Foster Care For Pets - Help for your Animal Friends!
Friday, 30 July 2010
When people experience marriage or relationship difficulties, everyone's hearts of course go out to the children in terms of the atmosphere that they are forced to live in. Animals, however, and particularly dogs, can also be very sensitive to destructive atmospheres and badly affected by them. While screaming and shouting can often make them feel extremely nervous and as though they are the ones 'in trouble', if there is any physical violence in the home, there is also the risk that they may attack one of the owners in order to protect the other. In many cases where couples are experiencing difficulties, pets can also suffer from a certain degree of neglect or lack of attention, although not deliberately on the part of the owners. Whichever way you look at it, for pets to live in a very unsettled environment like this is neither fair nor healthy for them. Such situations could easily lead to scared and stressed-out pets prone to various types of behavioural problems, including seperation anxiety, excessive barking, or even growling and biting.
Another side of a situation where there are pets in a household in which domestic violence is an issue is the fact that, in the same way that a woman might stay with an abusive partner for the sake of the children, she may also be inclined to stay for the sake of a beloved family dog.
Seeing these difficulties , and in particular how the tie to their pets was keeping some women in tragic and often dangerous sets of circumstances, remarkable animal lover Marian Edwards began offering a fostering service for pets, in support of the help given by Welsh Women's Aid. Ms Edwards does not charge for looking after these unintentional victims of domestic abuse, but does so voluntarily and for a small contribution towards feeding expenses, thereby offering a truly valuable service within her local community.
The resident of Nantlle Valley, Gwynedd, in fact now fosters various kinds of pets. However, dogs dominate the foster home. Welsh Women's Aid believed the worry over the well-being of loved ones, especially children and pets as well could be a major hurdle to parting with an abusive partner.
Ms Edwards decided she would offer the foster home service for animals, primarily dogs. She added: "It can be a real issue with women not willing to get out of an abusive relationship if it leads to leaving their beloved pet behind."
However, the fact that their children and even pets will be safe after leaving an abusive partner can provide some relief. If she is not able to help her pets, she now knows someone else who actually can.
Animal rescue centres will, in some cases, also be able to help owners in difficult circumstances to find temporary accommodation for their pets, and so it is always worthwhile checking with the one closest to you to see whether there is anything that they can do to help.
Whatever the circumstances within the family home, providing for your family pets should be of the utmost importance, and taking out pet insurance will, of course, ensure that you do not suddenly find yourself faced with unmanageable vet's fees should your pet become sick or be injured.
Celebrity Pets are often in the news...
Friday, 30 July 2010
To a lot of people their pets are like are their children and they will do everything to make them happy. Pets of the stars certainly are considered pampered pets. Many celebrity dogs and cats have different carriers and outfits for different occasions. They go to a pet psychologist when they are depressed - probably not covered under their pet insurance, but then, they can afford it! - and to doggie spas when they need to unwind.
In Hollywood you can find just about any type of business that caters to celebrity pets, from hair stylists to pet detectives. In Hollywood recently Cinnabun, the pet dog of Sandra Bullock and Jessie James became lost.
They had been trying everything to find the pup, including offering an award, posting pictures and updates on all social media sites. Sandra Bullock even hired a local pet detective agency to find the beloved dog. During this time there were a lot of other things going on in the couple's life too.
Fortunately, this story has a happy ending. Cinnabun and Jessie James were reunited about three weeks after the dog went missing. A woman found the dog roaming the streets in Long Beach and had seen the missing dog flyer. She contacted Jessie and the two were reunited. Cinnabun is doing fine and is gaining back the weight lost during the separation.
On the subject of pampered pets, Coco, a bulldog that owned by David and Victoria Beckham was recently spotted walking the streets of Hollywood with bright pink toenails. Coco was a Christmas gift from Victoria to David. The dog is also a playmate to their sons. The nails were quite impressive and are actually soft nail caps to prevent scratches to expensive furniture and carpets. Mant of the pampered dogs in Hollywood are sporting them in a variety of colours.
