Latest news with #DogsTrust
South Wales Argus
2 hours ago
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Nearly one in five children in Wales bitten by a pet
The figures were revealed by animal welfare charities during Child Safety Week, which runs from June 2 to 8. A survey of more than 1,000 children aged seven to 11 found that 18 per cent had been bitten by a pet, and nearly half of those incidents required a visit to the doctor. Dr Sam Gaines, a dog welfare expert at the RSPCA, said: "These shocking figures are understandably worrying and highlight why it's so important that parents and guardians are aware of how to prevent dog bites and able to be present and actively supervise interactions between dogs and children." Despite warnings from animal welfare organisations, 76 per cent of children in Wales said they are left unsupervised with their pets at least once a week. The Pet Education Partnership, which includes the RSPCA, Dogs Trust, and other charities, is offering educational sessions to promote child safety around animals during Child Safety Week.
Daily Record
14 hours ago
- General
- Daily Record
Volunteers celebrate 3,500 hours of devotion at Dogs Trust West Calder's base
Isabel Taggart and Kay Wallace are urging others this Volunteers' Week to consider joining the Dogs Trust West Calder team. Two dog-loving volunteers who have racked up a total of nearly two decades of dedicated devotion to Dogs Trust West Calder's handsome hounds are encouraging others to come and join the volunteer team. Having spent over 3,500 hours volunteering, Isabel Taggart and Kay Wallace are urging others this Volunteers' Week to consider joining the Dogs Trust West Calder team. Isabel Taggart from Livingston has been a firm fixture at the rehoming centre since 2011, when she first joined the volunteer team as a dog walker. Isobel has always liked dogs, but as she worked full-time, she didn't have a dog of her own, so volunteering allowed her to help dogs in need. When Isabel retired in 2017, everything changed as she adopted her first dog from Dogs Trust and continued to volunteer cleaning kennels. Isabel is so committed to the charity that both dogs she has rehomed from Dogs Trust, Jovi and Suzi, had experienced very unsettled starts in life and were proving difficult to rehome until Isabel came to the rescue. Isabel said: 'You can't take all the dogs home, but by volunteering, you are making their lives better. By cleaning the kennels, the staff can spend more time with the dogs, which makes me happy. 'As I am now retired, I feel it's nice to still be making a contribution. I enjoy coming in in the morning and seeing the dogs' faces. 'The longer-term dogs get to know us and respond in a positive way. I feel a real sense of achievement volunteering with Dogs Trust.' Kay Wallace, also from Livingston, began volunteering for Dogs Trust in 2021 after losing her beloved dog Pepsi the year before. Despite working full-time as a Treatment Room Nurse, Kay volunteers on Saturday and Sunday at the rehoming centre. Kay said: 'When I lost my Labrador Pepsi, I decided not to get another dog as it's too heartbreaking when they die, so instead I've been volunteering ever since. 'My role involves cleaning the kennels and ensuring the dogs have a comfy, clean bed, which I love doing as no dog should have a scruffy bed. 'Volunteering gives me so much joy. As much as I enjoy my job as a nurse, coming to the centre on the weekend are the best two days of the week. 'Spending time with the beautiful dogs is wonderful, especially saying good morning to them and seeing their reaction when they get to know you. 'I feel very much like I am part of the team at West Calder, where everyone is so hard-working and friendly. I recommend volunteering to anyone with the time and love of dogs.' Dogs Trust West Calder is currently seeking volunteers for different roles at the centre including Canine Assistants who spend time helping clean the kennels and being with the dogs; administrators who carry out tasks such as answering the phones, filing and carrying out internet research and meet and greet volunteers who are often the first point of contact for visitors, ensuring people receive a warm welcome, and have an enjoyable visit. Although more than 60 people currently give their time to help at the centre, volunteer co-ordinator Garry Lee, says they would love more to join. Garry said: 'Our volunteers are amazing and go above and beyond for our dogs here at West Calder rehoming centre. They devote so much of their free time to us and are always willing to help whenever possible. 'Without them, giving the dogs everything they need would be much more difficult. 'Isabel has been a core member of our volunteer team for many years. When she retired, she moved closer to the centre and was then able to volunteer more often. 'She also helps other volunteers by giving them lifts to and from the centre. Kay is also a valued part of the team. 'She works extremely hard Monday to Friday as a nurse and yet spends her weekend mornings with us, looking after our dogs. We really appreciate their hard work and dedication. 'Every volunteer makes a huge difference to what we can achieve at the centre, and we welcome more local dog lovers to come and join us.' Volunteers must be aged 18 and over, and all are welcome. It's a fantastic way to develop new skills, gain further experience and meet new friends.
