The Labrador Blog

noreply@blogger.com (FranskeHvalpe) — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 20:46:00 +0000

Welcome to The Labrador Blog

Latest Dog News

For dogs who pull, a harness is often one of the first recommendations made by a dog trainer as a method to get initial control of the dog's errant walking behaviour.

Now K9 Magazine has put together a feature profiling 5 of the best harnesses for dogs, highlighting the benefits of each with an insightful profile of this increasingly popular piece of dog training equipment.

K9 Magazine says:

"We’re always on the hunt for the best dog products around, and we suddenly thought – what’s the point in us knowing if we don’t tell you? Continuing our series of the Best Dog Products, we’ve been hard at work finding the best dog harnesses for Spring."

Profile in the feature are:
Puchi Chequered Chic Soft Dog Harness & Lead from Original Pooch
Ancol Car Harness from Ancol
Classic Buddy Belts Harness from Notforpussys.com
Pink Floral Soft Harness Vest & Lead from Wuff in Style
Company Of Animals Non-Pull Dog Harness from Paws Boutique

On the specific issue of pulling on the lead, the magazine has this advice:

"Assessing the world through the dog’s eyes is paramount to helping him walk to heel. In order to change the dogs mind from pulling, we have to communicate in a gentle language he will understand.

The dog believing he is the leader believes it is his job to protect the pack and anything that approaches such as other dogs, joggers or cars could be perceived as a threat.

This creates all sorts of problems as the dog in a human ruled world will react to the threat in three ways: Flight, freeze and fight."

Find out more about K9 Magazine's recommendations for buying a dog harness (www.k9magazine.com/best-dog-harnesses/)

What Is The Best Dog Harness? K9 Magazine Has The Answer

noreply@blogger.com (FranskeHvalpe) — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 20:38:00 +0000

For dogs who pull, a harness is often one of the first recommendations made by a dog trainer as a method to get initial control of the dog's errant walking behaviour.

Now K9 Magazine has put together a feature profiling 5 of the best harnesses for dogs, highlighting the benefits of each with an insightful profile of this increasingly popular piece of dog training equipment.

K9 Magazine says:

"We’re always on the hunt for the best dog products around, and we suddenly thought – what’s the point in us knowing if we don’t tell you? Continuing our series of the Best Dog Products, we’ve been hard at work finding the best dog harnesses for Spring."

Profile in the feature are:
Puchi Chequered Chic Soft Dog Harness & Lead from Original Pooch
Ancol Car Harness from Ancol
Classic Buddy Belts Harness from Notforpussys.com
Pink Floral Soft Harness Vest & Lead from Wuff in Style
Company Of Animals Non-Pull Dog Harness from Paws Boutique

On the specific issue of pulling on the lead, the magazine has this advice:

"Assessing the world through the dog’s eyes is paramount to helping him walk to heel. In order to change the dogs mind from pulling, we have to communicate in a gentle language he will understand.

The dog believing he is the leader believes it is his job to protect the pack and anything that approaches such as other dogs, joggers or cars could be perceived as a threat.

This creates all sorts of problems as the dog in a human ruled world will react to the threat in three ways: Flight, freeze and fight."

Find out more about K9 Magazine's recommendations for buying a dog harness (www.k9magazine.com/best-dog-harnesses/)

Bacteria from Dog Feces Present in Outdoor Air in Urban Areas

noreply@blogger.com (FranskeHvalpe) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 21:33:00 +0000

Bacteria from fecal material -- in particular, dog fecal material -- may constitute the dominant source of airborne bacteria in Cleveland's and Detroit's wintertime air, says a new University of Colorado Boulder study.

The CU-Boulder study showed that of the four Midwestern cities in the experiment, two cities had significant quantities of fecal bacteria in the atmosphere -- with dog feces being the most likely source.

"We found unexpectedly high bacterial diversity in all of our samples, but to our surprise the airborne bacterial communities of Detroit and Cleveland most closely resembled those communities found in dog poop," said lead author Robert Bowers, a graduate student in CU-Boulder's ecology and evolutionary biology department and the CU-headquartered Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, or CIRES. "This suggests that dog poop may be a potential source of bacteria to the atmosphere at these locations."

The study was published July 29 in Applied and Environmental Microbiology. Co-authors on the study included Noah Fierer, an assistant professor in CU-Boulder's ecology and evolutionary biology department and a CIRES fellow; Rob Knight, an associate professor in CU-Boulder's chemistry and biochemistry department; Amy Sullivan and Jeff Collett Jr. of Colorado State University; and Elizabeth Costello of the Stanford University School of Medicine.

Scientists already knew that bacteria exist in the atmosphere and that these bacteria can have detrimental effects on human health, triggering allergic asthma and seasonal allergies, Fierer said. But it is only in recent years that researchers have realized that there is an incredible diversity of bacteria residing in the air, he said.

"There is a real knowledge gap," said Fierer. "We are just starting to realize this uncharted microbial diversity in the air -- a place where you wouldn't exactly expect microbes to be living."
To gain further understanding of just what microbes are circulating in urban environments, the team analyzed the local atmosphere in the summer and winter at four locations in the Great Lakes region of the U.S. Three of the locations -- Chicago, Cleveland and Detroit -- are major cities with populations of greater than 2 million, and one location, Mayville, Wis., is a small town with a population of less than 6,000.

The team used nearly 100 air samples collected as part of a previous study conducted by Colorado State University. The CSU experiment investigated the impact of biomass burning and involved studying the impacts of residential wood burning and prescribed fires on airborne fine particle concentrations in the Midwestern United States.

"What we've been looking at are the numbers and the types of bacteria in the atmosphere," Fierer said.

"We breathe in bacteria every minute we are outside, and some of these bugs may have potential health implications."

The researchers analyzed the bacteria's DNA in the collected air samples and compared the bacteria they found against a database of bacteria from known sources such as leaf surfaces, soil, and human, cow and dog feces. They discovered that the bacterial communities in the air were surprisingly diverse and also that, in two of the four locations, dog feces were a greater than expected source of bacteria in the atmosphere in the winter.

In the summer, airborne bacteria come from many sources including soil, dust, leaf surfaces, lakes and oceans, Bowers said. But in the winter, as leaves drop and snow covers the ground, the influence that these environments have as sources also goes down. It is during this season that the airborne communities appeared to be more influenced by dog feces than the other sources tested in the experiment, he said.

"As best as we can tell, dog feces are the only explanation for these results," Fierer said. "But we do need to do more research."

The team plans to investigate the bacterial communities in other cities and to build a continental-scale atlas of airborne bacterial communities, Fierer said. "We don't know if the patterns we observed in those sites are unique to those cities," he said. "Does San Francisco have the same bacteria as New York? Nobody knows as yet."

Fierer believes it is important to pin down the types of bacteria in the air, how these bacteria vary by location and season, and where they are coming from.With this information, scientists can then investigate the possible impacts on human health, he said.

"We need much better information on what sources of bacteria we are breathing in every time we go outside," Fierer said.

The study was funded by the CIRES Innovative Research Program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the National Institutes of Health. The aerosol sample collection for this project was supported by the Lake Michigan Air Directors Consortium.

