Cold Comfort

The UK and Europe have recently experienced some pretty extreme weather. The 'Beast from the East' hit first, bringing an icy Siberian blast, followed immediately by Storm Emma, and storm-force winds, metres-deep drifts, and sheet ice.

There's no question that the disruption and damage wrought on our human way of life was disruptive, so just imagine how hard it was for our wildlife. Extreme weather such as this causes major problems for animals in the wild, whether in urban areas or countryside.

When the extreme cold, wet, and windy weather hits, we can all do our bit to help wildlife around us to survive, no matter where we live. Last year, when the freezing weather affected us, we posted about caring for your dogs and cats during the cold weather, but this time, we're focusing on advice on helping you help wild animals, and care for smaller pets.

Wildlife

Birds

Birds are often the first to struggle in freezing weather. Not only is it harder for them to find their usual food, but vital sources of water can freeze. During colder weather, animals require more food, as more energy is used to keep warm. Garden birds benefit from extra food at the hardest times of the year (and not only in extreme weather): try adding some high-energy wild bird seed mix, or suet pellets, to the feeding table. You can also feed apples, pears, soft fruit, and even cooked pasta, rice, boiled potatoes, cheese, raisins and sultanas (Blackbirds in particular love these!). 

BE CAREFUL: RAISINS AND SULTANAS ARE HIGHLY TOXIC TO DOGS

Access to clean, fresh water is also essential, so check frequently to ensure water does not freeze, and do not place water or food near areas where cats and predators may hide. 

It's also vital that you keep your bird feeding areas thoroughly clean: diseases and parasites can readily and rapidly spread at contaminated feeding areas, and many are fatal to birds, as well as potentially harmful to us.

Badgers

If you're lucky enough to have badgers visiting your garden, you may get a visit during very cold snaps. Badgers tend to stay put if they can't dig for their favourite snack of earthworms, but the extreme cold can see them visiting a favourite feeding ground. Peanuts, cheese, fruit, and lightly cooked meats all make a welcome treat for your badger visitors.

Squirrels

Squirrels are famous for 'squirrelling' away nuts for later consumption. However, if the ground is frozen, they may be unable to access their caches. Whilst squirrels usually help themselves to bird seed, eating sunflower hearts and peanuts with gusto, you can give them a little extra help during harsh weather. Try almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, and some chopped apple, beans, carrots, and spinach. And don't be surprised to see a squirrel take the food and bury it in your garden!

Ponds

Ponds are havens for thousands of species of animals and plants, and even small ponds provide a big boost to wildlife, in any environment. Freezing is one of the biggest threats to ponds at this time of year. Animals can become frozen into the ice, if a rapid freeze occurs. It's vital that you check your pond every day for ice – more than once, if the weather is particularly harsh – and remove it. DO NOT POUR BOILING WATER ONTO THE ICE: the thermal shock could easily kill fish and amphibians. Break up the ice instead. It's also vital that the surface of the pond is as open to the air as possible. If a layer of ice covers the entire pond, it will prevent poisonous gasses escaping from the water, which can kill hibernating fish or frogs at the bottom of the pond.

Frogs will most likely not be in the pond itself, but hibernating under logs or stones nearby. Spring is when they begin to emerge to mate, and, hopefully, if the weather is too bad, they'll postpone spawning until it improves.

One final thing to consider. Be very careful to ensure that no road salt, grit, or runoff, from roads, fields or paths gets into your pond through meltwater or spray: salt can harm both animals and plants, and, in extreme cases, could make your pond uninhabitable.

General advice for pet owners

It's not just our wild animals that need extra consideration during extreme weather. Our own pets also need to be catered for, so here's some advice for your small, and not-so-small, animals

Stay indoors

If there's a covering of snow, I'll be the first to go outside with my dog! However, whilst we and our dogs may like a frolic in the snow, it's good advice to keep animals indoors when the weather is really bad. It's now believed that dogs are ideally suited to cold, arid conditions, having evolved in such climates – but don't think this means they are impervious to cold. It's particularly important to keep puppies, kittens, older, ill or infirm animals inside. If you have a short-haired or lean breed, a good quality weatherproof coat is a brilliant idea – particularly one with high-vis or reflective patches.

Minimising exposure to, and exertion in, extreme cold is also important advice for those of you with Pug or short-nosed breeds. Shorter-muzzle breeds are not able to pre-warm the air they breathe, as longer-muzzle breeds can, or filter pathogens and pollutants effectively. This can cause serious health issues, including rapid internal temperature fluctuations, and respiratory infections. Do not expect to go for a jog in the snow with your Pug!

