Pets that look like celebs

A national search has been launched to find pets who look like famous people.

Vet charity PDSA is calling on owners of celebrity-lookalike pets to enter its annual pet photography competition.

There are also categories for pets who look like their owners and the most photogenic pet.

PDSA spokesperson Lisa Nickless said: "We're searching for photos that capture a pet's likeness to a famous face or its owner.

"We also have a posing pet category, for those four-legged friends who just love showing off in front of the lens."

Competition entrants are invited to make a minimum £1 donation to help PDSA in its work to care for sick and injured pets.

The charity said it had seen a 20% increase in demand for its services since the recession and that every donation would make a difference.

Lisa added: "We want all pets to be completely natural, so there's no need to dress them up in clothes or accessories.

"And by giving a donation, you will also be helping PDSA to provide free veterinary treatment to the pets of people in need across the UK."

Last year's competition was won by Tangle, a cat from from Chessington, Surrey.

Tangle's owner, Susan Parker, 60, spotted the competition online and decided to enter her favourite photo of the grinning cat.

Susan, who is a receptionist at Chessington Veterinary Surgery, said: "As soon as I saw PDSA's competition, I knew I had to enter this picture of Tangle.

"My husband took the photograph about six months ago and I've loved it ever since. Tangle's a real poser, as you can clearly see from the picture!

"I've always loved animals and since working at the vets, I've re-homed many cats over the years.

"My job lets me see first hand how important pets are in people's lives. Tangle's a real star and we wouldn't be without him. I'm thrilled PDSA picked his photograph to win."

People can enter their pictures online at www.pdsa.org.uk/petsgallery or call into one of PDSA's stores to pick up an entry form.

Photographs submitted at PDSA stores will be displayed in the shop for the duration of the competition. The selected winning photographs will also feature on PDSA's website.

The closing date is Friday 30 July 2010. Competition winners will be announced in September.

PDSA said it could not return photographs and that by submitting photographs entrants were agreeing to the terms and conditions of the competition.

The charity provides free veterinary care to the sick and injured pets of people in need and promotes responsible pet ownership.

For more information visit www.pdsa.org.uk.

Source - mirror.co.uk

Dog Insurance to Become Compulsory?

Dog owners could soon be required to insure themselves against the risk of their pet attacking someone, Home Secretary Alan Johnson has announced.

New government proposals are suggesting that it should be compulsory for all dog owners to have their pets micro-chipped and have a form of pet insurance in case of injury caused to others, working in the same way as third party insurance does for car owners.

This has come in conjunction with the possible introduction of new Dog Control Notices for misbehaving animals, dubbed ‘Dogbos’ in akin to the asbos in operation for humans.

These ‘Dogbos’ would grant the police and council officials to force owners to muzzle, leash or even neuter overly aggressive dogs. In extreme cases the dogs could even be confiscated and given to new owners.

These measures have arisen as part of proposed changes to the Dangerous Dogs Act, and are aimed at the growing problem of dogs being bred as weapons to harm and intimidate others.
The laws could also mean that people will be held responsible for their dogs control and behaviour in their own homes, as currently this only extends to public places. The extension of this into private residences would mean extra protection for postmen as an example.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Mr Johnson said the proposal on insurance was one of many measures set out in a consultation document.

He said: "We believe that it is time for a root-and-branch look at the legislation underpinning dangerous dogs, and other aspects like third party insurance, like dog control notices that we are looking at, and the idea that you put a microchip in every dog so that you can trace them back to their owners."

Mr Johnson said the majority of dog owners were responsible - but there had been cruelty to animals meted out by people who had merely followed a fashion for "status dogs".

We reserve our judgment on this, as it has it benefits, but at the same time many drawbacks.

Would those irresponsible owners of dogs even bother with pet insurance? Would taking dogs from owners without insurance not simply flood animal rescues? Is it even fair if the owner is responsible and in control of their pets with full precautions including muzzling and leads?

Of course the added cost of owning a dog could deter those who see dogs as weapons or accessories from bothering in the first place. But many people, such as pensioners rely on their faithful pets for unconditional companionship and love and the costs may be too steep. Finally most responsible owners will already have pet insurance for their dogs in the case of health related issues, and would the payout from insurance really solve the grief of suffering of someone whom has been mauled or attacked?

If you have thoughts to share then please do.

Looking after your pets while you are on Holiday

There are many things that have to be taken care of before you can go on a holiday. One important thing to remember is to make sure you find reliable care for your pets. There are several different choices that can be made. You could put your pet in a kennel or cattery. You can have a friend or relative watch your pets. You can hire a professional pet sitter. Another option may even be to take your pet on holiday with you.