You don't have to be a celebrity to spoil and pamper your dog. Pampered pets can be found all over the place. It's fun to spoil and pamper our pets because we get so much love and affection in return, just be sure that you have the interests of you pet at heart and don't do anything that could make them scared or distressed.
Animal Loving Stars
Friday, 30 July 2010
A lot of Hollywood stars and celebrities have pets. Some of them flaunt them in front of the cameras to seek attention. On the other hand, there are plenty of stars who treat their pets as part of their family just like us ordinary people do. Celebrity or not pet insurance cover is vital to ensure your pets welfare is firmly in hand.
Paris Hilton, the partying socialite, has been under attack by various organizations for having a variety of pets. Some have suggested that she is setting a bad example by buying too many pets for one person to care for properly - whether she actually takes any of the real pet care duties into her own hands is a different point of debate! The chances are that they actually recieve better care than most could ever dream of!
Miss Hilton has been photographed with a huge variety of small dogs and other pets. Animal rights organisations are concerned that although she has plenty of money to take care of the pets, her busy schedule doesn't leave her much time to show each animal the amount of love and attention it deserves.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, tv star of the worldwide hit show Friends, ex of one of the most sexy men on the planet, Brad Pitt and animal lover Jennifer Anniston was named in a recent survey as the celebrity that most people would trust with their pet. Over 70% of the people surveyed by PawNation.com picked Jennifer as their choice. This large percentage may have to do with the box office hit "Marley and Me," in which a cute little Golden Labrador pup is adpopted by the family and is described as "the sweetest, naughtiest little dog in the world".
Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag are no strangers to the tabloids; actually it seems they are always doing something to get their pictures taken by the paparazzi. These reality TV stars will go to great lengths to keep their name at the top of the list, in true Hollywood Hills style.
Spencer bought Heidi a dog for her twenty-third birthday. She said the dog is a Maltipoo puppy that is black with white ears. When The Hills reality show first started Heidi was given a dog named Bella by her then boyfriend Jordon Eubanks. Since it was never actually seen on the TV Show people wondered what had happened to it.
Dog and cats make great companions and additions to your family. Hollywood stars and celebrities in the spotlight and adored by millions should make sure that the message they send out about pet ownership is a positive one. A pet is a lot of responsibility and shouldn't be taken lightly. You pet needs love and attention from you so they will grow into a loyal lifetime companion.
Animal Welfare - Setting Breeding Standards
Friday, 30 July 2010
All of the major canine welfare organisations both in the UK and the United States are trying to get tighter dog breeding standards. Higher standards are necessary to stop breeders from using close relatives to make a dog's appearance more desirable in competition. People are concerned that some breeds are being plagued with health problems that have been caused by decades of inbreeding.
Health problems that are plaguing certain breeds include epilepsy, cancer, and heart disease. Some of the physical traits required by some breed standards can cause inherent health problems, such as screw tails, wrinkling and short faces. The Kennel Club is going to review and revise its breed standards.
The first breed chosen to benefit from a new set of breeding standards is the Pekingese. This breed suffers from breathing problems associated with breeding to give the appearance of a perfectly flat nose. Under the new standard they would be required to have a more defined mouth and nose instead of a perfectly flat face.
The RSPCA is happy that the Kennel Club is reviewing their breed standards. They are hoping it will make a huge difference in improving the health and welfare of pedigree dogs. The RSPCA applauds the decision of the Kennel Club to refuse registration of puppies that are bred from father-daughter, mother-son, or sister and brother. They also think that the restrictions should also include breeding between half siblings and grandparents. This should also hopefully help banish illegal breeding.
The RSPCA is trying to help prevent the selling of pedigree dogs from puppy farms, a practice which has come under close media scrutiny of late. They have asked people to make sure they only contact legitimate breeders, advising people to only purchase dogs from breeders who are registered with the Kennel Club. These breeders should also have their paperwork in order to prove it. Don't take the chance of buying from an unregistered breeder is the message, or you might end up getting an unhealthy pet.
