mypetfriends.co.uk

Petplan, the UK’s favourite pet insurer, is pleased to announce the finalists for the prestigious 2011 Petplan Veterinary Awards, also known as the ‘Vet Oscars’.  Now in its 12th year, the Petplan Veterinary Awards received its biggest response yet with over 2,800 nominations submitted for exceptional veterinary staff all over the UK. 
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The British Veterinary Association is very disappointed to learn that the Government has no plans to publish a code of practice on the welfare of rabbits.
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The news came to light in a response to a parliamentary question by Willie Bain MP, when the Minister, James Paice MP, stated that Defra has no current plans to publish a code of practice on the welfare of pet rabbits.  Defra considers that the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to provide for the welfare needs of animals are sufficient to ensure the necessary protection for the welfare of pet rabbits.

Commenting, BVA President Harvey Locke, said:
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“Rabbits are such popular pets but vets are seeing more and more husbandry-related problems with these animals.  Dental disease and obesity are two of the most common problems we encounter and both are directly linked to inappropriate diets. Another issue of concern is inadequate space for exercise - but perhaps the most neglected of all the welfare needs is a lack of companionship for these very social animals.
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As part of Petplan’s commitment to the veterinary industry, the UK’s largest insurer is giving delegates at BSAVA the chance to win a business consultation package for their practice worth £10,000.
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The consultation package, which will be based around the winning practices specific needs, will include sessions with top UK marketing and operational experts, to help ensure that their practice is performing at its optimum.
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The Dumfries & Galloway Canine Rescue has won a valuable donation of £500 from the UK’s favourite pet insurance provider, Petplan, for the second time after being the first ever charity to win this donation six years ago.
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The Dumfries and Galloway Canine Rescue Centre was set up in 2003, to help rescue, care and re-home stray, maltreated, and unwanted dogs.
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"We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded this cheque by Petplan. We just can’t believe that we’ve won this donation for the second time,” says Fiona Brightly, Manager of the rescue home. “It was incredible to win the first ever cheque, when this scheme started several years ago, but to win it again is just unbelievable.”
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An essential part of puppy training, teaching your puppy toilet etiquette is a must if you are to have a mess-free life together.
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It is also one of the hardest aspects of training to actually teach. Be prepared for many weeks of headaches and problems as you potty train your new puppy, although to aid and assist you we have come up with some tips that are sure to make your life  lot easier…
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Actor, writer and horse-owner Martin Clunes has been named as President-designate of The British Horse Society. He will take up the reins when current President, Desi Dillingham MBE, steps down at the end of her extended term of office on 1 June.
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Already known to millions from his stage and screen appearances, including ‘Men Behaving Badly’, ‘Reggie Perrin’ and ‘Doc Martin’, his 2010 ITV documentary series “Horsepower” revealed Martin’s passion for horses. He keeps twelve of them on his farm and regularly rides his favourite horse, a huge Hanoverian called Chester. His wife Philippa and daughter Emily are accomplished riders, too.
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Speaking of his impending appointment, Martin said: “Goodness knows how I am expected to follow Desi. ‘Larger than life’ is a cliché but it is well-known that, when she left her native Canada, the country teetered on the brink for some time. In fact, I think it still teeters occasionally, mostly at weekends and on public holidays, when it recollects the talent it so carelessly allowed to escape to the UK.
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The British Horse Society (BHS) has collated a whole range of statistics to provide a true picture of equestrian activity in the UK.
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The information, which offers an insight into the equine industry and equestrian life in the UK, will be extremely useful for anyone seeking hard evidence whether it be journalists, businesses or those lobbying for change.
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The British Horse Society (BHS) welcomes the Government’s announcement that it intends to put on hold its plans to sell off some English forests this year – but warns the fight is far from over.
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To date no details or assurances have been given as to how the permissive access that equestrians enjoy will be protected in the event of a sale. The public consultation document is silent on this.
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It is important that before any sales or leases of our forests proceed that appropriate measures have been put in place to secure the permissive access that equestrians enjoy in the forests.
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Not only are humans gaining weight, but pets are too.  Teddy is only a virtual pet so doesn’t have the same worries that real pets with weight problems may have, but we realise how difficult it is what with the plethora of tasty treats on offer these days.
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Losing weight is not something that you can do overnight, and is something that you have to work on for a long while.  It's not only increasing the amount of physical activity, it's about reducing the intake of food and also thinking about the quality of food that you meet.  However, it's easier said than done.
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With so many pets now obese, it makes you think and question why so many pets are now overweight.  Some would argue that the pet obesity epidemic has come about as a result of the human obesity epidemic – i.e. as humans move less and consume more, pets have less exercise and are given more food in an attempt to comatose them into submission (Teddy: so we don't ask for more walks). 
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However, if we then suggest that the root of pet obesity stems from humans inactivity, then that still leaves the question about why are humans getting bigger?  The rise in obesity is an international issue, and it can't just be that that they are all developing bad habits, there must be something more to it.  And pets can't simply be eating more food, has something changed to the nature of pet food?
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The Whistler ball is now available in the UK. This Chuckit speciality ball has a totally unique feature in that it whistles in the air. The whistling noise is made naturally in flight due to the internal moulding of the rubber. The noise is particularly noticeable to dogs, giving them extra fun and stimulation at play time!
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The Whistler ball is sold in a 2-pack and has been introduced in the medium size which is 2.5 inches in diameter. The new ball is made of a natural light blue rubber which is easy to clean and shows up in grass or undergrowth.
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