Tag: animal welfare

Household hazards!

The seven things in the home that could be fatal for your pet this spring

A leading veterinary charity has named seven things in the home that could be fatal when within paws’ reach.  

PDSA vets, together with PDSA Pet Insurance, are reminding pet owners of the surprising household items and features that can create a harmful environment. From knowing the dangers of an open bin or window, to not storing items away, the leading vet charity has identified seven things around our homes which can see pet owners unintentionally putting their furry friends at risk.

PDSA Vet Gemma Renwick said: “With spring in the air, many pet owners are sprucing up their homes as they prepare for their annual spring clean. This is the perfect opportunity to reassess how and where things around our homes are stored or left.

“Pets are curious creatures, and unfortunately this can sometimes lead them into trouble. To ensure your home is as safe as it is clean this spring, here are seven common hazards that may be putting your pet in danger.”

Cleaning products

“Pets are inquisitive by nature and love to explore anything unusual they may find lying around. Make sure you put any cleaning products away carefully, storing them well out of reach, just as you would for young children.

“There are plenty of pet-safe cleaning products available to buy including carpet shampoo, stain removers, and laundry detergent, just remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, as many cleaning products will need to be diluted with water first.

“As pet owners, this is a particularly important step to take to the risk to your pet. After you’ve used a cleaning product, always wipe down the area with clean water to remove any excess product that may otherwise linger.”

Alcohol

“We may not always pay much attention to where items that include alcohol are stored – but what can be safe for pet owners can be a serious danger to our furry friends.

“It’s not just alcoholic beverages that should be kept out of paws’ reach too – take care with any items that contain traces of alcohol, including mouthwash, perfume, aftershave, and glue.”

Batteries

“Batteries are found across the home, from TV remotes to car keys, so there’s ample opportunity for pets to get into trouble!

“Although they’re necessary for household items to work, batteries can be very dangerous when ingested or chewed by pets as they contain strong acids.

“When a battery is punctured or swallowed, the acidic material can leak out and cause burns to a pet’s mouth, throat, and stomach, as well as causing difficulty breathing and swallowing.”

Dustbins

“We all know pets love the smell of food – especially dogs – which can make our dustbins enticing places to explore.

Even if our furry friends enjoy a proper portion size, many still enjoy digging through the trash for an extra portion.

“Mouldy food, discarded foil, skewers, and other waste items can cause obstructions and damage the gut – as well as being potentially toxic to our pets.

“To avoid any temptation, always make sure bins are sealed, emptied regularly, and can’t be easily knocked over.”

Vapes and E-Cigarettes

“We are all aware of the risks of passive smoking to people, but it can be equally as damaging to our pets’ health too.

Second-hand smoke contains over 5,000 different chemicals , which are highly toxic to pets, even in small amounts. This is also true for vapes and e-cigarettes, which have grown in popularity. 

Just like in cigarettes, most vaping liquids contain nicotine – sometimes even more so than cigarettes. As nicotine is very toxic to our pets, it’s important to keep them well away from it.

These are also more likely to be left lying around – leaving pets at risk of cuts from chewing the glass vials.  

Always ensure these are kept out of reach and avoid smoking cigarettes of any kind around your furry friend.”

Open windows

“As the weather gets warmer, be careful not to leave windows open that your four-legged friend could jump or fall out of.

Open windows can be enticing to cats, dogs and other small pets, which may lead to danger – particularly if the window isn’t on the ground floor.

Make sure your pet can’t access a room with an open window or consider installing safety screens so that your furry family member can enjoy the fresh air without potentially injuring themselves by jumping outside.”

Pet treatments

“Remember that just like pet owners, all animals are different, so make sure that if your pet is unwell, you’re using the right treatment and dosage for your furry friend’s species and weight.

“Always read and the follow the instructions supplied with a treatment – and never use medication that isn’t prescribed by your vet.

“The same is also true for any medication you or a family member may be taking – never attempt to treat your pets with anything made for a human, unless prescribed by your vet, and ensure these too are stored safely away.”