The most important thing to remember is the welfare of your pet. You have to consider where and with whom they will feel most comfortable in your absence. Some animals handle change well and others have a hard time being taken out of their daily routine. The option you choose will also depend on how long you plan on being away.

The ideal scenario is to have someone that you trust stay at your home with your pets when you are on holiday. There are also professional pet sitters who offer a variety of services. There are many reputable companies that have trained professionals who are CRB-checked and specialise in pet sitting.

Pet sitters will take care of your pets according to your specifications. They will stay in your home whilst you are away, or may offer one or more daily visits to your home. They will care for your pets, take them on walks, feed them and groom them. Good pet-sitters will also water your plants, pick up your mail and open and close your curtains for you so that it does not appear that your house is empty. There are also companies that specialise in giving personal care to your pets in their own homes. They will take your dog or cat into their homes and care for them in your absence, often in the company of other pets - a good option if your pet dog or cat is sociable and would enjoy the companionship of other animals, but not so good if your pet is used to being king of the hill, so to speak.

Depending on friends or neighbours to take care of your pets might seem like the ideal arrangement; but sometimes people get involved in other things and unforseen circumstances crop up in everyones' lives. Since most people have busy lives they might not always remember, or only be able to give your pet a few minutes of their time. There is one thing you can do to avoid this from happening and to make sure your pet gets good care, and that is to treat this as a business arrangement instead of a favour.

If you set up a deal with your neighbours, friends or relatives to watch your pet for a certain amount of money you will definately get better results. People will do a better job when they are getting paid and not just doing a favour. You can set up the exact amount you will pay and what you expect to be done whilst you are on holiday.

If you want to hire a professional animal caregiver you will want to start planning and looking for someone in advance of your trip and not at the last minute. You want to make sure you have plenty of time to check out the person who is going to come into your home and take care of your animals. This is as big a decision as choosing a babysitter for your children - if you are not 100% comfortable with a pet-sitter then you need to continue searching. You can ask your vet, friends and neighbours for recommendations. You can also ask someone at your local rescue centre or a dog trainer if they know of anybody. You can also use the internet to find professional animal caregivers in your area.

Always look for companies that have had their staff checked with the Criminal Records Bureau and are fully insured. You want to ask the person you are considering for references and make sure you check them out yourself. You will want to find out if the person can take care of any special needs your pet may have, such as medication or other special requirements. Once you have done phone interviews and find the person you think might be the one; invite them to your home for an interview. By inviting the person to your home you get to observe how they interact with your pets. This way you can see how comfortable the person is with your pet and also how comfortable your pet is with the person. This is also the time to let the professional get a feel of your home and to show them where supplies are, etc. if you feel that they are suitable.

Once you have decided this is the right person to look after your pet you want to make sure you ask some basic questions. You want to know how often the sitter will visit or whether they could stay in the home. You also want to know what backup plans the person has in place in case they are not able to care for your pet. You will also want to make sure you leave an itinerary of your trip and phone numbers where you can be reached. Also make sure you put your vet's number and emergency numbers and your pet insurance policy documents in a place that is easy to get to.

If you can't leave your pet at home for any reason, and if taking pets on holiday is not an option for you either, you will have to find a good kennel or cattery that will take good care of your pets whilst you are on holiday. Follow the same steps for this as you would when looking for a pet sitter. You will want to find out if the boarding place is insured, licensed and bonded. After you have made some initial calls and narrowed down your choices; you will then want to visit the establishments in person. You might also want to see if your vet office provides boarding services. Take some time to check out the facilities, ask lots of questions and visit the existing boarders to make sure you will be comfortable leaving your own pet there.

Most pets are more comfortable in their own homes while their owners are away, and can become very stressed when put in a new environment. By planning ahead you will be able to find the best solution for your pet whilst you are gone. That way you will be able to relax and enjoy your holiday and not be worried about your animals.

Litter Kwitter at Petshop247

The LITTER KWITTER is available at Petshop247

Cat Toilet Training System is a unique, patented & proven device that helps people train their cats to use the regular household toilet.

So you potty train your cat to use a domestic toilet and you can train your cat in 3 - easy steps to use the toilet and say goodbye to the litter tray forever!

The system was developed with vets, animal behaviorists and cat breeders.


Cats bury their waste in a litter tray to hide the odour from predators. This is a survival instinct. When they use the toilet instead of the litter tray the water in the pan hides the odour more effectively and the cat is satisfied.

The Litter Kwitter leads the cat through three stages of behaviour modification to teach the cat how to balance on the loo, how to aim correctly into the pan and finally how to go without the need for litter.

