The DogCast Radio blog

I've just discovered a wonderful idea that artist Elizabeth Ellis has
come up with. She's called it The Year of 52 Rescues, and throughout
2015 she'll be painting a picture of one adoptable animal who is
currently in a shelter. The hope is that this will help the animal find
a home, and will also shine a light on the plight of animals waiting
for their forever home.

I've just got off the phone from Radio Scotland, discussing the latest research about dogs. This study, from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna's Messerli Research Institute showed that dogs can read our facial expressions.

The New Year was just hours old when six year old Wrinkles caught his first glimpse of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home - his new home at least for the next few weeks or months. Wrinkles was amongst 50 dogs and 48 cats that arrived at Battersea’s South London site between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier became the charity's very first unwanted dog of 2015, when he was brought to Battersea’s London rescue centre after his owner’s circumstances changed and they were no longer able to keep him.

Charity brings roving rehoming unit to Shropshire

On Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th January, Dogs Trust will be raising pounds for hounds at a doggie meet and greet at the Sainsburys Superstore at Telford Forge Retail Park.

The charity’s Dogmobile will be making an appearance at the venue from 9am to 4.30pm to give supporters and doting dog lovers a chance to find out more about the work of Dogs Trust and to meet some of the charity’s four legged friends.

A formerly bulging Bulldog – who was so lazy she had to be bribed with ham to exercise – has been crowned PDSA Pet Fit Club Champ after shedding over a quarter of her bodyweight.

Diet queen Daisy, from Middlesbrough, beat off competition from huge hounds, fat cats and round rabbits, who were all battling the bulge in our six-month diet and exercise programme.

Busy festive period for charity despite abandonments at lowest in five years.

The RSPCA has rescued hundreds of animals, from guinea pigs to a ferret, which were abandoned during the festive period.

Officers at Britain’s biggest animal charity were on duty throughout Christmas and the New Year when they were called upon to rescue animals that also included chinchillas, cats and dogs.

If you're looking for some resolutions to get 2015 off to a good start, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home have come up with some fantastic ones:

Ring in 2015 with Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’s New Year’s Resolutions

Calling all pet owners: if you haven’t yet thought of any New Year’s resolutions, the experts at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, the world famous animal charity, have got a few suggestions that will benefit both you and your pet.

This weekend the DogCast Radio team will be in great company with hundreds of other dog lovers at Discover Dogs. The Kennel Club show will be at Earls Court 1, London, and to whet your appetite for it, here's a few facts:

• Discover Dogs coincides with Remembrance Sunday - there will be a two minute silence to remember not only the men and women who have fought for our country but also the many animals which have sacrificed their lives in wartime.

Renowned celebrity and royal hair stylist, Nicky Clarke, preened and pampered Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’s rescue hounds into belles of the ball as he prepared them for their red carpet debut at the charity’s star-studded extravaganza, the Collars & Coats Gala Ball, on Thursday 7 November.

Dogs from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home have gone from rags to riches after following in the paw prints of some of Tinseltown’s most-loved canine movie characters.

Hounds from the world famous animal charity have been mimicking legendary movie star mutts as the Home gears up for its Hollywoof themed Collars & Coats Gala Ball on Thursday 7 November.