The mice have now been separated and are looking for homes (Picture: Felledge Animal Centre)
The RSPCA had to rescue around 200 mice after they quickly bred to uncontrollable levels.
The animal rescue charity attended the flat in Newcastle on March 18 and separated them to ensure the breeding would not continue.
Chief inspector for Northumbria, Lindsey Avery, said: ‘We were contacted for help in rehoming this huge amount of mice who sadly were living in cramped conditions as a breeding situation had become completely out of control.
‘We do find that some people have started off with just a few pets and then they mate and very quickly we can see large numbers of animals that the owner can no longer cope with, particularly with rodents.
‘We’d always remind people to make sure they keep rodents in same-sex pairs or ensure they are neutered to avoid a situation like this.
‘The mice were separated into small, friendly groups and are now at our branches across England and Wales ready to be rehomed.’
A vet at the RSPCA Felledge Animal Centre, in Chester-le-Street, examined the mice.
Many were found to be suffering problems from inbreeding but 90 of the mice are thriving and ready to be rehomed in small groups.
The animal rescue charity attended a flat in Newcastle on March 18 and separated them (Picture: Felledge Animal Centre)
The mice are now looking for their forever homes (Picture: Felledge Animal Centre)
The charity has reminded people to keep the sexes separate so they do not breed to uncontrollable levels (Picture: Felledge Animal Centre)
Some of the names of the mice are Topaz, Turquoise, Zinc, Pyrite, Ketchup, Mayo and Mustard (Picture: Felledge Animal Centre)
The charity is now calling for people who would like to rehome the adorable mice.
Topaz, Turquoise, Zinc and Pyrite are being cared for at the RSPCA Mid Norfolk and North Suffolk branch.
These brothers will need an enclosure with tunnels and things to chew on to keep them entertained and happy. They will need to be rehomed in same-sex groups.
The branch is caring for 31 of the rescued mice, but some of them can’t be rehomed yet as the females may be pregnant.
Ketchup, Mayo and Mustard are being cared for at the RSPCA Birmingham Animal Centre, and are also looking to be rehomed.
The three mice are very young and easy to handle, so will need an owner who can encourage them to be more sociable as they grow older. They will need to be rehomed as a trio in a large cage.
To rehome any of the mice in RSPCA care, you can visit this website or contact either of the branches mentioned above.
The lamb was run off the edge of the cliff by a dog not on its lead (Picture: BPM – Getty)
A lamb had to be put down by a farmer in Cornwall after it was chased off a cliff by a dog not on a lead.
The dog is said to have charged at the lamb on the cliffs near Duckpool Cove, Bude, on April 3, causing it to fall and become badly hurt. The RSPCA said it was too dangerous for them to carry out a rope rescue of the animal due to landslides in the area.
The farmer then shot the lamb more than 48 hours later. Vicky Davidson, a resident of the area, has now said the response should have been quicker, as the lamb was left to suffer in the ‘bitter cold’.
Ms Davidson said: ‘This lamb was stuck on a ledge and injured for two days until the Monday when the farmer finally came down and shot it. It was left with no food, water, in the cold and left to die basically.
‘We wanted to make as much noise as we could to highlight that dogs need to be on the lead and we thought surely the RSPCA should have a responsibility to rescue any animal.
‘There was so much chatter in Bude and so many people were crying for help that it became a big thing. People were visiting this lamb and it was still alive two days later, it’s pitiful really.’
Officials from the RSPCA said it was too dangerous for them to carry out a rope rescue(Picture: BPM)
Ms Davidson said the lamb had been left ‘crying and bleating for its mum’, as she urged dog owners to put their pets on a lead when around sheep.
She believes the farmer should have shot the lamb straight away if it was known it couldn’t be rescued, adding: ‘It shouldn’t have been left like that. There are a lot of dogs that go off the cliffs as well so this needs to be addressed.’
A spokesperson for the RSPCA, the animal welfare charity, said: ‘This is a really upsetting situation and we are really saddened that despite efforts it was not possible to rescue the lamb.
‘Our experienced rescue teams are well practiced in rope rescues and regularly help animals stranded in tricky situations, including along this particular stretch of the Cornish coastline.
‘Sadly, recent landslides have made the area unstable and dangerous for teams to carry out safe rescues. Our rescue officers attended the location and worked closely with the farmer after first being alerted by the coastguard on Saturday afternoon.
‘Assessments of the cliff face were also made by experienced climbers who agreed with the charity and coast guards that the land slides had made the area too unstable to carry out a rope rescue.
‘Further attempts were made to encourage the lamb to make its own way down from the cliff, including leaving the lamb for a period of time, and using methods of encouragement.
‘This was a really heartbreaking situation for everyone involved, including those who witnessed the trapped lamb while on the beach below during the bank holiday weekend, and shows the importance of keeping dogs on leads around livestock – especially around coastlines.’
On the same day, the Coastguard had also attempted to rescue two dogs that went over cliffs at Backways Cove, in Delabole. One of the dogs died, while the other was rescued from the water by its owner.
A spokesperson for HM Coastguard confirmed that a number of 999 calls were received reporting a lamb stuck on a cliff at Duckpool. They added: ‘The incident was reported to the RSPCA so they could attend to assess the situation and contact was also made with the owner of the lamb.’
Eight-year-old collie Peggy was given up by her previous owners after going deaf (Picture: PA)
A sheepdog who was given up by her previous owners after losing her hearing is back at work after learning how to read hand signals.
Eight-year-old collie Peggy was let go as she could no longer follow her handler’s voice commands.
She was taken in by the RSPCA in 2018, and animal welfare manager Chloe Shorten whose husband Jason is a shepherd, initially fostered the dog.