CIRES is a joint institute of CU-Boulder and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Is Hunting Wolves Key to Their Conservation?

noreply@blogger.com (FranskeHvalpe) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 21:29:00 +0000

Hunters have been credited with being strong conservation advocates for numerous game species in multiple countries. Would initiating a wolf hunt invoke the same advocacy for the carnivores?

It's a pressing question as gray wolves were removed from the federal endangered species list in some western states this past May and are poised for delisting in 2012 in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and other areas of the Midwest. But newly released public opinion surveys conducted in Wisconsin and the northern Rockies suggest that wolves are in a class by themselves and that existing deer, elk, and other game hunts are poor models for a potential wolf hunt.

University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers Adrian Treves and Kerry Martin surveyed 2,320 residents of Wisconsin, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming -- including both hunters and non-hunters -- between 2001 and 2007. Their findings, appearing in the August issue of the peer-reviewed journal Society and Natural Resources, reveal hunter attitudes toward wolves that are largely inconsistent with stewardship.

Questions assessed a range of factors including acceptance of management policy, tolerance of the carnivores, willingness to kill a wolf illegally, adherence to hunt regulations, and expected financial support of conservation.

"Hunters were some of the least tolerant of wolves among our respondents, and the closer you got to wolf range the less tolerant they were," says Treves, a professor in the UW-Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies.

One issue may be that hunters often view wolves as competition for deer and other game. Opening a wolf hunt may not immediately shift that perception to viewing wolves as another game species to be conserved.

Treves was also surprised by the level of support expressed for a regulated wolf hunt among non-hunters and those living outside wolf range. In Wisconsin, for example, he says, "You find a surprising amount of support for a public regulated harvest of wolves even in places like Madison, Fond du Lac, or Sister Bay."
But these endorsements tend to be conditional, he cautions, and the conditions vary. For example, many people support the idea of a "sustainable" hunt -- though "sustainable" was undefined in this context -- or hunting as a way to reduce attacks on livestock and other conflicts between wolves and humans.

"To me that says that people see hunting as a tool for enabling coexistence," Treves says.
But the evidence simply isn't there to indicate that hunting wolves would affect depredations of domestic animals. No depredation data were reported following a hunt in Idaho and Montana conducted during a window of time in 2009 when the animals were not federally protected. And though wolves have been hunted legally in Alaska for decades, the scarcity of domestic animals and difference in landscape make it nearly impossible to draw conclusions that would apply to the lower 48.

A risk map Treves and others published in June shows that wolf attacks on livestock in Wisconsin are highly localized and attributable to a relatively small number of packs. The majority of packs do not cause problems despite living in close proximity to humans, which raises significant questions about the efficacy of a general hunt to alleviate perceived problems.
"The assumption that hunting and reducing the number of animals will reduce livestock losses would be proven false if hunters are targeting the wrong animals, such as animals in wilderness areas," he says, adding that it will be important to understand hunter motivations. "Wolves in wilderness areas don't kill livestock, it's the wolves on the edge in agricultural areas. Do hunters want to hunt in farmland? I'm not sure."

The uncertainty of how hunting would affect wolf populations could also become a legal issue, says UW-Madison law professor Stephanie Tai, citing a precedent of legal challenges of federal delisting decisions. "People have challenged delistings for a number of reasons, and some of those have been successful," she says. "Often, successful lawsuits bring up factors the Fish and Wildlife Service may not have considered, which could include the effect of allowing hunting."
The challenge, Treves says, is to balance human needs with the need to conserve wolves as an essential component of ecosystems. In a viewpoint piece published in the August issue of the journal BioScience, Treves and Jeremy Bruskotter, an environment and natural resources professor at The Ohio State University, present some possible scenarios for the future of wolf management in the U.S.

Those scenarios include reclassifying the wolves as threatened, which would permit lethal control under certain circumstances, or enacting specific federal protections outside the Endangered Species Act, such as those currently in place for bald eagles, wild horses, and migratory birds.
They advocate geographically tailored approaches that will permit local-level control within a federal framework to strike a balance between wolves and humans. Sound long-term management can include a public regulated hunt, they say, but it will unquestionably require compromise.

"A public regulated harvest is a collaboration between hunters and the state, which requires give and take. I think the next few years in Wisconsin will reveal how well that collaboration works," says Treves.

Are Pet Owners Healthier and Happier? Maybe Not

noreply@blogger.com (FranskeHvalpe) — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 22:51:00 +0000

For many people, Fido and Fluffy are more than just pets, they're true and equal members of the family. And it's not hard to see why. Our pets greet us at the door after a long day of work, settle in our laps while we're watching TV, or 'sing' along when we hum a tune. They provide companionship and even a sense of comfort. We like to believe that our pets are good for us, that they enrich our lives and make us happier, and messages in media and advertising reinforce these beliefs. But is there really a universal 'pet effect' on human mental and physical health?

According to Harold Herzog, Professor of Psychology at the Western Carolina University , there simply isn't strong evidence for the general claim that living with a pet makes for a happier, healthier or longer life.
In a new article, to be published in the August issue of Current Directions in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, Herzog argues that existing research on pet ownership has produced very conflicting results. While some studies suggest that owning a pet is associated with positive health outcomes like reduced rates of depression or lower blood pressure, other studies suggest that pet owners are no better off, and may even be worse off in some ways, than people who don't own pets. The reason for these inconsistencies, Herzog says, is that studies on pet ownership often suffer from methodological problems, such as small, homogeneous samples, lack of appropriate control groups, and reliance on self-report to measure participants' health and well-being.

Furthermore, very few studies have used the kind of experimental design necessary to show that pets actually cause improvements in their owner's health and happiness.
Herzog, who is author of the book Some we love, some we hate, some we eat: Why it's so hard to think straight about animals, is quick to point out that he himself is a pet owner and pet lover. "I'm not trying to denigrate the role of animals in human life, I'm trying to do just the opposite," he says. It's entirely plausible that our pets really do provide medical and psychological benefits, but "we just don't know how strong that effect is, what types of people it works for, and what the underlying biological and psychological mechanisms might be."

The notion that pets have psychological benefits has led to a blurring between what we consider companion animals and what we consider therapeutic or service animals. Herzog notes that the Americans with Disabilities Act had to be revised recently in order to clarify the fact that only trained dogs and miniature horses that fulfill a specific service function could legally qualify as service animals.

In order to truly understand the effects that pets have on our lives, Herzog says we need more rigorous research. Animals are important in many aspects of human life, and research on human-animal relationships is important because it "offers a window into really big issues in human psychology" and can help to shed light on many of our cultural and ethical practices. On a more practical level, it's clear that pets can serve a therapeutic function in certain situations -- the issue is figuring out which ones.

"Let's say it turns out that some kids with autism benefit from interacting with animals -- wouldn't it be great to be able to know which kids are going to benefit and which aren't?"

Herzog points out that the scientific community is starting to take these issues seriously. In 2008, the National Institutes of Health began a program to fund studies that examine the medical and psychological benefits of pets on children. Herzog is encouraged that that psychological scientists are really becoming involved in this research:

"I think in five years we're going to have some answers to our questions."

