The DogCast Radio blog

Animal charity backs report’s criticism of Government

The RSPCA has backed criticism of the Government’s failure to properly tackle irresponsible dog ownership, made in a new House of Commons committee report.

Britain’s biggest animal charity supports many of the recommendations the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs select committee (EFRA) today made in its report on dog control and welfare.

Among the recommendations, the committee suggests the introduction of consolidated dog legislation, Dog Control Notices and tighter limits on unlicensed dog breeding.

Charity acknowledges commitment to tackling dog-related issues but slams recommendations to extend breed specific legislation

Earlier this month, the Government announced that all dogs in England must be microchipped by April 2016. Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is offering a free microchipping and name tag engraving service at Windrush Square, Brixton on Monday 4 March, and Ruskin Park, Denmark Hill on Wednesday 13 March from 11am – 4pm.

Less than one third of all dogs arriving at Battersea are microchipped and the charity believes permanent identification of dogs will help to reduce the problem of stray dogs and help reunite more pets with their owners.

After spending two Christmases at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home Old Windsor, Fenton a Staffordshire Bull Terrier has been given a new start to life thanks to Veronica and Jim McKnight from Sheerness in Kent.
 

Government to implement compulsory microchipping in England and Wales

The Kennel Club has today pledged to gift microchip scanners to every local authority in England and Wales in support of the government’s decision to introduce compulsory microchipping for all dogs.

Government decides all dogs in England must be microchipped:
Battersea and other charities to offer free chipping

Today’s Government decision that all dogs in England must be microchipped by April 2016 has been warmly welcomed by leading animal charity Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
The ruling gives dog owners over three years to ensure their dog is chipped, and for some who have experienced the trauma of their dog going missing in the past, today’s news is common sense and can’t come quick enough.

DOGS TRUST RESPONSE TO LANDMARK DECISION ON COMPULSORY MICROCHIPPING
 
Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, has hailed the Government’s commitment to introduce compulsory microchipping for all dogs as a watershed for dog welfare.
 
Dogs Trust has long campaigned for the introduction of compulsory microchipping, which has proven to be the most effective way of ensuring lost dogs are returned to their owners.
 

All dogs in England will need to be microchipped to help tackle the growing problem of strays roaming the streets, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson announced today.
 
Each year more than 100,000 dogs are dumped or lost at a cost of £57 million to the taxpayer and welfare charities.
 

Dogs Trust Grass allergy dog finally gets to run on snow covered grass

Snow may be causing havoc across much of the country but one special homeless hound has been desperately waiting for the fist flake of snow to fall all winter. Eight –year-old Labrador cross Buster, a four legged resident at Dogs Trust Darlington was diagnosed with a grass allergy two years ago which means he is unable to set foot on grass but luckily the snow provides a layer of protection for Buster’s paws so he is able to bound around in the snow to his heart’s content. Despite making the most of his time frolicking

Buy your cards and gifts from gifts.rspca.org.uk

The RSPCA is hopeful that this Valentine’s Day will be full of love and kindness for animals as 65 per cent of people said they send greetings cards ‘from’ their pet to close family and friends.
A further 16 per cent of people said that everyone in their social circle receives greetings cards from their pet, a survey showed.

If you’re one of these animal lovers, you can send Valentine’s Day charity gifts that not only include greetings from yourself and your pet, but also raise funds for the RSPCA’s vital animal welfare work.