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Get walking and raise money for the RSPCA

Did you know that different dog breeds get different lengths of walk? It's great to see that even those breeds who were taken for the shortest walks, still received over 30 minutes of exercise. And of course training and giving mental stimulation can be just as tiring for a dog as a good walk. The important thing is that activity - mental and physical - keeps dogs happy.

Here are the breeds who are given the longest walks:
Top five:
1.Miniature Schnauzers - 72 minutes
2.Cockapoos - 69 minutes
3.Boxers - 65 minutes

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RSPCA urges public not to buy dogs with cropped ears as reports of illegal practice soar

Animal welfare charity has seen 157% increase in reports of dogs with cropped ears over last two years
The RSPCA is urging the public never to buy a dog with cropped ears as the charity has seen a surge in the number of reports coming into its cruelty hotline about the illegal practice.

Ear cropping is illegal in England & Wales under the Animal Welfare Act but, since 2015, the RSPCA is receiving more reports and tip-offs about dogs having their ears removed.

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RSPCA finds heat exposure in dogs is a hot topic

After just one week of warm weather the animal charity has already received 241 calls between April 14 and April 19
The RSPCA has received 241 calls in six days, with 105 of those just on April 19, after temperatures in Britain began to soar.
The animal welfare charity records these calls as heat exposure in dogs which can include those outside who are suffering from the heat, or dogs in conservatories or caravans but the majority of these incidents are dogs in hot cars.

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Make May the month of the Mayhew

London-based animal welfare charity, Mayhew, is holding a month of fundraising fun in May to continue their vital, life-saving work to help abandoned, neglected and vulnerable cats and dogs, as well as owners in need, both in the UK and overseas.
During Month of Mayhew, you can be as creative as you like in how you fundraise for the animal welfare charity; from holding a cake sale and adding a dog or cat-themed twist, to running a marathon to hosting a dinner party dressed all in purple (Mayhew’s colour, of course!).

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Poorly puppies found dumped

Pups are are fighting for their lives as vets fear they are suffering with ‘canine distemper’ - a serious disease that is often fatal.

The RSPCA is appealing for information after three English Bulldog puppies were found dumped under a bush in Halesowen, Dudley with no food or water.

The sibling puppies, thought to be just five weeks old, were found by a member of the public as he was out walking on Thursday evening (12 April). He spotted the crate under the bush in Hayes Lane and when he peered inside, he saw the three helpless puppies.

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Hot dogs: Owners urged to take care of pets as temperatures set to soar

Organisations team up to offer advice on what dog owners can do to keep pets safe in the springtime heatwave anticipated this week.

With weather forecasts predicting that temperatures could hit highs of 20c over the next few days dog owners are being urged to keep their pets safe in the sun.

Rescue and rehoming charities, veterinary associations, police, and welfare organisations are all working together to ensure owners know the dangers the warm weather can pose to dogs.

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40 small dogs rescued from flat now looking

Many of the dogs were Chihuahuas or Chihuahua crosses.

Nearly 40 dogs were rescued from a flat in Surrey where they were living in cramped conditions.

The RSPCA rescued the 39 dogs, many of whom were Chihuahuas or Chihuahua crosses, from the Surrey property last month.

RSPCA Millbrook in Chobham has been caring for 27 of the dogs and the others are being cared for by other RSPCA centres and branches. With some TLC, many of them have now been rehomed but Bobby, Ziggy and Boo are still patiently waiting.

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Amanda Holden and Dermot O'Leary urge the public to rescue a Battersea dog or cat

Amanda Holden and Dermot O'Leary have joined Battersea Dogs & Cats Home to urge the public to adopt rescue animals.

Britain's Got Talent star Amanda, who has been a Battersea Ambassador for five years, and X Factor host Dermot, who rehomed a Battersea kitten earlier this year, encouraged those searching for a new pet to adopt a dog or cat in need.

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Sheldon survived heart surgery - now he needs a loving home

Kind supporters helped fix Sheldon’s broken heart
Jack Russell Terrier Sheldon has bounced back and is looking for his forever home thanks to kind members of the public who funded his life-saving surgery.

Two-year-old Sheldon was brought into the RSPCA’s Coventry branch last summer and was diagnosed with a grade five heart murmur. He urgently needed a scan and surgery to fix his broken heart.

Surgery to fix the hole in his heart cost £1,500 and was generously raised by supporters who had been touched by Sheldon’s story.

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RSPCA poll reveals people think the UK should do more for animals

RSPCA launches new #AnimalKind campaign to encourage everyone to do their bit for creatures great and small
Two-thirds of people think the UK should do more to help the welfare of animals, according to a new poll by the RSPCA.

Figures from the charity reveal that although a massive 85% consider themselves animal lovers, two in five (39%) feel a lack of money and a third (32%) cite a lack of time as barriers to doing more to help animals. Worryingly one in ten (11%) people felt that their actions couldn’t make a difference.

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Sharing

273 - dog parkour and dog news discussion

Dog trainer Emma Hendy explains how Dog Parkour can help your bond with your dog, and give you both a new mindset. Julie gives her opinion on some dog news stories which caught her attention.

189 - The Dog Healers and War Dogs Remembered

In this episode you can hear Mark Winik talk about his debut novel, The Dog Healers, and listen to Julia Robertson explain why she founded the charity War Dogs remembered. Plus there's the DogCast Radio News, and what Mischief the German Spitz puppy has been up to.

188 - Service Dogs UK and Roxie the Doxie Finds Her Forever Home

In this episode you can hear about Service Dogs UK, a fantastic charity which trains assistance dogs to support veterans of any service - military personnel, police, firefighters, paramedics and the coastguard - who develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder due to their job. Also, listen to Dr Jody A Dean, a clinical psychologist talk about how her book, Roxie the Doxie finds her Forever Home, is helping children understand and talk about adoption and other family issues. Plus the DogCast Radio News and some thoughts on the alpha dog myth.

187 - Muffins Halo and Chorley Fun Dog Show

In this episode you can hear about Muffin's Halo for Blind Dogs, and what motivates people to enter their dog in a fun dog show. In the DogCast Radio News, listen to stories about the latest dog related research. Plus there's a new member of the DogCast Radio team!

186 - Maxwell Muir on wolves

In this episode you can hear trainer, behaviourist, writer, broadcaster and wolf expert Maxwell Muir talk about what wolves mean to him personally, their plight in a modern world, and his hopes for their future. Plus we have the DogCast Radio News.