Pet Gazette May 2018 | Page 5

TRADE TALK | PET GAZETTE | 5 DOGS TRUST SCHEME ENSURES DOGS OF THE DECEASED ARE LOOKED AFTER The new scheme will give dog owners peace of mind that their pet is looked after once they’re gone Dogs Trust has introduced a scheme that ensures dogs are looked after once their owner has died. The free scheme allows dog owners to carry a ‘Canine Care Card’ which means Dogs Trust st aff will take in the dog for medical examinations and then rehoming. The charity says the scheme aims to give dog owners “peace of mind” and asks owners to include provision in their will ensuring there will be no legal issues. The card works in a similar way to an The environment secretary said he would allow the use of electric collars when linked to containment fences that prevent animals from roaming on to railway tracks and roads organ donor card in that it should be kept upon the owner’s person, detailing the wish to have the dogs looked after by Dogs Trust. Dogs Trust says that the scheme will “treat every one of our canine residents like a beloved family pet and ensure they get all the loving care they need in our state-of-the- art facilities”. MAYHEW RESCUES 18 STRAY DOGS ON A US MARINE BASE IN GEORGIA The dogs and puppies were found living on the base in Rustavi, 45 minutes from Tbilisi Animal rescue charity Mayhew has announced it has rescued 18 dogs living on a US marine base in Georgia. The dogs were brought to Mayhew’s attention after they were spotted by one of the marines stationed at the base, who was also fostering for Dog Organisation Georgia (DOG). The dogs were brought to New Vet Clinic in Tbilisi, where they neutered several animals as well as administering vaccinations and parasite treatments. Over two days, the marines helped bring the dogs into the clinic and transport them back to base. Mayhew-trained vet, Dr Dato, said in a statement: “I am grateful that DOG and Mayhew exist because they are first of all thinking about welfare of the population, and then everything else. “I think it is also the only programme in Georgia that provides the complex vaccination against different infectious MICHAEL GOVE SCRAPS PLAN TO BAN ELECTRIC COLLARS diseases as well as rabies, which is amazing and proves again that it’s for the animals first of all.” Dr Ana, another Mayhew vet, added: “Dato and I are delighted and proud to be helping DOG and Mayhew as it is very important to control the stray population and help animals in need.” The current marines who assisted Mayhew are close to heading home, but a new one is set to arrive soon and will pick up the duty of caring for the dogs. Michael Gove has announced that he has scrapped plans for a complete ban on electric collars for pets. The environment secretary still plans to ban the collars when used for training purposes but told MPs he believes when used with containment fences the collars offer pets “freedom”. Gove said: “Containment fences can play a valuable role in ensuring that individual animals, dogs and cats, can roam free in the domestic environment in which they are loved and cared for. “We want to introduce legislation to ensure that the use of shock collars as a means of restraining animals in a way that causes them pain is adequately dealt with.” John Hayes, a Conservative MP added: “The consultation process has shown how important containment fences are to the welfare of our nation’s cats and dogs. It has confirmed what academic evidence has shown just how important they are in protecting pets from road traffic accidents.” Olympic gold medalist Sir Steve Redgrave, who uses electric collars on his Old English Sheepdog is reported by the The Times to be “delighted” at the news. The announcement comes just days after Dogs Trust and other animal charities urged the government to ban the collars indefinitely. SAINSBURY’S RECALLS PET FOOD AFTER ‘HIGHER THAN SPECIFIED LEVELS OF VITAMIN D’ FOUND Customers are being asked to return various types of pet food after the supermarket warned they should not be consumed over long periods of time Sainsbury’s has recalled several of its pet food products after “higher than specified levels of vitamin D”, which should not be consumed over long periods of time, were found. The products in question were 12x100g and 48x100g selections of Adult Complete www.petgazette.biz Nutrition in Jelly and Gravy, Senior and Puppy Complete Nutrition in Gravy, Adult Farmhouse Kitchen in Gravy and Jelly, and Adult Fine Flakes in Jelly and Broth in both Meat and Fish flavours. The supermarket has apologised for the error and said that no other products have been affected. Consuming a significantly large amount of vitamin D can cause a vast build up of calcium in the blood of animals, causing problems such as frequently urinating and vomiting. May 2018