Category: Magazine

Some of the reasons people provide when they surrender a dog to a shelter are truly heartbreaking, genuine, understandable and come after all other efforts to keep the dog have been exhausted. Other reasons are, frankly, shocking and soul destroying – particularly for the many thousands of people who work in the UK’s over-stretched animal welfare system.

Back in 2008 The Dogs Trust reported these reasons/excuses as to why owners were unable to continue looking after their dogs:

1. “My dog doesn’t match the sofa.”
2. “The dog looks evil and has different coloured eyes, just like David Bowie.”
3. “My black dog doesn’t match new white carpet, can we swap him for a white dog?”
4. “My current dog is too old, can we swap for a puppy or younger model?”
5. “My dog ate the Christmas turkey cooling on the worktop.”
6. “My pet guinea pig got worried with a dog in the house.”
7. “The dog opened all the presents on Christmas Eve.”
8. The owner accidentally knelt in dog wee while cleaning it up so brought the dog in the very next day.
9. The puppy was bought as a present for elderly couple with dementia.
10. The owner was paranoid about recent bad press on Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and the dog was given up through no fault of its own.

Owning a dog is no big deal, it would seem. Because if circumstances change even slightly there are some people who have absolutely no hesitation in palming their dog off on to someone else to take over their responsibilities.

Clarissa Baldwin, former Dogs Trust Chief Executive and the person who came up with the slogan ‘a dog is for life not just for Christmas, was understandably angry.

“Some of the reasons we hear for dogs being abandoned are truly outrageous and saddening. Having a dog is a long-term commitment and our anniversary offers the perfect opportunity to remind people that dogs are not fashion accessories or disposable items that can be upgraded or discarded after just a few months.”

But here’s the problem.

We DO live in a disposable society nowadays. People do change their dogs – or their responsibilities to their dogs – as if they were getting a new mobile phone.

The question we must ask ourselves is what are we going to do about it?

There is an over supply of dogs in the UK. Too many dogs produced and not enough responsible homes to care for them all. It surely must be time for us to consider whether the problem of dog abandonment is going to get better or worse if we carry on with the same system we have now, where anyone can breed dogs. Where puppy farms thrive. Where people, seemingly, have absolutely zero shame when passing their dog on to an already stretched dog rehoming service.

Christmas is coming. Mark my words, we’ll be seeing more of this in 2018.

Japanese car giant Subaru has debuted its all-new, three-row, 2019 Ascent SUV in a way that only Subaru could. At a press event prior to the Los Angeles Auto Show, Subaru surprised attendees with the new vehicle in a special way – with The Barkleys – a family of eight Labrador and Golden Retrievers featured in Subaru advertising campaigns, seemingly driving the all-new Ascent and ending, safe and sound, on-stage. The dogs exited the vehicle to greet Tom Doll, president and COO of Subaru of America and pose for photos with the surprised crowd.

Dogs are a major pillar for the automaker as more than half of Subaru drivers are pet owners, with over 48% of them owning at least one dog. For years, Subaru has supported various pet-focused organizations that help to improve the lives of our four-legged friends and features dogs throughout their advertising. The all-new U.S. built Subaru Ascent is the automaker’s largest vehicle ever built boasting three full rows, fitting up to eight passengers, second row captain’s chairs as an option on some trim levels, its legendary Subaru Symmetrical all-wheel drive and an impressive all-new 2.4-liter turbo engine.

“The Subaru Ascent has been designed specifically for families with adventurous lifestyles, so it is fitting that we had our four-legged family, The Barkleys, on hand to unveil our latest vehicle,” said Thomas J. Doll, president and COO of Subaru of America. “Our customers wanted a larger, go-anywhere SUV that families can be excited to get in and drive without sacrificing space. The Subaru Ascent delivers in a big way – it’s the biggest and most comfortable vehicle we’ve ever brought to market.”

Driving attention toward rescue dogs by whatever means necessary. That’s the approach of Mowgli Rescue who have launched an eye catching social media campaign this week to promote their recent rescued dogs for adoption, which happens to entail Instagram models replacing their typical bras for, well, puppies..

Mowgli Rescue is a non-profit, which was founded in 2016 by entrepreneur, animal rights activist, and former model Stephanie Kay Meyer, and works to inspire millennials to conserve, protect, and promote animal welfare. Meyer says that the majority of her organization’s supporters are young women in California and New York – mostly models, actors, photographers, artists, entrepreneurs, and social media celebrities.

