Archive for March, 2010

RTE’s Frontline discusses a ban on hounds for hunting

To view the show click here.

There is also a discussion on The Dog Breeding Establishment Bill at 45:50 into the video. Some of the regulations the bill is seeking to introduce are:

• Minimum standards for all dog breeding establishments
• Local Authority inspections of breeding establishments
• Identification of dogs via microchiping
• Compulsory registration and registration for breeders with six or more bitches
• A ban on bitches having more then one litter per year or more then six in their lifetime
• Maximum and minimum ages for having pups

By Juan. Posted in Animal Welfare, Dogs, News

Spring and Easter Pet Care

Spring is finally here! Lambs are out in the fields, daffodils are popping up everywhere and the Easter bunny is on his way. So to keep your pets safe, healthy and happy here are some helpful tips for this Spring and Easter.

Keep your house tidy!

Some of the trimmings and wrapping from Easter eggs and decorations can be dangerous if eaten by your pet. Foil and plastic can get caught in the animals’ digestive tract and could result in painful surgery to have the foreign body removed. So be sure to do a thorough clean up after the celebrations.

Make mine a chocolate bunny

Buying and adopting pets is very common around Christmas and Easter. Every year chicks, bunnies and rabbits are brought into new homes and forgotten about very quickly. These animals need constant care, attention and a loving home for the rest of their lives, not just Easter. So before you adopt a duck or a cute chick, make sure you:

• Have the time for a pet at home.
• Have the finances to support your pet
• Are ready to make the commitment to looking after your pet.

Easter Lilies

Some plants are poisonous to animals if eaten and domestic pets will often nibble anything left on the floor. Easter lilies are popular and common at this time of year but they are toxic to most animals, so keep them out of reach.

Scratching Fits

If you notice your pet persistently scratching or licking themselves, these could be signs they are suffering from hay fever. Hay fever is caused by all the new plants blooming around springtime and the pollen they create. Animals react to dust particles, pollen and mold much like we do.

Make sure to consult your vet as soon as you think your pet may be suffering from hay fever, they will be more than happy to help.

Grooming

Keeping your pet clean and happy is important during Easter. With the weather getting warmer at this time of year your pets can become more prone to parasites like fleas, asking your vet for advice is a good way of helping your pet stay flea-free. Animals are also losing their winter coats and need helping cleaning up all the fluff they leave behind, this will also help any allergy sufferers in the house.

Sweet Tooth

With all the Easter eggs, chocolate bunnies, sweets and treats laying around at Easter it can be easy for your pets to get their paws on some. Make sure they don’t. Most importantly chocolate is poisonous to cats and dogs, if they eat too much it can be lethal. So your cats and dogs will have to sit this Easter egg hunt out!

Finally, if you are having family over during the celebrations, it is a good idea to put older pets somewhere quiet so they don’t get overexcited and stressed.

By Adam. Posted in Cats, Dogs, News, Pet Care