Scottish SPCA are appealing for information after two ferrets were found on Restalrig Road South on 23 March.
The animal welfare charity was alerted to the incident after a member of the public witnessed two girls leave the animals on a small grassy area and run off.
Scottish SPCA inspector Jennifer Surgeon said: “This ferrets were left in a cat box that was far too small for them. The cage was left open and the ferrets were running loose. Luckily the member of the public managed to contain them.
“Both ferrets appear to be in good body condition but were both very dirty. The cage they were in was also filthy.
“We appreciate that the people who left the ferrets in the area may have intended for the animals to be found but this is not the right way to give up an animal if you can no longer care for them.
“Thankfully, despite their ordeal, they appear to be unscathed and are now in the care of one of our animal rescue and rehoming centres where they are receiving the care they need.
“We would like to find out what happened to these ferrets. If anyone has any information on how the ferrets came to be in this situation they can contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”
If anyone is concerned about an animal, please do not hesitate to contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.
We need your support today. From as little as £1, you can save lives.
Morrisons has announced it will be donating over half a million meals to local pet rescue centres to help feed the nation’s cats and dogs – after demand for pet food has surged during lockdown.
Last year saw an unprecedented rise in pet ownership. With more of us at home than ever before, the desire for a companion reached peak levels with over two million dogs alone bought between March and September.
However, with millions more cats and dogs to feed in households up and down the UK, the need for pet food has dramatically increased.
In response to the increase in demand, Morrisons will set aside half a million meals in an effort to support local animal shelters – and to ensure no four-legged friend is left behind. Its network of ‘’Community Champions’ will work closely with their local shelters to distribute the meals up and down the UK.
Many animal shelters have been struggling through lack of funding and the economic fallout of Covid-19. And as hope for summer and a return to normality grows, animal shelters are facing the risk of more pets needing rehoming as their owners can no longer meet their needs.
Faye Atkins, Pet Food Buyer at Morrisons said: “Throughout the pandemic, our focus has been on feeding the nation, so it only felt right to support those pets who may not have found their forever home just yet as well.
“We hope this donation will go some way to supporting the many shelters doing a fantastic job looking after some of our most vulnerable animals”.
Earlier this week, Morrisons announced it is working closely with its suppliers as they invest in increasing their capacity. Whilst there is not 100% full availability in stores, there remains plenty of stock for all its customers and their new pets.
The Scottish SPCA was alerted to the young otters by members of the public after they had been spotted wandering the streets of Inverkeithing last week.
The cubs are now in the care of our National Wildlife Rescue Centre.
Centre manager Steven Gray said, “The cubs are around three to four-months-old. Otters will stay with their mothers in the wild until they are over a year old.
“We suspect their mum was involved in a road traffic accident or some form of disturbance and didn’t return to her cubs so they have gone looking for her. They were seen wandering down the road in Inverkeithing on Saturday night.
“The female cub was spotted by someone taking their bins out. She was making very loud peeping noises which was probably her trying to call for her mum. The members of the public followed at a safe distance to a nearby field where they were able to monitor her until we arrived.
“The pair wouldn’t have survived on their own as they rely on mum so we are thankful the members of the public contacted us.
“One cub is male and the other is female. The female has been named Inver and the male has been called Forth.
“They will stay with us until they are around 12 to 14-months-old, just like with mum in the wild. We will teach them how to feed and take care of themselves and will release them when they are ready.
“Otters are very agile and can have a nasty bite so we would ask members of the public not to approach them as they can react negatively out of fear. They can see humans as a threat, especially when they are feeling vulnerable, so we would advise monitoring the animal and contacting us.
“We have the necessary safety equipment to carefully contain otters and we are experienced in doing so. We wouldn’t want anyone getting hurt or an animal to be caused undue stress.
“If anyone spots a wild animal in need of our help, please call our animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”
PDSA, the vet charity for pets in need, has carried out a remarkable 500,000 phone appointments since the start of lockdown, as demand for the charity’s services has surged due to the ongoing impact of the pandemic.