“I could not operate this non-profit without the help of these amazing young adults within my community. It has been really cool to watch how optimizing our social media platforms have carried the entire organization’s efforts. About 80% of my fosters, adopters, supporting brands, and opportunities come through Gen-Y reaching out and wanting to be involved through Instagram. And that is what Mowgli Rescue is really about – promoting the importance of animal welfare and rescuing animals to the next generation of pet owners, policy makers, and leaders.”

Meyer sees the value in social media so much that she thought to use it for her 2017 campaign strategy by teaming up with other optimistic young women, including photographer Frankie Mark (published in Vogue Italia and C-Heads Magazine) and model Destiny DeLisio, co-founder of Models of Compassion, to produce a social media campaign that includes over 30 female influencers posing topless with rescued dogs who need homes – hence, the #puppybra.

Meyer says, “Instagram models can sometimes receive negative feedback from the public for not being positive role models, so I thought this is the perfect opportunity to show how these young women can still be fun and flirty, while also promoting positivity at the same time.”

Check out the #puppybra hashtag trending on Instagram here!

Matching Christmas outfits with your dog? Does that sound a little too much?

How about this though; according to a new study carried out by a pet product retailer, 40% of dog owners have admitted to taking their dog for a walk over the festive period PURELY so they can get away from family.

The research from BarkBox suggests that many dog owners find solace from the dizzying array of holiday demands and longer visits with extended family through quality time with their dog.

• 85% of dog people say their pup helps them cope with stressful events during the holiday season, including being around difficult family members (46%), arguments among family (33%) or going to extended family’s house (22%).
• 40% of dog people have taken their dog for a walk or played with them to escape family during the holidays.
• 43% are more excited to see their dog or their family dog during the holidays than their human family members. This is even more true of Millennials, singles and those who live in urban areas, with more than half getting more excited about time with their dog than their own flesh and blood.

The study also polled dog people about the way they integrate their dog into holiday traditions and found that 9 out of every 10 includes their pup in holiday celebrations in some way.

• 85% of dog people can’t imagine the holidays without their dog and nearly three out of four (74%) say some of their most significant holiday memories involve their dog.
• The most popular ways dog people include their pup in traditions are special meals (58%), getting them a stocking (57%) and including them in their holiday photo shoot (56%).
• One third of dog parents sign their pup’s name – or paw print – into their holiday cards.
• Millennials with dogs are even more extreme, with one in every six saying that they have coordinated a matching outfit with their dog.

However, dogs do occasionally present some challenges during the holidays.

• Nearly one in every three dog people (30%) say that their dog has destroyed a holiday gift or décor.
• 29% say their dog has urinated on or knocked over the Christmas tree.

The RSPCA has issued a stark warning to anyone considering buying a puppy as a Christmas present – after an officer was called out to the bodies of six pups believed to have come from a puppy farm.

RSPCA inspector Jaime Godfrey was called by police to a layby off the junction of Amersham Road and Bottrells Lane in Coleshill, Amersham, on Wednesday afternoon (29 November) after six puppies were found dead.

“The pups were wrapped up in two kids’ t-shirts and a towel inside a bag that had simply been chucked onto the verge,” inspector Godfrey said.

“It’s not clear how the puppies died and they weren’t microchipped or identifiable but due to the different breeds, my guess would be that they’ve come from a puppy farm nearby.

“There were three Labrador types, one Chihuahua, one Jack Russell terrier and another terrier type. The mixed bunch of breeds suggests that they were ‘waste’ from a nearby breeder trying to cash in during the run-up to Christmas.”

++WARNING – Image Below Has Been Censored But Is Still Distressing++

Inspector Godfrey is now investigating where these puppies came from and is appealing to anyone who may know who is responsible for dumping them or who saw anything suspicious in the area to get in touch by calling 0300 123 8018 and leaving a message for him.

“It’s utterly heartbreaking that these poor puppies never had the chance to find a loving new home, to play with the children over the school holidays or to curl up in front of a fire on Christmas Day,” inspector Godfrey said. “And while that’s the image people have when they think of buying a puppy for Christmas, sadly this can sometimes be the reality. And, tragically, it’s something we see all too often.”

The harrowing find came just 20 miles away from similar discoveries made in the Hertfordshire area. In February last year, the bodies of nine puppies – of mixed breeds – were found dumped in Hogg End Lane, St Albans, and the following month, two more dead puppies were found in the same spot. Remains had also been found at the same site just a few months before.

Then, in March this year, the bodies of four newborn pups were found dumped in a carrier bag in Three Cherry Trees Lane, Hemel Hempstead.

Inspector Godfrey added: “There are lots of unscrupulous breeders and dealers out there who are indiscriminately breeding and importing puppies to make a quick buck during the Christmas frenzy. But, unfortunately, many of these underground dealers will put profits ahead of the health and welfare of the dogs and families are left with extremely sick puppies, dogs with behavioural problems and huge vet or behaviourist bills.

