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Veterinary staff help Ruby shed the pounds
Head veterinary nurse, Lindsay Atkinson, holding Ruby before her weight loss
Morbidly obese Jack Russell loses one third of body weight

With the help of the PDSA's veterinary nurses and surgeons, five-year-old Jack Russell terrier Ruby has managed to lose a third of her body weight, winning the charity's annual slimming competition.

In May this year, 16 dogs, cats and rabbits began a tailored six-month diet and exercise programme, overseen by the PDSA's veterinary team.

Four years ago, this year's weight-loss champion, Ruby, was taken to an animal shelter after she was found underweight and roaming the streets in Sunderland.

Back in May, Ruby was morbidly obese at 9.1kg - more than 50 per cent overweight.
When her current owner, Angela Martin, adopted Ruby, she admits the family "spoilt her rotten" and lavished treats and affection on her.

Angela says: "When Ruby first came to us, we all felt really sorry for her as she’d had such a tough start to life. So to compensate, we used to give her a little treat here and there. The trouble was, the whole family was giving her ‘a little treat’ and over time, she started to get really big."

Ruby after losing one-third of her body weight

Back in May, Ruby was morbidly obese at 9.1kg - more than 50 per cent overweight. Thanks to the Pet Fit Club, she is now a much healthier 6.2kg and has shed a massive 17cm from her waist.

Senior veterinary surgeon for the PDSA, Elaine Pendlebury, said: "Angela and her family have worked really hard and have shown that it’s never too late to make a positive change.

"With help from PDSA and lots of determination they have completely changed Ruby’s life. The weight loss means she will feel much fitter and happier, and her life expectancy is likely to be longer now than she has shed the excess weight."

Commenting on Ruby's success, Angela added: "We are absolutely delighted with the results and can’t thank PDSA enough for helping Ruby to slim down. Winning the competition is wonderful, but the real prize is seeing Ruby enjoying a new lease of life tearing around the garden and playing with her toys."

The PDSA team helped this year's finalists to lose a total of 57kg. Though this will vastly improve the animals' health, happiness and quality of life, it's not all about weight loss.

Lindsay Atkinson, head veterinary nurse at the Sunderland PDSA PetAid Hospital, says: "One of our main aims with this competition is to raise awareness of this serious welfare issue among the general public."

To find out more about this year's competition, see the Pet Fit Club video.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.