A Dogs’ Day Out!

Pembrey Country Park, Carmarthenshire, saw a record number of visitors for Burns Pet Nutrition’s "It’s A Dogs’ Day Out" on Sunday 27 September. Once again this dog friendly venue was filled with dogs and their owners who had come to enjoy the many fun activities on offer and help raise money for animal welfare.

Burns actively promotes responsible pet ownership and, as well as offering fun and games, there were opportunities for visitors to receive free advice from dog trainers, behaviourists and nutritionists.The relaxed atmosphere and spacious venue meant that even the most apprehensive dogs enjoyed the day.

Many local animal welfare charities attended the show and took the opportunity to showcase some of the dogs in their care.The "Homes Wanted" parade was a great success and several dogs found their forever homes as a direct result of the show.

Burns’ next "It’s A Dogs’ Day Out" event is in Pembrey country Park on Sunday 19 September 2010. Please visit www.burnspet.co.uk for more information.

Adopt-A-Manatee for the Holidays!

Holiday shopping gets easy. Give an endangered manatee! Adoption packages from Save the Manatee Club cost twenty-five dollars and each includes an adoption certificate, a photo and biography of a real Florida manatee, a membership handbook and more. International adoptions, add $10 for shipping. Or for thirty-five dollars, plus shipping, the Club will also include a full-color 2010 manatee wall calendar! Funds help the Club’s conservation and education programs.

In 1981, Save the Manatee Club, a nonprofit advocacy group, was formed by singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett to protect manatees for future generations. Through public awareness programs, the Club has educated people from around the globe about manatees, making this species one of the most beloved marine mammals ever. For more information, and to Adopt-A-Manatee, visit www.savethemanatee.org

ORPHANED DONKEY FOAL NEEDS 24–HOUR CARE

Staff at the Sidmouth-based Donkey Sanctuary are working round-the-clock to hand rear and bottle feed a foal whose mother tragically died during birth last week.

Ashley was born on Tuesday 20th October but his mother suffered a fatal complication and sadly passed away.

The Sanctuary’s veterinary team began a twohourly bottle feeding regime and this week, Ashley will move on to feeds at four hourly intervals. Staff are working to a rota to help with the feeds which could continue for a further six to 10 weeks. Hand rearing a foal requires a great deal of commitment in both time and resources, but the charity specialises in donkey care and welfare and

considers itself a centre of excellence.

Elena Barrio is the vet looking after Ashley. She says:

"Ashley is a delightful little character and everyday goes from strength to strength. He is responding better than I had expected to the bottle feeds so I’m really pleased. Hand reared foals can develop poor behaviouralcharacteristics so during the day we have been putting him in a paddock with another foal and its mother who act like a role model to him.We are also being careful to minimise cuddles because he could otherwise grow to prefer humans to donkeys, although it is quite tough to resist!"

Anyone taking a trip to the Sanctuary during half term will be able to meet two older foals Brian and Janet in Salston Boxes. However, Ashley remains in ‘intensive care’ within the New Arrivals unit, which is not accessible to visitors. He is joined by two other foals - Zena, born prematurely, and Mr Khun. Updates and video clips of these foals can be found at www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Sanctuary has a no breeding policy and only has foals if a donkey is taken in already pregnant.

Further information about the care of orphaned foals features within the charity’s new Complete Book of The Donkey publication and free advice and support is readily available online or by a call to the national welfare and advice line 01395 578222.

HUMAN AND CANINE CROWDS FLOCK TO FIRST EVER WAGGY WALK

Dogs Trust ‘blown away’ by support for national sponsored walks On Sunday 18th October, over 5,000 attendees – human and canine – turned out for the first ever ‘Waggy Walk’ in ten different locations across the UK. From Bath to Belfast, so many feet and paws meant the route around local parks were well trodden, and even those who put in training enjoyed a well earned rest.The walks were organised by Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity to help the thousands of rescue dogs in their care.

Elvira Meucci-Lyons, Dogs Trust Head of Campaigns, comments:

"We were blown away by the level of support for our first ever ‘Waggy Walk’.We had an idea of attendance before-hand from online registrations, but so many more people signed up on the day. It was also great to see all those people without canine companions who either brought a soft toy dog or had their face painted to resemble a hairy hound. Lots of people created online sponsorship pages, and this combined with cash sponsorship and donations means the event has raised an estimated £85,000 for our canine friends.That’s an amazing total and will really make a difference to the 18 Dogs Trust Rehoming Centres across the UK and Ireland, where we care for around 16,000 stray and abandoned dogs each year."

Dogs Trust hopes to make Waggy Walks an annual event so keep your ears pricked for details and visit www.waggywalks.org.uk for updates.

