Abandoned & Saved Dogs

More Pets Being Abandoned Due to Housing Issues

BIRMINGHAM,UK

Research from animal charity the Dogs Trust has found that more people are having to abandon their pets as they are unable to find rented accommodation that accepts animals.

In the last five years, the charity has seen a 56% increase in the number of people giving their dogs to a rehoming centre due to housing issues.

The current problems in the housing market mean that many people are unable to purchase a home as it is more difficult to get a mortgage. About half of all households in the UK are thought to own a pet, but the latest figures from the Dogs Trust has found that a third of owners struggle to find accommodation which will accept them with their pet.

Nearly half (47%) of pet owners said that their letting agency didn't help them in finding pet friendly accommodation, with 29% of people choosing not to use a letting agency because they didn't believe that they would help them.

A campaign has been launched to encourage landlords consider taking pets and make it easier for house hunters to find pet friendly on accommodation websites.

Pet owners who are concerned about their dog being rejected from accommodation should look to invest in dog training supplies to help put potential landlords' minds at rest. The Dogs Trust says that landlords should be encourage to meet a pet before refusing to let a property to an owner as it can put most of their fears to rest.

75% of tenants are willing to pay to have carpets or soft furnishings cleaned after the tenancy has finished, and if a dog is well trained using dog training leads and always wears dog collars, a landlord should have no objections to letting a property to a tenant with a pet.


Diseased Dogs Rescued From Dinner Plates in China

BEIJING -- Hundreds of dogs who narrowly escaped the fate of being on a restaurant menu two weeks ago, received emergency vaccinations today provided by the International Fund for Animal Welfare - IFAW (www.ifaw.org). At the same time, IFAW issued an open letter to the Chinese authorities, calling for enforcement of health and quarantine regulations to prevent the illegal, unsafe and inhumane inter-province transport of dogs for human consumption.

On October 14, concerned residents intercepted a truck packed with more than 800 dogs in Zigong, Sichuan province heading to Guangxi for slaughter. The dogs were cramped into 100 cages without food or water for three to four days.

Veterinarians conducted health examinations and found the dogs were not only suffering from various degrees of dehydration, fractures and trauma, but many were also infected with potentially lethal infectious diseases, such as canine distemper and Parvovirus and serious illnesses caused by fungi and mites. Twenty-seven dogs have died so far due to injury and disease.

"The transport of live animals in urban and rural areas carries a high risk of spreading infectious diseases to both animals and people. It also brings great challenges to the prevention of epidemics," said Dr. Kati Loeffler, IFAW's Veterinarian Advisor. "It poses a direct threat to human health and public safety."

IFAW questions the mishandling of the case by local authorities who failed to uphold existing regulations to ensure public safety. In a letter to authorities, IFAW appeals for strengthening existing regulation to protect companion animals from the illegal meat trade and advocates for the anti-cruelty legislation to protect all animals, including dogs and cats.

"This is the second time this year that concerned citizens have intercepted companion animals headed for slaughter – showing that times are changing," said Grace Gabriel, IFAW's Asia Regional Director. "The Chinese public is speaking up and taking action against animal cruelty. IFAW's team on the ground will continue to call for China's laws to catch up with the growing desires of Chinese people for greater dog protection."

About IFAW (the International Fund for Animal Welfare)
Founded in 1969, IFAW saves animals in crisis around the world. With projects in more than 40 countries, IFAW rescues individual animals, works to prevent cruelty to animals, and advocates for the protection of wildlife and habitats. For more information, visit www.ifaw.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.


SOURCE International Fund for Animal Welfare