“That’s why we, and other welfare organisations, would urge families to be extremely cautious when looking to buy a puppy and to use the Puppy Contract to help ensure they buy a happy and healthy dog. We’d encourage any prospective dog owners to properly think about whether they are prepared for the commitment of taking on a pet for the rest of his or her life and to consider adopting a dog from a rescue centre.”

A dog v cat intelligence study claims to have settled the issue of whether dogs are more or less intelligent than cats.

This canine v feline intelligence study, carried out by a top university has given us a clear winner in the age old debate of whether dogs are smarter than cats or whether cats are more intelligent than dogs.

Now, don’t fib, you’re probably biased right? You’ve got your own view of whether dogs have more smarts than cats or perhaps you’ve always had a sneaking suspicion that cats have the intelligence egde over their canine counterparts?

Here’s the deal then. Everything is settled. Isn’t it?

There’s a new twist to the perennial argument about which is smarter, cats or dogs.

It has to do with their brains, specifically the number of neurons in their cerebral cortex: the “little gray cells” associated with thinking, planning and complex behavior —all considered hallmarks of intelligence.

The first study to actually count the number of cortical neurons in the brains of a number of carnivores, including cats and dogs, has found that dogs possess significantly more of them than cats.

“In this study, we were interested in comparing different species of carnivorans to see how the numbers of neurons in their brains relate to the size of their brains, including a few favorite species including cats and dogs, lions and brown bears,” said Associate Professor of Psychology and Biological Sciences Suzana Herculano-Houzel, who developed the method for accurately measuring the number of neurons in brains.

The results of the study are described in a paper titled “Dogs have the most neurons, though not the largest brain: Trade-off between body mass and number of neurons in the cerebral cortex of large carnivoran species” accepted for publication in the open access journal Frontiers in Neuroanatomy.

Dogs have about 530 million cortical neurons while cats have about 250 million.

As far as dogs and cats go, the study found that dogs have about 530 million cortical neurons while cats have about 250 million. (That compares to 16 billion in the human brain.)

“I believe the absolute number of neurons an animal has, especially in the cerebral cortex, determines the richness of their internal mental state and their ability to predict what is about to happen in their environment based on past experience,” Herculano-Houzel explained.

“I’m 100 percent a dog person,” she added, “but, with that disclaimer, our findings mean to me that dogs have the biological capability of doing much more complex and flexible things with their lives than cats can. At the least, we now have some biology that people can factor into their discussions about who’s smarter, cats or dogs.”

Herculano-Houzel and her collaborators—graduate students Débora Messeder and Fernanda Pestana from the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro in Brazil; Professor Kelly Lambert at University of Richmond; Associate Professor Stephen Noctor at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine; Professors Abdulaziz Alagaili and Osama Mohammad from King Saud University in Saudi Arabia; and Research Professor Paul R. Manger at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa—picked carnivorans to study because of their diversity and large range of brain sizes as well as the fact that they include both domesticated and wild species.

The study’s findings also challenge the prevailing view that domesticated animals have smaller brains than their wild cousins. The ratios of brain size to body weight of the domestic species they analysed—ferret, cat and dog—did not scale in a significantly different manner from those of their wild relatives—mongoose, raccoon, hyena, lion and brown bear.

The analysis also discovered that the raccoon was an outlier—on the brainy side: It packs the same number of cortical neurons as a dog into a brain the size of a cat’s.

“Raccoons are not your typical carnivoran,” said Herculano-Houzel. “They have a fairly small brain but they have as many neurons as you would expect to find in a primate … and that’s a lot of neurons.”

According to the neuroscientist, studying the brains of different species teaches an important lesson: “Diversity is enormous. Not every species is made the same way. Yes, there are recognizable patterns, but there are multiple ways that nature has found of putting brains together—and we’re trying to figure out what difference that makes.”

But Wait, Not So Fast! See, These Dog v Cat Intelligence Studies Tell Us Something Else…

[contentcards url=”http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2014/04/cat_intelligence_and_cognition_are_cats_smarter_than_dogs.html”] [contentcards url=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joan-liebmannsmith-phd/the-cat-vs-dog-iq-debate-revisited_b_1572610.html”] [contentcards url=”https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/canine-corner/201012/are-dogs-more-intelligent-cats”]

When you get a puppy your first job is house training. Always. It’s the one piece of dog behaviour that we want to shape as fast as we possibly can. Puppies peeing in the house is smelly and it’s disruptive and we can’t wait until they finally crack the code for going to the toilet outdoors. So why, you might ask, would we want to start training our dogs to go to the toilet INSIDE our homes?

