The DogCast Radio blog

Keep them indoors, close windows, shut the curtains and play masking music.

Knocks at the door for ‘trick or treat’, fireworks and children lining the streets in costume are all part of Halloween celebrations for many people, but could cause our pets stress and anxiety. Here are the RSPCA’s simple tips for keeping all pets calmer over Halloween.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has announced a brand-new fundraising event to be held at their London Centre on 24 and 25 October. Battersea Lates will give ticketholders a unique opportunity to enter the grounds after dark, meet some very special dogs, and enjoy pizza beneath the stars, before cosying up in Battersea’s atmospheric surroundings to watch a classic animal-themed film.

One of the Battersea Old Windsor residents Hope has found a new home, after 287 days in kennels.

The eight-year-old Mongrel, was found as a stray by a member of the public in Surrey back in November 2017. Despite always being a friendly and bubbly dog, she found it hard to catch the attention of customers passing her kennels. Kaye Mughal, Centre Manager at Battersea Old Windsor, believes this is down to Hope’s size.

This is a great new scheme - you know the plaques which commemorate well known people? Well pets can be celebrated in the same way now, thanks to TrustedHousesitters.

When you've watched the story of Flora, Walnut and Smudge, you can nominate a pet you think deserves the same recognition at their website.

• The new scheme by house and pet sitting business TrustedHousesitters see green plaques placed on homes across the nation, to recognise beloved pets in the same way noteworthy humans have been for over 150 years

• The first animals to be honoured include a heart-warming whippet, a bully-fighting cat and a life-saving dog

• Pet owners across the country can now put forward their own pet, to become a part of the scheme in 2019

Tiny Timmy’s appeal supported by new celebrity pals.

The story of Timmy the Chihuahua who needs vital surgery pulled at the heartstrings of kind supporters as well as a host of celebrities.

The RSPCA has launched a fundraising appeal [video] for a Chihuahua who suffers from ‘floating kneecaps’ and needs surgery to fix his painful bow-legged walk.

Puppy hobbled with hairband and dumped in handbag tied to charity shop door handle.

Little Radley was found in a red handbag left hanging from the door of a London charity shop in the middle of the night.

A tiny puppy who was found with his front legs tied together and dumped in a handbag is winning over the hearts of RSPCA staff caring for him.

Eight-week-old Radley was found by a member of the public in the early hours of Monday morning (17 September).

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is coming to Kent for this year’s Muddy Dog Challenge. On Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 September, hundreds of participants and their dogs will be taking on a thrilling obstacle course at Eridge Park in Tunbridge Wells and raising money for the animal charity which has a local centre in Brands Hatch.

Do you have a place in your heart (and home!) for Roxie?

A rescue dog who is struggling with a lonely life in kennels is hoping that September will bring her a new home.

For almost 12 weeks, nine year old Roxie has watched as other rescue dogs at RSPCA Leybourne Animal Centre in Kent have been chosen by new adopters, while she has been sadly overlooked.

Now staff are desperate to find the pooch her very own fur-ever home.

It was a tricky rescue but the trapped hedgehog called Spike was eventually freed by the RSPCA.

A rescue dog helped save the life of a hedgehog which got stuck down a drain and was unable to free himself.

Rosie, a Cocker Spaniel and Bulldog-cross, became a real-life Lassie when she knew that there was an animal was in trouble in the back garden of the family home in Waverley Avenue, Nuneaton.

She kept going up to owner Lorna Back (31) and then going to the drain from the kitchen sink and wagging her tail.