In response to the Covid-19 crisis, the charity – which provides free and low cost vet care to the pets of owners who are suffering from financial hardship – introduced a new phone appointment system back in March during the first lockdown.
Since then, the scheme has meant over half a million remote appointments have been provided to poorly pets and their owners, ensuring they could still receive the vital veterinary advice they needed, despite lockdown restrictions.
PDSA Vet, Paul Manktelow, said: “Sadly, even during a pandemic, our pets can still become sick or get injured and need urgent veterinary treatment.
“When the first lockdown started looming, it was clear that we needed to drastically adapt the way we worked across our 48 Pet Hospitals around the UK to help keep everyone safe and help stop the spread of Covid-19, while still providing support to desperate pet owners seeking our help.
“Providing remote consults has allowed pets to access the essential veterinary care they need, while freeing up the space and time needed in our pet hospitals to treat the sickest pets and emergencies in a socially distant manner..
“Thanks to kind support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, we were able to quickly develop new ways of working, allowing many of our dedicated vets and nurses to work from home providing vital pet advice remotely.
“Leading into the first lockdown we started offering our first remote consultations. Within weeks we were delivering around 2,000 phone appointments daily, which has now risen to over 2,300 a day.”
Remote consultations have enabled PDSA staff to help all but the most serious cases over the phone, offering advice, and posting out or delivering essential medications. This ensured the charity could keep their vet teams, owners and pets safe while continuing to provide life-saving emergency treatments at its Pet Hospitals.
Hazel Johnstone, Longterm Partnerships Manager at People’s Postcode Lottery said: “Pets have been a lifeline for so many people during the lockdowns this year – providing companionship and helping improve mental wellbeing for owners during incredibly difficult times.
“So for those who face financial hardship causing increased worry when a pet falls ill during the pandemic, it’s vital they’re able to continue to access veterinary care. By supporting the development of these remote consults for PDSA, players of People’s Postcode Lottery have ensured that hundreds of thousands of pet owners always have somewhere to turn, even during the darkest of times.”
But PDSA is now facing a double threat – the pandemic has resulted in PDSA’s income decreasing by £3m a month in 2020 due to all fundraising events being cancelled and its charity shops temporarily closing their doors.
This is coupled with an expected increase in unprecedented demand for its services as many more pet owners fall on hard times.
PDSA Vet Paul Manktelow continued: “Delivering half a million remote appointments in eight months just shows what vital assistance PDSA provides for a huge number of pet owners. For many, we are their only emergency service – a safety net when times are tough, but we rely entirely on generous public support to keep our charitable veterinary services running.
“As we enter what is likely to be a challenging winter, we know many people are facing extremely difficult times through no fault of their own, and their pets are a lifeline, providing unconditional love and comfort during these worrying times. We greatly appreciate every donation, to help us to continue to be there for much-loved pets in need.”
To find out more about PDSA, its Pet Care Crisis Emergency Appeal and how you can help, visit www.pdsa.org.uk/whywematter
– New For Farmers ‘Chuckle Eggs’ give an extra 1p per egg back to farmers –
– Money will be invested in planting woodland and creating insect-friendly habitats –
– Enriched environments will mean healthier happier hens who naturally lay more eggs –
– This is the fifth For Farmers product launched by Morrisons giving part of the retail price directly back to farmers –
For the first time, Morrisons is giving an extra 1p per egg back to farmers on every For Farmers medium egg sold – so that they can create more biodiverse farmland for their free-range chickens to roam around in.
The money raised from the sales of Morrisons For Farmers ‘Chuckle Eggs’ will be ploughed back into establishing better free-range farmland to create a healthier environment for happier hens, who naturally tend to lay more eggs.
Morrisons became the first major supermarket to sell only free-range eggs in February 20201 . Free-range hens cost farmers significantly more to keep2 as they need large outdoor woodland and grassland areas in which to exercise, along with enriched nesting boxes and undercover areas.
