Cats, dogs and other animals have been integrated into humans' lives to
a surprising degree: A child growing up in the United States today, for
example, is more likely to have a pet than a father at home, according
to the American Humane Association.
But in households with a history of domestic abuse, pets can be a
complicating factor. Not only are pets likely to be the target of abuse,
but people who are the victims of abuse often refuse to seek shelter
for fear of abandoning their pets.
The statistics are grim: Seventy-one percent of pet-owning women who go
to abuse shelters reported that their abuser had injured, maimed,
threatened or killed pets, according to the National Coalition Against
Domestic Violence.
Come Visit Ace Pets 'r' Us the people who love your pets just as much as you do.
Showing posts with label pet laws. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pet laws. Show all posts
Tuesday, 19 November 2013
Thursday, 25 July 2013
Pets and Distracted Driving: What You Need to Know
When we hear the term "distracted driving," most of us think of the obvious culprits - eating, putting on makeup, talking on the phone, texting, or rummaging for a dropped object on the car floor. However, few of us consider the driving distraction leaving our furry friends unsecured can cause.
This fact is underscored by a 2011 Kurgo and AAA survey of people who frequently drive with their pets. The survey found that, while 64 percent of drivers admitted to engaging in a potentially distracting pet-related activity, and 29 percent admitted to actually being distracted by their pets, a full 84 percent allowed their pets to ride unrestrained.
It's easy to see how an unrestrained pet could be distracting. An anxious dog may cry uncontrollably, pace, or seek comfort from its owner. A dog or cat who becomes suddenly frightened might jump or run around unpredictably. A curious dog might burst into the front seat to get a better view of something interesting he spotted from the back window. A small dog or cat might try to burrow under your seat, or worse-into your lap.
In the survey, drivers admitted to doing everything from petting their dogs, carrying them on their laps, to playing with them and even giving them treats while driving. Three percent of drivers admitted to taking photos of their dogs as they drove.
Restraining pets in vehicles isn't just about pets causing distracted driving. It's about what can happen during an accident. Unrestrained pets can be seriously injured or killed if they are thrown from a vehicle. Pets carried on drivers' laps can be crushed by the impact of an airbag. Frightened pets have been known to escape vehicles and run away in shock after accidents. And unsecured pets can actually put everyone in the car in danger; during an accident, a 60-pound dog can suddenly become the equivalent of a 2,700-pound projectile.
Keeping your pet and human passengers safe and secure is as easy as using the right safety restraint. From pet seat belts or pet car seats, to crates or front seat pet barriers, there is an option out there that will suit your pet and your vehicle. Taking the time to find it may save you the hassle and danger of driving distracted. It may make trips with your pets more fun and worry-free. And it just may save the life your pet - or your own.
About TripsWithPets.com
TripsWithPets.com is the #1 online resource for pet travel. Named best pet travel site by Consumer Reports, TripsWithPets.com's mission is to offer resources that ensure pets are welcome, happy, and safe while traveling. The website features a directory of pet friendly hotels and accommodations across the United States and Canada, as well as airline & car rental pet policies; pet friendly restaurants, beaches, and events; a user-friendly route search option; pet travel tips; pet travel supplies; and other pet travel resources.
About the Author
Kim Salerno is the President & Founder of TripsWithPets.com. She founded the pet travel site in 2003 and is an expert in the field of pet travel. Her popular web site features pet friendly hotels & accommodations across the US and Canada, along with other helpful pet travel resources. Her mission is to ensure that pets are welcome, happy, and safe in their travels.
Friday, 19 July 2013
Friday, 17 May 2013
Travelling abroad with your pet
More and more pets are travelling abroad with their owners under The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS).
The scheme enables dogs, cats and ferrets to return to the UK after
travelling to a number of qualifying countries both within the EU and
beyond without the need for quarantine.
From 1 January 2012 all pet dogs (including guide and hearing dogs) can enter or re-enter the UK from any country in the world without quarantine provided they meet the rules of the scheme, which will be different depending on the country or territory the pet is coming from. The changes will mean that the rules on rabies vaccination for entry into the UK will be in line with the rest of Europe.
Animals which do not meet all the rules must be licensed into quarantine. They might then be able to obtain early release if they can be shown to comply with the necessary pet travel requirements.
Dogs travelling to the UK, on or after 1 January 2012, can undergo the necessary pre-entry treatment (e.g microchipping, vaccination and blood testing as required) either before they travel in the country of origin, or if they enter quarantine in the UK, whilst they are in quarantine.