This award-winning product is sold in over 40 countries and has appeared on TV hundreds of times including BBC 1, BBC2, HGTV, Fox News, CNN and NBC.

Each pack comes complete with
1 x white base plate toilet seat (will fit all standard toilets)
3 x Colour Coded toilet training seats
DVD training Guide
Full colour instruction bookJust click here to view the Litter Kwitter

Insure your pets at Petshop247 with Argos- 5% Discount

Insure your pets at Petshop247 with Argos Pet Insurance and get a 5% discount when you apply online.

They sell just about everything else and Petshop247 has teamed with Argos to offer pet insurance whih has become a best seller over the last couple of years.

Pet insurance from Argos is available on 24 hours per day so request a quote when it suits you.

For just a few pounds per month you can insure your dog, cat and just about another pet for any vet treatment your pet may need and with the costs of vets for ever increasing this will give you peace of mind.

To apply for Argos Pet Insurance and to get a 5% discount just click here to apply.

Look after the Birds this winter!! Have you got enough fat balls?

Don't forget, try to keep the wild birds fed in this wintery weather.

Our wild birds will need a helping hand with feeding this winter, consider fat balls, nuts and seeds which appeal to most species of birds.

we stock an extensive range of wildbird products just click below to have a look

Wildbird products

Presents for Pets

Less than a week and it’s Christmas. Mad rush nearly over and all the food and gift shopping, along with crowds and all the other Christmas build up madness will be a distant of memory.

So having got the presents for family and friends, have you remembered to get something for your pets? OK not everyone will buy a gift for a pet, be it dog, cat or whatever your choice of animal companions are. But many of us do, they are a part of the family and it’s nice to have them join in with the festivities where possible. Even if they don’t understand it, they will normally appreciate or even benefit from their gifts.

So let’s look at what you could try for your pets.

Dogs
Probably the easiest as there are a mass amount of dog toys, dog treats and other dog gift ideas available. I normally by my dog something along the lines of a rope toy or a nylon bone, mainly as the weather normally isn’t geared to playing ball or fetch. So something I can play with him indoors or something he can chill out with and chew away at is fine. Add in some treats such as biscuits or chews and he’s a happy camper at Christmas.

Finding something good for your dog won’t be difficult, but there are other things besides toys you could try. How about a new dog bed for your pet pooch? Maybe a new dog lead or dog collar? Perhaps even some nice shiny new dog bowls? When it comes to dogs the choice is just huge.

Cats
Cats are just about as easy to buy for as dogs, though personally cats always seem a bit less enthusiastic about whatever you give them, then again cats just seem to have that chilled attitude most of the time, the term ‘cool cat’ didn’t pop up for no reason.

Regardless of enthusiasm, cats love toys and gifts as much as a dogs do, and there is a wealth of gifts out there for them. Toy mice, bells, and other small cat toys are great to get your cat playing, and spray a little catnip on them and they will soon be going nuts.

Along with toys there are beds, bowls and collars, as well as scratching posts and activity sets. These activity sets give the cats a place to play, scratch and climb, with some even adding a small ‘hidey hole’ for them to creep into.

Birds
Well birds don’t exactly bark with delight at a gift, but they enjoy them nonetheless. Adding a new swing or new toy to a cage will go down a treat, and dangling decor such as mirrors or bells are great for interactivity. Ladders and rings will give them places to explore and perch on and it adds a new discovery game to their routine. A few little treats for them to nibble on won’t go amiss either. If you really want to go to town, why not go for a whole new bird cage? Chances are they’ll love it.

Small Pets
what to buy your pet rabbit, or guinea pig, hamster, mouse or other cute little critter. Well they love toys just like any other animal. Something to keep them occupied and entertained will always go down well.

Something to chew is a good start, keeping their teeth in good condition and providing them something to do. There is a whole plethora of chew and play toys available for small pets, from ferrets and chinchillas to hamsters and mice.

The there is the cage they live in; you can always buy one of the host of accessories and activity sets that can be great for any small pet cage. Wheels, tubes, houses, see-saws, the list goes on and on. Or you could by them a modular cage that can be built and added to over time providing them with a whole interactive home.

Fish
Fish don’t really need presents, or care too much about them, but adding some nice new decor to their tank will provide benefits, be it places to hide, things to explore or even something else to try and eat. If you do want to splash out though, how about a new fish tank?

These are just a few of the pets we have and there are gifts and treats for other animals such as horses, reptiles, spiders and insects as well. So whatever you have as you choice of pet, there is something out there for them this Christmas, and it shouldn’t be too hard to find.

For a great range of gifts for pets, whether for Christmas or any time of the year, visit www.petshop247.co.uk, one of the UK’s leading online pet superstores.