Adopting pets during lockdown - is it the right thing to do?

Whilst most of the world’s population is in lockdown due to the COVID-19 epidemic, there has been a lot of coverage in the media about adopting a pet. But is this enforced confinement really an ideal time to welcome a new cat or dog into the household?

In theory it could be – when else would we be confined to our homes for such a long period of time, and so be there throughout the day to help settle a new family member into their new home?

Some people may be feeling isolated and lonely, cut off from their friends, family and colleagues, and longing for the company that an animal companion would undoubtedly bring during self-isolation.

These are worthy reasons to consider adoption, and without doubt there are thousands of pets looking for their ‘forever home’ and the love of a new owner.

However, adopting a pet is a huge undertaking, and many prospective owners don’t consider the full implications first. The lifetime cost of owning a dog is calculated at anything between £5,000 – 15,000 depending on the breed (source PDSA https://www.pdsa.org.uk/taking-care-of-your-pet/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/the-cost-of-owning-a-dog) and that may be without factoring in vet’s fees and insurance!     

When the pandemic finally ends and life begins to return to some sort of normality, many people will return to work and study, leaving homes empty for much of the day. Dogs can’t be left for more than a few hours, so unless you are lucky enough to have a dog-friendly workplace or the option to continue to regularly work from home, think very carefully before adopting, as it will be hard to adjust back to a different pattern once a dog is part of the household. Dogs need regular daily exercise so time for walks should be factored in.

Moreover, many dogs have come to be in a centre because their previous owner could not (or would not) adapt to having a dog and had to give them up. What could be more distressing for the dog who is returned to a shelter, having had a taste of being part of a loving household?    

Cats are by nature more adaptable, but considerable thought is still required before adoption. Whilst they are naturally more independent than dogs, many cats are especially loyal to their owners and miss them when they are away. If you plan to keep a cat indoors, he will need stimulation in the form of toys, a comfortable place to sleep, a litter tray, and fresh water and regular feeding. Two cats can be company for one another, if they get along. Consider whether it is safe to install a cat flap, allowing access to the outdoors. It may be fine if you live in a quiet area away from busy roads, but, sadly, many cats lose their lives to cars each year so this may not be the best option.

Animal adoption organisations and sanctuaries have taken different approaches during lockdown. Battersea’s adoption centres are closed during the COVID 19 epidemic. Cat’s Protection is limiting adoption through its centres for the safety of  staff and volunteers. Dog’s Trust is  rehoming only an exceedingly small number of animals, and its rehoming centres are closed for th duration of the pandemic in the interests of both staff and animals. Remember that once the pandemic is over, the dogs and cats will still be there, needing homes more than ever, and adoption decisions can be made in the light of the situation people find themselves in then, which may be very different to how it used to be, pre-lockdown.

Think very carefully about animal adoption, particularly in this unsettling time. Undoubtedly, welcoming a canine or feline companion into your life can be one of the best things you can do, and giving a home to a previously homeless animal is to be commended.

But it may be better to wait until ‘normal’ life has resumed before taking that big step ...

National Love Your Pet Day

This year, the unofficial occasion of ‘Love Your Pet’ day falls on a Wednesday.

Now, we don’t need to tell you to love your pet, but the day serves us all as a reminder of the personalities in those furry friends, and their needs and wants.

You can show extra appreciation in any small way today, whether it be taking a slower walk, so that your dog can enjoy the different sights and scents they encounter, or learning how to give your pet a veterinarian approved massage. Maybe you're a dab hand in the kitchen, and you want to learn how to make homemade treats for your four-legged companion.

For those of us without pets at home, you can show your gratitude by volunteering at a rescue centre or animal charity near you. This is a fantastic way to make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged pets, as well as helping out the team of humans!

If you'd like some thoroughly researched information, from field experts and experienced pet owners, look no further than Hubble & Hattie publishing; promoting compassion, understanding and respect between all animals since 2009. Since then, many more books have been added to the range, all of them with the same underlying objective: to be of real benefit to the species they cover.

Our pets are under our charge for all of their life, and for all the unconditional love they offer us, we think it’s quite fitting to dedicate this day to giving a little more of our time and patience to our animal friends. So whether yours is tall or short, shaggy or smooth, big or small – we love them all!

Here's to happy pets and compassionate owners, Happy Love Your Pet Day!

Chinese New Year

The twelfth animal in the Chinese Annual Calendar is, according to the Chinese, fortuitous with a beautiful personality; strong and straightforward but happy to relax! Perhaps it is these characteristics, as well as a swell in celebrity endorsements, that has lead to such a dramatic increase in pigs making the move from farmyard staple to household pet. 

As comedian and country life-liver Dom Joly writes here, pigs are just as intelligent as literary classics such as Charlotte’s Web and Babe would have us believe, though with that intelligence comes boorishness (one could say pig-headedness), and a demand for space that many well-wishing pig adopters do not account for. It’s clear from Dom’s article that pigs are to be respected as individuals with personality traits that are not always placid and awaiting a tranquil belly-rub by the fire. 

Sadly, this misunderstanding has left more and more previously domesticated pigs abandoned on the streets to fend for themselves, often leaving devastation in their confused and frustrated wake. 