This was just meant to be a stopgap, but the couple from Norfolk ‘completely fell in love with her almost immediately’ and decided she ‘wouldn’t be going anywhere’.
They both trained Peggy to follow hand signals, with Chloe describing her as living proof that you can ‘teach an old dog new tricks’.
‘She fitted in perfectly at our mad house, came everywhere with us and fitted in with my husband’s job,’ said Chloe.
Chloe Shorten, and her husband Jason initially fostered Peggy as a stopgap but immediately fell in love with her (Picture: PA)
‘We knew Peggy wanted to be working so we started the long process of teaching her how to herd and work with a shepherd without relying on voice commands. We started by teaching her to look at us for hand signals.
‘We used repetitive and positive reinforcement and instead of pairing a verbal command with an action we’d use a physical hand gesture.’
‘She reads our hand signals and body language as a way of telling what we’re asking for. For example, thumbs up means “good girl”.’
The couple were helped by a sheepdog trainer and Peggy practised alongside the couple’s two other working sheepdogs, Sid and Nora.
Chloe added: ‘While Peggy is generally retired, she goes out to work with my husband Jason from time to time and she absolutely loves it. She’s still learning new things and improving all the time.
Peggy ‘loves running around like a nutter’ and has been fitted with a GPS in case she gets lost (Picture: PA)
‘The main thing for us was being able to tell her that she’s a good girl and reassure her she is going to be OK.
‘It took her a while to learn that we loved her and to gain her trust but it’s been so rewarding knowing that she now understands our praise.
‘Now she’s learned to demand fuss by tapping and nudging you on the arm or leg, sometimes she really hits you hard and you feel like you’ve been punched.
‘She absolutely loves running around like a nutter so we have a GPS tracker on her collar just in case we get separated and she couldn’t see us, as she can’t hear us calling her.
‘But it’s amazing to see her with this new lease of life and enjoying her life with us.
‘She’s proof that you can teach an old dog new tricks, and is a wonderful example of the capability of a dog, even if they do lose a sense.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
The pups were found in the back of a steamed up van in an ‘appalling state’ (Picture: RSPCA)
Six of 11 puppies stuffed into carrier bags and a guinea pig cage have died, the RSPCA said as it urged Britons against buying imported pets.
Police discovered the severely dehydrated and ‘visibly distressed’ young dogs in an ‘appalling state’ in the back of a vehicle in Carlton, Nottinghamshire, on March 2.
Officers had received a tip-off about a smell coming from a home – no puppies were found inside the property but dog waste was found strewn across bedrooms. After spotting a steamed up van parked nearby, they found the ‘very poorly’ puppies inside and broke in to save them.
The pups, aged between two and four months, were put in the care of the RSPCA, which discovered eight of them had parvovirus – a highly infectious and often fatal disease in dogs.
Vets managed to save two cocker spaniel puppies, Pearl and Pablo. One has been taken in by a Nottinghamshire Police officer and the other is with one of the vets who cared for them.
They also managed to stop three Yorkshire Terriers, Emerald, Opal and Topaz, from falling ill who are doing well in new homes but are ‘incredibly anxious’.
But six of the pups failed to recover from the virus and sadly died.
Vets managed to save five of the 11 puppies (Picture: SWNS)
The pups suffered with the highly infectious disease parvovirus (Picture: SWNS)
Three of the Yorkshire Terriers have been left ‘incredibly anxious’ by the ordeal (Picture: SWNS)
Officers broke into the van to save the puppies who were crammed in a guinea pig cage and carrier bag (Picture: SWNS)
Nottinghamshire Police said a man, 20, who was arrested on suspicion of theft and fraud had been released as officers continue their investigation.
It is believed the animals came from a puppy farm – where dogs are bred in high-volume, low-welfare conditions primarily for profit – before being imported from Ireland to be sold on in England.
The RSPCA is now calling on the Government to crack down on puppy imports after the number of dogs being brought into the UK surged during lockdown.
Ella Carpenter, manager of the RSPCA’s Radcliffe Animal Centre in Nottingham, said: ‘It was heartbreaking to see the puppies fall so ill so quickly.
‘They were fighting for their little lives and, sadly, for six of them it was just too much.
‘This is something we see time and time again with puppies who have been bred in poor conditions on puppy farms here and overseas.
The dogs are believed to have been bred on a puppy farm (Picture: SWNS)
The RSPCA is warning Britons against buying imported puppies (Picture: SWNS)
A man has been released as officers continue their investigation (Picture: SWNS)
Officers, vets and RSPCA volunteers tried their best to save all 11 dogs (Picture: SWNS)
‘Diseases like parvovirus are rife in these conditions and can prove fatal for vulnerable pups.
‘What’s frustrating is that it’s so easy to prevent these horrendous illnesses by ensuring there is a good level of biosecurity and by vaccinating.’
RSPCA dog welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines warned such methods are not only serious for dogs, but it also poses a ‘significant public health risk’.
She said: ‘Most dogs have not had the correct vaccinations or health checks and could be bringing in serious diseases that could infect our own dog population or even be transferable to humans.’
‘We know that there are unscrupulous people out there who want to exploit the demand for dogs and are willing to take advantage of families who want to add a dog to their home,’ added Dr Gaines.
‘Sadly, this comes at the expense of the dogs.
Officers said the pups were found ‘visibly distressed’ (Picture: SWNS)
Some of the puppies have been re-homed and are doing well (Picture: SWNS)
The RSPCA warned such techniques for importing puppies can also pose major health risks to humans (Picture: SWNS)
‘Puppies are being bred in poor conditions overseas and are taken from their mums too young, put into a van with lots of other puppies – the perfect breeding ground for nasty diseases and infections like parvovirus – before being travelled thousands of miles and imported into the country.’