No solo

During the cold weather, don't let your dog or cat roam freely outside by themselves. Dogs can come to great harm, especially around roads and rivers. Cats in particular have a habit of sheltering in places of vestigial heat, such as heating ducts, behind fridges and industrial equipment, and, of course, under cars and car bonnets. Many cats are injured or killed each year, when a car starts up or moves off. Before you get into your car, take a look underneath, near the warm parts of the engine and the exhaust, and check under the bonnet for any potential stowaways.

Hey: wipe your feet before you come in!

If your dog or cat has come in after an adventure in winter wonderland, particularly along roads or urban areas, give their paws, legs, and stomach a wipe, ideally with a clean microfibre towel or cloth. The grime and wet they pick up on their fur may be full of salt, grit, and other harmful chemicals, which can be ingested by your dog or cat when cleaning themselves.

Eat up

As with all animals, our pets need more food in cold weather, as they burn more calories to keep warm. Give your pet extra rations during cold snaps … they won't complain!

Anti-freezing, NOT antifreeze!

Vehicle antifreeze is one of the most toxic liquids an animal can ingest, and drinking even a small amount can prove fatal, particularly for smaller animals. Many brands contain a substance to make the fluid unbearably bitter, but not all, and not all animals are discouraged – so DON'T TAKE A CHANCE.

KEEP ANTIFREEZE, AND ALL HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS WELL AWAY FROM PETS, PET FOOD, AND FOOD PREP AREAS

Outdoor pets

Some small animals are surprisingly hardy, coming from arid, mountainous, and very cold parts of the world, but they won't survive harsh weather without a little help. The best way to ensure your outdoor pets' safety is to bring them into the house, garage, or an outhouse, and keep food and water topped-up. 

If you can't bring in your animals, protection from draughts and damp is vital. Raise hutches off the ground by a few inches, and cover with a waterproof tarpaulin overnight, and whenever it rains. Animals should have an enclosed sleeping box to prevent draughts, lined with nesting material which should be changed once a week. Water must always be freely available, and should be changed twice a day. Check that it doesn't freeze, as small bottles and tubes rapidly freeze solid.

Keep your eyes peeled

When the harshest of weather hits, keep a look out for waifs and strays. If you come across an animal who appears lost, abandoned, or in distress, call a local animal shelter immediately; they should be able to offer advice, and will likely take the animal into its care.

If you come across an animal that is injured or in urgent need of help, call the RSPCA, SSPCA, USPCA, or ISPCA.




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King of the Corvids

When you think of a raven, the first thing that may spring to mind is the fact they are synonymous with the Tower of London. But there is far more to them than being part of an iconic tourist attraction. In today's blog, we take a closer look at these great corvids.

Ravens have lived alongside humans for thousands of years. Being birds of a scavenging nature, they benefit from the messy way of human life. This, combined with the fact that they can easily adapt to the changing environment around them, allows the raven to reside in a wide range of different habitats, as well as live on a varied diet. They have few predators and can live long lives: 17 years in the wild and up to 40 years in captivity. 

The ravens of the Tower of London date back to the time of Charles II, who insisted on them being protected. Six corvids are resident at the historic site, and tradition says that if they ever leave the Tower, then the kingdom of Britain would fall. 

Ravens are highly clever and skilled animals, ranking alongside chimpanzees and dolphins in terms of their intelligence; they even understand water displacement to the same level as a seven-year-old child!

 You may already know that ravens can recognise and remember a human's face, but did you know that, if you do something unpleasant to them, not only will they remember, but will pass their grudge onto other corvids! They also show empathy for each other, remembering birds they like and responding to them in a friendly way for years to come. Furthermore, they have been known to hold funerals when a fellow corvid has passed away; they gather around the body, caw, and then fall silent. Our book Animal Grief details Professor Marc Beckoff's observations of corvid grief, and how they respond to the loss of a comrade.

A group of ravens is known as an 'unkindness,' and though they are mostly good-natured, they can show unkindness if provoked. In 2015, the University of Vienna gave a group of ravens a task where they would only receive a reward if they cooperated with one another. Those who cheated their companions out of their share of the reward would find themselves ostracised, with ravens preferring to work alongside those who played fair. This type of behaviour had only previously been seen in humans and chimpanzees. 

In Edgar Allan Poe's famous poem, the raven is said to repeat the phrase "nevermore." In captivity, ravens can actually learn to talk and mimic noises better than parrots can. Wild ravens will use this ability to their advantage, imitating wolves or foxes in order to attract them to a carcass that the raven itself is unable to access, thus being able to feast on the leftovers once the larger animal is done! To communicate amongst other ravens, they have even been known to use non-vocal, "hand" gestures to get the attention of other corvids, by using their beak to draw attention.

