The Scottish SPCA is appealing for information after two ill frilled-neck lizards were found on a street in Edinburgh. Scotland’s animal welfare charity was alerted yesterday after a member of the public discovered the lizards at the back door of their flat on Stenhouse Drive. Continue reading SSPCA looking for info after lizards found abandoned
Cabinet Secretary Roseanna Cunningham open Scotland’s first K9 Conference to tackle the illegal puppy trade on Thursday. The conference was hosted by the Scottish SPCA and the University of Edinburgh. Continue reading New research unveiled at Scottish SPCA puppy trade conference
The Scottish SPCA is to launch their tenth annual Scottish Animal Week on 4th September. To mark the milestone they will host a variety of events over the week including street collections on Saturday (9th) and an open day at the centre in Edinburgh on Sunday (10th). Continue reading Scottish SPCA to celebrate tenth Scottish Animal Week
The Scottish SPCA visited Flora Stevenson Primary School in Stockbridge on Wednesday 31 May. Scotland’s animal welfare charity speaks to around 300,000 children a year through their highly interactive “Prevention through Education” programme. Continue reading Prevention through Education: Scottish SPCA visits Flora’s
Rehoming Week 8 – 14 MAY
The Scottish SPCA is encouraging animal lovers in Edinburgh and the Lothians to consider giving a rescue pet a second chance at happiness. Staff at the charity’s Edinburgh and Lothians Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Balerno are hoping to find new homes for 63 dogs, cats, rabbits, small furries, horses and other pets in their care this Rehoming Week, which runs from 8-14 May. Continue reading Give us a home!
The Scottish SPCA is caring for a lovely little Shrew who was found orphaned in Gifford alongside his brother. Continue reading A helping hand for Hugh the Shrew!
Animal lovers in Edinburgh and the Lothians are being invited to experience the trip of a lifetime to Madagascar while raising vital funds for the Scottish SPCA. Continue reading Animal Magic: join SSPCA’s trip of a lifetime
Dogs die in hot cars warning
The Scottish SPCA is urging pet owners not to leave their dogs in hot cars as the temperatures rise this summer.
Scotland’s animal welfare charity has also warned that earlier this year a woman from Stirling was convicted after leaving a dog in the boot of her vehicle on a hot day.
Concerned members of the public have already been contacting the charity’s animal helpline after seeing distressed dogs left inside warm cars. The Scottish SPCA is keen to remind the public that they may be risking their dog’s life by leaving it in a hot car for even a short period of time.
Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said, “Most people know what it’s like to get into a car after it’s been sitting in the sun. It’s unbearable and we immediately roll down the windows or turn on the air conditioning.
“Imagine being trapped inside a hot vehicle wearing a fur coat for minutes, possibly hours, and you are some way to understanding how a dog left inside a hot vehicle feels.
“Many people might not realise that even on warm, cloudy days, cars can effectively turn into ovens and dogs can overheat in minutes.
“Leaving a window open or providing water is simply not good enough. Dogs can’t sweat the way humans do and need to pant to cool down which can lead to severe dehydration and hyperventilation.
“We run our campaign every year but we continue to receive a large number of calls from concerned members of the public each summer and we fear some owners don’t fully appreciate the danger they are putting their pets in.
“In April a 45 year old woman from Stirling was convicted for leaving a dog inside the boot of her car without water for approximately one hour on a hot day. She was banned from keeping animals for five years.
“Tragically the Yorkshire terrier, which belonged to the woman’s father, was diagnosed with heatstroke and died after suffering a cardiac seizure.
“We hope this case serves as a warning to other owners who may be tempted to leave a dog in their vehicle on a warm day. Our advice is to leave dogs at home as it is simply not worth the risk.”
Scottish SPCA posters highlighting the dangers of leaving dogs in hot
cars are available to be displayed in local communities. To request
copies please phone the charity on 03000 999 999 selecting option 5 or
email fundraising@scottishspca.org.