Nottinghamshire’s Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Emma Foody recently urged dog owners to be vigilant following high-profile incidents of dog thefts nationally.
She said: ‘This is a shocking example of callous individuals using animals for their own ends.
‘There is no consideration for the health, wellbeing and safety of the animals concerned, and in my view it’s time to get tough on those who seek to steal, exploit and ill-treat dogs and indeed any animal.
‘We need confidence that those responsible will receive appropriate sanctions.
‘Dog theft, for many is akin to the theft of a family member which is why we are doing everything we can to help people protect their dogs and prevent dreadful incidents like this.’
She scooped Nelly, an elderly Jack Russell, out of the water after seeing her struggling and terrified (Picture: RSPCA)
A jogger has been called ‘heroic’ after rescuing a drowning dog which she spotted on her run.
The woman was jogging at the side of Radcliffe Canal, in Manchester, just before it turns into the River Irwell just before 6pm on Wednesday.
She saw a man walking ahead of her and when she got closer, saw a small dog terrified and struggling in the water.
She scooped the elderly female Jack Russell out of the water, and shouted to the man as he was carrying a red lead with a collar still attached.
The woman, who does not want to be named, said: ‘I said to him, “Is this your dog?” He initially said, “Yes Nelly, come here,” but the dog was terrified and shaking.
‘As she was so frightened I then said, “Shall I take her and look after her?” and then he said he didn’t know whose dog it was.’
She said two men came past so she explained what happened, and the man she thought was the owner then walked off.
The jogger added: ‘She was so cold – luckily I was wearing a hoodie so I wrapped her in it and took her home.
Nelly was rushed to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital where she was found to have a tumour on her stomach (Picture: RSPCA)
‘The man seemed confused and vulnerable – so I am not sure what happened but I was concerned for both the dog and the man.’
She then called the RSPCA, who collected the dog from the woman’s home in the evening.
Nelly was rushed to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital where she was found to have a tumour on her stomach, but it is not thought to be serious and she will have an operation for it to be removed.
The charity is hoping someone may recognise who the dog belonged to, and is keen to speak with the man the jogger spoke to with the lead.
After she has had her operation, she will be able to be rehomed (Picture: RSPCA)
Inspector Demi Hodby said: ‘It is really concerning that this poor dog was found to be drowning in the canal and it is just fortunate that this heroic woman saw what was happening and managed to rescue her.
‘She then took her home to comfort her until I arrived. She told me the dog was really sweet-natured with her and even fell asleep in her arms but was nervous around her husband.
‘At this stage we can’t really speculate as to what has happened and the man seen nearby may be able to help with my enquiries. There could be an innocent explanation.’
She said Nelly is ‘doing well’, and after an operation to remove the tumour she will be in a place to be rehomed.
The man seen nearby is described as white, aged around 60, about 5ft 6in with brown/grey hair.
He was wearing two odd shoes with no laces, a white-collared shirt which was worn back to front, and was wearing jeans.
Anyone with information should call the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018.
RSPCA inspectors said it was one of the ‘most shocking’ acts of animal cruelty they’d ever seen (Picture: RSPCA)
A tiny gosling has been killed in an ‘appalling’ attack in east London, leaving RSPCA inspectors ‘horrified’.
The charity has launched an urgent appeal for information after the baby goose was impaled with a wooden stick.
A walker spotted the wounded but alive gosling by Breton Lake, Rainham, on Monday.
The person reported seeing the bleeding bird’s intestines after a broken wooden broom stick was forcibly inserted into its rectum.
She called the animal welfare charity but by the time they had arrived, the tiny bird died.
RSPCA inspector Siobhan Trinnaman said: ‘This is one of the most shocking and appalling cases I’ve ever been faced with. I have no words for it.’
The RSPCA is appealing for information from the public (Picture: RSPCA)
Inspectors went back to the lake on Tuesday and saw what they believed was the killed gosling’s brood (Picture: RSPCA)
‘I am absolutely horrified by this case and it’s incredibly important that we find the person or people responsible for such abhorrent cruelty,’ she added.
‘The little gosling was still alive but had a broken wooden broom stick pushed up its rectum and the finder reported that she could see some of the bird’s intestines hanging out, continued Ms Trinnaman.
‘While she reported that the gosling was alive when we arrived the poor little thing had died.’
The gosling was breathing when the walker spotted it but it died when the RSPCA arrived (Picture: RSPCA)
Officers returned to the location on Tuesday to check on the other birds at the lake.
They found a family of Greylag geese with young goslings that appear to be the same age.
It is believe the gosling killed was from the same brood, said inspectors.
Anyone with information is urged to call the appeal line on 0300 123 8018.
Bella the beagle-lurcher cross has been dubbed Britain’s loneliest dog after spending 450 days living in kennels.
The one-year-old pooch was passed from home to home before being brought to the RSPCA in February 2020.
After 15 months there, staff at RSPCA Millbrook Animal Centre in Chobham, Surrey, want her to find a loving owner and the forever home she deserves.
Bella is described as having a ‘lovely, cheeky personality’, but could often be very wary and anxious – which staff said is a result of ’emotional scars’ she developed being passed around homes as a puppy.
During lockdown, staff have worked hard to tackle her behaviour with visits from an animal behaviourist, anti-anxiety medication, and regular training.
Deputy manager at RSPCA Millbrook, Liz Wood said: ‘When Bella came to us, she was very scared and very under socialised with dogs and people. Also her attention and recall with people was limited.
‘She had been living in a small flat before coming to our care and was very wary of noises and unfamiliar people.’
She is now much more confident, much better at socialising, and has even learnt commands such as ‘sit’, ‘down’ and ‘paw’.