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Scotsman
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Scotsman
Dogs to share a bed with 2025: Here are the 18 best - and worst
We're a nation of dog lovers, with around one-in-three households including at least one four-legged friend . By far the most popular pet in the UK, they make for wonderful companions, all the while improving both our mental and physical health - and that's a scientific fact. The army of dog owners continues to grow, with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds . Choosing the right breed is absolutely essential – for example opting for a small dog if you don't have much room at home, or a hypoallergenic dog if you suffer from allergies. There's also always the option of adopting a dog from a dog shelter for a minimal fee - for example from the Dogs Trust . Snoozing alongside your furry friend is many people's idea of a perfect night's sleep, but there are common downsides that come with sharing a bed with your dog. From finding drool patches on your pillow, deafening snoring, and endless amounts of dog hair left between the sheets, having your pooch in the bed can sometimes not be the dream scenario you imagined. To help those thinking of having their pup in the bed, luxury bed linen brand Secret Linen Store has published new research that revealed the best dogs to share your sheets with. Analysing factors such as levels of drooling, shedding, barking, energy and cross-referencing that with size, the research reveals which breeds you're going to have the best night's sleep with - and the worst. Here's what the resulting 'pup all night' scores indicated are the 18 best - and worse - canine bedfellows for a peaceful night's sleep. Just let those sleeping dogs lie! 1 . Maltese Taking the top spot as the best dog breed to have in your bed are Maltese pooches, with their small size and lack of shedding and drooling, are officially the perfect dogs to nap with. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales 2 . Yorkshire Terrier The Yorkshire Terrier scored well in all categories, only missing out on top spot because they can be slightly too energetic for long lies on a Sunday. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales 3 . Cockapoo One of the most popular dog breeds in recent years, Cockapoos (a mixture of cocker spaniels and miniature poodles which aren't pedigree), are the equal third best dogs to have in your bed. They lose a couple of points for their relatively big size, but otherwise have all the right attributes to be a great bedfellow. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales 4 . Cavachon Tying with the Cockapoo in third place are another crossbreed - the Cavachons (a mixture of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Bichon Frise - again, not a pedigree pup). They have fairly high energy levels but a quick walk around the block before bedtime should make sure they sleep through. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales
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Scotsman
5 days ago
- General
- Scotsman
Guard Dogs 2025: Here are 18 of the best - and worse - breeds of dog to protect your home - from brave Rottweiler to useless Labrador 🐶
We're a nation of dog lovers, with around one-in-three households including at least one four-legged friend . By far the most popular pet in the UK, they make for wonderful companions, all the while improving both our mental and physical health - and that's a scientific fact. The army of dog owners continues to grow, with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds . Choosing the right breed is absolutely essential – for example opting for a small dog if you don't have much room at home, or a hypoallergenic dog if you suffer from allergies. There's also always the option of adopting a dog from a dog shelter for a minimal fee - for example from the Dogs Trust . One thing you might like to consider when it comes to picking a pup is what roles you want them to carry out. While some potential owners are happy just to have a friendly pet that will curl up next to them on the couch, some want them to help make themselves feel safe in their own home (although the two are not necessarily mutually exclusive). Certain dogs have literally been bred to guard humans and their properties from threats - while others will easily be distracted by a sausage. Here are 18 of the best - and worst - guard dog breeds. 1 . German Shepherd Starting with the best dogs to guard your home and family - and the brest breed for the job. When most people think of a guard dog they are probably picturing a German Shepherd - and for good reason. Popular with the army and police, if one of these dogs don't want you around, you'll quickly know about it. On the flip side, they are also very affectionate dogs who are great with kids. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales 2 . Tibetan Mastiff A lion would be a great animal to guard a house, but the authorities take a dim view of postmen being eaten. The next best thing is the luxuriantly-maned Tibetan Mastiff, with their distinctive thick coat designed for cold mountainous climates. Used to guard Tibetan temples in their native country, they will repel unwanted guests with extreme ferocity before cuddling up next to you on the couch. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales 3 . Chihuahua Don't tell the Chihuahua that it's a tiny dog - they THINK they're enormous. Incredibly alert, these cracking watch dogs will be instantly vocal if they feel threatened and can be surprisingly ferocious. This is a dog whose bark is probably as bad as its bite in the right circumstances. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales 4 . Australian Shepherd An interesting fact about the Australian Shepherd is that it's not from Australia - having been originally bred in the USA. Wherever it's from, it makes a similarly good guard dog as its German counterpart. It was traditionally bred to herd and protect livestock from predators. That instinct is easily transferred to its home and human family. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales
South Wales Argus
6 days ago
- General
- South Wales Argus
Collie has been waiting for a home for nearly a year
Tony, 8, arrived at the All Creatures Great and Small kennels in Torfaen on June 29 last year, and has been in the care of the Dogs Trust ever since. Tony's handlers say he is a bright dog with 'remarkable training potential' and thrives on learning new things. Tony's favourite treat is cheese, which he gets as a reward during training. Tony was brought to the Dogs Trust with Scooby, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier-Labrador mix, when their owners moved overseas and couldn't take them along. Scooby found a new home shortly after arriving. Tony loves playing with cuddly toys, fetch, and tug-of-war. He also has a quirky love for water, often heading straight for the pools in the fields. After he's done playing, the pool is often empty because of his energetic digging. He needs a special water bowl because he tends to empty it quickly. Tony is still looking for his forever home and needs a stable environment with a consistent routine. He can't live with young children or cats, but he might be okay living with another dog of similar size and temperament. (Image: All Creatures Great and Small) Tony is good on the lead but is still undergoing training for his 'traffic reactivity'. This means he can sometimes be wary of traffic and might bark and lunge at vehicles. Potential adopters will need to work closely with the Dogs Trust to continue his training. Tony is making good progress, and it's important to keep this up. The Dogs Trust says Tony is a special dog who needs a loving home as soon as possible. If you think you could give Tony the home he deserves, Dogs Trust is asking you to get in touch.
