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Children's authors back Kennel Club initiative
As part of National Literacy Week, children's authors have backed the Kennel Club Bark and Read scheme.
As part of National Literacy Week, children's authors have backed the Kennel Club Bark and Read scheme.

Reading to dogs scheme aims to boost children's literacy and self confidence

Children's authors Anna Wilson, Andrew Cope and Viviane Schwarz are supporting a Kennel Club scheme that encourages youngsters to read to their dogs.

The Bark and Read Foundation is aimed to boost literacy and improve children's self confidence.

This week is National Storytelling Week (February 1 to February 8) and as part of this The Kennel Club has asked schools taking part in the Bark and Read scheme, to let children chose their favourite books to read to their canine friend.

It comes as a survey by the National Literacy Trust found that only a quarter of children read in their spare time, and one in five said they were embarrassed to be seen reading.

Anna Wilson, author of The Smug Pug and Pup Idol, said: "Reading aloud and storytelling have always been very important to me. As an author, I go into schools and see how reading stories can help build confidence and improve literacy skills.

"Reading to dogs is a fantastic, innovative idea – it will help boost the confidence of children who are nervous of reading aloud in front of a class, for example, and will encourage a lifelong love of books and reading, I'm sure.

"I frequently read to my own dog when I am trying out new passages of writing, so I can highly recommend it."

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.