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Penicuik man’s 860 mile adventure to rehome a Battersea dog

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.

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Pooch won’t let blindness get him down

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.

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TV Presenter Peter Purves opens new pet rehoming centre

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.

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RSPCA wants to see Fraiser leave the building for a new home

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.

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RSPCA backs petition calling for action against brachycephaly in dogs

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.

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Sweetheart Kira desperately seeks home

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.

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Episode 169 - Dogtology and Service Dogs UK

169_DogCast_Radio.mp3

Released Sun May 8, 2016
Length: 1:00:45
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In a fun interview with author Jeff Lazarus, find out about dogtology. Are you a dogtologist? Spoiler alert: you probably are! Plus hear from Judith Broug about how she and a good friend founded Service Dogs UK which helps veterans of the armed forces and emergency services cope with PTSD. It's an inspiring story. And in the DogCast Radio News, hear about the dogs who have had lucky escapes of one sort or another, and the scientist who wants to help our dogs - and us - to live longer.

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Persuading poorly pups to eat

Friends of mine who live outside of the UK has taken on a foster puppy. It has been delightful to their photos and video of the delightful puppy going at life full tilt in the way puppies usually do. Except of course that bearing in mind the fate of many dogs in this particular country, this puppy is lucky to be having such a carefree start to life with the promise of a happy adulthood.

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Hot weather advice for pet owners as temperatures forecast to soar

With temperatures set to soar to 20C this week, the RSPCA is issuing advice to pet owners to ensure their animals are comfortable and happy in the heat.

The Met Office has predicted highs of 20C on Saturday and Sunday, prompting the RSPCA to remind pet owners to consider their animals over the summer weather.

Just as cold, wintry weather can pose a risk to animals, hot temperatures in the summer months can also be hazardous to our furry friends.

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Meet Battersea’s gentle giants that are constantly overlooked due to their size

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has a weighty task on its hands - to rehome its heaviest dogs.

Five of the charity’s chunkiest canines weighing a combined total of 450 pounds are looking for new owners that can handle a whole lot of pooch.

Shyla the Alaskan Malamute, Enzo the Dogue de Bordeaux, American Bulldog Cruz, Kimmy the Akita and Bromley the Mongrel are together heavier than English rugby prop Kieran Brookes and weigh the same as 800 packs of butter.

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Sharing

280 - pet bereavement leave and the dog sniffing for an escaped capybara

Erika Sinner shares why pet bereavement leave is so important - on a business and a personal level. Rachel Rodgers talks about her and her dog Rico helping to sniff out missing capybara, Cinnamon.

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.