Bella needs an experienced adult-only home in a rural location – and patient, loving owners who will be around to give her lots of attention and continue her training.
Liz said: ‘At times, Bella can be high on life and her lovely, cheeky personality really shines through, but if something scares her or is unfamiliar, she can struggle to cope.
‘This means she will need a patient and understanding owner who is going to help build up her confidence.
‘She enjoys being with people she knows and trusts and would benefit from having an owner who has trained and had young, complex dogs before.
‘We are really keen to find a home for Bella – she has already been in four homes and she she isn’t even two years old.
‘We want to make sure that this time she ends up in the right, permanent and happy forever home that she so desperately deserves.’
People should not try take the tuna tin off the cat in case it hurts the animal more (Picture: Apex)
A good meal can push even the best of us to licking a plate clean.
But this cat got a little too enthusiastic about its tuna dinner and got the tin stuck around its neck.
Now, the RSPCA has launched a search for the grey striped cat after it was last seen wandering around Saltash, in Cornwall.
The top and the bottom of the tin have come off, leaving the animal to walk around with its neck trapped through the middle – which could also have dangerously sharp edges.
Someone already reported seeing the cat and the RSPCA delivered a trap to them, but the animal is apparently ‘very flighty and runs off when approached’.
The charity said: ‘If anyone is local to the area and see the poor cat, then please try and usher it safely into somewhere it can be caught, [such as a] shed, garage, etc.’
It also asked that if anyone does manage to get hold of the cat, to ‘please not attempt to take the can off yourself, you could hurt yourself and the cat further’.
This tuna enthusiast is not the only feline causing trouble this week.
Jake is now recovering and has a loving new home (Picture: Scottish SPCA)
A dog who was buried alive under a pile of rocks with severe injuries on a hillside has now found a loving new home.
Border collie Jake was ‘in a terrible way’ when he was found by walkers in the Scottish Highlands.
He was whimpering and crying out and thankfully the passersby went to see what was wrong.
They found him on the brink of death, but luckily contacted rescuers in time.
Inspectors from the Scottish SPCA animal charity immediately made their way to the site, and took Jake to a vet.
The dog was severely injured, with a fractured jaw and skull, and they didn’t think he would last the night.
Jake was left for dead buried alive under a pile of rocks in the Highlands in November last year (Picture: PA)
But after a miraculous recovery and weeks of veterinary care and loving treatment since last November, he has now found a loving new home.
Yvonne Sloss, one of the inspectors who attended, said: ‘This was truly one of the worst cases I have ever experienced.
‘When I first saw Jake I felt shock, sadness and disbelief that someone had deliberately done this to him.
‘His head was so swollen and he was in a terrible way. We didn’t think there was any way he would make it. He was in a comatose state when we arrived at the vet where he received emergency treatment.’
The team at the Glasgow Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre veterinary clinic was shocked at the extent of his injuries.
He had multiple skull and jaw fractures and was blind in one eye. Jake had to undergo numerous surgeries to remove the damaged eye and broken teeth.
Just days before Christmas 2020, after almost six weeks of intensive treatment, Jake was fostered by Inspector Greener.
Jake has had a better run of luck recently (Picture: PA)
Inspector Greener said: ‘When Jake came home with me, he was still incredibly fragile. His fractures hadn’t completely healed and he was unable to close his jaw.
‘Jake required specialist care and it took time for him to come round and really heal. It took him a while to trust me but now that he does, we’re bonded forever.
‘We are always outside and Jake loves to play. I really couldn’t imagine life without him now. I’m so thankful to the passers-by who found Jake. Without them he may not have survived that day.
‘I’m sure his experience still stays with him and always will but now he’s with me, we are doing all we can to make it a distant memory.’
She urged people to donate the to Scottish SPCA to make more rescues like Jake’s possible.
Kevin took a wander along rooftops near his home and fell down the smallest of gaps (Picture: PA)
A distressed cat was freed from a minuscule space between two homes after a woman let rescuers break through her garage wall.
The unusual rescue operation was launched after Kevin became wedged in a three-inch gap after a suspected fall from a roof.
His loud meowing alerted neighbours and it took crews, neighbours and the RSPCA two and a half hours to bring him to safety.
Initially they were unable to reach the black and white animal, even with Cleveland Fire and Rescue’s best equipment.
The charity’s animal rescue officer, Shane Lynn, said the owner of the garage in Middlesbrough ‘kindly’ let firefighters remove some bricks near where he was trapped.
Shane said: ‘His owners were extremely grateful to see him.
‘It turns out Kevin moved into the neighbourhood with his owners only four weeks prior to his adventure – so he has already made quite the first impression in the area.
‘Kevin had fallen into such a tight gap his body was squashed into a width of about three inches.
‘He really was unable to move and was obviously very frightened and we think he had been there a couple of hours. It then took a further two and a half hours to rescue him.
‘Often in these situations we use specialist poles to grasp trapped animals but in this case we could not reach the cat.
‘It was decided the only way to free him would be to go through the garage wall which the homeowner kindly agreed to.’
A trip to the vet showed Kevin had only suffered a swollen knee and his microchip meant he could be reunited with his owners who live nearby.
The little lamb still had its umbilical cord attached when it was dumped in the garden (Picture: PA)
Newborn lambs are being dumped in gardens with their umbilical cords still attached in a disturbing spate of incidents.
The RSPCA has launched an investigation into the suspected practical jokes after a third lamb was abandoned in recent weeks.
A resident in Scruton Avenue, Sunderland, woke up on May 16 to find a little lamb shivering in their front garden.
It still had its umbilical cord attached and was far too young to be away from its mother.
There are also no farms in the area and the garden is enclosed, so the lamb could not have wandered in.
A similar case had been reported to Northumbria Police three days earlier in nearby Forbes Terrace.