Before you can bring your dog into the UK from the EU and listed non-EU countries, you need to:
From 1 January 2012 all pet dogs (including guide and hearing dogs) can enter or re-enter the UK from any country in the world without quarantine provided they meet the rules of the scheme, which will be different depending on the country or territory the pet is coming from. The changes will mean that the rules on rabies vaccination for entry into the UK will be in line with the rest of Europe.
Animals which do not meet all the rules must be licensed into quarantine. They might then be able to obtain early release if they can be shown to comply with the necessary pet travel requirements.
Dogs travelling to the UK, on or after 1 January 2012, can undergo the necessary pre-entry treatment (e.g microchipping, vaccination and blood testing as required) either before they travel in the country of origin, or if they enter quarantine in the UK, whilst they are in quarantine.
Before you can bring your dog into the UK from the EU and listed non-EU countries, you need to:
- Step 1 – Have your dog microchipped – First your dog must be fitted with a microchip so it can be properly identified.
- Step 2 – Have your dog vaccinated–
Your dog must be vaccinated against rabies. Rabies boosters must
be kept up to date. You will need to wait 21 days after the first
vaccination date before you can enter the UK. A waiting period
is not required for subsequent entries into the UK, provided
rabies boosters are kept up to date. If the vaccination is in two
parts, the 21 day wait will be from the date of the second vaccination.
- Step 3 – Get pet travel documentation
– For animals arriving in the UK from an EU country, get an EU pet
passport. From a non-EU listed country or territory you will need
to obtain an official third country veterinary certificate (NB
Croatia, Gibraltar, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland are also
issuing passports).(see http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/pet-owners/documentation/ for more details)
- Step 4 – Tapeworm treatment – The European Commission and European Parliament have agreed that the UK can continue to require dogs to be treated against tapeworms. This is because of the potential risk of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis being introduced into the UK which would represent a public health concern. The new regulation will ensure that a dog must be treated by a veterinary surgeon 24 to 120 hours (1-5 days) before entering one of the countries listed as EM-free (UK, Ireland, Finland and Malta).
There is no longer a mandatory requirement for tick treatment. (see http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/pet-owners/parasites/
for more details), although the British Veterinary Association
recommends very strongly that owners continue to treat their animals
both before and during travel to prevent infection with tick-borne
diseases such as and Ehrlichiosis, which can often be life threatening
to pets.
- Step 5 – Arrange for your animal to travel with an approved transport company on an authorised route – Your dog must enter the UK from a listed country or territory travelling with an approved transport company on an authorised route.
- Step 1 – Have your dog microchipped – First your dog must be fitted with a microchip so it can be properly identified.
- Step 2 – Have your dog vaccinated
–Your dog must be vaccinated against rabies. There is no exemption
to this requirement, even if your dog has a current rabies
vaccination. Rabies boosters must be kept up to date.
- Step 3 – Arrange a blood test
– After your dog has been vaccinated, it must be blood tested to
make sure the vaccine has given it a satisfactory level of
protection against rabies. The blood sample must be taken at least
30 days after vaccination. The length of the waiting period before
entry to the UK is three calendar months from the date your vet
took the blood sample which led to a satisfactory test result. The
three month waiting period will not apply if your dog was
vaccinated and blood tested in the EU and issued with an EU pet
passport before it went to an unlisted country
- Step 4 – Get pet travel documentation –You will need to obtain an official third country veterinary certificate.(see http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/pet-owners/documentation/ for more details)
- Step 5 – Tapeworm treatment – The European Commission and European Parliament have agreed that the UK can continue to require dogs to be treated against tapeworms. This is because of the potential risk of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis being introduced into the UK which would represent a public health concern. The new regulation will ensure that a dog must be treated by a veterinary surgeon 24 to 120 hours (1-5 days) before entering one of the countries listed as EM-free (UK, Ireland, Finland and Malta).
There is no longer a mandatory requirement for tick treatment. (see http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/pet-owners/parasites/
for more details), although the British Veterinary Association
recommends very strongly that owners continue to treat their animals
both before and during travel to prevent infection with tick-borne
diseases such as Babesiosis and Ehrlichiosis, which can often be life
threatening to pets.
- Step 6 – Arrange for your animal to travel with an approved transport company on an authorised route – Your dog must enter the UK with an approved transport company on an authorised route.
In addition to adhering to
these requirements, the UK veterinary profession recommends that owners
talk to a vet as early as possible to make sure your dog is protected
from all diseases and parasites encountered abroad.
