The DogCast Radio blog

Statement from Dr Linda Joyce-Jones:

My highly successful campaign to get the Welsh Government to ban wild animals in circuses here in #Cymru showed just what can be achieved when "ordinary" people come together and stand up to the plate. If the last year has shown anything it has demonstrated that here in Wales we do things differently.

A seven-month-old German Shepherd from Barnsley who needed life-saving treatment after gorging on a lethal dose of dark chocolate and raisins has been saved – thanks to PDSA vets.

At PDSA, we treat hundreds of chocolate poisoning cases every year, so we’re urging pet owners to keep chocolate goodies well away from prying paws this World Chocolate Day (7 July) after Narla’s life was left hanging in the balance.

The Thin Blue Paw Foundation – a national welfare charity that supports and celebrates working and retired police dogs – is hosting its inaugural awards this year and is looking for inspirational tails of bravery and heart-warming stories of dogs who have dedicated their lives to keeping the public safe.

The Thin Blue Paw Awards, supported by Animal Friends Pet Insurance, will be taking place on 14th September in Hertfordshire to celebrate the achievements of the country’s four-legged heroes.

Four lurcher puppies who were found abandoned in a bag near a river in Leatherhead are recovering well in RSPCA care.

Norma, Jean, Bradley and Cooper are being rehabilitated at the RSPCA Millbrook Animal Centre in Surrey after they were found abandoned in a plastic bag at the beginning of the month.

All four of the puppies were suffering from severe sarcoptic mange and were almost completely bald.

A team of six took on a 205-mile cycle challenge in one day for the RSPCA
A team of six animal lovers cycled 205 miles in one day to raise funds for the RSPCA - with one of the fundraisers cycling the entire way on a penny-farthing!

A former resident of much-loved animal rescue charity, Battersea, has been melting hearts after taking a litter of kittens under his wing. Unlikely father figure, Bertie, is a one-year-old Labrador who has spent the last several weeks caring for seven motherless kittens brought to the charity in need of urgent help.

RSPCA Cymru say the announcement is “brilliant news for animal welfare” - and have urged Highways England to ensure similar messages appear in England too

Wales will continue to display messages warning motorists about the dangers of leaving dogs in a hot car during spells of warmer weather.

The Welsh Government confirmed the "brilliant news" in a letter to the RSPCA, who have long championed the benefits the signage can play in raising awareness of their ongoing campaign.

Max the Miracle Dog, who made headlines around the world when he was awarded the PDSA Order of Merit* earlier this year, has today (Friday 2 July) had a permanent statue unveiled in his hometown of Keswick, Cumbria.

The famous four-legged hero has been honoured with a bronze statue in his likeness, which is perched on a bench in Hope Park so that all his fans for years to come can sit and have a cuddle with the loyal pooch.

The RSPCA Newport Animal Centre is appealing to find a special home for a crossbreed dog called Cooper who came into the charity’s care after he was abandoned.

The 18-month-old dog was left behind in a property in August last year before being rescued by the RSPCA.

He has been undergoing rehabilitation at the animal centre in Newport with the charity’s experienced behaviourists and is now ready to find his special home.

Eleven Ministry of Defence Police officers will be taking on an endurance challenge around Aberdeenshire in a bid to raise money for a national charity that supports retired police dogs.

PC Phil Duncan, 40, from Fraserburgh, is leading a team of fundraisers in a 12-hour fitness challenge to raise vital funds for the Thin Blue Paw Foundation, which supports and celebrates serving and retired police dogs across the UK.