To coincide with the Scottish Independence Referendum in September, Pilton Youth & Children Project’s ‘Get Involved Group’ (GIG) undertook a ‘Democracy Project’ over several months.
The young people explored all the arguments about both sides of the independence debate and also found out about the roots of British democracy -did you know that only very rich people and only men used to get the vote?
The project ended with two performances of a play staged by the young people.
There were sketches about the working class people and suffragettes who fought and died for their right to vote and a sketch about a fictitious family in Pilton, whose kids eventually persuaded their parents to miss ‘Storage wars’ to go and cast their vote!
The young people performed brilliantly and all their weeks of hard work were well worth it as the audience gave them a standing ovation. Well done to the ‘Giggers’!
Following on from the GIG project about democracy, the young people in the ‘Get Involved Group’ went through a democratic process of identifying what the GIG should focus on next.
After much discussion, they unanimously voted for the next topic to be ‘Animal Welfare’ as this is something they care deeply about.
They are in the process of developing a ‘Dog Dirt Free’ zone around the PYCP building, as many children play there, but unfortunately people are letting their dogs foul there and not cleaning it up.
The group recently had a visit from Rachel Bliss from The Dogs Trust who spoke about the many aspects of Dog Welfare and Dog Safety. Rachel has agreed to come back to PYCP to do two more sessions for young people during the Easter holidays.
A couple of youngsters are very keen to look at protection of unicorns, and this is something that the workers are trying to figure out how best to tackle this subject-without shattering their illusions about unicorns being real!
Photos: (1) Suffragettes scene from GIG play, and (2) GIG trip to Cosmos to celebrate their West End Theatre run!
Pilton Youth & Childrens Project (PYCP)
Next week is Rabbit Awareness Week – but you knew that, right?
The Scottish SPCA fears more rabbits than ever are being neglected, mistreated and forgotten about after rescuing a record breaking number of bunnies. Scotland’s animal welfare charity is growing increasingly concerned at the number of animals arriving in their care and is urging members of the public to think very carefully before buying a bunny.
As part of Rabbit Awareness Week, which runs from 11th – 17th August, would-be owners in Edinburgh are being asked to consider taking on a rescue rabbit.
Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn, said, “In 2013 our Balerno based rescue and rehoming centre took in 170 rabbits, a figure which has been increasing year on year. “This worrying trend demonstrates why we need to raise awareness of the hardships many pet rabbits face.
“Some rabbits arrive in our care in a terrible state having been denied basic nutrition and veterinary attention, while others are sadly forgotten pets children have grown tired of.
“Thankfully, the severe cruelty cases are in the minority. The biggest issue is rabbits being put in a hutch and left at the bottom of the garden, with many enduring a life of solitude and boredom.
“Often the only interaction they have is a brief visit from their owner to bring food and water. Many owners even find this to be a chore and it is these rabbits which tend to be dumped outdoors or handed into one of our Rescue Centres unwanted.
“While we never encourage taking on a pet on impulse, we currently have a number of rabbits in our care looking for good, permanent homes.”
Superintendent Flynn added, “Anyone thinking of rehoming a rabbit should ensure they have the time, commitment and financial ability to provide a happy and healthy life.
“Rabbits are highly intelligent, sociable and can make fantastic family pets, though we strongly advise parents that they and not their children need to take responsibility for their welfare. Pets are not toys and should never be given on a whim or as a gift.
“We’d be delighted to welcome potential owners along to our Centre to meet the rabbits we have waiting for a fresh start in life and loving new homes.”
The Scottish SPCA’s Edinburgh Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre is open from 10am to 4pm daily.
For more information call 03000 999 999 or visit scottishspca.org/rehoming
Case Study
Minnie (above) is a Continental Giant who was found abandoned at Roslin Glen Country Park.
She has a very gentle nature and would make a great addition to any household looking to take on a larger breed of rabbit.
Due to her size, Minnie will need a good size hutch or shed with access to a large run or, ideally, a free run of a safe enclosed garden. Minnie could also be neutered in her new home and introduced to another large breed neutered rabbit.