Always consider your dog’s
welfare and think about planning your trip to ensure that they have
sufficient stops to stretch their legs and relax along the way. Think
carefully about the temperatures that they are exposed to and make sure
you have plans in place to keep them well hydrated and cool. Finally,
remember to pack a ‘travel bag’ for your pet including his bedding,
food, a water supply and things like his favourite toys. Your dog
should also have plenty of room to turn around and lie down while you’re
on route.
For further information on travelling abroad with your dog, contact your vet.
Friday, 8 February 2013
DO YOU KNOW THIS STAFFI - LOST IN OXLOW LANE I N DAGENHAM ESSEX
Please please Help to see if anyone could give her a home or knows of anyone who could
Dont let the RSPCA put her down.
Wednesday, 30 January 2013
Do you know about The Dangerous Dogs Act (DDA)
The Dangerous Dogs Act (DDA) is an act of Parliament that came into
force in the UK in 1991 (with amendments made in 1997) which regulates
or prohibits the ownership of certain breeds and types of dogs within
the UK.
The reasons behind the Dangerous Dogs Act
The Dangerous Dogs Act became law in the UK as a response to a growing number of incidents involving serious injury and even death as a result of attacks by dogs, often involving children. High profile coverage by the media of these attacks and increasing public concern led to the issue of aggressive and badly controlled dogs being highlighted, and the subsequent government response.
The development of the DDA which eventually passed into law considered that certain breeds and types of dogs were significantly more likely to have aggressive tendencies or attack people than other breeds, and that being attacked by these particular breeds and types of dogs was significantly more likely to cause serious injury or death due to the nature of the dogs and their ability to inflict serious damage. The perceived desirability of certain types of dogs for various illegal and immoral activities such as dog fighting led to a significant number of dogs of certain breeds and types being kept and deliberately trained to be aggressive prior to the act coming into force.
The act is currently in place in law in England, Wales and Scotland, with Northern Ireland being covered in law by the Dangerous Dogs Order, which is similar in its remit and content.
As a result of the Dangerous Dogs Act passing into law, it is now illegal to own, sell or breed any of the dogs covered by the act without a court exemption. While the act defines dogs by their type rather than their breed (more on this later) the act specifically indicates four breeds of dog which are labelled as 'specially controlled dogs' and are as a general rule illegal to own, breed or sell within the UK. These dogs are :
The dangerous Dogs Act judges dogs according to their 'type' rather than their specific breed- so while any of the four breeds mentioned above and dogs with ancestry from any of the four are automatically covered, this does not exempt some other types of dogs from falling under the remit of the legislation also. The 'type' of dog in relation to the law depends on a variety of factors including its temperament, physical traits, ancestry and history. It is up to the courts to decide the inclusion or exclusion of any particular dog from coverage by the act, and every dog is judged individually on a case by case basis.
Exemptions to the Act
When the act came into law in 1991, all dogs which were currently owned in the UK and covered by the act had to be added to an index of specially controlled dogs and exempted dogs, managed by the animal welfare department of the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). From 1992 onwards, no further additions were permitted to the index in order to halt the breeding of dogs covered by the act and eventually reduce the number of dogs of this type kept in the UK.
The Dangerous Dogs Act amendment made in 1997 added a caveat that in individual cases, a specific dog may be added to the index by issue of a Court Order at the discretion of the court in question. All dogs currently listed on the index or considered legally as specially controlled dogs must be neutered, microchipped and tattooed with an identification number, registered on the index, insured and closely controlled. Dogs identified as falling under the remit of the act and not placed on the index of exempted dogs will be issued with a destruction order, and humanely put to sleep.
What the Dangerous Dogs Act means for you
The letter and spirit of the Dangerous Dogs Act is all about reducing and removing potentially dangerous and aggressive dogs from ownership and popularity within the UK, and so you should of course not seek to own any breed of dog covered by the act or which may have traits of the types of dogs which the act seeks to control. Ownership of a potentially dangerous dog may result in the removal and destruction of your dog, and potential prosecution for you- as well as the potential for the dog to cause injury or harm to another person. If you are found to own a prohibited breed or type of dog or there is some question as to whether your dog is one of the ones covered by the act, then the keepers of the index of exempted dogs will contact you in order to gain some more information from you and decide whether your dog should be placed on the register of exempted dogs. This may happen only after the courts have issued you with a contingency destruction order, and there is of course no guarantee that the courts will decide in your dog's favour. DNA testing, expert assessment and extensive interviewing may all be required to decide upon the appropriate outcome, which can of course be a very worrying time for the owner of any dog, with the shadow of possible legally enforced removal and euthanasia of the dog at the end of it. Significant controversy still surrounds the very existence of the Dangerous Dogs Act itself, the 'nature versus nurture' debate, and the extent of the law's positive effectiveness. Regardless of your personal feelings, however, the law 'is what it is' and of course like all dog owners, you are required to comply with it. Don't be tempted to take risks when looking for a new dog or puppy- stay legal, and stay safe
The reasons behind the Dangerous Dogs Act
The Dangerous Dogs Act became law in the UK as a response to a growing number of incidents involving serious injury and even death as a result of attacks by dogs, often involving children. High profile coverage by the media of these attacks and increasing public concern led to the issue of aggressive and badly controlled dogs being highlighted, and the subsequent government response.