The charity’s insurance partner, PDSA Pet Insurance, offers a range of policies to cover cats and dogs for accidents and illness, as well as providing access to a 24/7 veterinary helpline.

Every policy sold raises funds for the charity’s life-saving veterinary work.

To find out more visit pdsa.org.uk/pdsa-petinsurance

XL Bully dog exemption application process is open

Owners urged to apply before 31 July deadline

XL Bully owners can now apply for an exemption certificate so they can continue to legally own their dogs in the long term.

The application scheme opened yesterday (1 April) and runs until 31 July 2024, after which it will be a criminal offence to own an XL Bully without an exemption certificate.

To get an exemption certificate, owners must apply online or by post, pay a £92.40 fee, obtain third party insurance and neuter and microchip their dogs. Postal applications must be made by 15 July and online applications by midnight on 31 July. Full details of the process and requirements are available on the Scottish Government website.

In line with the initial safeguards introduced on 23 February, XL Bully dogs must continue to be muzzled and kept on a lead in public.

Owners who decide not to keep their dogs can apply for £100 to cover cost of euthanasia/veterinary fees and £100 to compensate for the loss of the animal.

Siobhian Brown, Minister for Community Safety attends Celebrating our Communities, being held at Maryhill Burgh Halls, Glasgow, Scotland, to celebrate community groups. October 6, 2023.

Victims and Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown said: “These new safeguards are being introduced to protect the public while giving XL Bully owners time to comply with the new rules.

“I would encourage XL Bully owners who wish to keep their dogs from 1 August to apply for an exemption certificate in good time.

“The Scottish Government continues to work with Police Scotland, local authorities, the SSPCA and others to ensure our communities are kept safe.”

Exemption scheme details

Letters: Saving our Songbirds

Dear Editor

With spring in the air, Cats Protection and Songbird Survival have teamed up to offer advice on the best ways to help reduce hunting of songbirds by pet cats in the hope of protecting the threatened population.

A survey of 1,000 cat owners, conducted by Songbird Survival, revealed almost half of cat owners (46%) aren’t aware of ways to reduce cat predation. 

Hunting is a natural, innate behaviour for cats and they feel driven to do it. Not all cats hunt and it generally reduces as they age. However, just a few simple strategies can protect birds and benefit your cat’s welfare too.

Spring is a particularly vulnerable time for songbirds as we are in the nesting and breeding season, which runs up to July as they gather materials to make nests and fledglings begin to leave their nests.

It’s important to protect songbird populations from decline and cat owners and bird lovers alike can make a big difference by putting up nest boxes as well as not using pesticides in their gardens.

Top tips for reducing hunting:

  • Play with your cat for 5-10 minutes every day as it allows them to exhibit their natural hunting behaviour and reduces their motivation to seek out prey. Pick out a toy that mimics prey movement – such as a fishing-rod toy    
  • Feed cats with a premium, meat-rich food as it’s been scientifically shown to reduce hunting tendencies 
  • Keep cats in at night to help songbird populations and to reduce the chances of your cat being involved in a road traffic accident.

For further advice, please visit Songbird Survival’s Get EduCated campaign at https://songbirdsos.org/get-educated or Cats Protection’s website at www.cats.org.uk/garden-and-outdoors  

Yours faithfully,

Nicky Trevorrow, Cats Protection Behaviour Manager

Susan Morgan, CEO of Songbird Survival

More lost pets to return home as microchipping system reformed

Reforms will help reunite thousands of lost or stolen animals every year and deter pet theft

Lost or stolen pets will be reunited with their owners more quickly under reforms to the pet microchipping system announced today (29 March).

With over nine million pet dogs and nine million pet cats in England, it is devasting for owners when they are lost or stolen. Microchipping is the most effective and quickest way of identifying pets, with microchipped dogs more than twice as likely to be reunited with their owner.