The change in Kennel Club breed standards will hopefully help to ensure a better quality of life for pedigree dogs that are bred for their appearance only. This is only the first step in trying to help pedigree breeds live longer, healthier lives. Everyone needs to do their part in helping make sure that breeders are held accountable for their breeding policies. this includes such things as not buying from pet shops too - if you want a new pet to add to your family, it's best to visit a rescue shelter such as The Mayhew Animal Home in London. a good rescue shelter will also be able to advise you on the type of pet which will best suit the needs of you and your family.
Stories of Heroic Dogs hitting Animal Friends news
Friday, 30 July 2010
One of the first decisions our pet insurance customers have to make when bringing home a new pet to their home is what their name will be. The name you choose could be determined by the colour or size of the pet. Some people observe their pet for a while and then choose an appropriate name such as perhaps Hoppy or Sleepy. Pet names are incredibly varied, often funny, or sometimes just seem ridiculous!
Pet owners, no matter if they are just ordinary people or Hollywood stars, have certainly come up with some unusual names for their pets. Some people even name their pets after their favourite stars or celebrities. One show I was watching last night featured a cat by the name of Barry Manilow!
In pet news recently there was a story about a Staffordshire bull terrier dog named "Hoff". He got his name because his owner was a fan of Knight Rider and Baywatch megastar and heart-throb, David Hasselhoff. The dog made headlines when he saved his owner from a burning building in Gloucestershire.
David Hasselhoff who also starred in the soap opera, The Young and the Restless, recently heard about the Staffordshire bull terrier named Hoff. David who in recently years has seem to be a tabloid staple due to his many antics, says he wants to meet the dog in person to congratulate him on being a hero.
Dogs seem to have a sixth sense when it comes to danger and protecting their owners, family and also one another. A dog doesn't have to be a large or sterotypical heroic canine to be able to protect its family. All sizes and breeds of dog have the capacity to protect and alert other family members of impending danger. This is one of the reasons that it is dogs - rather than cats or guinea pigs - which are used in various working capacities such as Guide Dogs for the Blind, police and sniffer dogs, and dogs which are used in search and rescue operations.
You can always find a loyal and trustworthy pet at your local rescue centre. If you give a dog plenty of love and attention they will be there if you are ever in danger. Everyone at some time or another has heard about a pet saving or warning their owners about a dangerous situation. Animals are very perceptive and can sense when things are not right. A pet can not only be a loyal companion to keep you happy but they might even be able to save your life!
Educating the Public on Animal Welfare
Friday, 30 July 2010
The more the public is aware of and educated about pet responsibilities and welfare the better quality of life pet animals will receive. Owning a pet is a big responsibility and shouldn't be taken lightly. All pet owners should make sure that they can provide a healthy and happy environment before they decide to get a pet. There are many charity and rescue centres that are trying to make people more aware of the proper way to treat an animal.
The RSPCA is always trying to educate people on responsible pet ownership. They have several campaigns going on, such as the Animal Welfare Footprint. Their goal is to let people know what being a responsible pet owner entails. Pet owners have to provide healthy pet food, a safe home, and lots of exercise for their pet. Besides those items, companionship, attention and adequate pet health care are also essential.
It is not only adults who should be educated on how to care for an animal. As parents we should make sure that our children learn the proper ways to treat animals too. The earlier you start teaching your children to respect animals the more compassionate they will be as they grow older.
One of the UK's biggest animal welfare organisations is doing just that. The Blue Cross has launched their Animals in Society campaign. The charity has designed teaching packs to be used in the classroom, and will visit schools to hold talks for the children. Different topics covered include the prevention of animal cruelty and how to cope with the death of a pet. Fabulous canine welfare charity Dogs Trust runs similar talks and workshops within schools around the country. It is important to teach children how to properly take care of an animal so that they can make responsible decisions regarding the keeping of pet animals in later life.
Children need to be aware that a pet is a big responsibility no matter if it is a goldfish or a dog. Of course, dogs and cats need a lot more attention and other things that a fish perhaps would not. What to feed your dog or cat is very important for their growth and well being. Children need to be taught among other things what and how much food a dog or cat should have daily.