Morrisons For Farmers contributions will help egg farmers to plant and manage woodland and wildflowers on their farms. Free-range hens should roam during daylight hours in fields planted with 20 per cent trees. When outside, hens naturally use trees for roosting – which keeps them off the ground but under cover.
The extra investment may also be used by many farmers to create new or adapted buildings for their birds. Free-range hens require an indoor environment with more space and light, nest boxes with wide perches, and spaces for scratching and dust bathing.
Farms will also be encouraged to set aside land for wild bees and insects to increase their numbers, and in order that they can continue to pollinate the nation’s crops and flora. Morrisons agriculture team have helped to formulate a unique pollen and nectar rich flower mixture – to establish dedicated bumblebee and insect habitats. For every 16,000 birds they have, farmers have been asked to plant one acre of seed mix.
Sophie Throup, Head of Agriculture at Morrisons said: “Improving animal welfare and looking after our farmed and natural environment is important for us and our customers.
“By giving back to our egg farmers, they can create the highest welfare outside and indoor conditions for their hens. Planting woodland, pollen and nectar rich habitats will also bring huge and wider benefits to our countryside, and support sustainable food production into the future.”
Mark Williams, CEO at The British Egg Industry Council, said: “We applaud Morrisons for this move. We believe it is very important to encourage free-range hens to go outside and fully explore the range around the hen house.
“That’s why the British Lion Scheme actively encourages farmers to plant trees that give a natural canopy for the hens, helping the birds to feel protected, alongside activities that encourage the birds to come outside and enjoy the natural environment.”
A 12 pack of Morrisons For Farmers medium ‘Chuckle Eggs’ are available in 491 Morrisons stores and online from this week costing £1.99. Twelve pence from every pack will go back to the farmers who produced the eggs.
All of Morrisons fresh eggs are free-range, sourced from 44 free-range egg farms country-wide. 1.5million free-range birds will be laying medium eggs for Morrisons For Farmers ‘Chuckle Egg’ range.
Morrisons launched its range of For Farmers products in October 2015, and became the first supermarket to give part of the retail price directly back to farmers. The range now includes milk, cream, cheese, butter and eggs.
To date, the For Farmers range has given back £17m directly to British farmers.
Placing food out for animals to eat without needing to hunt or scavenge is a simple but effective way to look after local wildlife. Place fat balls or blocks out for birds along with grain and nuts to keep them going through the winter months.
2. Bonfires
Although big community bonfires won’t be happening this year, if you’re planning one at home it’s important to check for all animals and wildlife before setting it alight. These can include hedgehogs, toads and frogs. Prod underneath the bonfire with a stick to encourage the animals to move before you strike a match.
3. Compost Heap
Compost heaps are a great place for hibernating animals to live due to the warmth it can provide. Take caution when turning your heap, or if you’re able to try and avoid turning it at all, or as much as normal, during the cold winter months.
4. Ponds
If you have a pond and see it frozen over, try and melt a hole in the middle so that the animals can still find a source of water. Do this by using a saucepan full of hot water. Don’t hit or crack the ice as this can cause shockwaves causing potential damage to the animals in the pond. If you don’t have a pond, a little dish of water at ground level will be a great source of water.
5. Berries
If you have any berry or fruit trees in your garden, ensure you leave some fallen fruit and berries untouched. By doing so, birds such as thrushes and blackbirds can enjoy food before winter hits. Traditional hedgerow berries such as blackberries, sloes and rosehips will provide food for birds during the colder months.
6. Bug hotels
Building a bug hotel with pieces of wood and leftover bricks and other materials will provide a safe place for bugs to call home. It can be as small or as big as you like and can be as simple as a pile of logs.