Reforms set out today will help reunite stray pets by making microchip records easier to access, improving the accuracy of microchip information, and standardising database operator processes.

The new measures will help deter pet theft by creating more opportunities for suspicious activity to be flagged. This will include requiring database operators to provide a field indicating whether the pet has been reported as ‘missing’, strengthening the process for transferring keepership of a pet by ensuring the current keeper has 28 days to object, and preventing the creation of duplicate records.

The changes also include the creation of a central portal that approved users – including vets, local authorities, and police – can use to search microchip records rather than having to contact separate databases individually, which can delay the time taken for pets to be returned home.

Animal Welfare Minister Lord Douglas Miller said: ““Pets are treasured members of the family so it can be devasting for owners when they are lost or stolen.

“These vital reforms will simplify the microchipping system to make it quicker for vets, local authorities and police to access important information when they need it, helping to safeguard pets from theft and increase the likelihood of lost pets being returned home.” 

Michael Webb, Battersea’s Head of Policy & Public Affairs, said: “Battersea is incredibly pleased with these reforms to the microchipping system, which will improve services for owners, enforcers and rescues alike.

“We see dogs and cats arrive at our centres every day with out-of-date microchips, or sadly no microchip at all, making it near impossible for our staff to reunite people with their pets.

“These reforms, which we have been calling for for some time, will not only help rescues like Battersea reunite more pets in less time, but also hopefully better protect dogs and cats from theft.

“With only several weeks to go until the law requires millions of cats to be microchipped, it is vital that the country’s microchipping system is as effective and robust possible and we will continue to work with Defra and other organisations to ensure that this is the case.”

RSPCA Chief Executive Chris Sherwood said: “Microchipping our pets is so important and provides reassurance and security, should they go missing, that they’ll be able to be identified and returned home quickly.

“A centralised portal with more accurate records will ensure that animals who end up with vets, local authorities and charities, like the RSPCA, can be traced back to their owners as quickly as possible, minimising the stress and anxiety they may feel being away from everything they know.”

British Veterinary Association President Anna Judson said: “Microchipping is a vital tool for vets working to identify lost pets and to successfully reunite them with their owners. The British Veterinary Association has been pressing for action to address issues with the current database system, which have been a source of ongoing frustration.

“These new measures are a positive step forwards and the new portal should help vet teams to check multiple databases quickly, identify and reunite cats and dogs with their owners and provide prompt treatment where needed.”

Today’s announcement follows a government consultation on the issue in which over 96% of respondents expressed support for the measures, and progresses an Action Plan for Animal Welfare pledge and key recommendations from the Pet Theft Taskforce. 

It also builds upon wider work to make it easier for lost, stray, or stolen pets to be returned home safely, including making it compulsory to microchip all pet cats in England by 10 June 2024. 

Westminster is also clamping down on pet theft by taking forward key recommendations from the Pet Theft Task Force, and have recently confirmed Government support for the Pet Abduction Bill.

These commitments are part of a wider Government effort to build on our existing world-leading animal welfare standards. 

Since publishing the Action Plan for Animal Welfare in 2021, Westminster has brought in new laws to recognise animal sentience, introduced tougher penalties for animal cruelty offences; announced an extension of the ivory ban to cover other ivory bearing species; supported legislation to ban glue traps, the import of detached shark fins and measures to ban the advertising and offering for sale of low welfare activities abroad.

Return to Scottish homeland for giant ‘skeleton’ of a horse after charity saves his life

  • Known for their power and size, an emaciated Clydesdale horse has been rescued after being found starving to death
  • Rare Scottish breed normally associated with pulling heavy farm machinery was discovered so weak he can barely carry himself
  • World Horse Welfare’s northern England-based Field Officer shocked to see ‘giant skeleton’

A 15-year-old Clydesdale horse called Seamus has been rescued by World Horse Welfare after he was discovered slowly starving to death in a field with no grass. The gentle giant was so starved when he was found that it was touch-and-go as to whether he would survive.

