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15/07/2026

At home: “My. Water. Bowl. Better. Not. Have. A. Single. Speck. Of. Dust. Or. A. Piece. Of. Dog. Hair‼️”

On a walk, however, all bets are off! 🐾

07/07/2026

Britain faces more sweltering temperatures, as the heat could prove fatal for dogs.💔

🚓The police have NOT said that people can break the vehicle window ‘so long as you’ve got a screenshot on your mobile’ for a dog.

The internal temperatures of vehicles can soar to 47°C in less than half an hour even when it is merely 22°C outside, as each summer sees a surge of RSPCA reports. A parked vehicle can become fatal in minutes with devastating consequences.🪦

If you spot a dog suffering in a parked vehicle, do not just take action - record, notify & proceed with caution.⚠️

The RSPCA states: “If the animal’s condition is critical, & the police have not arrived yet, your instinct will be to break into the vehicle to free them. However, this could be classed as criminal damage. You may need to defend your actions in court, so be sure you are doing the right thing.”

If you see a dog alone in a vehicle in the hot weather, take a photograph of the dog and the vehicle. If the dog does not seem in distress, try to work out how long the dog has been in the vehicle e.g a pay and display ticket. If you are nearby shops, a venue or event, ask staff to alert the dog guardian over the loudspeakers with the vehicle’s licence plate. Make sure you, or somebody else, stays with a dog if you can. Monitor the dog’s condition and, if it gets worse, be prepared to call 999.

Warning signs includes heavy breathing, drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, confusion or collapse - symptoms linked to heatstroke. The PDSA warns: “Leaving a dog in a hot vehicle, even for a few minutes, can be fatal.”

There are several steps before a member of the public will need to protect themselves, legally, before acting, including taking photographic or video evidence of an animal in distress, attempts to locate the vehicle’s owner and, if required, calling 999.

If the dog guardian returns, & you feel they have put an animal in danger, contact the local police. If a pet suffers, or die, due to heat exposure, people can face animal cruelty with fines or jail time.

While compassion is praiseworthy, be aware of the law. Check that your actions are moral and lawfully correct.

25/06/2026

25/06/2026

Dave the vet demonstrates what it can feel like for a dog to walk or run on a hot day.

With temperatures set to rise in parts of the UK this week, it’s important to remember dogs can overheat quickly, especially during exercise.

Walking early in the morning or later in the evening, when it’s cooler, is much safer. And if it still feels too warm, skip the walk completely.

Heat stroke can become serious very quickly. Signs can include heavy panting, drooling, restlessness, bright red or very pale gums, lack of coordination, vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, or collapse.

If you think your dog has heat stroke, move them to a cool, well-ventilated place, pour cool water over them, offer small amounts of water if they can drink, and call your vet immediately.

Skipping a walk is always safer than risking heat stroke.

Dr David Tweedle - BVetMed MRCVS

14/06/2026

British wildlife will replace historical figures on the next series of Bank of England banknotes - and the public will get their say on which animals and birds will appear. The Bank of England will be replacing historical figures with British wildlife on the next series of on the £5, £10, £20 and £50 banknotes.

A panel of wildlife experts has created the shortlist of the British native species and YOU can now vote on YOUR favourites until 3 July 2026.

Wildlife already appears on the Commonwealth banknotes with mackerel, otters, red squirrels and osprey featuring on notes issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland and the Bermuda Monetary Authority's $5 note, a predominantly pink note with images of a blue marlin, dolphins and tuna fish, as well as a profile of King Charles III, and the back of the note combine butterflies, flora, Horseshoe Bay and a boat passing beneath Somerset Bridge.

The British wildlife on the shortlist can feature on the new Bank of England banknotes as following:
1) Mammals: bottlenose dolphin; brown hare; European hedgehog; grey seal; pine marten; or red fox
2) Birds: Atlantic puffin; barn owl; common kingfisher; Eurasian curlew; great spotted woodpecker; or white-tailed eagle
3) Amphibians, Insects & Fish: Atlantic salmon; basking shark; buff-tailed bumblebee; common frog; emperor dragonfly; or marsh fritillary butterfly

Choose up to TWO British wildlife from each of the THREE categories before 11.59pm BST on Friday 3 July 2026. i.e two mammals; two birds; and two amphibians, insects and fish.

