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Two-thirds of owners unaware of five welfare needs
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The Veterinary Animal Welfare Coalition has been launched to help owners understand the five welfare needs.
Coalition aims to help owners understand legal obligations
 
A coalition of veterinary organisations has revealed that just one in three (35 per cent) pet owners is familiar with their pet's legal welfare needs.

The figures were released ahead of the tenth anniversary of the Animal Welfare Acts tomorrow (8 November).

While more than half of UK households own a pet, the annual PDSA Animal Well-being (PAW) Report has shown year-on-year that pet owners have a consistently low awareness of their legal welfare obligations.

The Veterinary Animal Welfare Coalition has been launched to help owners understand the five welfare needs. It encompasses leading veterinary and animal welfare organisations, including the BVA, BVNA, BSAVA, British Veterinary Zoological Society, PDSA, Blue Cross and RSPCA.

The 2006 Animal Welfare Acts established a duty of care and made it a legal requirement for owners to meet the five welfare needs; that is, providing appropriate housing, diet, social interactions, ability to behave naturally and freedom from pain, suffering, injury and disease.

PDSA research also shows that pet owners who feel informed about these five needs are significantly more likely to provide their pets with preventative healthcare.

Coalition chair James Yeates said the five welfare needs are a "fantastic 'umbrella' guide", but as each species has such varying welfare needs, it's essential that owners can put theory into practice.

He added: "Our understanding of animal welfare science has come such a long way over the past 50 years so we'd really like pet owners to pop into their local veterinary practice, where they will be able to get tailored, up-to-date advice for their pets, whether that's a horse or a hamster!"

Pet owners are advised to speak to their local veterinary practice for advice on the five welfare needs and how these apply to their individual pet's species, size and age.

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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. 

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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.