Thanks to the intensive care he received at the charity’s Lancashire Rescue and Rehoming Centre, Seamus has made a full recovery and been successfully rehomed back to his native country of Scotland.

Seamus was rescued from the hillside field by World Horse Welfare Field Officer Seema Ritson: “When I saw Seamus I was shocked to see a giant skeleton, with bare patches of flesh where there should have been a thick, chestnut coat.

“I could see he’d had to crane his neck through the fence to reach any morsel of forage, but this was simply not enough to sustain him.”

Over the course of eight months Seamus slowly recovered at the charity’s Lancashire centre and his placid temperament, which persisted despite his previous neglect, meant that Seamus was quickly rehomed when ready.  

As the largest equine rehoming charity in the UK, World Horse Welfare rehabilitates the horses and ponies that come into its four rescue and rehoming centres with a view to finding them loving new homes.

Seamus’ rehomer Nikky had previous experience with thoroughbreds and highland ponies but Seamus was her first heavy breed: “Although we are experienced with horses, caring for a Clydesdale has been a learning curve as big as him!

“Transport was a bit tricky due to his size, but we found an experienced transporter of Clydesdales to bring him home to Scotland.

“We cannot thank World Horse Welfare enough for giving him a chance of life and entrusting us with his follow-on care.”

Now the face of the charity’s latest fundraising appeal, Seamus is just one of hundreds of horses rescued and rehomed by World Horse Welfare every year.

“Previous donations helped make this rescue possible – so thank you from the bottom of my heart.” says Seema. “It’s only thanks to donations from those that care about horses that we are able to do this, and we desperately need to be there for so many more horses like Seamus.

“Donations could help us rescue horses in need and provide them with round the clock care, rehabilitation and a brighter future. Any amount can be truly lifechanging.”

More information about the appeal and to donate click HERE

Watchdog identifies ‘multiple concerns’ in veterinary industry

The CMA has today published its main concerns following an initial review into the veterinary sector

  • CMA provisionally decides it should launch a formal Market Investigation.
  • Initial review prompts over 56,000 responses from public and vet industry.

The review by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) highlights multiple concerns in the market, including:

  • Consumers may not be given enough information to enable them to choose the best veterinary practice or the right treatment for their needs.
  • Concentrated local markets, in part driven by sector consolidation, may be leading to weak competition in some areas.
  • Large corporate groups may have incentives to act in ways which reduce choice and weaken competition.
  • Pet owners might be overpaying for medicines or prescriptions.
  • The regulatory framework is outdated and may no longer be fit for purpose.

The CMA has provisionally decided that it should launch a formal Market Investigation focused on its provisional analysis of the issues in the sector and is now consulting on this proposal.  

A Market Investigation enables the CMA to investigate its concerns in full and to intervene directly in markets if it finds that competition is not working well. Along with compelling those under investigation to provide information, it gives the CMA access to a wide range of legally enforceable remedies, such as mandating the provision of certain information to consumers, imposing maximum prescription fees and ordering the sale or disposal of a business or assets.

Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, said: “We launched our review of the veterinary sector last September because this is a critical market for the UK’s 16 million pet owners. The unprecedented response we received from the public and veterinary professionals shows the strength of feeling on this issue is high and why we were right to look into this.

“We have heard concerns from those working in the sector about the pressures they face, including acute staff shortages, and the impact this has on individual professionals. But our review has identified multiple concerns with the market that we think should be investigated further.

“These include pet owners finding it difficult to access basic information like price lists and prescription costs – and potentially overpaying for medicines. We are also concerned about weak competition in some areas, driven in part by sector consolidation, and the incentives for large corporate groups to act in ways which may reduce competition and choice.

“Given these strong indications of potential concern, it is time to put our work on a formal footing. We have provisionally decided to launch a market investigation because that’s the quickest route to enable us to take direct action, if needed.”

The CMA’s concerns

Based on the evidence gathered so far, the CMA has 5 key concerns that it proposes to investigate further:

Consumers may not be given enough information to enable them to choose the best veterinary practice or the right treatment for their needs.