Janet Devereux of the UK’s only dedicated pig rescue centre, Pigs Inn Heaven, urges prospective pig purchasers that “a micro pig is a piglet; then it grows” and that the term is in fact a complete fabrication.

Illustration by Billie Hastie

Coming exclusively to Hubble & Hattie Kids! in September 2019, Catherine James' Book for children, Indigo Warriors: The Adventure Begins approaches the subject of stewardship over not-so-micro-pigs with an emphasis on responsibility.

Whilst the Kunekune of New Zealand is much smaller than other traditional breeds of pig, they’re by no means a ‘micro pig’ and can grow to be 100kg. There are plenty of materials from responsible sources on the internet about pig stewardship, so if you’re really thinking about bringing one or more of these commanding animals into your life (and not your living room) then make sure you’re definitely ready.

As the Chinese people and horoscope followers celebrate the Year of the Pig, we remember that they should be honoured and respected for their intelligence, personalities and strength. Here’s to a 2019 of good fortune!

Margaret Green Animal Rescue – 2017 Events

Margaret Green is providing plenty of opportunities to get out and about in 2017 … and give a helping hand at the same time

Founded in 1965, Margaret Green Animal Rescue cares for over 1200 animals each year across its three centres. Very close to Hubble & Hattie's heart (we even made a nice Christmas donation), and very close to H&H HQ, being just a few miles away at Church Knowle, Dorset, where it has a 35 acre rehoming and visitor centre, in the heart of the beautiful Purbeck countryside.

Why not pop along to one of its 2017 events for a fun day out? There's something for every age and animal lover …

• 9th April  ::  Sponsored Walk  ::  Devon
• 9th-23rd April  ::  Easter At Church Knowle  ::  Dorset
• 15th- 20th May  ::  Margaret Green Week Everywhere!  ::  Event to be added very soon for the 20th May
• 11th June  ::  Wingletang Companion Dog Show  ::  Devon
• 6th August  ::  Companion Dog Show  ::  Dorset 
• 3rd September  ::  Tri-4-Rescue  ::  Devon
• 24th September  ::  Country Fayre  ::  Dorset

Of course, every year is a busy year at Margaret Green Animal Rescue, and planning and running events can be very time consuming … so why not come along and volunteer?!

The help and support of volunteers, at events, and at its centres, is always welcome, and really does make a difference. Tasks include such things as …

• Helping set up event fields 
• Manning stalls
• Serving refreshments and cake 
• Helping in the car park 
• Baking for our event 
• Selling raffle tickets 
• Face painting

… and a whole lot more, of course!

Get in touch now with Jazmin on 01929 477074, or email jazmin.house@mgar.org.uk, and see how you can help … and have fun and help animals at the same time!

From Summer Hot dog to Winter Frankfurter

In this post, we're handing over to our friends at Kyrenia Animal Rescue for a heartwarming tale of hounds and homes …

It is always nice when we help to relocate pets – but even nicer when the pet was homed from our Rescue Centre.

Tinky had come into KAR after having being found just lying in the rain in a ditch – seemingly having given up trying to find somewhere warm and dry to rest. She was such a sad, sorry, little, wet and cold dog.

Tinky had only been with KAR a few months, when she caught the eyes of Sylvie and Heinz, from Germany. They already had a KAR rescue dog, Arap, who they homed in 2006, and wanted another to share their home with. Everyone was delighted when, after a few false hopes and starts, and, sadly, them not being able to have their original chosen dog, they were drawn like magnets to Tinky as soon as they saw her. 

Throughout the long, hot summer, with temperatures in the high 30s, Tinky was told “not long now.” When she was lying at the back of her kennel with her friends trying to keep cool in the shade, the message was “soon be time.” When she was having a bath, she was reminded “this feels like the rain that you need to get used to." For Tinky, it was a very long, humid summer – she was one of the many Hot Dogs at KAR.

At last, as the summer began to draw to a close and the temperature dropped, it was Tinky's time. Time for her to travel. Time for her to go to Germany. 

It was decided that Tinky would travel as an “accompanied pet” with Turkish Airlines, as opposed to travelling as a cargo booking. For some pets/owners this can be a cheaper alternative to cargo bookings, but it is not possible for pets flying into the UK.

Her flight was booked, all of the paperwork was finished, and Tinky set off. Owners often worry about how their pets will be handled during their loading, flight, and offloading, so it's nice to see from these photos the careful handling of Tinky by Ercan ground team. 

KAR Pet Travel has worked hard with everyone at Ercan who deals with their travelling pets, and these photos show that the hard work has paid off – Tinky was carefully carried onto the aircraft and strapped into her special area of the hold. 

Ground staff, Captain, and cabin crew liaised about Tinky, and the necessary reassurances for her travel were given. Tinky was off – she had a short transit, and a change of planes at Istanbul, and then continued on her journey to Germany.  

After completing all of the entry processes and checks on entry to Germany, it was time … time for Tinky to be taken out of her travel box and be with Sylvie. There were tears all around, but they were happy tears. Tinky was delighted to be snuggled up in Sylvie’s arms – after all, no one had told her that this new place was going to be so cold!