Kennel Club Accredited Breeders Put 200 Dogs in Lorry

noreply@blogger.com (FranskeHvalpe) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 00:15:00 +0000

Two prize winning dog breeders may face prosecution after they loaded 12 pedigree dogs into a removal lorry for a 200-mile journey in sweltering 30c heat.

Alan and Julie Weatherley, who were placed at Crufts in 2005 with one of their dogs, were planning to travel from London to Doncaster in a house move when they were stopped by police.
Officers found the Airedale terriers stacked in cages in sweltering temperatures with little or no ventilation. They were alongside furniture and other possessions.

Caged animals: The pedigree dogs are still in metal containers after being seized from their owners from a removal van on a 200-mile journey

The couple, who are both Kennel Club accredited Airedale breeders, could now be prosecuted for animal cruelty.
Officers were called after a complaint from a neighbour on Tuesday that one of the caged dogs had fallen off the wagon into the road.
With temperatures soaring as high as 28.8c, the dogs were unloaded in the street and the Weatherleys were forced to make their journey to Yorkshire without them.

Police have temporarily rehoused the dogs - which can fetch up to £1,000 each - and are looking into whether there is sufficient grounds to prosecute.
Inspector Colin Baker of Sutton Police said: 'The animals have been removed from a potentially dangerous vehicle and we will now investigate.'
The Weatherleys, from Avenue Road, Belmont, have been accredited by the Kennel Club since July 2009 but the body described their actions as 'misguided' and have contacted the authorities.

Cruel: Police are considering prosecuting the couple after the dogs were recovered from the lorry with no ventilation or windows on one of the hottest days of the year

Questioned: A man is held by police after the dogs were seized from the removal lorry after the vehicle was deemed 'potentially dangerous'

A policeman at the scene said the removals lorry had little or no ventilation, but had been told the couple planned to stop every half an hour on the journey to walk and water the animals.

A spokesman for the RSPCA said: 'Any dog owner needs to ensure that their dogs are transported in comfortable and safe conditions, and this means that they must be kept cool and not be too cramped. If it can be proven that dogs were caused suffering then owners can be prosecuted.'

A spokesman for the Kennel Club said any breeder they accredit had to commit to good breeding practices and that the club were concerned about how people move dogs.

He said: 'It is imperative that people have adequate transport arrangements for their dogs in hot weather, which includes access to water and proper ventilation and this is included amongst the extensive guidelines in the scheme.

Inspection: Police look inside the removal van, which was being driven from London to Doncaster

'We have the power to discipline or remove breeders from the scheme, as appropriate, if their standards are found wanting.

'To date 212 have been removed which demonstrates our commitment to upholding the standards of the scheme.

'No complaint has been made against the breeders in question since they joined the scheme in 2009 but we are in contact with the relevant authorities about this incident and will act accordingly.'

A couple who were set to move into the home at midday on Tuesday were left waiting outside while police held the cages containing the dogs on the driveway.
A police spokesman said: 'Police were called following reports of several dogs being loaded into a removal van. The dogs were removed from the vehicle and housed temporarily with a nearby resident.
'A man and woman, both aged in their 50s, have been processed for animal cruelty offences.'

One furious neighbour who called the police said: 'We couldn't believe how many dogs were in the van especially given that it was almost 30 degrees today.
'The dogs have such thick coats and looked really hot - as the police opened up the vans the crates seemed to fall out as they were so badly stacked.
'Most of the residents on this street are completely incensed about this.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2022481/Dog-breeders-12-pedigree-pets-REMOVAL-LORRY-200-mile-trip-30c-heat.html#ixzz1UEzHfKKN

Confiscation Order Issued Against Fraudulent Pet Cremations Business

noreply@blogger.com (FranskeHvalpe) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 00:10:00 +0000

A Proceeds of Crime Act confiscation order was granted against Emma Jayne Bent, aged 36 of Steep Turnpike in Matlock, on Thursday 21st July 2011 at Derby Crown Court.
The order relates to Bent forming the company Peak Pet Cremations in 2006 and gaining the contract from Ambivet Veterinary Group to collect and dispose of clinical waste and cadavers. Between the 1st December 2006 and 31st July 2009 Peak Pet Cremations invoiced Ambivet for a total of £88,202.23 for the disposal of clinical waste, cadavers and pet cremations.

On 1st January 2011, Bent pleaded guilty to a number of charges at Derby Crown Court:

1.Offences contrary to Animal By Products Regulations 2005 as prosecuted by Trading Standards (Derbyshire County Council),
2.Offences contrary to Environment Protection Act 1990 as prosecuted by Environment Agency
3.Offences contrary to the Fraud Act 2006 as prosecuted by Derbyshire Police.
She was sentenced on 2nd February 2011 to 8 months imprisonment.

Bent was ordered to pay back realisable assets of £3,100. She has until 6 months to pay the money back or face a default prison sentence of 2 months. The benefit figure was identified as £88,202.23, which the court agreed was obtained through her criminal activity.

The confiscation order was made under powers afforded by the Proceeds Of Crime Act 2002 (POCA). POCA is a powerful tool that strips criminals of their assets and disrupts their criminal activities.
DC Alastair Murray of EMRART said: “This is an excellent example of Trading Standards, The Environment Agency, Derbyshire Constabulary and the East Midlands Regional Asset Recovery Team working jointly to ensure that criminals do not keep the cash and ill-gotten gains that have been made from their crimes’’.

Peter Rutherford, Environmental Crime Team Leader for the Environment Agency, said: “Bent's unlawful activity resulted in pet owners being left very distressed and saved her large sums in costs that legitimate businesses would have had to pay. She also polluted the environment and was likely to cause harm to human health. This case demonstrates that we will not hesitate to prosecute where circumstances warrant it."

The investigation was a joint one between a number of agencies, co-ordinated as part of the Government Agencies Intelligence Network. This is a collaborative agreement between government organisations that have an intelligence and investigative remit within the East Midlands to tackle serious and organised crime.

Gene Discovery in Truffle Dogs Sheds New Light On Mechanisms of Childhood Epilepsy

noreply@blogger.com (FranskeHvalpe) — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 23:46:00 +0000

A new epilepsy gene, LGI2, has been found in the Lagotto Romagnolo dogs, known from their gift for truffle hunting. The gene discovery made by Professor Hannes Lohi and his research group at the University of Helsinki and the Folkhälsan Rsearch Center offers a new candidate gene for human benign childhood epilepsies characterized by seizure remission.

The research is published in the online journal PLoS Genetics.
Epilepsy is the most common neurological disease in children. It occurs in 0.5 percent of all 2-10 year-old children -- during the ages when the development of the nerves in the brain is at its strongest. Childhood epilepsies are characterized by remission: the seizures set in and last for a while before they disappear completely. The mechanisms related to the remission have remained unknown. The new gene discovery made by the research group of Professor Lohi and colleagues in the Lagotto Romagnolo breed gives us new perspectives into the development of a child's brain and the remission mechanisms in childhood epilepsies. In addition, the identified gene has enabled the development of a DNA test for the Lagotto Romagnolo breed.

"This gene discovery is significant for both dogs and humans. Every third Lagotto Romagnolo carries the gene mutation in its genome and we have now developed a gene test to be used by breeders to eliminate the disease from the breed. Furthermore, the gene has not previously been linked to human epilepsies, which makes it a new candidate gene for especially childhood epilepsies," explains Hannes Lohi.

