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.
Get chipped. With microchipping becoming the law for all dogs in England in April 2016, it makes sense to get this done now. A microchip the size of a grain of rice is the only permanent way of identifying your pet, ensuring a lost animal can be reunited with its owner as quickly as possible. Battersea believes this new positive move will go a long way towards helping to reduce the problem of strays on our streets. A whopping 61 per cent of dogs (and 85 per cent of cats) that came to our London Home in 2013 were not microchipped, which makes it difficult to reunite them with their owners. Your pet should also have a collar and ID tag showing your contact details - another ticket home, should your pet go missing. And remember to keep all the information up to date.
Dog-proof your garden. To keep your dog safe and secure in your garden, and other dogs out, make sure you have suitable, sturdy fencing. It must be high enough so it can’t be jumped over by some budding Olympic canine high jumper and closely spaced so your dog can’t slip through. Also beware any poisonous plants or toxic chemicals in your garden.
Make sure your pet is neutered. At Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, we care for nearly 9,000 dogs and cats every year and many are young puppies and kittens. Although these are always so appealing, owners often find themselves unable to cope with the time or costs involved with caring for them and as a result they find their way to the likes of Battersea. We’re convinced the numbers of unwanted cats and dogs arriving at the Home each year could be dramatically reduced if only owners had decided to neuter their pets. Neutering not only prevents unwanted litters but can also prevent tumours and other health problems in the mother. Battersea Dogs & Cats Home neuters all adult dogs before they go to new homes and cats from around 9 weeks.
If in doubt see your vet. If you’ve spotted something different with your pet’s appearance or behaviour, pop into your local vet to get them checked out and stay ahead of any potential problems. Animals need annual vaccinations, so why not include a health MOT as well? This way you can hopefully avoid any hefty or unexpected vet bills.
If you’re considering getting a dog or cat in 2015, Battersea hopes you’ll choose a lovely one from a rescue centre. Giving a home to a rescue animal is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. Just think it through first and make sure you know what you’re letting yourself in for and understand the commitment of taking on another life, which will be completely dependent on you.