  • Most vet practices do not display prices on their website – of those practices checked, over 80% had no pricing information online, even for the most basic services. Pet owners tend not to shop around between vet practices and assume prices will be similar, although that is not always the case.
  • People are not always informed of the cost of treatment before agreeing to it – around one fifth of respondents to the  CFI said that they were not provided with any cost information before agreeing to tests, around one in 10 said they were not provided with cost information before their pet had surgery, and around half said they were not informed about costs before agreeing to out of hours treatment.
  • A company can own multiple vet practices in a local area without making that clear – for example, only 4 out of 6 of the largest groups don’t change the name or branding when they take over an independently owned vet practice. This means pet owners are not always comparing competitors when choosing a vet practice.

Concentrated local markets, in part driven by sector consolidation, may be leading to weak competition in some areas.

Market concentration measures how many competitors operate in a particular market – the fewer firms operating in a market, the more concentrated it is.

  • In 2013, around 10% of vet practices belonged to large groups, but that share is now almost 60%, and many of the large groups have expressed an intention to continue expanding their business through acquisition of independently owned practices.
  • To illustrate this another way, since 2013 1,500 of the 5,000 vet practices in the UK have been acquired by the 6 large corporate groups (CVS, IVC, Linnaeus, Medivet, Pets at Home and VetPartners).
  • This may reduce the number of business models in locations where most or all of the first opinion practices are owned by one large corporate group, giving less choice to consumers because they tend to choose practices close to home.

Large integrated groups may have incentives to act in ways which reduce choice and weaken competition.

Given the significant and ongoing growth of large corporate groups, the CMA is concerned that:

  • The large, integrated corporate groups (especially those whose business models include significant investment in advanced equipment) may concentrate on providing more sophisticated, higher cost treatments, meaning that consumers are less able to access simpler, lower cost treatments even if they would prefer that option.
  • To varying extents, the large vet groups have also bought businesses which offer related services such as specialised referral centres, out of hours care, diagnostic labs and/or crematoria. These large groups may have the incentive and ability to keep provision of these related services within the group, potentially leading to reduced choice, higher prices, lower quality and exit of independent competitors.

Pet owners might be overpaying for medicines or prescriptions.

  • Vets must use signs in reception or treatment rooms to tell customers that they can get a prescription for medicine and buy it elsewhere, but the CMA is concerned that these may not be effective. While it can be convenient to buy a medicine directly from the vet as part of a consultation, around 25% of pet owners did not know that getting a prescription filled elsewhere was an option – meaning they are missing out on potential savings, even with the prescription fee.
  • Some vet practices may make up to a quarter of their income selling medicines – so there may be little incentive to make pet owners aware of alternatives.
  • The current regulatory regime may contribute to concerns by restricting veterinary practices’ ability to source cheaper medicines online.

The regulatory framework is outdated and may no longer be fit for purpose.

  • The main regulation in the industry dates from 1966, before non-vets were able to own vet practices. It relates to individual practitioners, not practice owners or vet practices as businesses. This means that the statutory regulator, the RCVS, has limited leverage over the commercial and consumer-facing aspects of veterinary businesses, for example how prices are communicated or whether there is transparency about ownership of vet practices or related services.
  • The RCVS has put in place a Practice Standards Scheme which applies to the vet practice rather than individual vets. Only 69% of eligible practices have signed up to this voluntary scheme, meaning that almost a third of the market has not committed to this approach.
  • The provisional view is that outcomes for consumers could be improved if regulatory requirements and/or elements of best practice could be monitored or enforced more effectively.

Next steps

The CMA has launched a 4-week consultation to seek views from the sector on the proposal to launch a market investigation. The consultation closes on 11 April 2023 at which point it will consider the responses received and a decision will be made on how to proceed.

For further information visit the veterinary services case page. This includes the consultation document which sets out more details and statistics on today’s update.