Well, a German dog lover has invented something called Woofloo along with feedback and opinions of many dog owners across the world.

The aim was to have a product that is simple, long-lasting and offers a real solution to at least 90% of all dog owners. All existing dog products on the market work only for small dogs.

Woofloo is made of aluminium and can hold up to 130lbs/60kg and is weather-proof. It is available in three different sizes to ensure it works for all dog breeds and sizes.

Woofloo solved the biggest problem, the urine smell problem, by integrating a water flush that regularly rinses any urine from the toilet automatically. Woofloo’s Flush Timer controls the flush duration and frequency, and can be set by according to preference, e.g. to flush for 10, 20, or 30 seconds every 1, 2, 3 or 4 hours.

Woofloo can be used inside or outside on a terrace, porch or yard, and will be offered in five stylish colours including decorative wood-grain coatings.

The grass is a special-made artificial grass for dogs which allows easy drainage, avoids fungus and makes the potty training a lot easier.

Shipping of Woofloo will start in March 2018 worldwide. Included in the box is a 10-foot flexible drain hose as well as tips and guidelines on how to potty-train the dog. A cute red mail box which functions as a aiming target for male dogs, can be purchased as a separate add-on.

The Kickstarter campaign is looking to raise US$ 15,000 by 7 January 2018. Perks include an early bird price of US$210 for a medium sized Woofloo, flush timer, artificial pet grass patch and drain hose, saving over 30% off the RRP and free shipping.

You can find out more about the Woofloo indoor dog toilet solution – and even become an investor in the project – here.

As the Woofloo might not be everyone’s cup of tea, if you’re struggling to house train your dog the more traditional way, read this.

What is thought to be the oldest known images of dogs have been found. Carved in to a cliff near the edge of a long-gone river. There are 13 dogs, each with their own markings and two of the canines appear to be wearing collars and leads.

The images are believe to date back more than 8,000 years.

Did you know:

The maximum sentence for animal cruelty under the UK’s Animal Welfare Act 2006 is only six months in prison in England and Wales and just 12 months in Scotland.

In France it’s two years. In German it’s three it’s five years in both Ireland and Northern Ireland

· In 2015, just 933 people were convicted of animal cruelty in England and Wales despite the RSPCA investigating over 149,000 reports of animal cruelty and neglect in one single year (2016).

· The average length of sentence for an animal cruelty conviction in 2015 was 3.3 months, against an absolute maximum of six months in 2015.

All of this leads me to ask, what good will Michael Gove’s promise to increase maximum sentences for animal cruelty be if judges are reluctant to use the full weight of their sentencing powers and such small numbers of convictions are being obtained against the massive number of cruelty investigations being carried out by the RSPCA?

Please don’t misunderstand me. Mr Gove’s promise to increase maximum sentences is 100% a good move. But it alone won’t see us firmly tackle the problem.

Animal abusers are repugnant to most members of society. Sending them to prison for substantial amounts of time seems entirely appropriate and commensurate with the levels of disgust society views their crimes.

Once the maximum sentence increase becomes law, the battle is not over. Animal abusers need to feel the full weight of the law and we must hope that judges are ready and willing, now they are enabled, to send these people to jail.

The Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons are full of joy and family fun for many but for dog owners it can be a minefield of danger.

Veterinarians see the same trends every year during the holidays – gastrointestinal issues such as an upset stomach and diarrhoea rank among the top reasons owners take their pet to the vet. Here are some ways to avoid the risks, and keep your pet safe during the holidays:

Avoid Human Foods That Are Dangerous For Dogs:

It’s no secret there are more treats around the house during the holidays, many of which can be especially harmful to pets. Guests may not realize that your dog or cat isn’t allowed to eat table scraps, or that they should keep all food and leftovers out of reach. A change in diet can cause an upset stomach, especially if introduced rapidly. Holiday foods that are particularly hazardous to pets include: chocolate, especially dark chocolate, unbaked bread dough, macadamia nuts, turkey, alcohol, sugar-free candy and baked goods that include artificial sweeteners.

See: Human foods safe for dogs to eat.

Beware of Decorations That Your Dog Might Eat

Holiday décor, such as tinsel, poinsettias, or pine needles, as well as drinking water from the tree stand can also be potentially dangerous for curious pets. If your pets nibble on the holiday greenery, the results can run from mild illness and irritation to kidney failure or worse. The poisoning effects of pine needles, mistletoe and holly are all fairly similar, ranging from vomiting, diarrhoea, difficulty breathing, erratic behaviour and even death. Keep pets away from the Christmas tree, and be sure to secure it against toppling over, just in case. Consider installing a barrier to keep pets away, or spraying the tree with a repellent such as Bitter Apple to keep cats from climbing.

