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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 9th December 2011
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Wales endorses Dogs Trust Xmas campaign
Dogs Trust Campaign to get puppies off Christmas wish-lists gains AM's backing.

Members of the Welsh Assembly have voted to support a Dogs Trust Christmas Campaign designed to reduce the number of puppies being abandoned by their owners after Christmas.

The charity is hoping to prevent a sudden surge in abandonment of puppies. Every year, animal charities are overwhelmed by pets bought for Christmas being abandoned after the novelty wears off or when owners are confronted by the requirements of caring for a pet.

The Assembly Members were reassured to hear that a Dogs Trust poll taken in October 2011 found that only 6% of Welsh parents would be willing to buy their children a puppy as a Christmas present. The same poll also indicated that a third of Welsh parents would also consider rehoming a  rescue centre dog.

Responding to the news, Laura Vallance, Public Affairs Manager for the Dogs Trust, said: “Our Christmas campaign is as important now as it has ever been as our Rehoming Centre in Bridgend is already full to capacity with stray and abandoned dogs. The centre will go to great effort to ensure any unwanted Christmas puppies are cared for, but it will be a struggle. I am hugely thankful for the valued and vital support so many AMs have shown us and for their help with highlighting our Christmas message in Wales."

She added: "We hope that people will be mindful that a dog is for life not just for Christmas.”

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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.