A response from the British Veterinary Association to follow

Millions of pets are overweight with UK facing obesity crisis, warns PDSA

The vet charity for pets in need, PDSA, says the pet obesity crisis needs ‘urgent attention’ as vet teams estimate around half of UK pets are overweight – equating to around 5 million dogs and 4.7 million cats.  

It comes as the charity, alongside its partner Royal Canin, visits Crufts in a bid to tackle the growing pet obesity crisis head on through its ‘Big Weigh In’ campaign.  

PDSA, in partnership with Royal Canin, is inviting pet owners to book free weight checks at participating vet practices nationwide throughout February and March. There are more than 500 vet practices signed up and pet owners can find their local participating practice and book their free appointment here: pdsa.org.uk/WeighUp 

“We’re all guilty of over-indulging at times, but worryingly, 36% of dog owners admit to regularly giving their pet leftovers*,” explains PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing.

“And while a tasty treat now and then, when considered amidst the rest of their food intake, won’t harm your pet, regularly overfeeding them could lead to serious health problems. 

“Since our PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report launched over a decade ago, overweight and obese pets have always been an issue but almost half of veterinary professionals (49%) say they’ve seen an increase in pet obesity in the last two years. And a quarter say obesity is one of the top five welfare issues in dogs. 

“But with more and more people owning a pet these days, especially dogs, we’re now at a point where it needs urgent attention before it gets even worse.” 

Campaigners call on Scottish Government to end greyhound racing 

Campaigners from the Unbound the Greyhound coalition delivered their open letter, calling for a phase out to dog racing in Scotland, to the Scottish Government yesterday.  

22,655 people signed the coalition’s open letter, including celebrities such as TV presenter and naturalist Chris Packham, actor Peter Egan, and historian and broadcaster, David Olusoga. 

MSPs joined the charities, and greyhounds rescued from the racing industry, outside Parliament in support. 

The letter hand-in comes just weeks after Scottish Greens MSP, Mark Ruskell, launched the consultation for his proposed Bill to ban greyhound racing, the Proposed Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Scotland) Bill.

The coalition is very supportive of this Bill. 

Spokesperson for the coalition, Eve Massie Bishop, said: “There has been a real shift in attitudes towards dog racing in recent years.

“Not only have 22,655 people added their name to our letter to the Scottish Government to phase out greyhound racing in Scotland, but polling carried out by Panelbase has also found that six in ten Scots think the Scottish Parliament should vote to phase out greyhound racing.

“A 2019 petition to ban greyhound racing, from coalition member Scotland Against Greyhound Exploitation, is also the most signed petition in Scottish parliamentary history. 

“Our campaign has attracted the support of animal lovers from across the world, including the US, Australia, Japan, France, and Spain.

All eyes are now on the Scottish Parliament, which can show leadership and compassion and take steps to phase out this dying industry.” 

2,718 greyhounds died and there were 2,284 total injuries recorded at the hands of the industry between 2018-2022.  

Rescue greyhound, Sasha, who was at the open letter hand-in, was injured 8 years ago and was almost killed as a result.

Sasha broke her leg during a race at the former Armadale Stadium, in West Lothian, and was left in her kennel without treatment for days.

When her owner finally did take her to the vet, he wanted her to be put down, despite her injury being treatable.

Thankfully, the vet convinced Sasha’s owner to surrender her instead. 

The coalition is very supportive of Mark Ruskell MSP’s Proposed Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Scotland) Bill, stating: “The Scottish Government’s proposals to license greyhound racing simply won’t protect these dogs.

“The Scottish public know this. In response to the Government’s recent consultation on its licensing proposals, most respondents responded instead calling for a phase out of greyhound racing. 

“Mr Ruskell has recognised that greyhound racing carries inherent welfare risks and that only a ban on this outdated ‘sport’ will protect these loving, affectionate dogs. We are grateful for Mr Ruskell’s commitment to ending this dying industry which survives only on the exploitation of gentle dogs. He has our absolute support.” 