The distressed lamb was found head-butting the garden fence in an attempt to get out.
The RSPCA has launched an investigation into the disturbing incidents (Picture: PA)
And the RSPCA said social media reports indicated another incident in the same area, adding the supposed practical jokes are putting lambs at risk.
Rescue officer Heather Wade said: ‘These little ones were only days old so were very vulnerable and would have been frightened to be away from their mum.
‘I know the lambs could not have wandered into the gardens as they were enclosed, so it suggests someone has deliberately done this and I have no idea why – maybe they think it is some kind of joke.
‘We are not sure where they have come from as there are no nearby farms so we could not reunite them with their mum and they are now being hand-reared by a specialist.’
It’s thought that buyer’s remorse is setting in for many pandemic pet owners (Picture: Getty Images)
Remember those heady days of early lockdown, when we were all baking bread and bumping elbows?
Those trends faded fast, but others have had more long-term ramifactions.
One of these is the rise of the ‘pandemic puppy’.
You probably saw it happening, even if you didn’t partake. Locked down and working from home, people jumped at what seemed like the perfect opportunity to adopt a dog, then gleefully showed off their new family member.
But while some had simply used the Covid-19 pandemic as a trigger for a long-pondered decision, others had acted on impulse, and soon realised they were woefully unprepared for the reality of caring for an animal.
Life sped back up, pandemic pups stopped receiving the same level of fuss, and regret started to set in.
Now, shelters and charities fear an influx of abandoned pandemic pets.
RSPCA dog welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines tells Metro.co.uk: ‘There was a huge surge in demand for dogs during lockdown as families made the most of spending more time at home.
‘What concerns us is what’s happening to these “lockdown puppies” now and what will happen to them over the coming months.
Shelters fear a crisis is looming (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
‘We’re worried that while many families will have considered the long-term commitment of taking on a dog, some may not have been thinking post-lockdown about how they’ll care for their new pet when they return to work or how they’ll pay for them if they should be hit by the recession.
‘We expect that we’ll see a major dog welfare crisis this year as huge numbers of dogs are relinquished to rescue centres, sold on online or even abandoned; with struggling charities forced to pick up the pieces.’
While the RSPCA team note that they haven’t seen a massive increase in dogs coming into their care yet, there are concerns that numbers could jump up in the months ahead.
They explain that as we return to offices, dogs adopted in lockdown might start showing problem behaviour that new owners aren’t equipped to deal with.
‘Many dogs who have got used to having their owners at home may struggle to adapt once furloughing ends and people begin to migrate back to the office,’ says Samantha.
‘We know that one of the major reasons dogs are relinquished is due to behaviour problems and research suggests that separation related anxiety may affect 85% of dogs. This could result in more dogs coming into rescue centres as owners return to work and they struggle to cope.
‘In addition to this, many of the puppies bought during lockdown will be approaching adolescence, a period of time where big behavioural changes can occur.
Charities are urging people to properly consider whether they are ‘dog ready’ (Picture: Getty Images/EyeEm Premium)
‘This period does typically pass but may bring additional challenges for owners if unprepared for how best to manage their dog during this time.’
At Dogs Trust, it’s a similar story, with staff braced for a wave of young dogs ditched when owners realise their pet doesn’t fit in their non-lockdown life.
‘While we are starting to see an increase in dogs coming into our care, we are yet to see the full impact of dogs purchased or acquired during the pandemic being handed in to us,’ says a Dogs Trust spokesperson.
‘However, we believe the worst is yet to come and that we will likely see more people having to give up their dog if families struggle to cope with the fallout of the coronavirus crisis or life changes for them in a way they didn’t predict.’
The key to tackling this looming crisis is obvious: we need to think very carefully before rushing into adopting or buying a dog.
‘Dogs are a huge responsibility and taking one on should always be a decision that is made carefully, with great consideration given to whether you can care for that pet for the rest of their life,’ says Samantha. ‘Any prospective pet owners should do lots of research and ensure they can commit to that animal.
‘Sadly, we know that as animals are so readily and easily available to buy online, it can be very easy for people to buy a new pet on a whim and that often means that, within a few months, they quickly realise that they cannot cope with them and seek to give them up or sell them on.
‘Our advice to anyone thinking of getting a dog is to do lots of research and take time to really consider whether you can commit to a dog and the responsibility and costs associated with owning one.
If you are experiencing puppy panic, though, shelters want you to know that they’re here to help (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
‘If you can, then please consider adopting a rescue dog instead of buying a puppy.’
But for some, it’s too late to give the decision proper consideration. The dog has been adopted, you’ve realised you aren’t prepared… now what?
The shelters are keen to advise anyone who is experiencing puppy regret to please, please, come to them if they’re struggling. It’s important that those who have realised they’re unable to care for an animal don’t feel so shamed that they’re unable to ask for help.
Robert Young, head of centre operations at Battersea, says: ‘Our research shows more than 40% of people who bought a puppy during the first national lockdown hadn’t previously considered getting a pet – and buyers’ remorse may be settling in for these thousands of impulse shoppers.
‘Many may now be struggling to cope and we’ve seen a small number of young dogs under six months old come through Battersea’s gates due to medical problems or because their owners’ circumstances have changed.
‘We would remind owners who are struggling with their pets that bringing them to a rescue like Battersea is the most responsible decision if they can no longer care for them.
‘We are here for every dog and cat who needs our help and to provide owners with advice and support.’
Accepting that you are not able to provide the right home for a dog is difficult, but the kindest thing to do in this situation is give a pet over to the experts so they can find them the best care.
What we don’t want is to see pandemic puppies being neglected, mistreated, or abandoned in unsafe conditions.