Prospective puppy and kitten owners warned of risks of being ‘Petfished’ when buying a pet online following lockdown demand surge
Vets, charities and animal-loving celebrities have joined forces with a government campaign to warn prospective pet owners against unknowingly buying puppies, kittens, cats and dogs from unscrupulous sellers amid a rise in demand for pets since lockdown.
An open letter, signed by celebrities including Kirsty Gallacher, Paul O’Grady, Amanda Holden and David Gandy, and supported by charities including Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, the Blue Cross, Cats Protection, Dogs Trust and the RSPCA, is calling on the public to research sellers thoroughly online before buying.
These warnings follow continued demand for pets since lockdown eased, with online marketplace Preloved reporting that the number of pet listing has increased by nearly 50% since March. They are anticipating a further boom in adverts throughout the summer.
Pets4Homes has also said that they are experiencing not only a six-fold increase in new user accounts, but an average of 155 views per new pet advert. Both Preloved and Pets4Homes are supporting the government’s Petfished campaign, which urges people to stop and ask: ‘Who’s the person behind the pet?’.
Despite a huge 125% increase in adverts posted across online marketplaces during lockdown for puppies, kittens, dogs and cats, demand continues to outstrip supply. However, the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has advised that vets are dealing with ongoing cases where owners have been sold sick puppies and kittens by unscrupulous dealers as a result of new owners not researching sellers before buying their new pet.
Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said: “Prospective pet owners must beware of sinister sellers out there who breed animals purely for profit with zero concern for their welfare. The devastating consequences include crippling vet bills and, in the worst cases, animals having to be put down.
“It’s vitally important that people not only research the breed of animal they want but also the person selling it to them.”
Animal Welfare Minister Lord Goldsmith said: “At this time when more people are looking for pets it is more important than ever that buyers do their research and ensure they go to a reputable seller.
Following the introduction of Lucy’s Law earlier this year, everyone must now buy directly from breeders or consider adopting from rescue centres. So please look out for the warning signs and report any suspicious activity.”
TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher, who has two dogs, British bull dog Betsy and French bull dog Bertie, said: “My dogs mean the world to me and pets bring joy to so many. It’s shocking to hear the lengths deceitful sellers go to when selling pets and sadly this can mean animals come from low-welfare conditions with distressing consequences.
“As pet lovers, we should take responsibility by always researching the seller before buying a new pet to ensure our four legged friends live happy and healthy lives.”
The letter, also signed by former international rugby players Chris Robshaw and Sam Warburton, is part of the government’s ‘Petfished’ campaign - a play on ‘catfishing’, where a stranger creates a fictional online persona to lure someone into a relationship - deceitful pet sellers use a similar tactic to ‘Petfish’ unsuspecting buyers.
Following Lucy’s Law – meaning it is now illegal to sell a kitten or puppy you haven’t bred - the Petfished campaign calls for consumers to remain vigilant, always researching the seller before visiting, reporting suspicious adverts and crucially be prepared to walk away and report suspected cases of animal abuse to the RSCPA or, if witnesses, the police.
British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) President Ian Ramsey said: “Vets are continuing to see many owners who have been sold very sick puppies by unscrupulous dealers simply because new owners have not researched the seller before buying their pet.
“As a result, vets see first-hand the distress and upset this can cause owners. We would urge anyone thinking of buying a puppy or kitten to check their pet is coming from a responsible seller before making a decision to buy.”
To avoid being Petfished, the public are being urged to spot vital red flags when researching sellers, with the help of the acronym S.P.O.T:
Seller
Put the seller’s name and phone number into a search engine – avoid those with multiple adverts.
Parent
Make sure you see puppies and kittens in their home with their mother.
Old enough
Check puppies and kittens are at least 8 weeks old before you take them home.
Treatment
Ask to see the animal’s health records and avoid sellers who can’t provide them.
Anyone looking to buy a pet can get tips and advice on the Petfished campaign website by searching ‘Get your pet safely’ or visiting getyourpetsafely.gov.uk
“For the Family You Can Choose. Adopt. Spay. Neuter.”