The development of the DDA which eventually passed into law considered that certain breeds and types of dogs were significantly more likely to have aggressive tendencies or attack people than other breeds, and that being attacked by these particular breeds and types of dogs was significantly more likely to cause serious injury or death due to the nature of the dogs and their ability to inflict serious damage. The perceived desirability of certain types of dogs for various illegal and immoral activities such as dog fighting led to a significant number of dogs of certain breeds and types being kept and deliberately trained to be aggressive prior to the act coming into force.
The act is currently in place in law in England, Wales and Scotland, with Northern Ireland being covered in law by the Dangerous Dogs Order, which is similar in its remit and content.
As a result of the Dangerous Dogs Act passing into law, it is now illegal to own, sell or breed any of the dogs covered by the act without a court exemption. While the act defines dogs by their type rather than their breed (more on this later) the act specifically indicates four breeds of dog which are labelled as 'specially controlled dogs' and are as a general rule illegal to own, breed or sell within the UK. These dogs are :
- The Pit Bull Terrier
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasiliero
The dangerous Dogs Act judges dogs according to their 'type' rather than their specific breed- so while any of the four breeds mentioned above and dogs with ancestry from any of the four are automatically covered, this does not exempt some other types of dogs from falling under the remit of the legislation also. The 'type' of dog in relation to the law depends on a variety of factors including its temperament, physical traits, ancestry and history. It is up to the courts to decide the inclusion or exclusion of any particular dog from coverage by the act, and every dog is judged individually on a case by case basis.
Exemptions to the Act
When the act came into law in 1991, all dogs which were currently owned in the UK and covered by the act had to be added to an index of specially controlled dogs and exempted dogs, managed by the animal welfare department of the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). From 1992 onwards, no further additions were permitted to the index in order to halt the breeding of dogs covered by the act and eventually reduce the number of dogs of this type kept in the UK.
The Dangerous Dogs Act amendment made in 1997 added a caveat that in individual cases, a specific dog may be added to the index by issue of a Court Order at the discretion of the court in question. All dogs currently listed on the index or considered legally as specially controlled dogs must be neutered, microchipped and tattooed with an identification number, registered on the index, insured and closely controlled. Dogs identified as falling under the remit of the act and not placed on the index of exempted dogs will be issued with a destruction order, and humanely put to sleep.
What the Dangerous Dogs Act means for you
The letter and spirit of the Dangerous Dogs Act is all about reducing and removing potentially dangerous and aggressive dogs from ownership and popularity within the UK, and so you should of course not seek to own any breed of dog covered by the act or which may have traits of the types of dogs which the act seeks to control. Ownership of a potentially dangerous dog may result in the removal and destruction of your dog, and potential prosecution for you- as well as the potential for the dog to cause injury or harm to another person. If you are found to own a prohibited breed or type of dog or there is some question as to whether your dog is one of the ones covered by the act, then the keepers of the index of exempted dogs will contact you in order to gain some more information from you and decide whether your dog should be placed on the register of exempted dogs. This may happen only after the courts have issued you with a contingency destruction order, and there is of course no guarantee that the courts will decide in your dog's favour. DNA testing, expert assessment and extensive interviewing may all be required to decide upon the appropriate outcome, which can of course be a very worrying time for the owner of any dog, with the shadow of possible legally enforced removal and euthanasia of the dog at the end of it. Significant controversy still surrounds the very existence of the Dangerous Dogs Act itself, the 'nature versus nurture' debate, and the extent of the law's positive effectiveness. Regardless of your personal feelings, however, the law 'is what it is' and of course like all dog owners, you are required to comply with it. Don't be tempted to take risks when looking for a new dog or puppy- stay legal, and stay safe
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