The DogCast Radio blog

This Valentine’s Day do you have room in your heart for some of the RSPCA’s most overlooked animals…?
This Valentine’s Day, the RSPCA has revealed the dog breeds waiting months for their new home.

While most RSPCA dogs are rehomed within an average of 41 days, American Bulldogs, Rottweilers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers can wait up to 80 percent longer in rescue centres.
American Bulldog cross-breeds wait the longest at 74 days, with American Bulldogs waiting 65 days, the same as Boxer crosses..

In August last year, one of Mayhew’s vital animal ambulances was sadly stolen and was never returned to them or reported as found.

But this week the London-based animal welfare charity are delighted to announce that, thanks to their generous supporters raising over £17k, they have been able to receive a new, replacement ambulance.

Mayhew’s animal ambulances are important to their work as they rely on them to help transport the hundreds of sick and injured animals they rescue every year. They were devastated when their trusty Suzuki Carrier was stolen.

Badly burnt and terrified, Staffordshire Bull Terrier Justine was in a horrific state when she arrived at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
The four-year-old was found wandering London’s streets, and brought into Battersea on 20 November 2017 with a nasty wound on her back. Even the charity’s most-seasoned staff were shocked by the gaping raw burn.

But, after weeks of care by Battersea’s vets and dog behaviourists, four-year-old Justine’s life is looking up and she has found her happy ending – with Tanya Martin and her family in London.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is working in partnership with the London Borough of Hounslow to answer pet owner’s needs at a free community event on Tuesday 13 February.

The pet drop-in event is available to all local pet owners to ask for any advice about their dog or cat. It will also give a chance for owners to get their dog microchipped for free. There’ll also be a free dog tag engraving service available.

Date: Tuesday 13 February

Time: 11am – 3pm

Address: Southville Community and Children’s Centre, Southville Road, Feltham, TW14 8AP

Animal welfare charity to work with Government as they consider new laws.

The RSPCA has welcomed the announcement that Defra is considering a ban on the third party selling of puppies.

The animal welfare charity - the largest and oldest in the UK - has long been calling for changes in legislation to better protect dogs and puppies.

Leading animal welfare charity Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has today welcomed the Government’s new proposals to crack down on cruel and irresponsible pet breeding practices.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home attended the annual People’s Postcode Lottery Charity Gala last week to celebrate the award of an incredible £800,000 to Battersea in 2017 – all thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

Support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery meant that the world-famous animal rescue centre was able to expand its Volunteering and Fostering Department and help even more abandoned and unwanted animals.

So here's something new - a dating app for dog lovers. Well, it is easier to get along with someone who loves your dog too, isn't it? So if you're a dog lover who's looking for love of a two legged kind, but with someone who can appreciate your four legged friend, Dig might be just what you need.

Here's a press release from Dig:

NEW YORK, NY - Forget “shake”, it’s time to teach your dog to find you a date. Dig, the best mobile dating app specifically for fans of man’s (and woman’s) best friend, officially launches February 10. Created by two sisters, Casey and Leigh Isaacson, Dig’s goal is to connect people through the one thing that’s already crucial to them – their love for dogs.

German shepherd cross lurchers had lice and worms.

The RSPCA is appealing for information after six puppies were dumped near the canal in Rishton, Lancashire.

The three boys and three girls - thought to be German shepherd cross lurchers - were found last Tuesday (23 January) in a compound used for storing cars on Harwood Road.

RSPCA inspector Nina Small said: “The owner of the compound confined the puppies in a car until I could get there.

“When I opened the car door they were all huddled together on the back seat.

Here are the top myths that Debs and her colleagues at Scarsdale Vets deal with on a regular basis that you might find surprising:

Scarsdale Vets busts common myths about neutering your pets.

We all think we know about when it is and isn’t right to neuter our pets and the impact it will have, don’t we? Well perhaps not, as Scarsdale Vets launches a campaign this February which allows pet owners to access the correct information surrounding neutering surgery.