Mark Ruskell MSP commented: “Greyhound racing is a cruel gambling-led sport. There is nothing safe about forcing dogs to run around an oval track at 40 mph. It is wrong, and it must be stopped.  

“The industry has shown that it cannot be trusted to regulate itself, with hundreds of greyhounds dying or being injured every year.  

“Animal welfare organisations are clear – the inherent risks of greyhound racing mean that the welfare of these beautiful dogs can only be truly protected by banning racing for good. And that is exactly what my proposed Bill intends to do. 

“Thanks to the Unbound the Greyhound coalition, we know that the public also wants to see our four-legged friends protected too. An incredible 22,655 people have signed the coalition’s open letter calling for an end to greyhound racing in Scotland.  

“Change is coming. So I hope that as many people as possible take part in my consultation and that we can use it to develop the most appropriate and robust legislation possible and deliver an end to this abusive and badly-dated practice.” 

A Mother’s Love

Dashing doggy duo searching for a home for two  

As mums everywhere prepare to be pampered this Mother’s Day, a dashing mother and son duo at Dogs Trust West Calder will enjoy a relaxing day together as they await a new home for two.  

Posie, a serene seven-year-old Basset Hound cross, radiates affection and gentleness. Her calming presence offers solace not only to her energetic son, Dasher, a one-year-old bundle of joy with an insatiable curiosity for the world around him, but also to those who cross their path. Together, they navigate life’s ups and downs, relying on each other for support and reassurance. 

Despite their past challenges, Posie and Dasher remain resilient, drawing strength from their unbreakable bond. Posie’s role as a mother figure is not just central to Dasher’s life, but it’s the essence of their family. She teaches him, guides him, and above all, loves him unconditionally. 

Kim McNeill, Assistant Manager Administration at Dogs Trust West Calder said: “Like most family members, Posie and Dasher are more alike that they might like to admit. They are highly inquisitive, love their walks and if you offer them a tasty treat then you will make two friends instantly. 

“Posie is more chilled out than her boy and has a very sweet nature, so she will happily sit on the sofa next to you for a cuddle and observe Dasher’s energetic antics.  Dasher is a clever lad who is always on the go.  He loves to play and is eager to learn new tricks. 

“Posie and Dasher can be unsure in unfamiliar or busy environments but having each other helps them immensely.  They require patient and understanding owners who will allow them time to adapt and learn as they settle into a new home. 

“They both enjoy company so owners who are at home for most of the day would be ideal.  They are a delightful duo who love each other very much while still having double the love to offer to new owners.” 

Posie and Dasher are looking to be the only pets in an adult only home.  They would love a garden in which to potter, play and relax in together. The inseparable canine companions will bring endless joy, laughter and love into their new owner’s life.   

To read more about them visit: www.dogs.trust.org.uk/westcalder  

‘I’m a Vet – and muzzles are not bad for our pets’

PDSA urges to see past the muzzle & breaks down misconceptions ahead of Scotland’s new laws

Last released figures shared by Defra showcased that more than 35,000 dogs have been registered in England and Wales under the XL Bully exemption scheme. Not factoring in the number of dogs living in Scotland who as of 23 February will be required to wear a muzzle, there’s bound to be a surge in dogs outside wearing muzzles. 

Muzzles can be divisive, and vet charity PDSA is seeing this first hand. 

PDSA Vet, Lynne James, explains there’s many misconceptions around muzzles, which all XL Bully type dogs must now wear when out and about, in order to comply with the Exemption rules. This includes when being transported in a car.  

“Experts and animal welfare organisations have campaigned against breed bans for decades, but it’s a big myth that muzzles are bad for dogs.  

“As a Vet, and working in the profession, muzzles are no stranger to us. In fact, muzzles can be extremely helpful in our line of work.  

“We’re very keen to highlight misconceptions about muzzles. For many, especially now, muzzles are going to be part of their daily routine – grab your dog’s lead, collar and muzzle before heading out for walk. 