An epileptic seizure is caused by an electronic disturbance in brain function. Epilepsies form a heterogeneous group of syndromes of the nervous system in which the causes, the age of onset and the treatment vary significantly. Epilepsy is most common in the ends of the age spectrum -- childhood and old age.

"With this study we gain crucial insight into the pathways and mechanisms that control the development of a child's brain, optimizing its structure for electrical stability and seizure-freedom in the rest of adult life. This study will open vast avenues of research in uncovering the molecular bases of the transformation of the brain from its immature state in infancy to its maximal abilities in adolescence and early adulthood," says Dr. Berge Minassian, senior co-author of the study and a senior scientist and pediatric epileptologist at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada.
Epilepsy is the most common disease of the nervous system in dogs, and different types of hereditary epilepsy exist in many breeds. Lohi has previously identified the first canine epilepsy gene, EPM2B, in the Miniature Dachshund. The newly identified mutation in the LGI2 gene is the first idiopathic epilepsy gene in dogs.
Previous clinical studies have demonstrated the focal remitting epilepsy in Lagotto Romagnolo puppies. Seizures causing tremor, trembling, shaking and wheezing set in at around four weeks of age and last for one to two months before a complete cease. The seizure frequency varies significantly even within the same litter and severity can vary from very mild to attacks of unconsciousness. The mildest seizures may even go unnoticed. Between seizures some dogs may experience ataxic episodes with difficulties in movement coordination and motor function. Lagotto's epilepsy resembles human benign childhood epilepsies with remission.

"We tested the mutation in about 40 different breeds and in dogs with a very early age of onset of epilepsy, but it was present only in Lagottos. On the other hand, the study revealed another form of epilepsy in the breed, unconnected with this mutation and with an age of onset in adulthood. In addition, the breed has a progressive juvenile ataxia (lack of motor coordination) with similar onset and symptoms to juvenile epilepsy except that it does not remit -- ataxic puppies have to be euthanized usually by the first year of life. More samples are needed for both adult-onset epilepsy and ataxia to enable us to investigate their genetics further," says a primary author of the study, Eija Seppälä, PhD.
Together with his research group Lohi has built a large canine DNA bank in Finland with over 35 000 samples from 250 breeds. The DNA bank has played an important role in the present and ongoing studies.

"We also study the epilepsies in other breeds, and several new epilepsy loci have been discovered recently. I believe that there will be more similar success stories such as the case of the truffle dogs in future. Canine epilepsies are natural, spontaneous and resemble human epilepsies, offering us a great opportunity to advance the epilepsy research for the benefit of both humans and dogs," Lohi asserts.
Lohi's research group operates in two campuses at the Faculties of Veterinary Medicine and Medicine at the University of Helsinki and also at the Folkhälsan Research Center. His research is funded by several sources including the Academy of Finland, the European Union, the Sigfrid Jusélius Foundation, the Finnish Cultural Foundation, the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation, Biocentrum Helsinki, University of Helsinki Research Funds and Folkhälsan.

How To Keep Your Pets Lean And Fit

noreply@blogger.com (FranskeHvalpe) — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:50:00 +0000

It’s all too easy to give your pets snacks between meals – they are so appealing, after all – but according to animal charity PDSA, more than a third of British dogs are already overweight, and this proportion could rise to 50% by 2013. The charity has been highlighting the dangers of over-feeding pets in recent months, with slimming competitions for tubby tabbies and corpulent canines encouraging pet owners to do something about the situation.
So, what are the dangers to overweight animals – and how can owners help pets whose paunches have become a problem?

Portly pets?

The simple case is that – like humans – pets which are overweight have a reduced quality of life. They are likely to be less sprightly generally and less keen to exercise – in short, they are going to be less fun.
But in addition to this, they are also likely to suffer from a range of conditions linked to their obesity. Again, as with humans, this can include heart disease, diabetes, respiratory problems, high blood pressure and even cancer.

The RSPCA calls obesity “an extremely serious welfare issue”, highlighting that it causes a large amount of unnecessary suffering to pets. Ultimately, it can lead to reduced life expectancy.
Obesity can be a result of disease, and there are also a variety of factors that can have a bearing on weight for both cats and dogs. For example, some breeds are more prone to obesity than others, while being neutered and the ageing process also increases the risk.
However, a more common reason than any of these is that a pet is getting more energy from its food than it is using up in exercising; either it’s eating too much, or not being active enough.
With cats and dogs, you should be able to feel the ribs – though they should not be sticking out – and the animal should have a waist which is visible from above, along with a belly which is tucked up when viewed from the side. If it does not have these features then it may be overweight, or even obese, depending on the scale of the problem, and it could make sense to contact your vet.

What owners can do

It is suggested that owners feed their animals commercial pet food – as recommended by a vet – as opposed to providing a home-made diet, as pet foods make it easier to gauge the level of nutrients they are getting. Try to follow the guidelines on the packaging so you don’t under- or over-feed.
While giving treats can work well in training to reward good behaviour, owners should try to avoid sugary or salty food – in fact, the PDSA suggests that most dogs like chopped carrot.
The other part of the equation is ensuring that your pet gets plenty of exercise. In addition to taking a dog for walks – and allowing it to run off the lead in safe, contained areas – there are a number of ways to encourage it to take exercise. Playing ‘fetch’ with a tennis ball or even a Frisbee is a common example, while allowing your dog to swim is a good option for animals with joint problems. If you are up to it and if you have a dog which is calm enough, you could even try a ‘springer’ – a fixed lead with a built-in spring – which allows you to cycle safely alongside your pet.

Cats – particularly those which spend their time indoors – may also need to be encouraged to play,
with owners setting aside time to interact with them. In addition, a cat which has a relatively soft life can be encouraged to ‘work’ for their food by using toys which release food when they are pushed around.

Ultimately, a slim pet is likely to be healthier than an overweight one. Something to bear in mind too is that pet insurance is available to cover health conditions.
Issued by Sainsbury’s Finance

Dog Fighting Ring is Brought Down

noreply@blogger.com (FranskeHvalpe) — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 01:22:00 +0000

A suspected US dogfighting operation that spanned two towns in Randolph County, Alabama was raided early Monday by Alabama’s 5th Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force, in collaboration with The ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and the Humane Society of the United States. Authorities have seized 45 dogs and found skeletal remains, as well as evidence consistent with dogfighting, on the scene.
The ASPCA’s forensic veterinarian, Dr. Melinda Merck, is examining and documenting injuries and conditions of dogs that were seized in the towns of Roanoke and Wedowee. She is also examining partially buried skeletal remains of a dog found in Roanoke. Evidence Dr. Merck collects from the crime scene will aid in the prosecution of the case.