That’s the message of Succession star Brian Cox‘s new PETA campaign, which sees the head of one of television’s most dysfunctional families share the screen – and a conversation – with an adorable cat from the Mayhew animal shelter named Patches, who has since been adopted into a loving home.
In the accompanying video “interview”, Patches shares with Cox that she’s spayed (“That’s rather personal, but yes”) and wearing her own fur (“I don’t really have much of a choice”) – and he’s quick to assure her that he’s a huge proponent of adoption and a big fan of felines overall. He’s the guardian of two adopted companion cats.
“The thing I love about cats is their independence,” he says. “They can take it or leave it, and that’s their power – that’s their strength. They’re very dependable. They have an instinct about what you need, and sometimes you don’t always know, and then a cat comes, and then you go, oh, thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” says Patches.
Brian Cox urges people to do right by cats like Patches by always adopting them from animal shelters and never buying them from breeders or pet shops, which only contribute to the homeless animal overpopulation crisis.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of dogs and cats end up in animal shelters, and many of them have to be euthanised simply because there aren’t enough good homes for them. The solution, as Cox notes, is prevention through spaying and neutering.
Cox joins a long list of celebrities – including Twiggy, Simon Cowell, Sir Paul McCartney, and Joaquin Phoenix – who have teamed up with PETA and its affiliates to promote kindness to animals.
PETA – whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way” – opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview.
With temperatures set to soar, Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, is offering top tips to help owners make sure dogs can stay safe and happy in the sun and keep cool during lockdown.
The charity is advising dog owners how they can keep cool – indoors as well as outdoors – and prevent them from overheating as the days get hotter.
The charity advises:
Avoid walking or doing activities either indoors or outdoors with your dog at the hottest times of the day, so early morning or later in the evening is often best.
Always take plenty of water with you when out with your dog and make sure they have access to fresh water at home at all times.
Tarmac can get very hot in the sun – check it with your hand before letting your dog walk on it so they don’t burn their paws. Try the ‘seven-second test’ – if it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws
If you need to take your dog out in the car, even if travelling a short distance, avoid travelling during the hottest times of the day and never leave your dog in a car on a warm day. Not even with the window open.
Dogs Trust says that having fun with your dog indoors can be just as stimulating as a long walk, but owners still need to be aware that they need to make sure their dogs stay cool indoors too – so choose the coolest room in the house, stay out of direct sunlight, always have fresh water available and make sure your dog has somewhere cool to relax and sleep.
To help owners keep their dogs entertained whilst we are all spending more time at home, Dogs Trust has come up with eight fun ways to have fun with a cardboard box and tubes (like those you’d find in a toilet or kitchen roll).
The paw-fect figure 8: Get two boxes and set them out a little distance apart. Hold your dog’s treats or a favourite toy in one hand and slowly start to move them in a figure of eight around the two items, swapping the reward into your other hand at the centre point. One arm will guide your dog around the item to the left and the other arm will guide your dog around the item to your right. Repeat several times until you’ve got the movement smooth and well-rehearsed!
Digging deep: Shred or scrunch up newspaper or any paper items and pop them in an empty box. Drop in some treats or toys, and watch your dog dig away!
Paws-up: Can you get them to put their front feet on the box? Their back feet? Can you get them to run round to the left, to the right? Can smaller dogs sit in the box? Think outside of the box and we’re sure you won’t be able to contain yourself with all this fun!
Bowling balls: Create a 10-pin bowling alley with spare kitchen roll tubes. Have a competition and see how many pins you can knock down vs. your dog!
Tunn-els of fun: Cut the sides of a few boxes and line them up to make your very own DIY tunnel. Encourage your dog to go through with the promise of treats or their favourite toy at the end of the tunnel!
Jog your dog’s memory: Lay out multiple boxes in a semi-circle and pop a treat in one of them, making sure your dog is watching. Hold up a sheet to block your furry friend’s vision, drop and then see if they remember which box the treat was in! Repeat the game and change the box with the treat in, see how many times they get it right!
