Percy the pug completes six month Pet Fit Club diet
A former roly-poly pooch from Glasgow, who had an unhealthy love affair with leftovers, has been named runner-up the UK’s largest pet slimming competition – PDSA Pet Fit Club – after shedding 18% of his bodyweight and 7 inches off his waist in just six months. Continue reading Success for Scottish pug in national pet slimming competition
Bobby, a Border Collie from Sheddocksley in Aberdeen, ended up missing for over 24 hours after being spooked by fireworks when out walking. Continue reading Dog disappears after firework fright
Thousands of Edinburgh pet owners, including families, pensioners, disabled people and those on low incomes, could be missing out on low cost treatment for their pets, PDSA has warned. Continue reading Thousands of Edinburgh pet owners ‘missing out’ on charity vet care
PDSA wants to know if your pet has beaten death by a whisker
Time is running out for owners to enter their furry companions into vet charity PDSA’s Pet Survivor awards, which celebrate those family pets who have survived serious injury or illness against all the odds. Entries close at midnight on Sunday (8 September). Continue reading Last chance to enter national Pet Survivor competition
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:
A Fox terrier left at death’s door after a ferocious dog attack, and a cat left with a fractured jaw after being hit by a car are among the first entrants into this year’s Pet Survivor competition, run by leading vet charity PDSA. Continue reading Two miracle pets who dodged death by a whisker entered into national competition
Two Metropolitan Police Horses have been honoured for their outstanding devotion and service to society by leading vet charity, PDSA. Continue reading ‘Animal OBE’ for devoted Police Horses
Veterinary charity PDSA is appealing for Edinburgh’s fattest pets to enrol in a nationwide pet slimming competition. The call comes as stats reveal up to half of UK pets (46% of dogs, 34% of cats and 30% of rabbits)* are believed to be overweight or obese. Continue reading Vet charity wants to find and fix Edinburgh’s fattest pets
Thursday 2 June, 10am – 4pm
Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre
Inverleith Park was alive with animal-loving celebs yesterday. Why? The local park is very popular with dog-walkers so it was the ideal place to announce some great news for our four-legged friends. Thousands of pets now face a brighter future as PDSA has just been awarded £500,000 from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
The cash boost will be used by the charity’s vets and nurses to extend vital treatment and education programmes across the UK.
Last year alone, over 470,000 pet owners turned to PDSA for help to care for their pets – a figure that has risen by more than 50% in recent years. Annually, it costs over £60 million to run PDSA’s charitable service – all of which is funded entirely by public support and reinforces the fact that the UK is a nation of animal lovers.
PDSA Director General, Jan McLoughlin, said: “We’re delighted to receive this support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery which will make a massive difference to pets’ lives.
“Through our network of 50 pet hospitals and our education work in schools and in communities we’re able to touch the lives of more pets than any other UK animal charity.
“Every single day our amazing team of vets and nurses work flat out to deliver not just life saving treatment but also vital advice and preventive care that gives all pets the chance of healthy, happy lives.”
The funding, made possible by players of People’s Postcode Lottery will be used by PDSA to help support thousands of pets nationwide through education, prevention and treatment.
The charity was joined at yesterday’s cheque presentation – which thankfully took place before the thunder and lightning! – by a number of animal-loving celebrities including members of Britain’s Olympic silver-medal winning Curling squad, skippered by David Murdoch, and People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador, singer Danyl Johnson, at Inverleith.
David Murdoch, Scottish curler and animal lover, said: “As the proud owner of a dog myself I know only too well the joy pets can bring to our lives. I think PDSA is an amazing charity and this funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery will safeguard the lives of thousands of adored pets.”
Singer Danyl Johnson, who owns a spaniel called Darcie, said he was delighted for PDSA. He said: “I have first-hand experience of PDSA’s lifesaving work having visited one of their hospitals last year. The vets and nurses really are unsung heroes, helping all those sick and injured pets that have nowhere else to turn. I’m thrilled that this money is going to such a worthy cause.”
Hazel Johnstone, Trusts Manager at People’s Postcode Lottery added: “People’s Postcode Lottery is a charity lottery raising funds for, and increasing awareness of, charities and good causes. Pets are a huge part of people’s lives and PDSA’s work is a lifeline to hundreds of thousands of pets and their owners in the city and communities nationwide.
“We are delighted that our players are able to provide this support to PDSA, the UK’s leading veterinary charity, to help its vital work.”