A Dogs Trust spokesperson adds: ‘If people are struggling to look after their dog for whatever reason, we would urge them to get in touch with Dogs Trust and we will do everything we can to help.’
Some of the victims of the pandemic puppy boom…
Nelson
Nelson is nervous of strangers (Picture: RSPCA)
Eighteen-month-old cockapoo Nelson was bought as a family pet at the beginning of lockdown. He was handed over to the RSPCA’s Mount Noddy Animal Centre, in Chichester, West Sussex, when the family’s circumstances changed and they could no longer care for him.
A spokesperson from RSPCA Sussex, Chichester & District Branch said:’“Poor Nelson is nervous of strangers and this is something we’re concerned may become prevalent in lockdown puppies, who weren’t able to socialise properly due to Government restrictions.
‘He’s now in a foster home where he’s doing really well and we’ve had more than 200 applications to offer him a home so we’re sure we’ll find him a wonderful new home soon.’
Scooby
Poor Scooby was dumped in an alleyway (Picture: RSPCA)
Jack Russell terrier cross Corgi Scooby was found abandoned in an alleyway in Chertsey, Surrey, on December 13 – and the RSPCA believe he is likely another victim of pandemic puppy regret.
RSPCA Inspector Mike Beaman went to collect the frightened little dog. He said: ‘A member of the public had found the little tan and white dog tied up to a lamp post down an alleyway when he was walking his own dog at around 2pm.
‘When he passed again, around five hours later, the little dog was still there, wearing a harness and attached with a metal chain. It was raining, cold and the poor dog was shivering so he untied him and took him home before calling us.’
Molly
Molly ended up in a shelter just eight days after going home with new owners (Picture: RSPCA)
Ten-week-old pup Molly ended up in RSPCA care just eight days after going home with her new owners. The poodle cross fox terrier was purchased over Christmas but was relinquished to the charity’s Martlesham Animal Centre – run by RSPCA Suffolk East & Ipswich Branch – just over a week later.
Animal centre manager Zoe Barrett said: ‘Molly didn’t get on with the other dog in the house and her new owners simply couldn’t cope with her so asked us for help.
‘Unfortunately, lockdown has made it much more difficult for puppy owners to properly socialise and train their dogs.’
Robbie
Robbie had never been walked or let out of the house (Picture: RSPCA)
Robbie, a poodle cross Jack Russell terrier, arrived at the RSPCA’s Mount Noddy Animal Centre, in West Sussex, in October.
The then eight-month-old was born at the start of lockdown after being bred by a hobby breeder and bought by an elderly couple from the local area.
Susan Botherway, manager at the centre run by the RSPCA Sussex, Chichester & District Branch, said: ‘The couple already had one dog and wanted a second but, unfortunately, just couldn’t cope with Robbie.
‘He was never walked or let out of the house or garden so he was extremely nervous when he arrived and found kennels really stressful. He’d missed out on so many vital early-life experiences.
‘We managed to place him in a foster home where he slowly began to calm down, settle and come out of his shell. His fosterers have fallen in love with him and have now taken him on permanently.’
Muffin
Muffin was nervous and undersocialised (Picture: RSPCA)
Nine-month-old cockapoo Muffin was born in April, which means she would have gone to her home around June time. She was abandoned in Surrey in October and rescued by the dog warden who brought her to the RSPCA’s Millbrook Animal Centre, in Chobham, Surrey.
A spokesperson said: ‘I expect Muffin was a lockdown puppy, bought by a family during lockdown and abandoned when they realised they couldn’t take care of her.
‘She was very nervous and under socialised when she arrived so we spent a lot of time working with her to help her learn all of the things she has unfortunately missed out on due to lockdown.
‘We believe her previous owners may not have fully understood what they were taking on when they got Muffin and that she may have been bought on a whim.’
The nine-year-old border collie has learnt to understand her owners’ hand signals (Picture: SWNS)
A deaf dog whose owners gave her to the RSPCA because she could no longer herd sheep has been taught sign language.
Border collie Peggy is ‘proof that you can teach an old dog new tricks’ as she successfully helps her new owners shepherd their livestock.
The elderly dog, aged nine, enjoyed years of rounding up sheep before losing her hearing due to unknown causes.
She was signed over to the RSPCA’s Mid Norfolk and North Suffolk Branch, where animal welfare manager Chloe Shorten, 28, fell in love with her.
Chloe, who realised Peggy ‘wouldn’t be going anywhere’ decided to take the dog in with her and her shepherd husband Jason, aged 34.
‘We knew Peggy wanted to be working so we started the long process of teaching her how to herd and work with a shepherd without relying on voice commands,’ Chloe said.
Just to be safe, the couple fitted Peggy’s collar with a GPS tracker in case she got separated from her family and couldn’t find her way back to them without hearing them call for her.
Then, they started teaching her to watch them for guidance.
Usually sheepdogs learn to help their owners by responding to words such as ‘away’, ‘come-by’ and ‘steady’.
Chloe and Jason used the same positive reinforcement techniques which trainers use to teach dogs these verbal commands, to show Peggy hand signals.
Peggy has learnt that an outstretched, flat palm means ‘stop’ (Picture: SWNS)
Chloe said she is happy her and her husband have been able to teach Peggy how to recognise praise (Picture: SWNS)
Chloe said Peggy loves being back in the field, helping to herd sheep (Picture: SWNS)
Chloe said: ‘She’s still learning new things and improving all the time.
‘The main thing for us was being able to tell her that she’s a good girl and reassure her she is going to be okay.
‘It took her a while to learn that we loved her and to gain her trust, but it’s been so rewarding knowing that she now understands our praise.’
It took some time for Peggy to learn to look at her owners in the first place, but now she knows to watch the couple’s body language.
