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Calls for mandatory first aid qualifications for pet professionals
"Simple first aid skills could save a pet's life" - Jocelyn Toner, RSPCA.
Initiative receives the backing of the RSPCA and Street Paws.

A petition has been launched calling for mandatory first aid qualifications for all UK pet professionals.

The Safe Pets and People Campaign calls on dog groomers, dog walkers, breeders or pet sitters to have first aid training so they can act fast should the animal in their care become injured or unwell.

The campaign is the brainchild of Sarah Mackay and Fern Gresty of training provider iPET Network, which is offering key workers who come into contact with dogs the chance to undertake a dog first aid qualification for free.

National charity RSPCA, Street Paws and The Groomers Spotlight are among the animal organisations that have welcomed the initiative. 

RSPCA head vet Jocelyn Toner said: “We advise that all professional dog walkers should have first aid training, and we’d be supportive of any campaign to roll this out to include all individuals who work within the pet industry.

“Simple first aid skills could save a pet’s life or ensure an animal receives immediate care before they’re able to see a vet and we think it’s a wonderful idea that the Safe Pets and People Campaign wants all pet professionals - from groomers to breeders - to have basic first aid training.”

Street Paws founder Michelle Southern added: "We are proud to support Safe Pets and People as the more people that have these vital first aid skills the better. 

“From our perspective as a charity offering canine first aid is opening real doors for the homeless people and their dogs that we support. Having this knowledge and other skills allows hostels to be safer and more dog friendly, and that means safe beds on these cold winter nights for people and their loyal companions."

At the time of writing, the petition had garnered more than 500 signatures. To find out more and to lend your support to the campaign, visit change.org

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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. 

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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.