Pleasing 4 Pets

It has been reported that the infamous Battersea Cats and Dogs home has reached its full capacity for the very first time in its history.

Another animal charity the Dogs Trust has confirmed that it also is running at full capacity.

During 2008 so far, Battersea has taken in 6,430 stray dogs, a massive increase from 5,335 throughout the whole of 2007.

Not only are record number of animals being abandoned, charities are finding it progressively more difficult to find them new homes as even animal lovers are forced to tighten their belts in view of the current economic climate.

It is feared that the increasing numbers of abandoned animals finding their way to charitable organisations will reach record proportions in 2009.

An estimated 131,400 are given as gifts at Christmastime each year, and worried animal charities believe that huge numbers could be abandoned when the festive season is over.

The Chief Executive of Battersea Cats and Dogs home commented:-

“While we think part of the rise in numbers of strays is because people can’t afford to keep their dogs any more so are dumping them on the streets, we’re also worried that people losing their dogs don’t know where to turn to try and find them.”

The PBBuk or Pet Blood Bank UK has received its 1,000th donation of blood. The non-profit national canine blood donation charity opened its doors after its launch in March of 2007 at the annual Crufts show.

The charity was started after a change in the law enabled UK veterinary surgeries to store blood reserved for domestic dogs.

The national canine blood donation service now conducts frequent blood donation assemblies, akin to the human blood donation services.

The canine blood collected at the sessions makes it possible for vets across the country to save the lives of many sick or injured dogs that might otherwise not have lived without a blood transfusion.

PBBuk’s Director, Wendy Barnett said of the scheme: -

“We are absolutely delighted to have reached this important milestone and it just shows how far we have come since we launched just over 18 months ago.

The fact that we are at donor 1000 now is testament to the generosity of dog owners all over the country who bring their dogs to donate at local blood collection sessions and of course the veterinary practices who kindly provide the premises for these sessions to take place.

Without these owners, we wouldn’t be able to supply the veterinary profession with the blood products they need to save the lives of hundreds of dogs in the UK.”

The canine blood is separated into a range of blood products and stockpiled at the PBBuk labs in Leicester. The blood products are then sold on to veterinary surgeries in the UK as required. PBBuk has confirmed that it expects to launch a similar scheme for cats shortly.

Tottington Charity Pets In Need recently held an open day to help raise funds for the Bury based organisation.

The event was deemed a massive success when it was announced that the 500 visitors to the charities headquarters at Reynard’s Bank had managed to boost the charities funds by an incredible £4,500.

In addition to a barbeque and various refreshments visitors to the event, including the towns Mayor and Mayoress were treated to a dog show which was judged by a local Animal Sanctuary Manager.

The organisation which was opened in 1990 by its founder member Dorothy Maden offers care and protection to neglected animals in the Bury area. Mrs Maden said of the open day:-

“It was a very successful event and I’m delighted that we raised £4,500. Around 500 people attended on the day. I would like to thank Bury’s Mayor and Mayoress. They were a lovely couple and he was an absolute gem and a credit to Bury. We were delighted to have them. Also, I would like to thank all the supporters and helpers who made the open day and dog show so successful.”

The day also offered the public the opportunity to meet some of the many animals that Pets In Need currently cares for.