“Dogs don’t care what they look like – that’s a human thing. Thinking a dog in a muzzle must be ‘dangerous’ just isn’t accurate when muzzles have other uses. Vet professionals see them on a day-to-day basis and frankly, see past the muzzle. 

The leading vet charity shared some of the muzzle misconceptions it has heard since the ban was announced: 

  • Muzzles are prison for pooches 
  • They are animal cruelty 
  • Look barbaric 
  • Muzzles look like a monstrosity 
  • Horrible contraptions 

Why use a muzzle? 

“We do understand how muzzles can create the fear of the unknown, especially if you’ve only seen them portrayed on fierce looking guard dogs in films! It’s important to be aware though – muzzles can be used for other positive reasons, and many of the dogs you may see out and about wearing them these days are not to be feared. 

“Muzzles can be especially helpful for dogs who like to eat non-food items – owners who have a dog who munches on poo whilst out on walks will understand this better than most!  

“They can also create some safety for dogs themselves, if a dog does like to sniff out things to pick up when on walks, a muzzle can help to stop them easily picking up potentially harmful foods or substances.  

“Even the friendliest of dogs can find some situations stressful – such as visits to the groomers or the vets, particularly if they’re in pain or have had a previous uncomfortable experience. That’s why we’d recommend all owners include muzzle training with their general dog training, it’s just as handy for your dog to be happy wearing a muzzle as it is for them to know how to ‘sit’ and ‘wait’, should you need them to.” 

“It’s also imperative people understand that a muzzle is not ‘animal cruelty’. If a dog is wearing a suitable, comfortably fitting, spacious muzzle, they should be able to fully pant, drink water, and even take treats with ease. 

Choosing the right muzzle for your dog 

“When choosing the best muzzle for your individual dog, you want to make sure that:  

  • There’s roughly 1cm space between your dog’s nose and the very end of the muzzle. 
  • There’s plenty of airflow so your dog doesn’t overheat and can breathe normally. 
  • Enough room for your dog to comfortably open their mouth to eat and drink. 
  • Plenty of space for your dog to fully pant. 
  • Should be made of a durable but comfortable material so it doesn’t break but also doesn’t irritate your dog’s skin.

“It’s always key for pet owners to slowly introduce a muzzle in a positive way, to help their dog become confident and happy wearing it.

“Muzzle training shouldn’t be rushed and should always be done at a dog’s pace, in several short sessions over a few weeks, so they have time to adjust and feel comfortable wearing a muzzle.

“Whilst muzzles have their uses for shorter periods of time, they aren’t meant to be worn as a constant. However, a good walk, whether short or long, that suits the energy levels of your dog is fine to wear a muzzle for.”

 

Key dates for XL type owners in both England and Wales: 

  • 31 March 2024 — deadline for your dog to be microchipped (and microchip number provided to Defra by email or post, by this date) if your dog was less than eight weeks old when you applied for a Certificate of Exemption.  
  • 30 June 2024 — deadline to have your dog neutered (and neutering evidence provided to Defra by email or post, by this date), if your dog was more than one year old on 31 January 2024. 
  • 31 December 2024 — deadline to have your dog neutered (and neutering evidence provided to Defra by this date), if your dog was less than one year old on 31 January 2024. 

Scotland’s ban timeline:  

  • It has been announced restrictions for XL Bullies will come into place on 23 February 2024 in Scotland. 
  • From this date, owners of XL Bullies will need to comply with the restrictions: dogs must wear a muzzle and be on a lead when in public. It will also be illegal to sell, or advertise for sale, abandon, give away or breed the dogs in Scotland. 
  • From 31 July 2024, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully without having an Exemption. We’re still awaiting information for how owners will be able to apply for an Exemption, and when they can do so.

There’s plenty of muzzle training guidance and advice on PDSA’s website, as well as the information the vet charity knows about both the England and Wales ban, and the Scotland ban.