DONKEY LIFELINES – MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE THIS WINTER

The launch of Donkey Lifelines, a new initiative from the Sidmouth-based Donkey Sanctuary, makes choosing gifts that give something back easier than ever before. For those looking to shop with a conscience this year, Donkey Lifelines offers a range of virtual gifts that are designed to provide a simple online method of presentgiving that supports the worldwide charitable work of The Donkey Sanctuary.

Fundraising Campaigns Co-ordinator Xanthe Breens says 'The collection of gifts has been specially put together to direct fundraising efforts towards areas and projects that have the most pressing need for support at this time.The income generated from the Donkey Lifelines range will either support The Donkey Sanctuary’s work in the UK or will help to fund projects in overseas countries such as Mexico, Ethiopia, Kenya, India and Egypt.'

With prices ranging from £5 to provide a fly mask to prevent infections, up to £50 to help purchase medicines and veterinary supplies, the gifts available at Donkey Lifelines are designed to fit a variety of budgets. Just £12 will provide alternative bedding to a donkey with respiratory problems or painful foot conditions, making a world of difference to an ill or recovering donkey.A donation worth £25 will help to keep our mobile units on the road in developing countries, facilitating dedicated Donkey Sanctuary veterinary teams travelling to remote communities.

Donkey lifelines can be ordered by logging on to www.virtualgifts.org.uk. Once you have chosen your gift, you will be sent a gift card for you to keep or pass on to a friend or loved one.

You can give with confidence, knowing that your gift will be wisely used, gratefully received and will make a big difference to donkeys in the UK and worldwide.

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LABRADOR IS TOP HEARING DOG FOR NOVEMBER

A hearing dog in Buckinghamshire has been named Hearing Dog of the Month by the charity that trained him.

Ludo was six months old when he was donated to Hearing Dogs for Deaf People by a member of the public. He was specially trained to recognise household sounds like alarm clocks and smoke alarms so he could alert a deaf person. In December 2005 he was placed with profoundly deaf Madeleine Sharpe in Great Missenden.

Madeleine had started to lose her hearing in 1992 at the age of 36. Just seven years later, she had become profoundly deaf due to a benign tumour that had damaged the auditory and optic nerves. She tried to maintain her social life, but found it very difficult.

"I tried to live my life as I had done before; be cheerful and happy and keep my sense of humour, but I found it impossible. I couldn’t keep up with friends’ conversations. I couldn’t understand what people were saying to me in shops or at work, and I found myself excluded by work colleagues who called me arrogant, aloof and unfriendly because I didn’t join in. All of this sent me spiralling down in despair and depression. I became reclusive, isolated and lonely, and my self-esteem and confidence were shattered."

Madeleine’s self-confidence was so low, and she dreaded meeting people so much, that she set up her own mail-order business so that she could work and earn money without having to interact with people. In 2004 Madeleine made a life-changing decision to apply for a hearing dog. From the moment she met Ludo, she knew her life was about to become so much better.

"Ludo is a fun dog," says Madeleine. "He is a breath of fresh air. He has a wonderfully happy personality and is always making me laugh. He has a beautiful sweet and loving nature. Ludo is also very enthusiastic about his soundwork and I know I can trust him to tell me if there is someone at the door, and this makes me feel confident and secure. No longer am I the lonely, isolated recluse I was. No longer am I the invisible deaf woman shuffling in and out of shops. No longer do I dread meeting and talking to people."

Thanks to Ludo’s friendly personality,Madeleine has made many new friends, and his burgundy hearing dog coat instantly tells people that Madeleine has a hearing loss and she finds she is now treated with understanding. Her confidence has grown so much thanks to Ludo that she has had the courage to take her business out in public by trading at major shows and exhibitions, with Ludo at her side, of course. Madeleine knows she owes Ludo so much:"My sense of humour has returned; the depression and despair are gone. I now accept my deafness and do not apologise for it; all thanks to Ludo. He has brought laughter, fun and happiness back into my life, and has given me courage, confidence and purpose. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Ludo has rescued me, and completely changed my life."

Where’s Wallys new home?

Staff at West Hatch RSPCA Centre are trying to find a new home for 6 month old Wally, who was born at the centre. His mum named Midnight was brought to the centre by a local Inspector. She was then found to be pregnant.

Miscellaneous Supervisor Ana Eastick says " Wally is a handsome dark bay, who is a typical youngster. His mum is approximately 15.2hh, and we think he will reach at least this when fully grown. He is now 6 months old, has been gelded, and is looking for a new home after being weaned from his mum"

If anyone is interested, please call the centre on 0300 123 0747.