The DogCast Radio blog

Government decides all dogs in England must be microchipped:
Battersea and other charities to offer free chipping

Today’s Government decision that all dogs in England must be microchipped by April 2016 has been warmly welcomed by leading animal charity Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
The ruling gives dog owners over three years to ensure their dog is chipped, and for some who have experienced the trauma of their dog going missing in the past, today’s news is common sense and can’t come quick enough.

DOGS TRUST RESPONSE TO LANDMARK DECISION ON COMPULSORY MICROCHIPPING
 
Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, has hailed the Government’s commitment to introduce compulsory microchipping for all dogs as a watershed for dog welfare.
 
Dogs Trust has long campaigned for the introduction of compulsory microchipping, which has proven to be the most effective way of ensuring lost dogs are returned to their owners.
 

All dogs in England will need to be microchipped to help tackle the growing problem of strays roaming the streets, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson announced today.
 
Each year more than 100,000 dogs are dumped or lost at a cost of £57 million to the taxpayer and welfare charities.
 

Dogs Trust Grass allergy dog finally gets to run on snow covered grass

Snow may be causing havoc across much of the country but one special homeless hound has been desperately waiting for the fist flake of snow to fall all winter. Eight –year-old Labrador cross Buster, a four legged resident at Dogs Trust Darlington was diagnosed with a grass allergy two years ago which means he is unable to set foot on grass but luckily the snow provides a layer of protection for Buster’s paws so he is able to bound around in the snow to his heart’s content. Despite making the most of his time frolicking

Buy your cards and gifts from gifts.rspca.org.uk

The RSPCA is hopeful that this Valentine’s Day will be full of love and kindness for animals as 65 per cent of people said they send greetings cards ‘from’ their pet to close family and friends.
A further 16 per cent of people said that everyone in their social circle receives greetings cards from their pet, a survey showed.

If you’re one of these animal lovers, you can send Valentine’s Day charity gifts that not only include greetings from yourself and your pet, but also raise funds for the RSPCA’s vital animal welfare work.

The primetime ITV series about Battersea, Paul O’Grady. For The Love of Dogs, scooped the Best Factual Entertainment Award at last night’s prestigious National Television Awards, broadcast live on ITV.

The series, based at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, captured the hearts of the nation with its unforgettable and emotional tales of dogs searching for a second chance in life.

Dogs Trust West Calder has the Collie wobbles as rising numbers of the working breed are abandoned

Dogs Trust West Calder has seen a sharp increase in stray and abandoned Collies and Collie crosses across the region as the working breed now amounts to one in five of all dogs taken in by the Scottish rehoming centre. Dogs Trust would like to urge anyone considering a dog to think carefully about their chosen breed, ensuring it is best suited to their lifestyle.

Susan Tonner, Dogs Trust West Calder Rehoming Centre Manager explains:

“It is heartbreaking when we see well socilaised,

While heavy snowfall has caused travel chaos across most of the UK, dogs at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home are making the most of Britain’s blizzard.

Many of the 450 dogs at Battersea have had their first taste of snow today, such as six month old Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross Hudson, who arrived at the Home as his owners could no longer care for him. Like Hudson, many of the dogs being walked this weekend will be wrapped up in handmade knitted pullovers sent in by the charity’s supporters to help keep them warm.

Akita cross Harvey is another one of Battersea’s canine residents who is enjoying the snow. However, unlike Hudson, Harvey has a thick fur coat to keep him warm. Akitas originate

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is appealing to animal loving Londoners to help foster dogs and cats who were bought as Christmas presents and then discarded.

The charity is preparing for an increase in the number of dogs and cats in need of its help, which normally happens in March. Battersea believes this worrying trend is fuelled by animals who are bought as Christmas presents and then given up. To help care for the influx of new arrivals, the charity is currently recruiting dog and cat foster carers in the Greater London area. Fosterers take animals into their home and care for them while they recover from operations, or to give them a break from kennel or cattery life.

Last March 443 people contacted Battersea’s Lost Dogs & Cats Line after finding a stray dog, which is a 17% increase compared to an average month. While some of the dogs were collected by dog wardens, many came to Battersea, and last March 307 dogs and puppies arrived at the London centre, which is up 13% on a normal month. Volunteer Manager Carly Whyborn explains: “We believe many of these strays were deliberately abandoned. Puppies and kittens are always very cute, but many people forget they will soon need training. Once they start scratching the sofa or chewing

I'm very excited!