The DogCast Radio blog

Owner heartbroken to give up dogs after losing his home - but RSPCA step in to help him

A man who lived on a houseboat was forced to make the heartbreaking decision to give up his dogs when his home started to sink.

He contacted the RSPCA for help with his beloved dogs - terrier-cross Arthur and Jack Russell terrier Bennie - earlier this month.

This week, RSPCA animal collection officer (ACO) Cara Gibbon went to visit the man at his houseboat in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire.

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After 13 years in the USA, v-dog, an environmentally sustainable pet food brand, celebrated Earth Day with an announcement for their plans to expand internationally. The new international sister company, named v-planet, will reflect v-dog’s ethical and sustainable values. The celebration continued closer to home as v-dog released their new Blueberry Wiggle Biscuits ahead of schedule.

"As a team of sustainability advocates, Earth Day is a special time to announce our expansion with sister company v-planet,” said Lindsay Rubin, Vice President of v-planet.

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Did you know that different dog breeds get different lengths of walk? It's great to see that even those breeds who were taken for the shortest walks, still received over 30 minutes of exercise. And of course training and giving mental stimulation can be just as tiring for a dog as a good walk. The important thing is that activity - mental and physical - keeps dogs happy.

Here are the breeds who are given the longest walks:
Top five:
1.Miniature Schnauzers - 72 minutes
2.Cockapoos - 69 minutes
3.Boxers - 65 minutes

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Animal welfare charity has seen 157% increase in reports of dogs with cropped ears over last two years
The RSPCA is urging the public never to buy a dog with cropped ears as the charity has seen a surge in the number of reports coming into its cruelty hotline about the illegal practice.

Ear cropping is illegal in England & Wales under the Animal Welfare Act but, since 2015, the RSPCA is receiving more reports and tip-offs about dogs having their ears removed.

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After just one week of warm weather the animal charity has already received 241 calls between April 14 and April 19
The RSPCA has received 241 calls in six days, with 105 of those just on April 19, after temperatures in Britain began to soar.
The animal welfare charity records these calls as heat exposure in dogs which can include those outside who are suffering from the heat, or dogs in conservatories or caravans but the majority of these incidents are dogs in hot cars.

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London-based animal welfare charity, Mayhew, is holding a month of fundraising fun in May to continue their vital, life-saving work to help abandoned, neglected and vulnerable cats and dogs, as well as owners in need, both in the UK and overseas.
During Month of Mayhew, you can be as creative as you like in how you fundraise for the animal welfare charity; from holding a cake sale and adding a dog or cat-themed twist, to running a marathon to hosting a dinner party dressed all in purple (Mayhew’s colour, of course!).

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Pups are are fighting for their lives as vets fear they are suffering with ‘canine distemper’ - a serious disease that is often fatal.

The RSPCA is appealing for information after three English Bulldog puppies were found dumped under a bush in Halesowen, Dudley with no food or water.

The sibling puppies, thought to be just five weeks old, were found by a member of the public as he was out walking on Thursday evening (12 April). He spotted the crate under the bush in Hayes Lane and when he peered inside, he saw the three helpless puppies.

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Organisations team up to offer advice on what dog owners can do to keep pets safe in the springtime heatwave anticipated this week.

With weather forecasts predicting that temperatures could hit highs of 20c over the next few days dog owners are being urged to keep their pets safe in the sun.

Rescue and rehoming charities, veterinary associations, police, and welfare organisations are all working together to ensure owners know the dangers the warm weather can pose to dogs.

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Many of the dogs were Chihuahuas or Chihuahua crosses.

Nearly 40 dogs were rescued from a flat in Surrey where they were living in cramped conditions.

The RSPCA rescued the 39 dogs, many of whom were Chihuahuas or Chihuahua crosses, from the Surrey property last month.

RSPCA Millbrook in Chobham has been caring for 27 of the dogs and the others are being cared for by other RSPCA centres and branches. With some TLC, many of them have now been rehomed but Bobby, Ziggy and Boo are still patiently waiting.

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Amanda Holden and Dermot O'Leary have joined Battersea Dogs & Cats Home to urge the public to adopt rescue animals.

Britain's Got Talent star Amanda, who has been a Battersea Ambassador for five years, and X Factor host Dermot, who rehomed a Battersea kitten earlier this year, encouraged those searching for a new pet to adopt a dog or cat in need.

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