Vet Is Suspended For Falsely Certifying Test Results

noreply@blogger.com (FranskeHvalpe) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:54:00 +0000

The Disciplinary Committee of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) this week [19 July 2011] suspended from the RCVS Register for five months a Cardigan veterinary surgeon for failure to perform accurate bovine tuberculin testing and for falsely certifying the test results.
During the two-day hearing, Dewi Wyn Lewis, of Priory Veterinary Ltd, Cardigan, answered charges about inaccurate skin fold measurements and false certification relating to two visits he made as an Official Veterinarian to a farm in April 2009 to undertake tuberculin testing.
Mr Lewis accepted that he had not carried out the tuberculin tests in the way required by Animal Health (AH) – an Executive Agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – and had taken short cuts to save time. However, he denied the charges, arguing that, although instructions to Official Veterinarians clearly required the use of callipers to measure the skin folds of cattle necks on Day One of testing, not using callipers and using his finger and thumb did not amount to failing to measure.

He also argued (and it was accepted by the Committee) that, regarding Day Two of testing, there was inconsistency in AH's instructions on calliper use, which in written form required using callipers for measuring every animal but in practice accepted use of callipers when a reaction could be detected by manually palpating the skin. On Day Two, Mr Lewis said, he had done what AH required: he had used callipers on the cattle he identified for closer examination.
The Committee, however, found that by failing to use callipers on the first day, as required by AH, Mr Lewis had failed to measure the skin folds of almost all of the 104 cattle. The Committee was also satisfied that, on the second day, 10-20% of the herd were not even touched by Mr Lewis and the Committee accepted the evidence of the three other witnesses present during the testing, which indicated that Mr Lewis had failed to carry out careful assessment and manual palpation of every animal.

The Committee then considered whether Mr Lewis had dishonestly signed the certificate, or had signed a false certificate which he ought to have known was inaccurate. The Committee noted that there were no previous Disciplinary findings against Mr Lewis, and was prepared to believe his assertion that, although he knew he had not carried out the tests in strict compliance with AH's instructions, he genuinely believed his methods to be at least as accurate as measuring with callipers and did not think he was doing anything wrong or dishonest. The Committee could not then be sure that Mr Lewis had realised what he was doing was dishonest. However, the Committee noted that 'false' also means 'inaccurate' and, as Mr Lewis ought to have known that as his testing methods were not adequate, he also should have known that a considerable number of measurements on the certificate were inaccurate and that the certificate itself was inaccurate.

After considering the facts of the case, the Committee concluded that Mr Lewis's actions amounted to serious professional misconduct and directed that he should be suspended from the Register for five months, after which he may return to practice. In relation to the sanction, the Committee said: "In reaching this decision it is relevant that the false certification was not dishonest and that there was professional and personal mitigation put forward on behalf of Mr Lewis. The Committee has paid regard to the fact that Mr Lewis is an experienced veterinary surgeon who is highly thought of in his local area. It does not believe that there is any likelihood that he will repeat his previous conduct."

The Committee also said it gave considerable weight to the fact that Mr Lewis had had to wait an additional three-month period for the hearing because of an earlier adjournment.

How to Dog Proof Your Home

noreply@blogger.com (FranskeHvalpe) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:53:00 +0000

Straying, dog theft and other disasters can really cause untold emotional damage to the unfortunate dog owners who have to experience the aftermath of a dog going missing. In this comprehensive guide, courtesy of our friends at K9 Magazine, we give you some simple, easy to implement instructions on how you can make your home more secure and, as close as possible, dog proof.

When was the last time your heard a burglar alarm and immediately dropped what you were doing to call the police? More often than not, the shrill, incessant droning of a burglar alarm is the result of somebody forgetting to let the cat out, a large insect disturbing the sensor or simply a power cut. Very rarely are intruders apprehended on the presence of an alarm sounding, so those of us who wish to add an extra element of security to our homes need to think past the burglar alarm systems of old.
For many of us, our dog constitutes a significant part of what we consider to be our house hold security, but if it is our dog that appears on the shopping list of a burglar the ‘beware of the dog’ sign will only serve as confirmation that the goods are inside. A dog being stolen to order is becoming more common, especially where rare pedigrees are concerned. This does not mean we all need to shell out thousands on hi-tech intruder systems and James Bond style gadgets. Any police officer will tell you that your common sense is your best weapon against crime.
We also need to be aware that dogs don’t need to be in the garden to be tempted by an escape. A front door left open for a couple of seconds could be enough time for a bored dog to nip out in search of some fun only to get lost or worse, hit by a car.
Effective home security relies on common sense more than anything. Are points of entry such as doors, windows and skylights blatant adverts to burglars that your home could easy pickings? The most common point of entry in instances of breaking and entering is a ground floor window, at the rear of a property.

Secure Windows

Double glazing is an obvious security enhancement, but there is usually one window that provides the weak spot. Does your downstairs toilet have double glazing, or does it have that frosted glass that obscures the view inside? If it does, that is where your burglar will try to get in first. Nine out of ten double glazed windows are as useful as no double glazed windows from a security point of view.
If a window can’t be easily smashed, it can often be levered or ‘jimmied’ open. John Davies of Everglaze explained why their windows offer an extra element of security. “In independent tests, PVCu used in windows and doors has proven to be the most resistant of materials against break ins. This coupled with state of the art locking systems mean that you can have peace of mind as well as beautiful windows.”

Doors

Doors to the rear of your property are also commons means of break ins. Doors with glass panelling are the most popular for thieves, whereas doors with ‘yield’ locks are the biggest deterrent according to Home Office figures. Janette Taylor of Kershaw’s Door Warehouse explained how to pick a secure door for keeping dogs in and thieves out. “A solid timber fire door is the most secure door you can get aside from the steel ones you see on army bases and in prisons.
The solid timber doors are not that attractive though, but we work by the rule that the door with the least amount of panels is the most secure, a solid timber fire door is one piece of wood, so it has no weak spots. If you want something a little more pleasing to the eye but still relatively tough and resistant, go for a four panel door with mortice and tennon joints.
These are normal looking doors with reinforced joints at the hinge and handle. As far as keeping dogs inside you could go for a concealed door closer. The tension of the springs governs the time it takes for the door to close, but you are really better off making sure your dog is safely inside before you open the door, some of those door closers snap shut very quickly”

General Household Security

Dogs have been known to escape through ground and first floor windows. There are sophisticated locking systems available that allow a window to be partially open and locked at the same time, if you wish to allow in some air whilst ensuring the window will not be nudged open.
Elaborate camera and panic systems are effective in identifying intruders and alerting the police, but they very rarely ensure your stolen goods are returned. Whilst being effective in improving the percentage of burglars being caught, once your home has been breached any security measures you have taken become redundant.

Top Home Security Tips for Dog Owners:

Make your house unappealing to intruders by keeping it well lit.
Make entry difficult by having solid or at least near solid doors.
Ensure all ground floor windows are double glazed, or at least have modern locking systems in place.
Don’t leave tools for a burglar in a place where they are visible. Ladders, house bricks and even skipping ropes have been used to break into houses.
All of the above are useless if you don’t use your common sense.
Lock doors, close windows and ensure your house does not become a soft target.