But it was not just Chloe and Jason who helped Peggy get back to work – she also had the help of two other working sheepdogs, Sid and Nora.
The power team got Peggy to a place where she can understand that a thumbs up means ‘good girl’, a flat, outstretched palm means ‘stop’, a point in any direction is an indication of where Peggy should go, and a slow, waving gesture means ‘slow down’.
If Chloe and Jason want Peggy to come to them, they will pat their knees as owners usually do anyway.
Chloe and Jason have to sometimes keep her at home so she is not ‘pushed too hard’ (Picture: SWNS)
Peggy has a GPS tracker on her collar so her owners can find her if she runs too far away to see them (Picture: SWNS)
Chloe said: ‘It can be difficult with a deaf dog, because you have to wave at them to get their attention, and sometimes she doesn’t realise straight away.
‘But she’s such a happy little dog. She’s no spring chicken, and she is generally retired – but she loves going out to work with us and running around in the fields, helping out.
‘We don’t always take her out with us, just so as not to push her too hard. But I think if she had the chance she’d do it all the time.
‘She absolutely loves running around like a nutter but it’s amazing to see her with this new lease of life and enjoying her life with us.
‘She’s proof that you can teach an old dog new tricks, and is a wonderful example of the capability of a dog, even if they do lose a sense.’
The 76-year-old farmer was not even allowed to own horses (Picture: Bellis Media North Wales)
A farmer who neglected his horses so badly three had to be put down has walked free from court.
Evan Evans, 76, was not even allowed to own horses in the first place after getting a 10-year ban in 2013 over similar neglect.
But he carried on keeping horses regardless until the RSPCA seized all 93 of them from his farm in Chwilog, north Wales, back in September.
The animal welfare officers found one horse had been left to suffer with a broken leg without any medical help.
Many of the other animals were struggling with hoof problems and bad dental hygiene because they had not been cared for properly.
All of the horses were kept in stables that were deep in muck. Only 24 animals were deemed to be in an acceptable condition and they were mostly foals.
Several cockerels on the farm also required medical treatment.
Many of the horses were struggling with hoof problems (Picture: Bellis Media North Wales)
The horses’ hooves were overgrown and had not been maintained (Picture: Bellis Media North Wales)
The vet found ‘there was a serious and extensive failure to provide the most basic preventative health care which led to suffering.’
Evans was spared jail with a 20-week suspended sentence after the prosecution accepted he was not ‘deliberately cruel’.
But he was fined £1,128 and banned from keeping horses and poultry for 20 years.
Defending Evans in court, Andrew Scott said: ‘He could and should have been more proactive.
‘The RSPCA knew he had these animals and he couldn’t dispose of them.
The stables were deep in muck which can be dangerous for horses (Picture: Bellis Media North Wales)
The court heard the neglect was not deliberate (Picture: Bellis Media North Wales)
‘This wasn’t deliberate. He’s become a victim of circumstances.’
The lawyer added that Evans was ‘terrified’ of going back to prison after spending 10 weeks behind bars in 2013.
He was previously jailed after nine ponies had to be put down because of their mistreatment.
Mr Scott explained that Evans’s children had become involved when they realised how bad the horses were.
He was freed and then made a quick escape without any injuries or harm done to him (Picture: SWNS)
Few can say they are not guilty of going in for the last few bites of a delicious meal which filled them up long ago.
But this little squirrel had to be rescued from his own overeating, after he got himself stuck inside a bird feeder.
The little guy had wriggled into a thin, circular feeder to reach some seeds a woman had left out in her back garden in Northwich, Cheshire.
But he ended up trapped, with his jaw caught on the feeder’s metal rim and his claws pressed against the barrier meaning he could not move.
The woman spotted him rolling around, with his head poking out the top of the feeder, on June 19 and called the RSPCA.
Inspector Caren Goodman-Janes had to carefully drag the squirrel’s squished body out from the bottom of the wire tube.
She said: ‘As his bum was trapped he really must have felt like he had quite literally hit the bottom – but luckily his predicament was spotted by the neighbour who alerted us or he could have endured prolonged suffering.
‘I am not sure if he went in the feeder upside down then, after having some seed, realised he was unable to get back out.’
Although the tiny creature was scared, he was not hurt and he made a ‘quick getaway’ as soon as he was freed.
‘He probably needs to lay off the nuts for a while,’ Caren said.
Whilst there are many squirrel-proof bird feeders, these often end up trapping wildlife more than regular feeders.
Caren said: ‘I would urge people who have them to check their feeders regularly to look out for any trapped wildlife and if you are going on holiday take them down.
‘Alternatively use non-squirrel proof feeders which may attract other wildlife but at least it will prevent animals like squirrels getting trapped.’
Jane Broomfield was later told Nola’s vaccination paperwork had been faked (Pictures: Jane Broomfield/SWNS)
A family has been left with an £11,000 vets bill after the puppy they bought online came with fake vaccination documents and died of a virus just two weeks later.
Jane Broomfield, 47, paid £550 for what she thought was a nine-week-old Jack-A-Bee puppy, which she named Nola, after seeing an advert on Gumtree.
She said she felt assured the Jack Russell-Beagle cross was well cared for because it came with documents saying it had been jabbed and microchipped and given flea and worm treatments.
The mum-of-two became suspicious when the seller gave her an address which didn’t exist and met her outdoors, but the family – including daughter Beau 16, and son Cayden, 13 – fell in love with the pup.
Within three days, Nola, who was sleepy and suffering with bloody diarrhoea, had to be taken to an emergency vet where she was diagnosed with parvovirus.
Nola would have been protected had she received her vaccines, but the vet confirmed the documents were likely faked. She had not been microchipped either.
