A new study led by a research team from Queen’s University Belfast, in partnership with University of Southern California, has found social media messaging, such as Facebook posts and sponsored ads, have a significant positive effect on a range of teenage health behaviors. Continue reading Social social media messaging can lead to significant health benefits for young people, research finds
Over 7 million UK pets at risk of suffering and disease through lack of vaccination, PDSA’s latest PAW Report finds
Latest findings from leading vet charity PDSA reveal a record decline in the number of young pets receiving their vaccinations, leaving many of Scotland’s pet population unprotected and exposed to potentially fatal diseases.
The 2019 PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report, the largest report of its kind, found the number of UK pets receiving their primary vaccinations when young – which protect pets from deadly diseases and viruses – has dropped dramatically from 84% in 2016 to 66% in 2019, an 18 percentage point decrease in just three years. This could leave over 7 million pets unprotected.
Findings from the 2019 PAW Report also show that one third (32%) of UK pets aren’t receiving regular booster vaccines, which keep them protected from potentially fatal diseases.
Of those UK pet owners who hadn’t vaccinated their pet, 17% said that they deemed it ‘too expensive’, an additional 17% said their pet didn’t come into contact with other animals. Other explanations included 16% who felt it was ‘unnecessary’, while other pet owners (13%) said that their ‘pet found going to the vets very stressful’.
The worrying findings coincide with growing hesitancy towards vaccinations in children, renewing One Health concerns that an “anti-vax” phenomenon – scepticism towards the safety and efficacy of vaccines – could be directed towards pets as well as children.
Falling vaccination rates have been cited by the World Health Organisation as one of the top ten threats to global health**. In 2019, the UK lost its measles-free status, three years after the virus was eliminated in the country.
Commenting on the findings, PDSA Senior Vet, Sean Wensley, said: “It’s extremely worrying to see such a decline in the number of young pets receiving their primary vaccinations.
“Vaccinations have helped to protect millions of pets from serious diseases such as parvovirus, cat flu and Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease. If people don’t vaccinate we risk seeing a rise in extremely unpleasant, preventable, diseases that can cause considerable animal suffering and death.”
Sean adds: “In addition to the vaccination findings, the PAW Report found there has been a decline in owners who feel informed about all of their pets’ 5 Welfare Needs – the five things that all pets need to be healthy and happy – contributing to millions of our much-loved pets not having their basic needs met.
“For example, 1.9 million dogs (19%) are left alone for five or more hours every day and 1.3 million dogs (13%) aren’t walked every day, increasing the risks of obesity and poor mental wellbeing linked to isolation and boredom.
The PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report has monitored pet welfare issues across the UK for the last nine years, surveying over 73,500 people in this time. Produced in conjunction with YouGov, the PAW Report provides a robust insight into the lives of pet dogs, cats and rabbits across the UK.
Key findings from the 2019 PDSA PAW Report:
PDSA is calling for owners to complete their online quiz to share their thoughts on the health and happiness of their own much-loved pets. There’s also a chance to win a hamper worth £200! https://bit.ly/2luGzE7
Other concerning findings from PDSA’s latest PAW Report, which the charity believes is leading to unnecessary misery for the UK’s pets, include:
Road Policing Officers are warning motorists of the consequences of driving on restricted carriageways.
At around 2.30pm on Saturday 31st August, police responded to a road collision on the A720 (city bypass) westbound carriageway between Gilmerton and Lasswade.
During this incident a temporary road closure was put in place, but police officers observed a number of individuals opting to drive the wrong way on the slip-road towards Gilmerton, to avoid the stationary traffic.
Ten motorists were charged with dangerous driving as a result and others are now being reminded that they will face similar action if they drive in a manner, which puts themselves or others at risk.
“Such action increases your chances of being involved in a collision and it will not be tolerated.
“We are out on patrol, monitoring the road network on a daily basis and if you are found to be committing such an offence, you can expect to be charged.”
Some of the city’s youngest cyclists pedalled through the rain to officially open a newly-improved active travel route beside Lower Granton Road earlier this week.
Pupils from Trinity Primary, led by MyAdventure guides, helped test out the upgraded shared use path along McKelvie Parade, which forms part of the city’s QuietRoute cycling and walking network on Wednesday. Continue reading Lower Granton Road improvements complete
As the trail comes to a close, we’re very excited to be able to share with you the details of Oor Wullie’s BIG Farewell Weekend!