Dog Proof Your Garden

One thing that strikes fear into any dog owner is the thought that their dog may escape from the garden. This is why dog owners take certain precautions such as locking the gate, accompanying their dog when he is in the garden and in some cases actually keeping the dog on lead whilst he goes for a quick stretch outside. There are obvious risks and easily imagined worst case scenarios every time your dog scratches at the back to door to be let out.
With some careful planning and a little elbow grease, your garden can be escape proof and more importantly it can be intruder proof. The last thing you want to do is spend money ensuring your dog stays on the right side of the fence, only for someone to hop over and steal him.
Your garden need not like a fortress either. Stylish and attractive features can be made out of the most practical and functional elements of a garden. Ensuring that your garden combines security with style and aesthetics is not an easy combination, but it is possible.
There are three main areas that provide security within your garden, the perimeter (fences and walls), the landscape (the layout, position of trees, ponds and other features) and the lighting (Deliberate lighting such as motion activated security lights as well as strategic positioning of trees and walls to allow for more light). Each of these three areas provide focal points for any garden, adding character and charm as well as serving a practical function.

The Perimeter

A determined dog can dig under a fence or even negotiate his way over one. Since an overly tall fence may look displaced in some gardens, consider making access to the fence less tempting to a dog. Water features such as ponds and waterfalls can prevent a dog getting sufficient access to a fence to facilitate an escape. Bushes and shrubs can perform a similar function whilst being cheaper and providing colour.
If you want to keep your dog away from certain parts of the garden, a fence with weld wood panels (From £92.25 for 1.2 metres) is a good option. Louise Tomlin of Jacksons Fine Fencing explained “The weld-wood panel fences are an excellent idea for dog fencing. They don’t make your garden look like an industrial site and are a great plant support providing an easy surface for climbers to grow”
It imperative for the secure garden that the fence goes far enough into the earth to prevent a dog from digging out.
The Landscape
Restricting a dog’s access to points of exit is key to achieving a secure garden. A well positioned pond or rockery can be more effective than an imposing fence or wall. Combined with an effective wall they can be doubly effective. The trick is to think like a dog. How would your dog try to escape? A rockery elevating a dog half way up a fence can do more harm than good in preventing an escape, and can also allow for ease of access for any would be intruder.
Tall trees provide an extra element to your perimeter. But they also reduce the amount of light getting into your garden. A dark, concealed fence is an ideal entry point for an intruder, whereas a pond positioned underneath the lowest point of any fence or wall provides an extra obstacle for any intruder or potential escapee.

The Lighting

Lighting is a key element to the security of both house and home. Placing motion detecting lights strategically around your garden (the cost of which obviously depends on the size of your garden) can ensure that any intruders are deprived of the cover of darkness. Lighting does little to prevent a determined intruder, but it is often used as a deterrent to the opportunist.
Clever lighting adds style and beauty to any garden. Consider placing upwards pointing spot lamps underneath a tree or in a border. Make your garden look twice the size by arranging your lighting in the corners of your garden or at any elevated points such as a rockery or raised decking.

http://www.dogtips.co/dog-proof-home/

How Much Would You Pay For a Dog? How About $230,000!

noreply@blogger.com (FranskeHvalpe) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:51:00 +0000

Allen Brisson-Smith for The New York Times

Julia, a protection dog, working with a trainer at home in Lakeville, Minn., as her owner's assistant, Lori Aspelin, watched.

MINNEAPOLIS — Don’t call her a guard dog.

Rainier Ehrhardt for The New York Times

Buffy, a black German shepherd, and Deanna Louvier, a trainer, working out at Harrison K-9 Security Services in Aiken, S.C.

When she costs $230,000, as Julia did, the preferred title is “executive protection dog.” This 3-year-old German shepherd, who commutes by private jet between a Minnesota estate and a home in Arizona, belongs to a canine caste that combines exalted pedigree, child-friendly cuddliness and arm-lacerating ferocity.
Julia and her ilk have some of the same tracking and fighting skills as the dogs used in elite military units like Navy Seal Team 6, which took a dog on its successful raid of Osama bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan.
In fact, Julia was sold by a trainer, Harrison Prather, who used to supply dogs to Seal Team 6 and the British special forces. But then Mr. Prather switched to a more lucrative market.
“Either rich people discovered me or I discovered them — I can’t remember which happened first,” said Mr. Prather, the president of Harrison K-9 Security Services in Aiken, S.C.
He and others in the high-end dog training business say prices have shot up thanks to the growing number of wealthy people around the world who like the security — and status — provided by a dog with the right credentials. Moguls and celebrities now routinely pay $40,000 to $60,000 for a well-bred German shepherd that is certified as an expert in the sport of Schutzhund, which means “protection dog.” The price can go much higher if a dog does well at an international championship, as Julia did.
“She’s a top deal,” Julia’s owner, John Johnson, said as she escorted him around the grounds of his 15-acre estate outside Minneapolis. “She’s won awards. She looks at you, she’s got the most beautiful face.”
But $230,000?
“It’s a lot of money,” he said matter-of-factly. “It’s the speed, the smartness, the quickness — and you would not believe the roughness that she has inside. She’s like a little pit bull when she bites. She has that model face, and then opens the gums up and lets you have it.”
Mr. Johnson said he got his first protection dog after receiving personal threats while he was running the Northland Group, a debt-collection company in Minnesota that he founded and eventually sold three years ago. Now he has six protection dogs, all German shepherds, and normally takes a couple in his car whenever he goes out.
“It’s for both security and companionship,” he said as Julia nuzzled his leg, looking like a gentle enough companion. But when an intruder emerged near the tennis court of his estate, all it took was one command, “Packen!” (the bite command from the German word for “seize”), to send Julia racing across the lawn.
She sunk her teeth into the intruder’s arm, which was encased in padding for a demonstration, and hung on even as he lifted her off the ground in a vain attempt to shake free of her. She let go only upon being commanded and then stood guard over her new prisoner, barking and threatening to bite again whenever he made a move to escape, which he wisely did not try.
Julia’s was a controlled ferocity, which trainers distinguish from the anger manifested by ordinary dogs. When two dogs try to intimidate each other, they stiffen, growl, bare their teeth and stare intently. Protection dogs are trained to continue looking around and protecting their owners, not establish their own dominance.
And, when commanded, they are supposed to switch instantly from attack mode to pet mode.
“The dog has to get along with children,” Mr. Prather said. “The client is often a guy on his second family. He travels a lot, leaves his wife alone with the kids in a large house — maybe 30,000 square feet, so big you don’t even know what’s going on at the other side of the house. He wants peace of mind and a dog that his wife can handle. We don’t sell tank-stoppers.”
The price tag for a protection dog has risen because of increasing demand in the United States, Latin America (especially Mexico), the Middle East, Asia and other places, said Mr. Prather and Wayne Curry, the owner of Kraftwerk K9 in Rochester, Wash.
“I’ve turned down offers of more than $200,000 for one of my champion dogs,” said Mr. Curry, who added that he knew of a dog that had sold for more than $400,000 because of its bloodline and breeding potential. (Although Julia’s offspring most likely would have commanded top prices, Mr. Johnson said he had no time to breed her and instead had her spayed shortly after buying her in January.)
To clients who can afford the $50,000 price for a typical well-credentialed dog, there are lots of ways to rationalize the price.

Rottweilers & GSDs Amongst Breeds Deemed ‘Potentially Dangerous’

noreply@blogger.com (FranskeHvalpe) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:49:00 +0000

From July 1st 2011, owners of dogs that the city of College Park, Gainesvill deems "potentially dangerous" must be registered, photographed and should be forced to wear a bright identifying tag to mark them out.