She had a comfort break and walk outside – and even had time for a quick stop at McDonalds, before setting off for an hour's journey to her new house – all of the time being told “This is it Tinky – this is Germany – this is now Home.” 

This is her new house, and her new friend, Arap.

She will even have a lake of her own to cool down in – won’t her KAR Hot Dog friends be envious!

Tinky won’t be a Summer Hot Dog again: she's now a Winter Frankfurter through and through!

Make sure you keep up with all the latest news from KAR via facebook, and its website.

Oakfield - Life begins at 14!

Just like us, as dogs get older they have to face new challenges. Whether through their own age or condition, or that of their owners, some dogs reach a point where they can no longer be cared for at home, yet cannot take to life in kennels. Unlike us, though, there’s no ‘old dogs home’ where they can go to enjoy comfort and company until they are rehomed. Until now!

DogsTrust has set up the most amazing place for older dogs: Oakfield Old Dogs Home. Oakfield is a quaint old cottage, designed to mimic the home comforts that many older dogs are used to: a comfy living room, a squidgy sofa, a garden to pootle in, and a working kitchen.

For older dogs who need a little extra TLC, Oakfield is a true haven where they can live comfortably and securely until they find their forever home, or forever, if necessary! The 'Oakfield Oldies,' as residents are known, have often spent years living with their beloved owners who, through no fault of their own, can no longer care for them. As you can imagine, this is a difficult thing to cope with for any dog, let alone our older companions.








Many residents at Oakfield have special age-related requirements, and need a little extra care. Take Angus, for example – he's the handsome chap in the photo at the top of this post. At the ripe old age of 14, Angus came to DogsTrust with pancreatitis; his aching legs meant he struggled to walk very far, and he needed a special diet. But, with a snuggly blanket, and familiar sights, sounds, and smells, Angus was soon settled in at Oakfield.

Providing this level of care requires much help and support, and DogsTrust couldn't have created and maintain Oakfield without donations from the public and the hard work of its volunteers and staff.

With more and more older pets than ever requiring rehoming, it's vital that places such as Oakfield Old Dogs Home are here to help our animal companions. Head over to the DogsTrust website and see for yourself how you can help these grand old canines be comfortable and happy during their stay at Oakfield, whether that's for the rest of their lives, or just until their forever home turns up. And, of course, you can make a donation to help with its many, many projects.

www.dogstrust.org.uk

Do you have an older dog?

No matter how young or old your dog is, David Alderton’s and Derek Hall’s Living with an older dog, part of our Gentle Dog Care series, is invaluable in helping you to prepare for the physical and mental changes that occur as your dog ages, and to make your older dog comfortable and content. Head over to Hubble & Hattie to find out more …

Paws for a cause – Margaret Green Animal Rescue

Established in 1965, Margaret Green Animal Rescue is the oldest and largest animal rescue charity founded in Dorset. Every year, the charity cares for over 1200 animals – many of whom have been abandoned, unwanted or ill-treated – and rehomes them to loving owners. With two centres in Dorset (Lincoln Farm and Church Knowle) and one in Devon (Wingletang Rescue), there is always a large variety of animals looking for forever homes, including dogs, cats, rabbits, donkeys, goats and pigs, to name just a few!
Margaret Green, founder of the Charity, was an amazing lady with incredible strength and determination. She passed away on Christmas Eve 2009, age 94. Despite being hospitalised for some weeks prior to her death, she still wouldn’t stop thinking of animals. Even on the night before she died, she insisted on checking that arrangements had been made for her annual Christmas donation of carrots for Angel and all the other horses at the Church Knowle Centre.

Margaret devoted much of her life to the rescue and care of animals, and everyone involved with the charity promises to continue her good work for the sake of all the animals in their care.

Margaret Green Animal Rescue receives no government funding, and relies heavily on donations to continue carrying out its important work. Every penny of every pound donated goes towards animal welfare.
Check out this video to find out a little more about the folk at Margaret Green Animal Rescue:

 

The Church Knowle centre near Wareham, Dorset, is free to visit, and has a great visitor's centre. It's also the place to go if you're thinking of adopting an animal such as a cat, rabbit, guinea pig or field or farm animal. Give them a call on 01929 480474, between 10am and 4pm every day for details.
Church Knowle also hosts an annual companion dog show and family fun day on Sunday 3rd August between 11am and 4pm. Why not enter your hound in the pedigree and novelty classes; enjoy the stalls; enter the raffle or grand draw, and enjoy something to eat and a glass of Pimms!

If you are thinking of giving a dog a loving forever home, please call the staff at Lincoln Farm Rescue & Rehoming for Dogs, Blandford on 01929 471340, or if you are thinking of rehoming a cat or a dog and you are based in Devon, please call the staff at Wingletang Rescue & Rehoming Centre for Cats & Dogs, near Tavistock on 01822 810215. 

For more information on any aspect of the work carried out by the Margaret Green, or to rehome an animal or make a donation, please contact your local Margaret Green Animal Rescue Centre. Alternatively, email ck@margaretgreenanimalrescue.org.uk or visit the website.