresponsible dog ownership?

Have your say using the comments section below…

Dangerous Dogs Legislation: What Would YOU Do? is a post from: My Dog Magazine

It is reported by Canadian Business:

The radio ad for Chicken McBites only ran for a few days in the Kansas City area before the complaints started. The campaign against the ad circulated on social media sites, and the apology was delivered the same way. People who called a well-publicized toll-free number got a recorded apology.

"The ad was insensitive in its mention of pit bulls. We apologize. As soon as we learned of it, we tracked the source and had the local markets pull the ad immediately. We'll do a better job next time. It's never our intent to offend anyone with how we communicate news about McDonald's," Ashlee Yingling, spokesman for McDonald's Corp., said Monday, quoting from the apology.

Read more…

Learn about BSL (breed specific legislation)

McDonald’s Pulls ‘Insensitive’ Pit Bull Ad is a post from: My Dog Magazine

"The most distressing finding in this year's study was the fact that more pet owners are unaware their pet is overweight," comments APOP founder Dr. Ernie Ward. "Twenty-two percent of dog owners and 15 percent of cat owners characterized their pet as normal weight when it was actually overweight or obese. This is what I refer to as the 'fat pet gap' or the normalization of obesity by pet parents. In simplest terms, we've made fat pets the new normal."

Perhaps even worse was the finding that the number of obese pets, those at least 30 percent above normal weight or a body condition score (BCS) of 5, continues to grow despite 93.4 percent of surveyed pet owners identifying pet obesity as a problem. The study found 24.9 percent of all cats were classified as obese and 21.4 percent of all dogs were obese in 2011. That's up from 2010 when 21.6 percent of cats and 20.6 percent of dogs were found to be obese. "What this tells us is that more and more of our pets are entering into the highest danger zone for weight-related disorders," says Ward.

Some of the common weight-related conditions in dogs and cats include osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, breathing problems, kidney disease, and shortened life expectancy. Orthopedic surgeon, APOP Board member and Director of Clinical Research at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine Dr. Steve Budsberg states, "The prevention of obesity needs to be at the forefront of all discussions people have about the health of their pet with their veterinarian. The body of evidence that shows the negative impact of obesity on all the body's systems is overwhelming. As an orthopedic surgeon I see, on a daily basis, the effects of obesity on dogs and cats with osteoarthritis. It is very frustrating to see how much pain and discomfort excess weight has on my patients. Veterinarians and owners have the ability to stop obesity in our pets. No animal goes to the refrigerator or the pantry and helps themselves. We enable our pets to get fat!"

Ward agrees. "Pet obesity is plainly a people problem, not a pet problem. The most important decision pet owners make each day regarding their pet's health is what they choose to feed it."

Endocrinologist and fellow APOP Board member Dr. Mark Peterson agrees. "Obesity in dogs and cats is not just the accumulation of large amounts of adipose tissue, but it is associated with important metabolic and hormonal changes in the body. For example, heavy or obese cats are up to four times more likely to develop diabetes as a complication of their obesity. Losing weight can lead to reversal of the diabetic state in some of these obese cats."

Treats continue to be a major contributor to weight gain in pets. An online poll conducted in October 2011 by APOP of 210 pet owners found 93 percent of all dog and cat owners gave treats. Ninety-five percent gave a commercial treat with 26 percent reporting they gave their pet treats three or more times a day. "Treats are the silent saboteur of slimming down," remarks Ward. "Those tiny treats often are hiding a significant amount of calories." Ward suggests offering single-ingredient rewards or fresh vegetables such as baby carrots, string beans, broccoli or other crunchy vegetables.

Veterinary nutritionist and internal medicine specialist Dr. Joe Bartges from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine and APOP Board member notes that weight gain in pets can be prevented. "Prevention of obesity is much easier than treating it. The major obstacle is to convince pet owners what 'overweight' and 'obese' mean and what it looks like. Veterinary health teams must educate the owner and work with them to prevent and treat obesity in their four-legged family members."

Alarming Figures Show Pet Obesity Reaches Record Levels is a post from: My Dog Magazine