We are inviting all BIG Bucket Trailers to join us at Edinburgh St Andrew Square over the weekend of 13 – 15 September to help us say cheerio to Scotland’s favourite son before he goes to auction.
This FREE event will run from 9am-8pm on Friday & Saturday and 9am-5pm on Sunday, with all 60 sculptures gathered in the Square for viewing and a large marquee, showcasing the 89 little Oor Wullies. This will also be your last chance to get your hands on some exclusive Wullie merchandise and we will have plenty of fun activities to keep the wee ones entertained throughout the weekend.
Are you recently retired and finding yourself at a loss for what to do with your time? Fancy meeting new people and having some interesting conversations? Then come along to LifeCare Conversations, a new weekly group running at LifeCare, 2 Cheyne Street, Stockbridge, EH4 1JB. Continue reading LifeCare Conversations: new discussion group in Stockbridge
Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has published the results of an extensive survey of Scottish retail staff, who overwhelmingly back the closure of large shops on New Year’s Day, and is calling on all MSPs to support the motion tabled by Jackie Baillie MSP in the Scottish Parliament.
Usdaw’s survey of over 1,000 shopworkers in Scotland found that:
The full survey results can be viewed at: www.usdaw.org.uk/NYDSurvey
Stewart Forrest, Usdaw’s Scottish Divisional Officer says: “This survey clearly demonstrates the strength feeling among our members. We have today written to all MSPs asking them to support Jackie Baillie’s motion calling for a decent break at New Year after the busy Christmas period.
“I have also written to the Scottish Retail Consortium urging them to reconsider their opposition to large stores closing on New Year’s Day. Usdaw does not accept that giving retail workers in large stores just one more day of guaranteed time off would have a negative impact on our high streets. 72% of our members who worked on New Year’s Day 2019 said that their store was either very quiet or fairly quiet.
“Usdaw is fully supportive of efforts to revitalise Scotland’s high streets. The livelihoods of our members depend on a thriving retail sector. That is why we are calling on the Government to implement an industrial strategy for retail and to take action on a whole range of issues, from business rates to parking charges and public transport, in order to breathe life back into the industry. We are seeking to work with the Scottish Retail Consortium, so we can tackle these issues together.”
Jackie Baillie MSP, (Scottish Labour, Dumbarton) said: “Retail staff work incredibly hard all year round, and are often on their feet for long shifts. Christmas and New Year is a time which should be spent with family, and there are few days in the year when families are off at the same time.
“The results of Usdaw’s survey show that the overwhelming majority of respondents want to spend more time with their families during Christmas and New Year.
“I hope that all of my MSP colleagues will recognise that everyone deserves a day off for New Year and will support the motion that I have tabled in the Scottish Parliament.”
Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary, said: “We are very grateful to Jackie Baillie MSP for the support she is giving to our members and this campaign. New Year is a special holiday in Scotland, but this is not reflected in the experience of many retail workers.
“Under the Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Trading (Scotland) Act 2007, Scottish Ministers may, by statutory instrument, ban large shops from opening on New Year’s Day, subject to consultation.
“On behalf of Scotland’s retail workers, we are urging the Scottish Government to open that consultation and for MSPs to listen to shopworkers concerns about their work/life balance.”
IF – and it’s still a very big ‘if’ – there’s a no deal Brexit, border controls will be introduced to make it harder for criminals to enter the UK, the Home Office announced yesterday. Continue reading UK Government announces immigration plans for no deal Brexit
Scotland’s first not-for-profit funeral directors have already saved bereaved Scots £500,000
In the light of recent findings by the National Funeral Cost Index Report 2019 that low income families are experiencing even more funeral poverty than ever, one local social enterprise has announced they are well on their way to bucking this trend.
GRANTON GOES GREENER
Sustainable Community Family Fun Day
Saturday 21 September 12 noon – 3pm
Family Fun Day with lots of FREE exciting environmental workshops including making shopping bags from up-cycled fabric, paper coasters making, bike repairing, baby and toddler interactive session, tombola, table top sale and much more.
FREE food , tea/ coffee served all day. Join us to celebrate SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY DAY, learn more about up-cycling and have some fun day with your family and friends!