Cast your vote now: 🐝🦔🦭🐬🦊🐸🦉🦅🦋

www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/help-us-design-our-next-series-of-banknotes

04/06/2026

Credited by Stonier & How To Be A Great Dog Pro (HTBAGDP)

Tomorrow, this campaign will come to an end at some point.

Tomorrow, we will know whether the Government is forced to listen, or whether millions of pet owners will continue to rely on a system that is simply not fit for purpose.

Most people believe that if their dog or cat is microchipped, they are protected.

They are not.

Right now, the UK has 25 separate microchip databases. Every time a new database enters the market, the system becomes more fragmented and more complicated. Instead of one secure system helping reunite lost and stolen pets, we have a patchwork of independent databases that do not operate under a single Government portal.

The consequences are real.

Lost pets are harder to trace.
Stolen pets are harder to find.
Families will be left desperately searching while valuable time is lost.

We have seen dogs like Fern stolen and used for breeding for years before finally being reunited with her family. We have seen cases where pets were chipped, registered, and loved, yet confusion between databases still caused delays and distress.

This is not just about missing pets.

It is about traceability.

It is about accountability.

It is about making it harder for criminals, rogue breeders, dishonest dealers, and those who exploit animals to operate in the shadows.

A Government Central Microchip Portal would link all approved databases together, giving authorised users one place to search and helping reunite families with the animals they love.

It is common sense.

It is what we were promised, and what our dogs and cats deserve.

If you have not signed, please do so today.

If you have already signed, please keep sharing it one final time.

Because tomorrow may be our last chance to get this issue in front of Westminster.

For every lost pet.🙏
For every stolen pet.🙏
For every family still waiting for answers.🙏

Please be their voice. 🙏🐾❤️🐾

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/748648

02/06/2026

Officials have confirmed a new law is now in force which affects all dog owners taking their pet out for a walk.

Earlier this year, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) introduced a new law which is aimed at stopping dog owners allowing their pets to cause mayhem among livestock.

The maximum penalty for livestock worrying has increased. Livestock worrying, occurs when a dog the person owns or is in charge of chases, attacks, or causes distress to livestock on agricultural land. The aim is to prevent livestock death and injury, which will save farmers thousands of pounds each year.

The fine has increased from £1,000 to an unlimited fine and police now have powers to seize and detain a dog where they have reasonable grounds to believe it has attacked or worried livestock and that there is a risk it could do so again.

The Moorland Association said the law means the dog does not even have to touch the animal. It said: “A dog does not need to make physical contact for an offence to be committed. Chasing, cornering, or simply being loose among sheep is enough. Livestock can be seriously harmed or killed by fear and stress alone, even without a bite or a scratch. Pregnant ewes are particularly vulnerable, the stress of being chased can cause them to abort.

“The law now treats attacking livestock as a separate offence from worrying, making the violent nature of a physical attack explicit in the legislation for the first time.”

The definition of livestock has also been expanded. It now includes:
Cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs
Horses
Camelids (llamas and alpacas)
Ostriches
Farmed deer
Enclosed game birds
Poultry

Courts can also order offenders to pay the costs of seizing and detaining a dog during an investigation or court proceedings. Previously, those costs fell on the police or local authority. Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle said: “Farmers can now have greater peace of mind knowing that proper penalties are in place for people who carelessly let their dogs worry livestock.

“Dog attacks have devastating consequences and this new law reflects the Government’s strong commitment to our farmers and animal welfare.”

Advice to dog owners:
Follow The Countryside Code when visiting these areas
Any dog is capable of livestock worrying - always keep dogs under control and in sight
It is good practice to keep dogs on a lead when walking in rural areas where livestock are kept, but let go of the lead if chased by cattle
Always follow local signs
Report any incidents of livestock worrying to the police or local farmers
Ensure dogs cannot escape from homes or gardens near livestock fields

A survey of farmers from the National Sheep Association found that almost four in five (87%) sheep farmers experienced a dog attack on their flock in 2024. Many have reported multiple incidents. Recent National Farmers’ Union research found that the cost of livestock worrying has risen by 10% from the previous year. This has now reached almost £2 million. The midlands alone saw an estimated £438,000 worth of livestock harmed by dog attacks, followed by the Southeast at £330,000.

DEFRA said police will now have greater powers and can investigate incidents more effectively. These powers include entering premises to secure evidence or animal DNA. Alongside this, courts will also be able to require offenders to cover the costs of seizing and caring for a detained dog.

✍Ben Hurst

28/03/2026

Don’t Forget To Spring Forward on Sunday! ⏰