Ambrose Clay, the local Councilman, brought in the breed specific legislation following two high profile dog attack cases in his district.

"What the person has to do is go to the vet and get a chip implanted into the dog for identification purposes. They also have to submit a photograph of the dog, and they'll be issued a brightly colored tag that will identify it as a potentially dangerous dog," said Clay.

The legislation has been opposed by anti BSL groups, including Dogs Deserve Bettter whose spokesperson Heidi Pollyea says:

"Breed profiling is wrong. It targets the dog when the real problem with any canine is how the owners raise and treat it."

People who don't register their dogs face fines and Clay says owners will also have their dogs taken and impounded should they not comply.

The following are breeds of dogs required to be registered in College Park:

Pit Bull

American Pit Bull Terrier

American Staffordshire Terrier

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Rottweiler

Doberman

German Shepard

Breed specific legislation is a concept that has been tried in various places around the world.
It has proven to be controversial, expensive and has never been proven to have prevented a single dog attack or death.

City Bans Dogs Barking

noreply@blogger.com (FranskeHvalpe) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:48:00 +0000

The Ukranian city of Kherson has enacted a law which makes it illegal for dogs to bark between the hours of 10pm and 8)aam in an effort to make the community quieter for residents.
The law also covers cats miaowing and pigs grunting, so say reports.

Owners of barking dogs caught breaking the new rule will be subject to a fine of up to £65.
Opposition to the law has come in the form of complaints that it may be hard, if not impossible to enforce.

Dog Fighter Michael Vick’s Home Turned in to Dog Rehab Facility

noreply@blogger.com (FranskeHvalpe) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:47:00 +0000

In a sweet twist of irony, convicted NFL dog fighter Michael Vick’s
former home is to be converted to a dog rehabilitation facility.
NESN reports – Dogs Deserve Better, an animal rights group from
Tipton, Pa., bought quarterback Michael Vick’s former Virginia home
last Friday, and the group plans to transform it into a rehabilitation
center for dogs.

“I think by us overtaking this property we are winning for the dogs,”
Tamira Thayne, the organization’s founder, told The Associated Press.

“We are, in essence, giving this property back to the dogs that were
abused there by using it to help other dogs just like them.”

Dogs Deserve Better purchased the house, which was previously the site
of Vick’s “Bad News Kennels” dogfighting operation, for approximately
$600,000. The 2010 NFL Comeback Player of the Year owned the
five-bedroom home until 2007, when he was sentenced to 18 months in
prison after pleading guilty to dogfighting charges.

He began working
with the Humane Society of the United States soon after his release to
try to stop organized animal fighting.

Thayne, though, says she doesn’t think his efforts have been sincere.

“I would like to see that he’s really remorseful, and I personally
don’t feel that I’ve seen that because actions speak louder than
words. I haven’t seen him really put effort into making amends,” she
said.

13 Dogs Die On Killer Path

noreply@blogger.com (FranskeHvalpe) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:46:00 +0000

Horrendous news story emerging here of dogs losing their lives on a path in North Yorkshire – deliberate poisoning has not been ruled out:

Horrified dog owners started reporting the mystery deaths of their pets to vets, police and RSPCA officials last week.

The path has now been cordoned off, with the tally at 13 deaths – all believed from poisoning – in just six days.

RSPCA and police are now trying to discover what killed the dogs and whether poison has been put down deliberately.

The dogs all collapsed, many convulsing and frothing at the mouth, after being walked along the rural footpath near Station Road in the village of Cross Hills, North Yorks.

RSPCA animal welfare officer Sally Ramsden said: "People had been taking their dogs along this footpath and within less than 20 minutes, the dogs were suffering convulsions and dying.
"We are extremely concerned. We don't know what is causing this but we strongly suspect that the dogs may have been poisoned.

We also cannot rule out the possibility that this is being done deliberately.

"These dogs have suffered horrendously and we desperately need to hear from anyone who has information. In the meantime, we really need people to stop walking their dogs on this footpath."

Source: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3610244/Path-shut-after-13-dogs-die.html#ixzz1O0kN8Lvv
If you believe you can help, please contact the RSPCA or local authorities.

Dog & Owner Survive Massive Cliff Plunge

noreply@blogger.com (FranskeHvalpe) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:44:00 +0000

A holiday-maker incredibly survived a 200ft cliff plunge after he fell over the edge after his dog had fallen before him.
His yellow Labrador had plunged and when his owner went to look for him, he too overbalanced and fell from a great height.
Incredibly, an RAF rescue helicopter found both dog and owner alive and the unnamed man is recovering in hospital with a broken thigh and wrist.
The dog suffered just a broken leg and Inspector Bruce Prendergast, of North Yorks Police, said: "It is absolutely remarkable this man survived a 200ft fall with injuries that are not life-threatening."

Bringing A New Pet Home

noreply@blogger.com (FranskeHvalpe) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:42:00 +0000

Getting a new pet can be a source of happiness for the whole family, but there can be many things to think about as you make this big step. One option to consider is rehoming an unwanted animal. There are many thousands of dogs and cats in rehoming centres up and down the UK, and going down this route can be more rewarding than buying from a breeder.
Being a responsible owner takes commitment – the fact so many pets end up neglected, abandoned or rejected because of behavioural problems is testament to this. But, some also end up in rehoming centres for other reasons; perhaps the former owner has died or the family home has been repossessed. Sadly, the economic downturn has also led to more animals needing homes because their owners could not afford to keep them.

Caring for an animal can encompass many costs. Who will care for them when you are away? Are you prepared to exercise a lively dog daily? Are you able to meet unexpected vets’ bills? Vet bills can be high and a good way to prepare for these could be through pet insurance cover.
There are a range of pet insurance plans available, to suit both pedigrees and cross-breeds as well as a range of budgets.
If you work full time, a cat may be your ideal companion. Cats are pretty independent, although many appreciate attention. Meanwhile, dogs cannot be left for long periods. However, if you have the time and are prepared to put effort into training, a dog can bring immeasurable companionship – and fun.

The RSPCA, Dogs Trust, Battersea Dogs Home (in London and Windsor) are leading charities which rehome dogs and cats. But, don’t forget, there are smaller animal charities which could operate locally. And, if you are interested in a particular breed, you may also find there are specialist rehoming charities, for example that deal with Labradors or German Shepherds.

So, what is the procedure for rehoming? Firstly, you will be asked about your circumstances. Typical questions include: who lives at your property and are there children; do you work full time; is there a garden. You should also expect a home visit for an inspection.
Staff at the rehoming centres will discuss their residents to try and find a match. A timid cat who prefers to stay indoors could suit someone older with limited space. A boisterous dog may suit those with older children who want to get fully involved in the new family member.

It is likely there will be plenty of expert advice about ongoing care on areas such as feeding and training. If you have existing pets, you will be given guidance on introduction techniques. Rehoming centres are also likely to give ongoing support if needed.

And, don’t forget to give an older pet consideration. Through no fault of their own, they are often overlooked. Yet, they are just as lovable – and having the opportunity to be rehomed can give them a new lease of life.
Dogs and cats of all descriptions need rehoming – so, if you’re serious about becoming an owner, give this option some thought.