Minimize or Avoid Stressful Situations:

The holidays aren’t just stressful times for humans, but pets, too! Pets are exposed to potentially overwhelming situations, such as boarding at a kennel, travelling, or being introduced to several new guests, which cause irregularity in routine and can lead to stress-related digestive issues. Any deviation from a pet’s normal behaviour can be an indication of stress, such as: poor appetite, decreased interaction with their owners and gastrointestinal disturbances such as vomiting and/or diarrhoea. Owners can minimize pets’ stress by providing a stable living environment and avoiding unpleasant interactions and experiences.

Know How To Reach Your Veterinarian:

If your pet’s routine is disrupted during the holidays, you may notice irregular digestive signs, and they could actually be signs of an infection, or a more serious condition. If your pet experiences any signs or vomiting and diarrhoea, you should contact your veterinarian immediately to determine the best course of action. Signs of gastrointestinal issues include: vomiting, regurgitation, diarrhoea, lethargy, tender abdomen and decreased appetite. Always keep these numbers posted in an easy-to-find location in case of emergencies:

– Your veterinarian’s clinic phone number
– 24/7 emergency veterinary clinic (if different)
– ASPCA Poison Control Hotline: 1-888-426-4435

Beware of Gastrointestinal Changes to Your Dog

"Gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting and diarrhoea are common in cats and dogs year-round, but can be especially common during the holiday season," said Dr. Catherine Lenox, a veterinary nutritionist and Royal Canin Scientific Affairs Manager. "When there is additional stress such as house guests or boarding, as well as more food around the house – including foods that humans can eat but that are toxic to pets – there is an increased risk of gastrointestinal disturbances in our pets."

The RSPCA is on the hunt for 20 dedicated animal-lovers from across England to join the charity’s cohort of rescuers working on the frontline of animal welfare.

The charity – the oldest and largest in the UK – has just over 100 animal collection officers (or ACOs) working across England and Wales rescuing injured animals, helping abused or abandoned pets, and responding to welfare concerns from the public.

The officers support the charity’s inspectors and help rescue tens of thousands of animals every year.

The charity has the following vacancies to fill across the country:

South Yorkshire (two officers)

South Shields, Tyne & Wear (one)

Gateshead or Chester Le Street, Tyne & Wear (one)

Wythenshawe / South Manchester (one)

Wigan, Greater Manchester (one)

Liverpool, Merseyside (one)

Coventry, West Midlands (one)

Banbury, Oxford (one)

Stretton, Rutland (one)

Harrow / Barnet, London (one)

Uxbridge / Hayes. London (one)

NE London (inside M25) (one)

Kingston upon Thames / Slough, London (one)

Burgess Hill / Brighton, East Sussex (one)

Reigate / Dorking, Surrey (one)

Kingston upon Thames/Slough (one)

Bristol (one)

Gosport / Portsmouth, Hampshire (one)

Gloucester (one)

Worcester (one)

Dermot Murphy, RSPCA assistant director of inspectorate, said: “Our ACOs are absolutely vital to the RSPCA’s overall work and our efforts to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome or release animals in need.

“We have an extremely dedicated workforce made up of ACOs, animal welfare officers and inspectors who rescue around 130,000 animals every year.

“But the RSPCA can only fulfill this important role thanks to the commitment and passion of our staff and we’re now on the look-out for 20 more animal-lovers to join the team and help us, help them.”

The charity is expecting thousands of applications for the coveted posts but warns that the job is extremely physically and emotionally demanding.

“When we advertised for 24 new inspectors to join our training programme earlier this year we had over 4,000 applications so we’re expecting a huge number for these roles too,” Mr Murphy – who worked as an RSPCA ambulance driver, inspector and chief inspector in London for 16 years – added.

“Anyone considering this job needs to apply with their eyes wide open. It is not easy and you need to be strong mentally and physically to cope with the role. But for the right person, this could be the chance of a lifetime to get their dream job working on the frontline to improve animal welfare.”

ACOs are responsible for collecting, rescuing and transporting animals, giving first aid as required; assisting inspectors; working with pet owners and the public to improve welfare for animals.

Applicants must have a full, valid UK driving license; a good level of physical fitness, confidence handling animals, experience working with the public and as part of a team, emotional resilience, and flexibility to work unsociable hours.

If successful, candidates will undertake a five-week training course before hitting the road.

For more information on the role and recruitment process, please see the RSPCA job vacancies online. Applications close on 1 December 2017.