Snoot challenge: next level – remember the original snoot challenge where you had to make a circular shape with your hands and wait for your pooch to run up and put their nose through the hole? Building from this, cut a hole out in your box and see if you can get your dog to poke their nose through it! *boop*
Teach your dog to read: for starters write different words (e.g. sit, down, paw) on different boxes that you want your dog to learn. Say the word that’s on the specific box in front of them, and ask them to do what the word says. When your dog does as you’ve asked, reward them with a tasty treat and repeat several times until your dog has associated the new word, with the specific box!
Dogs Trust Veterinary Director, Paula Boyden, says: “There are so many things we can do to make sure our dogs stay happy and healthy in hot weather, but it is crucial we keep a close eye on them, even if we are playing indoors as many of us are at the moment.
“If you want to spend time in your garden with your dog, make sure they have plenty of shade and if they have shown they are comfortable around water, introduce them carefully to a shallow paddling pool in the shade.
“If you do need to head out in the car with your dog, please be very careful. As little as twenty minutes can prove fatal if a dog is left alone in a car on a warm day.
“Many people still believe it’s OK if the windows are left open or they’re parked in the shade, but the truth is, it’s not and we strongly advise that dog owners never leave their dog in a car on a warm day, even if it feels cool outside.”
If you see a dog in a car in distress, Dogs Trust advises that members of the public call 999. Signs of a dog suffering from heatstroke include excessive panting, heavy salivation, vomiting or diarrhoea, lack of co-ordination or loss of consciousness.
We understand dog owners are anxious to ensure their four-legged friends are being well looked after and exercised in these difficult times, while we all stick to the government advice on each of the four nations.
While in England you can now go out to exercise as much as you like, please remember to keep your distance from other dog walkers , keep your dog on a lead and think about going out at a time of day when it might be a bit less busy.
Of course, some may need to use dog walkers, who are prioritising key workers – just be sure to hand your dog over in space large enough to maintain social distancing and to wash all equipment after your pooch returns.
Potential dog owners are being invited to tea by some very special long-legged canine friends at Dogs Trust West Calder, in the hopes they might meet their perfect companion.
Amongst the doggy guests of honour will be Liam ‘Longlegs’. When not napping, Liam enjoys nothing more than a good cuddle on the couch. Also present will be Lucy ‘Longlegs’, who is an older lady of nine, and Laddie ‘Longlegs’, who is playful and full of energy.
The event, named the ‘Longlegs Luncheon’ will take place on 21st March from 2.00pm – 3.00pm, with the team hoping to rehome their 16 long-legged sightsounds currently in the care of the rehoming centre.
On the day attendees will be treated to some light refreshments and provided with lots of information about the sighthounds at the centre – with a possible opportunity to meet some of the dogs themselves.
While there, guests will get to learn all about the special characters of each of the 16 sighthound dogs in need of permanent homes. Although they are best known for being long-legged what is less well known is that these dogs are affectionate, remarkably clever and full of personality.
Susan Tonner, Rehoming Centre Manager at Dogs Trust West Calder, said: “Staff at the rehoming centre calculated that the length of all the legs of the 16 longlegs currently in our care, added together, would equal the height of the Scott Monument in Edinburgh!
“Most of the sighthound residents at the centre can be divided into those who are lively longlegs, playful longlegs and energetic longlegs.
“They make for excellent family dogs: kind, calm and gentle. They adore affection from their owners and like to be involved in fun activities. We have so many dogs with such different personalities, that each of our longlegs will be just right for someone.”
If you would like more information, please contact the West Calder Rehoming Centre on 01506536840 or visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/our-centres/west-calder to find out more about the lanky Lurchers and gangly Greyhounds currently in need of a forever home!
You can also follow Dogs Trust West Calder on Twitter @DT_WestCalder for regular updates on centre events as well as the dogs available for rehoming.