Man Barks at Dog

noreply@blogger.com (FranskeHvalpe) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:40:00 +0000

Not Quite Man Bites Dog, but Man Barks at Dog – Gets Prosecuted!Here's one of those stories that have to be seen to be believed.A US man has gotten himself in trouble with the law for, wait for it, barking at a dog.

MSNBC reports:
According to a police report, Officer Bradley Walker was responding to a crash at the Mason Pub early Sunday morning when his K-9 officer, Timber, began barking.

Walker said he observed 25-year-old Ryan Stephens with his face about 2 inches from the rear window of the police vehicle, barking and hissing at Timber.
When Walker questioned Stephens about why he was barking at the dog, Stephens replied, "He started it. He was harassing me."

Walker said he believed Stephens was intoxicated because he smelled of alcohol and his speech was slurred.
Stephens is to appear April 21 in municipal court on a misdemeanor citation of willfully teasing a police K-9 officer.

Walker said it's dangerous to incite the dogs while they're locked inside the vehicle.
Amazing dog story!
Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42463543/ns/us_news-weird_news/

Do Dog Owners Live Longer?

noreply@blogger.com (FranskeHvalpe) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:38:00 +0000

Academic research has revealed that dog owners are happier, healthier and likely to live longer. Whilst it has been established for some time that pet ownership makes people happier, it has now been shown that the benefits of owning a dog outstrip those of cat or any other animal.
A psychologist from Queen's University, Belfast, said dog owners tended to have lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

Writing in the British Journal of Health Psychology, she says that regular 'walkies' may partly explain the difference.
Dr Deborah Wells reviewed dozens of earlier research papers which looked at the health benefits of pet ownership.

In some cases, the research even ventured as far to suggest the social support offered by an animal is greater than the support than another human could offer.
She confirmed that pet owners tended in general to be healthier than the average member of the population.
As well as lower blood and cholesterol levels, dog-owners suffered fewer minor ailments and serious medical problems than owners of other pets such as cats.
It has been believed for some time that dogs can assist people in recovery from serious illnesses such as heart attacks, and act as 'early warning' to detect an approaching epileptic seizure. This research adds further strength to the claim.

Dogs as Stress Relief

Dr Wells was not totally sure why, exactly, dogs are so beneficial to our health:
"It is possible that dogs can directly promote our well-being by buffering us from stress, one of the major risk factors associated with ill-health.
"The ownership of a dog can also lead to increases in physical activity and facilitate the development of social contacts, which may enhance both physiological and psychological human health in a more indirect manner."

Deadly urban fox disease spreading to dogs

noreply@blogger.com (FranskeHvalpe) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:37:00 +0000

Dogs are at increasing risk from a deadly parasite spread by urban foxes, experts say.
Cases of lungworm infection –an animal disease that causes breathing problems and internal bleeding – have doubled in recent years.
The disease arrived in the UK 30 years ago and is carried by foxes, slugs and snails.

Once inside the dog’s system, the parasite travels through the body to the heart. If left untreated, it can be fatal.
For many years lungworm was limited to southern England and South Wales. But in the past decade vets have reported cases across the UK. According to a study carried out for the veterinary medicines company Bayer, 37 per cent of vets confirmed a diagnosis in the past year – compared to 16 per cent in 2008.

Animal Health Experts Call for Balanced Regulation on Vet Meds

noreply@blogger.com (FranskeHvalpe) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:35:00 +0000

At the 2nd Global Animal Health Conference, which concluded yesterday, international experts highlighted the urgent need for a balanced regulatory environment which allows for innovation in the development of veterinary medicines. Over 100 animal health experts from around the world participated in the two day conference organised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the International Federation for Animal Health (IFAH) and the Drug Information Association (DIA).

Following the conclusion of the conference, IFAH Executive Director Barbara Freischem stated: “We are very pleased with the turnout as well as the content of the conference, which we hope has highlighted a vital and growing concern for the development of animal medicines. The demands of a growing population make it vital that we work even more cooperatively to ensure innovation and availability of medicines and treatments. Partnering with the European Medicines Agency and DIA to address these highly relevant issues, as well as some of the leading minds in our industry, we have been able to share valuable insights.

Though the Animal Health industry comprises only a fraction of the global pharmaceutical market, almost two-thirds of the diseases we know about can pass between animals and people. Consistent, effective regulation allows for additional research and innovation as increasing widespread medicine availability provides the whole world with the capacity to respond quickly to disease outbreaks, which is vital to protect both animal health and public health.”

At the conference it was recognised that there is a mutual benefit to industry and regulatory authorities sharing their knowledge and expertise as new technologies emerge.

IFAH President Eric Marée said: “Through conferences such as this, we hope to help promote an environment that facilitates the supply of innovative, quality products in a safe, consistently regulated and competitive market place. However, the regulatory hurdles currently faced by the industry can sometimes exceed even those of human health products.

Governments and regulators need to take the lead in ensuring a science-based, balanced environment that is equitably enforced. This is particularly important for developing countries, where part of the challenge is getting enough quality products on the markets to treat the relevant diseases. In emerging economies, with often significant agricultural exports, the challenge is to satisfy the requirements of the developed markets they supply while ensuring availability of locally needed products. Harmonisation of regulation for animal medicines would allow treatments to quickly become available across the world.”

David Mackay, Head of the Veterinary Medicines and Inspections Unit of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) concluded: “Availability is a complex issue. It involves creating the right environment for new products to reach as wide a market as possible and for existing products to stay on the market provided their benefits continue to outweigh any risks. This conference provided a unique opportunity for regulators to explore in depth how to strike the right balance between protecting public and animal health while not introducing unnecessary requirements or excessive delays that would impact negatively on availability.

Market Growth Leaves Pet Owners To Investigate Pet Insurance

noreply@blogger.com (FranskeHvalpe) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:33:00 +0000

Over the past 15 years there has been a rocket-like surge in the depth and availabilty of pet insurance policies in the UK. As pet owners are faced with more and more choices, so the pet insurance companies are faced with the challenge of making their policy stand out.
As a result, according to a new survey by K9 Magazine – a lifestyle magazine for dog owners – pet owners are often left confused and furstrated when it comes to understanding the fine print of each individual pet insurance policy.
One of the most common causes of frustration according to the survey, which spoke to 200 pet owners in the UK, is being unsure of whether a pet is covered for illness and injury for the duration of their life.

Lifetime pet insurance cover is where the policy protects the animal for all of its life. However, not all policies offer this and as those policies often have lower premiums, they can be attractive to pet owners who base their decisions on price first.
AJ Douglas, a PR rep for a Taxi software firm and someone who has recently researched pet insurance, commented:
"I found the sheer volume of policies on offer to be quite incredible. At first I felt this was a positive sign, but then I realised just how much attention had to be paid to what I can only describe as discreet clauses. Often, two policies would look almost identical and it was only when you really dig down that you see there are some massive differences in what is covered and how long it is covered."
K9 Magazine's survey showed that modern pet owners are more comitted to insuring their dogs than ever before, but they are calling for more transparency from insurers when it comes to up front information on the main / most important aspects of each policy.
Useful Link: BBC Watchdog show covering the topic of pet insurance
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Distributed by Mickel Anderz on behalf of petbuzz :: social media for pet brands.