VetPro

Posted by: **jenvetnurse** on Wed Apr 28, 2010 5:28 am

THE ASSOCIATION OF DOGS AND CATS HOMES EXPANDS TO SECURE A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR RESCUE ANIMALS

The Association of Dogs and Cats Homes is to open its doors to more like-minded rescue organisations. Since 1985 the Association has helped to improve the standard of care for rescued dogs and cats. With over 50 members the Association is now introducing a new category of associates to enable even more charities to benefit from its membership.

Being a member of The Association of Dogs and Cats homes is a unique way of networking with other organisations to develop best practice across the animal welfare industry. Many rescues are small organisations unable to attend regular meetings but could greatly benefit from the expertise within it as well as sharing their own valuable experience with other members. Clarissa Baldwin Chairman of ADCH explains

“Opening up membership to associates must be the next step in the Association’s development. In embracing more animal welfare workers under one roof, there will be huge advantages to the welfare of our dogs and cats whilst in the care of rescue homes. Keeping open dialogue with our animal welfare counterparts, embracing new ideas and pushing the boundaries in the build of new state-of-the-art shelters will undoubtedly secure a better future for rescue animals.”

For a membership fee of £25 per annum, associates can access The ADCH Forum, which entitles members to exchange knowledge and experience, provide mutual support as well as combine resources to encourage Governments to introduce workable, pet welfare legislation.

Associate members will also be able to attend meetings where specific topics are discussed with professionals in their field. They will be able to glean advice from top UK experts as well as meet other senior personnel from all sectors of the animal rescue industry including veterinary services, environmental health and local authorities.

The ADCH is open to any charitable organisations /NGO’s within the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands. For further information about joining the Association please visit www.adch.org.uk

Posted by: **jenvetnurse** on Fri Mar 26, 2010 5:19 am

The canine residents of Dogs Trust Salisbury were today able to stretch their legs in three new outdoor exercise areas, thanks to a very generous donation from Support Adoption for Pets, the charity established and supported by Pets at Home.

These areas at the Newton Tony based Rehoming Centre will allow more dogs to be exercised outdoors at the same time and will also help prevent them from developing behavioural problems.

Dogs Trust SalisburyManager, Alison Rodger explains:

We’re extremely grateful to Support Adoption For Pets as this donation has allowed us to improve yet another aspect of dogs’ life at the centre. We work really hard to make the dogs’ stay here as nice as possible; their kennels are very comfortable, with under-floor heating and glass fronts, which they much prefer to bars.

“The new exercise areas will provide dogs at the centre with more variety, stimulation and training opportunities. All of which will help to reduce dogs’ stress and crucially, improve their quality of life.”

In 2009 Support Adoption for Pets raised a staggering £924,000 to help promote and encourage the re-homing of pets, support animal welfare charities and encourage responsible pet ownership. The charity helped more than 300 re-homing centres and animal welfare organisations in the UK last year including Dogs Trust.

Charitable Foundation Manager, Amy Wilson, says:

“We are delighted to help support Dogs Trust Salisbury with this fantastic project that will make a real difference to the dogs in their care. Local rehoming organisations are partnered with Pets at Home stores across the country. This enables them to use our stores to promote their centre and the animals looking for new homes, as well as carrying out fundraising activities in store.”

Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity with 17 Rehoming Centres across the UK. Dogs Trust cares for over 16,000 stray and abandoned dogs every year.

Posted by: **jenvetadmin** on Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:16 am

If you have a lost/found/abandoned animal in practice you can make an appeal for help on our homepage and in our newsletter – this will enable us to spread the word and help each other out – especially important as many animal rescue centres are over loaded already.
In face the RSPCA has recently reported that 11,586 animals were abandoned last year.
This is more than 30 animals daily.
This is an increase of over 57% compared to the 7,347 animals that were abandoned in the previous year.
Shocking figures I am sure you will agree.

Posted by: **jenvetadmin** on Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:56 am

Nation’s Oldest Humane Organization Stresses Importance of Supporting Local Animal Shelters.
NEW YORK — The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today estimated that between 500,000 and 1 million cats and dogs in the United States are at risk of becoming homeless as a result of the continuing economic downturn.

“According to national financial estimates, approximately one in 171 homes in the United States is in danger of foreclosure due to the subprime mortgage crisis,” said Dr. Stephen Zawistowski, Executive Vice President of ASPCA Programs and Science Advisor. “And considering that approximately 63 percent of U.S. households have at least one pet+, hundreds of thousands of pets are in danger of being abandoned or relinquished to animal shelters across the country.”

“Economic issues aside, it is estimated that 5 million companion animals enter shelters each year,” continued Dr. Zawistowski. “If you factor in the animals merely in danger of becoming homeless, it could result in an extra 10 to 20 percent increase in relinquishments to shelters. This has the potential to grow into a serious animal welfare issue, and some regions of the United States, like Nevada – where the foreclosure rates are three times the national average – could be hit much harder than others.”

“Everyone is being affected by the current economic crisis in some way, including animals,” said ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. “Community animal shelters and rescue groups across the country could be seeing an increase in the number of homeless pets they must care for, or a decrease in the donations they rely on to care for those animals. There has never been a better time to support your local animal shelter if you are in a position to do so.”
For more information about the ASPCA and its life-saving work, please visit www.ASPCA.org.

Posted by: **jenvetadmin** on Sat Feb 07, 2009 3:24 am

THE credit crunch is starting to bite pet owners as more and more cash-strapped people are deciding to say goodbye to man’s best friend.

North dog shelters say they have seen a massive increase in the number of owners who are giving up their pets because they can no longer afford to pay for vets bills or even, in some cases, buy food each week.

As wages fail to keep pace with the increasing cost of food, fuel and mortgages, hard-pressed families are having to make sacrifices to their weekly spending.

And according to Leyla Rutter, chief executive of the Newcastle Dog and Cat shelter, one of the first things to go is the family pet.

She said: “We have seen over the last few months a huge increase in the number of strays coming in and the number of people who come into the shelter and hand their pets over.

“When times get tough financially, a pet, which is usually seen as a member of the family, can become just another added expense that people can do without.”

Between April and August this year the shelter has seen the number of strays being brought in by dog wardens increase by 70 per cent compared to the same period last year.

At the same time, the number of stray animals being reclaimed by their owners has decreased by 34pc.

Even more worryingly, Leyla has seen a dramatic 240pc increase in the number of people coming into the shelter and handing over dogs as well as a 50pc increase in cats.

She said: “People come in and they are quite up-front about the fact that their circumstances have changed and they can no longer afford to care for their pet.”

Leyla believes many dogs become strays because owners can’t afford vet bills but she said their are other options.

She explained: “Pet insurance is a good idea as a few pounds a month is better than one big bill. There is also the PDSA, which can offer veterinary treatment to those on low incomes.”

As some owners give pets up, others are reluctant to take them on, with 36 per cent fewer dogs being rehomed this year.

Do you socialise with your work colleagues?