The DogCast Radio blog

Advice and information for parents as Dog Bite Prevention Week arrives

The RSPCA is encouraging parents to teach their children how to behave - and more importantly, how not to behave - around dogs.

As Dog Bite Prevention Week (12 - 19 June) nears, the oldest and largest animal welfare organisation is urging parents to spend some time educating children on the best way to approach a dog, and how to act around dogs.

Proud volunteers from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home will take part in the entertainment parade for Her Majesty The Queen and 10,000 guests at The Patron’s Lunch on Sunday 12 June. The Patron’s Lunch is a celebration of The Queen’s patronage of over 600 charities and organisations – including Battersea – on the occasion of her 90th birthday.

I have been lucky enough to interview psychology
professor, neuropsychological researcher and dog lover Dr.
Stanley Coren twice. The subject of our first chat was
how to age proof your dog. At the time of  that
interview Buddy, my Labrador was only three years old.  He was
a baby. Physically a solidly built dog, mentally he was very much a
puppy, and there was not a single strand of grey in his glorious,
shiny, black fur.

British actress and singer Samantha Barks, best known for the role of Éponine in Les Misérables is joining Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in appealing for more foster carers to help offer a temporary home to the charity’s most vulnerable dogs.

The actress is a frequent visitor to the world-famous charity and has fostered Battersea dogs in need of a little TLC and time away from kennels.

The idea of an 860 mile round trip did little to deter Keith McCulloch in adopting a playful Dobermann from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in South London. Setting off from his home in Penicuik, Midlothian, Keith made the day-long journey to the world famous rescue centre in Battersea to pick up the nine-month-old dog after she stole his heart.

Could you give special Pooch a quiet home to enjoy?

Pooch has had a rough start to life and the RSPCA is desperate to find him the happy ever after he deserves.

The Staffordshire bull terrier-cross has refused to let his blindness get him down - and the cruelty he has experience certainly hasn’t put him off people.

The 10-year-old (pictured left with RSPCA animal care assistant Vicky Cooper) had to have one eye removed. His eye had erupted and swollen after his owner failed to seek treatment for a congenital condition for a number of years.

TV presenter, Suffolk resident and animal-lover Peter Purves was joined by a Blue Cross dog yesterday (Wednesday 25 May) to declare the new Blue Cross rehoming centre in Wherstead officially open.

The Crufts presenter and commentator cut the ribbon at the charity’s gala opening and was accompanied by Blue Cross event dog, labrador Maisie, who was show casing the charity’s new mobile contactless donation system whereby dogs become fundraisers to help raise funds for pets in need at Blue Cross.

One-year-old crossbreed Fraiser being ‘overlooked’ by potential adopters.

The RSPCA is desperate to find a special home for long-stay dog, Fraiser, who has been overlooked by potential adopters time and time again.

The one-year-old blue/brindle-coloured crossbreed has been at the charity’s Blackberry Farm Animal Centre, in Buckinghamshire, for more than six months.

He ended up in RSPCA care because his owner could no longer care for him.

The RSPCA’s chief veterinary officer has backed a petition calling for “urgent action” to address the growing number of dogs coming into clinics across the country with breathing problems.

James Yeates signed the petition - which has, so far, attracted more than 1,100 signatures - and has circulated it amongst the animal welfare charity’s other vets and veterinary nurses in England and Wales.

The petition (available here) calls for a working party to tackle the issues associated with brachycephaly in dogs. It is often seen in flat-faced breeds such as pugs and bulldogs.

RSPCA staff can’t understand why nobody wants to take lovable dog home…

Kira is affectionate, fun, and smart. But that doesn’t seem to be enough to find this crossbreed a new home.

The two-year-old shar pei cross Staffordshire bull terrier (pictured above) arrived at the RSPCA’s Block Fen Animal Centre, in March, Cambridgeshire, in September 2015.

Staff believe potential owners are put off by Kira’s shyness around new people but have urged the public to give this sweet dog a chance.