Everyone also needs to be educated on other aspects of pet care, including exercise, socialisation, and grooming needs. The more children and adults learn about caring for a pet the more likely they are to keep the pet instead of giving them away. Your local rescue centre is the perfect place to learn about animal welfare and how to care for a pet.
Many Hollywood Stars Support Pet Adoption
Friday, 30 July 2010
Sadly, with the economy the way it is many pets are ending up in rescue centres. Many animal rescue shelters are now at maximum capacity.
Some Hollywood stars are trying to promote adoption of animals. There are many stars that are animal lovers and will happily use their celebrity status to help promote animal welfare and pet adoption. Animal Friends Insurance are also firmly behind promoting and highlighting the need for not only adopting pets rather than buying them from pet shops but also the preservation of animal sancturies and the prevention of cruelty to pets anywhere on the planet!
Two-time Oscar winner and Hollywood star of Boys Don't cry and the movie Million Dollar Baby, Hilary Swank, is a stauch supporter of adopting a pet. She thinks people should adopt older pets instead of just looking for puppies and kittens. Older pets are usually easier to take care of and often have some sort of training already. They are also generally not as hyper as young pets or need as much supervision. Did you know that any good pet insurance company should not mind insuring an adopted pet even if they are getting on a bit.
Members of the Royal family are also trying to make people more aware of the option of adoption instead of buying dogs from breeders. Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, has become a staunch supporter of dog rescue centres. She recently toured the Mayhew Animal Home, one of Animal Friends non-profit pet insurance beneficiaries.
The Duchess is also a patron of the Kennel Club Charitable Trust. This organisation is trying to help and promote canine welfare. Whilst touring the Mayhew facility she fell in love with an adorable puppy, remarking on how she may just have to return and adopt the tiny terrier-cross named Zizi, and take her home herself. Jokes aside, however, her visit should go some way to highlighting the problems which occur when people decide to breed dogs and then find that they cannot take care of the puppies - which is how poor Zizi found herself in the care of the amazing people at the Mayhew.
If you are interested in bringing a new pet into your home; before you go looking elsewhere you should visit your local rescue centre and see which of the many residents you may be able to offer a loving home. You might be pleasantly surprised at the number of pure breed animals that end up without a home - if this is something which is important to you.
When you adopt an animal from a shelter you know that they will have been examined thoroughly by a vet. The dog or cat will have had their vaccinations and also have been spayed or neutered. The small price you pay for adopting an animal is well worth the love, companionship and feel-good factor you will get in return.
Adopting an animal is also a way to do your bit in trying to control the rising pet population. You will be giving a home to an animal that deserves a second chance. An adopted pet from your local rescue centre can make as much of a loyal and lifetime companion as any pet bought from a pet shop or breeder, and ticks a lot more ethical boxes in the process.
Keep your pet dog safe around water this summer...
Friday, 30 July 2010
Spring and summer are the times of the year when we are doing more activities outdoors including swimming, boating and fishing. The majority of dogs like being around and playing in water. Some breeds of dog were originally bred specifically to assist with water-based activities, such as the Portugese Water Dog. 
However, you need to make sure you supervise your dog around water. You have to keep their safety and welfare in mind at all times.
Most people assume dogs are natural born swimmers or that all dogs like water. This is in fact true of some dogs and breeds; others need to be introduced to water gradually. Otherwise they may become afraid of it or become stressed and panic. That is why it is important not to just throw your dog in deep water and hope they can swim back to land safely.
A pet owner has to be aware of important things when it comes to a dog's safety in water. Gradually let your dog become familiar with the water and give them lots of praise and encouragement. If you are going to take your pet with you in a boat it is wise to put a life jacket on them; especially if they are a poor swimmer.
Dogs are like children when it comes to not wanting to get out of the water. Your dog may push themselves to a point of exhaustion. Swimming for dogs is very demanding exercise and you should watch for signs of stress. You want to make sure they do not get over exerted and become weak and won't be able to get out of the water.
Home pools can be dangerous to dogs and should be off limits to them when no one is around to supervise them. Otherwise they could jump or fall in and not be able to climb back out on their own. There are chemicals in the water in pools that can be toxic to your pet. Try not to let them drink pool water remember to take drinking water for your pets with you on trips to the beach too!