These aren't the only tools in a raven's arsenal. Ravens can successfully carry out complex puzzles, and are able to fashion make shift tools from twigs, leaves and bark. During research in 2015, one corvid caught on camera dropped one of its tools, then later recovered it from the ground, showing that they value their tools, and don't simply discard them after use. 

We may never know the answer to the Mad Hatter's riddle "Why is a raven like a writing desk," but one thing we do know is that corvids are truly remarkable beings, and that there is certainly much more to be learnt from observing them. 

Remember, remember your pets this November!

It's that time of year again when we all enjoy a good fireworks display, but not everyone finds it as enjoyable as us humans. Remember to look out for your furry friends at this time of year!

Did you know that approximately 60% of pets become scared or stressed upon hearing fireworks? There are a number of ways in which animals can show that they are anxious, and that includes, but is not limited to: trembling, cowering, refusing to eat, pacing, soiling, and destructive behaviour. Here, we have compiled a number of handy tips and tricks to help you take care of your pets this weekend. 

Birds, ferrets, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, and rabbits

When taking your smallest pets into account, the first thing to consider doing is, if possible, to bring hutches and enclosures inside to a quiet room, whether that's actually inside the house, or in a garage or shed. If that isn't possible, at least make sure to change the direction the enclosure is facing, so it doesn't look out onto an open garden. For your furry little friends, make sure to provide lots of extra bedding that is perfect for burrowing into. And for your feathered friends, make sure to cover aviaries with a thick blanket to block out the sight and sound of fireworks, whilst still allowing enough ventilation – this is a good idea for all enclosed pets!

Cats and dogs

The main point to remember with our cats and canines is to always keep them inside when fireworks are being let off! Make sure your dog has been walked during daylight hours, and that once inside

for the night, all windows, doors, and cat flaps are secure, to prevent your pet venturing out. As an extra precaution ensure that your pet is wearing some form of easy-to-read ID; we don't all have microchip scanners!
If they're used to the noise of a TV, keep that on, to help normalise the situation. Normality is key: the calmer you are, the calmer they will be. This also includes not making a fuss of them on the off chance that they will be frightened; let them pace, meow, whine and hide. Create a den for them where they can shoot off to if they need it; if they hide, do not try to coax them out; they feel that that is where they are safest, with all that noise going on outside! 

Lastly, even if you think your pet is a zen master when it comes to fireworks, think again: you should ideally never leave them home alone, and you should most certainly not take your dog to a fireworks display!

Horses and ponies

As a general rule, fireworks must not be set off anywhere near livestock or horses. If you do keep your horse in a field, it would be worth contacting the local council for information on any firework displays that may be taking place nearby. If this is the case, make sure the organisers are aware, and

ask them to set off the fireworks in the opposite direction, so as not to startle your horse.

As with all animals, keeping to a routine as much as possible will aide them in staying calm. If you can, ensure that you or an experienced person is on-hand to observe the horse's behaviour, responding as necessary, and to safeguard them against harm. If you have to leave your horse in the care of someone else, give them clear instructions and contact details for yourself and your vet. If you know that your horse reacts badly to loud noises, consider moving them for the night of the event. 

And last, but by no means least, be careful yourself! Try not to get in the way if your horse becomes startled, as this may result in you getting injured. 

Here's to a fantastic and safe Bonfire Night! Suppose this means that Christmas is just around the corner ...

Get your motor tweeting!

Here's a Hubble & Hattie and Veloce crossover we never thought we'd see! A mechanic from Bournemouth found a nest containing three Pied Wagtail chicks behind the bumper of a car he had in for service!

Westover car technician Jon Brooks was about to begin an oil change on the car when he heard chirping. Looking behind the bumper, Mr Brooks and his colleagues saw a nest balancing on part of the car’s undertray. The nest was carefully removed, and the RSPCA was called to collect the tiny birds, who had travelled about five miles to the dealership!

Inspector Graham Hammond, the RSPCA officer who arrived to take care of the birds, said: "We’re very grateful to Mr Brooks and all the staff at the dealership for acting so quickly and carefully to protect these tiny birds. Thanks to them they have been given the best chance of surviving, but you do have to feel a little sorry for the parent birds who would have come back to find not only their nest, but the whole car gone."

In normal circumstances, if you find fledglings, the best course of action is to leave them alone, as their parents will return to them. For more information on what to do if you find a fledgling or baby bird, visit the RSPB's page by clicking here, or you can check out the RSPCA's press release here.