Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 3rd February 2016
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Charity worried by rise in 'designer' dog rescues
puggle
The number of unwanted crossbreeds and fashionable or 'designer' dogs taken in by the charity is climbing.
Demand for certain breeds could fuel the puppy trade

The RSPCA says it has seen a 'worrying rise' in the number of fashionable, designer dog breeds coming into its centres. Increasing demand for certain breeds is feared to be fuelling the puppy farm trade.

Overall the number of dogs coming into the charity's centres has fallen in recent years - from 3,131 in 2012, to 2,600 last year.

Even typically common rescue breeds, such as Staffordshire bull terriers, lurchers and Jack Russells, are on the decline.

But the number of unwanted crossbreeds and fashionable or 'designer' dogs taken in by the charity is climbing. In 2012, the charity only took in two bichon frise crosses, but last year this figure rose to 22.

Chihuahua crosses needing the charity's shelter also rose from two to 21 in the same period, while pug crosses climbed from six to 14.

The charity has seen fluctuations in husky type breeds over the past few years, thought to be the result of culture trends such as the Twilight films and Games of Thrones series.

The concern is that as responsible breeders cannot keep up with the demand for certain breeds, prospective dogs owners naively turn to puppy farmers, all too often purchasing dogs with health and behavioural problems which end up in the care of charities like the RSPCA.

In October 2015 the RSPCA launched its Scrap the Puppy Trade campaign which aims to tackle irresponsible breeders, traders and importers selling dogs in the UK.

Image © RSPCA

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.