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RSPCA

Rescue dog owner takes top science job at the RSPCA

Office dog Bridie is a constant reminder of the work of the RSPCA.

A woman who has dedicated her working life to animal welfare has started work as the RSPCA’s Chief Scientific Officer along with her rescue dog Bridie.

Dr Julia Wrathall has worked for the RSPCA for more than two decades, including most recently as the head of the charity’s farm animals department for 12 years.

Her new appointment sees her leading the RSPCA’s four science teams at the charity’s headquarters near Horsham, West Sussex, accompanied by her Irish Setter Bridie.

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RSPCA urges parents to educate children on how to behave around dogs

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.

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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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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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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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Elderly rescue dog reunited with worried owners thanks to microchip

Fifteen-year-old Maggie went on a little adventure before the RSPCA returned her home.

The owner of a collie-cross who wandered off during a walk has urged all pet owners to get their beloved animals microchipped.

Amanda Devlin’s mother was walking 15-year-old Maggie (pictured left) in Barnet, where she lives, when the crossbreed disappeared on 24 March, prompting 48 hours of frantic searching and worrying.

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Bella finally found 110 miles from home after four months missing

The spaniel was reunited with her ecstatic family after she was stolen exactly four months earlier

A beloved pet dog who was stolen from outside a supermarket has finally been reunited with her family four months after disappearing.

Four-year-old springer spaniel Bella went missing from Northampton on 20 October and was found more than 110 miles away - in Bristol.

The black and white dog wandered into a shop in Bristol on 10 February - four months after disappearing from outside a shop.

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Could you share your home with a gentle giant?

Hefty hounds Nelson, Fern, Sprite and Beano may look like they could take on the world, but these sensitive souls have not had an easy life. Now in RSPCA care, they are waiting patiently for their forever homes.

The four gentle giants came into RSPCA care as part of a cruelty case after they were discovered in terrible conditions on a farm last year.

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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.