The following day Jane was told Nola was not even the breed that had been advertised and was probably much younger than she had been led to believe.
Nola underwent a week of intensive treatments totalling more than £10,000 but sadly died last Saturday, June 26.
Jane Broomfield said she bought the puppy after her family fell in love with her (Picture: Jane Broomfield/SWNS)
But they were heartbroken when Nola died of a virus just two weeks later (Picture: Jane Broomfield /SWNS)
Devastated Jane, who also has a nine-year-old pooch called Buster, said: ‘It’s been absolutely horrendous for me and the kids. I cried for about a week.
‘I just want this sort of thing to stop, and I want to get the word out to other people, because I don’t want other families to go through this.
‘We’ve all been so tearful and angry; very very angry.’
Jane, a mobile hairdresser from Bagshot in Surrey, said she has been forced to find extra work to try and pay the vets bills, adding: ‘I don’t know where I’m going to find that money.
‘Just the critical care team is about £10,000, then my vet and the out of hours takes it to around £11,000, and I’ve got to pay for her cremation.’
Jane spoke out to warn others of the dangers of buying puppies online (Picture: Jane Broomfield/SWNS)
Jane said she wanted to speak out about the ordeal to try and warn others about the dangers of buying pets online.
She said the seller – also called Jane – blocked her number when she told her how expensive the treatment was.
Reflecting on the purchase, she recalled how ‘all the pictures of dogs were outside on grass’, with ‘no sign of people’.
She went on: ‘There was a picture of a beagle that was supposed to be Nola’s mother, but the vet said she didn’t have any beagle in her.
‘If you’re buying a dog be very vigilant and demand to see the parent dogs and where they live.
‘They get you because they know you will fall in love when you see the dog.’
RSPCA tips for spotting puppy dealers' online adverts
Dealers are using the internet to their advantage when it comes to advertising and selling farmed puppies. The RSPCA says 87% of puppy trade calls it receives are about animals bought over the internet.
Anyone looking to buy a puppy is urged to make sure to read adverts carefully and look out for the tell-tale signs:
Dealers may use the same contact number on more than one advert. Try Googling the number to see if it has been used on any other puppy adverts.
Descriptions may have been copied and pasted and used on more than one advert – try Googling the description and see if it has been used before, word-for-word.
Words like ‘miniature’ and ‘teacup’ can be a sign of dealers trying to capitalise on popular terms.
Photos of the puppies may have been used on other adverts. Right click on the photo, select ‘search Google for image’ and see if it has been used on other ads.
If the advert says a puppy has been vaccinated – check how old he or she is. A puppy cannot be vaccinated before four – six weeks of age. So, if a person is advertising a three-week-old vaccinated puppy, they are lying.
If the puppy is advertised as having a passport, it has most probably been imported.
The charity says it has seen dealers claim they are Kennel Club Registered to convey legitimacy – but be wary of this, ask for original documents and check with the kennel club before buying a puppy.
Promises of ‘free insurance’ and ‘puppy packs’ do not mean the advert is from a legitimate breeder.
They happened upon the kittens totally by chance (Picture: Triangle News/Facebook)
Lauren Hartley, 26, and Luke Hewick, 28, were walking by a bin in Kingswood, Hull, when they heard tiny cries for help.
They peeked inside the trash can and noticed that an Asda bag was rustling, so quickly fished it out of the rubbish.
To their surprise, two frightened kittens were shivering inside.
The couple took the wet moggies home and reported the incident to the RSPCA, who are investigating to find out exactly what happened.
Lauren and Luke have since adopted the adorable pair, who are thought to be around eight weeks old, and named them Roscoe and Cooper.
Luke said: ‘We had just gone for a walk, and we wouldn’t normally go down that way, but Lauren said we should just for a change.
The poor babies had been tied up in a plastic bag and dumped in a bin (Picture: Triangle News/Facebook)
‘We had stopped nearby to stroke a friendly cat and then carried on walking when we heard some little miaow cries, so I thought the cat had followed us.
‘I turned around and couldn’t see anything and then Lauren said the sound was coming from around the bin.
‘Then she saw the bag inside the bin move, so I tentatively put my hand in and pulled out the Asda Bag for Life.
‘I untied it and there was another bag tied up inside – then I opened this and found the terrified kittens.
‘They were shaking and scared and soaking wet. I am not sure if it was because of the storm which we had before we found them or if they were wet from breathing in the bag.
The couple knew they had to help (Picture: Triangle News/Facebook)
‘I ran home to get some towels, and we wrapped them up, took them home and called the RSPCA.
‘We were happy to keep them for the night and look after them, but they soon won us over, and we have decided to keep them ourselves.
‘We have only had them a few days, but their playful personalities are already coming out.’
Luke and Lauren (Picture: Facebook/Triangle News)
Luke said the baby cats are now happy in their new home, where they love playing and cuddling.
He added: ‘They are really cute – I just don’t know how anyone could have done this to them – they would have suffocated slowly in that bag, and it was just a chance that we happened to find them.
‘I think it was fate that we walked that way and came across the kittens and that we were destined to keep them.
‘But I would like to help find the person responsible for such a sickening act of cruelty.’
Natalie Hill, an RSPCA inspector, is appealing for help to find whoever is responsible for this ‘callous’ act.
She believes the kittens were abandoned not long before Luke and Lauren found them at 7:30pm.
She said: ‘This is appalling and whoever is responsible must be callous to discard two kittens in a bag and throw them away like rubbish.
‘If it wasn’t for Luke and Lauren luckily finding them they would have suffered a lingering and terrifying death.
‘I am just hoping someone may have seen something suspicious and will help me with my investigation.
‘I am also appealing to see if anyone knows of anyone who had any kittens like these recently but are no longer in possession of them.’
