mypetfriends.co.uk

Calling all rabbit owners, grab Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail, rabbit jumping has reached the UK.
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In this new pet craze rabbits compete against others on a course, which contains a series of small hurdles. Most breeds can take part in the sport, although Dutch rabbits and the Lops are particularly well suited. Training can begin with getting the rabbit used to a harness, which is used to guide the rabbits around the course, and then the animals can be tempted over small jumps with their favourite treat. In more advanced competitions, the rabbits are timed over the course and receive penalties if they make contact with any of the jumps.
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With the huge variety of cat food available on the supermarket shelves, it can be difficult to know which to choose. Dry food, wet food, organic food, food with added nutrients, prescription diets, kitten food......the list is extensive. To steer your way through the maze you need to be armed with information such as how to correctly read and interpret a cat food label.
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So, you’re a cat owner and you think you’re more intelligent than a dog owner – well, new research may suggest that you are.  It’s a revelation that will have some of you fighting like cat and dog.
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Forget the new hair style or hitting the gym, if you want to bag yourself a date this Valentine’s Day, then get yourself a pet.  In a survey of over 8000 respondents Petplan, the UK’s largest pet insurance provider, discovered that 54% of Brits find people with pets more attractive.
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Already well-known as a pet-loving nation the survey revealed that pets play a pivotal role in helping people find the perfect partner, with thousands of couples set to celebrate Valentine’s Day thanks to their beloved pet.
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Elinor Grieve, from Fife, agrees. She met her husband through a chance meeting at her local pub thanks to her beloved Blenheim cavalier King Charles spaniel Candy. Whilst waiting at the bar to be served she realised that Candy had been sipping from a young gentleman’s pint glass. The couple have now been married for 33 years.
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As the debate over the use of hyperflexion as a training technique continues, The British Horse Society has published its official stance:
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The British Horse Society strongly recommends that all riders training horses on the flat and over fences should adhere to the official instruction handbook of the German National Equestrian Federation. Whilst we appreciate that horses are as individual as humans, and that some may require corrective schooling, the BHS’s stand on hyperflexion (by which we mean the extreme flexion of the horse’s head and neck beyond normal limits) remains clear: it is an unacceptable method of training horses by any rider for any length of time.
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The BVA Animal Welfare Foundation (BVA AWF) is pleased to launch a new leaflet on Ornamental Fish Keeping; the latest in a series of information leaflets designed to assist pet owners.
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Ornamental Fish Keeping aims to provide most of the information needed before purchasing your first fish, deciding which fish will suit you best and gives crucial advice in order to keep your fish healthy.
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The Blue Cross pet charity is calling on animal lovers nationwide to join paws for a ‘tea-licious’ cause. The charity’s popular Tea Party fundraiser takes place on Friday 14 May 2010 and helps raise vital cash for the needy animals helped by The Blue Cross.
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Hurstwood Farm Equestrian Centre in High Hurstwood, East Sussex has become the 1,000th equestrian establishment to receive British Horse Society approval.
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Michael Pocock, proprietor at Hurstwood Farm, was thrilled to receive his BHS plaque of approval. He said: "It has always been my intention to create a livery and training yard where the welfare of the horses is paramount. Now we have received the accolade of BHS Approved Livery Yard status we have achieved our goal.
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“Our business is going from strength to strength and we must thank organisations like the BHS for creating the standards which we must all work and aspire to. We were very excited about the whole prospect of being approved; now this "1,000th approval" accolade is just the icing on the cake!”
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Following the outstanding success of last year’s exotic animals workshop, Mark Amey will be leading another six-hour, practical hands-on session on Thursday 4 March 2010, 10am-4pm. Mark, a qualified zoologist, has retailed in exotic animals for over a decade and has made numerous television appearances with his animals – his reptiles have even featured in the Harry Potter films.
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Do you know what to do if a dog or cat stops breathing? Could you cope in an accident? The Pet Care Trust is here to help. Eminent veterinarian, Dr Vicki J Adams is leading a one-day course on animal first aid emergencies and wound management on Monday 22 February, from 10am-4pm.
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