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UK’s Dogs Help Break the Ice
A recent UK-wide survey of over 1,000 dog owners found that 81% of respondents find their dog the ideal ice breaker when meeting new people.

61% of those surveyed stated that they feel more confident when approaching a potential partner when they’re out walking their canine companion.
 
Most respondents felt their dog gave them more confidence with potential partners because it made them seem more sociable (32%) and caring (30%).
 
And despite what some people say, dogs are very well-behaved on dates with only 14% of those questioned confessing to embarrassing incidents caused by their dog. And of these, the majority found inappropriate sniffing to be the number one situation which caused red faces all round.
 
TV vet Matt Brash said: “Dogs, like humans, are very sociable animals whose natural instinct is to hunt in packs, so dogs are always going to be interested in other dogs when out walking and this will naturally prompt conversations and bonding between their owners. Research has shown that owners can actually look like their dogs, and this could be a further reason for owners who already have a common interest to be attracted to each other.
 
“It’s heartening to think that romances could blossom across the country thanks to the confidence boost owners get from man’s (& woman’s!) best friend,” concludes Matt.
 

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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.