Most dogs love water and will enjoy being with their family at the pool or in a lake. Just remember to take precautions and keep their safety at the top of your mind. That way the entire family can enjoy the great outdoors together, and things like unneccessary claims on your dog insurance!
Natural Pet Remedies for Common Ailments
Friday, 30 July 2010
Although the vet should be your first port of call when dealing with illness in your furry, finned or scaly friend (and we hope that you are well-covered for this eventuality with a good pet insurance policy), there are some ailments that you can treat at home using natural remedies.
Fleas can spread disease and cause skin irritation through scratching and licking. This means regular flea treatment for your animal friends. If you want to try some natural remedies then take a look at the following:
- Try adding some garlic to your dog's food as well as some drops of cider vinegar to his drinking water. Don't use garlic with cats as it has been known to damage to feline red blood cells.
- Add a few drops of homeopathic crab-apple flower essence (NOT OIL) to your dog's drinking water. Fleas don't like it apparently.
- Fill a plastic spray bottle with 50:50 water and cider vinegar. Add a few crushed garlic cloves, a few drops of olive oil and washing up liquid. Shake it up and spray your dog, ensuring you avoid sensitive areas like the nose and mouth.
If your pet has an eye irritation, try using a teabag. Put the teabag in a cup and add a small amount of boiling water. Leave to cool down and then use the teabag to bathe the eye, allowing the liquid to dribble into the eye. You can use this for yourself too. (Not the same teabag, obviously!)
For ear mites, mix together vitamin E and half an ounce of almond oil. Put a couple of drops in each ear using a dropper and massage well. Clean the dirty residue with cotton wool. Store the mixture in the fridge.
For open wounds, sores, abscesses cuts and grazes, try Manuka honey ointment. This will only work if the pet can't lick the honey, so you may want to use an Elizabethan collar or wrap the wound in a dressing soaked in the honey. Manuka honey has incredible healing and anti bacterial properties and has been used successfully to treat ulcers and even MRSA in hospitals.
Please note that you use any of the remedies described above at your own risk. It is always advisable to seek advice from your vet.
Getting a Chihuahua? Better Make Sure You've Got Pet Insurance!
Friday, 30 July 2010
The Chihuahua may be small in stature but it can be high in maintenance costs. The little Mexican chap can be prone to some health issues, making it especially important that you compare pet insurance policies before choosing the option which is right for you.
If bred correctly the Chihuahua is actually quite a healthy dog with fewer genetic problems than most pedigree breeds. They may be little but they are resilient (you try living in a celebrity's handbag!). The tiny teacup Chihuahua, however, is not a recognised breed type and has a huge range of health problems. There are a lot in rescue centres the world over because of this - worth bearing in mind if you are tempted.
As is the case with any breed of dog, problems can arise from bad breeding practices. Apart from allergies and eye issues, the Chihuahua can suffer from patella luxation (slipped kneecaps to you and me) which can result in the need for corrective surgery. Another thing to look out for is hypoglycaemia, or low blood sugar, quite a common condition in toy dog breeds. The problem is made worse by feeding snacks which may contain sugar and the trick to handling this seems to be small feeds at regular intervals, all under veterinary supervision of course.
Chihuahuas can have problems giving birth too, something you need to factor in to your expenses if you are considering breeding from them. A C-section is a costly and serious operation. The puppies can get hydrocephalus - water on the brain - causing their head to have an enlarged appearance.
Chihuahuas tend to have problems with their teeth, partly due to their small mouth. This can mean expensive vets bills from cleaning and extractions - another good reason to get good pet insurance cover, as vets' bills can easily run into many hundreds of pounds over the space of as little as a couple of years!
Although the Chihuahua is cute-looking and much beloved by the Hollywood A-list, it is not a fashion accessory. Much of its high maintenance costs come from the extras doting owners lavish on their pint sized pooches including clothes, gourmet food and even jewellery. The Chihuahua is a dog, with a dog's needs - exercise, affection and healthy food - and if we remember that, we won't go far wrong.
