The site, which is partnered with family run pet food company Butcher’s Pet Care, acts as a central hub for thousands of homeless dogs in the UK, making them visible to potential owners all over the country from the comfort of their own homes. Dog owners can browse the site by breed, making it much easier to find a dog that is suitable for them.

DogsBlog.com was established to help under pressure animal shelters and rescue organisations find permanent homes for the growing number of dogs in their care. It is completely free for both the charity seeking to rehome the dog and individuals looking for a pet. The recession and recent credit crisis has caused a spike in the number of dogs being abandoned, adding extra burden to already over stretched welfare sector.

Speaking about reaching the landmark of 10,000 dogs rehomed via the site, co-founder Ryan O’Meara said: “I’m delighted for Axis and his new owners and I’m extremely proud that he is the 10,000th dog we have helped. But I’m equally proud of the assistance we’ve been able to give to the welfare sector. We have so far relieved the dog welfare industry of £24,272,500(2) of financial burden.”

With a firm belief that dog owners should be prepared to travel for the right dog, rather than simply finding a dog that is local, DogsBlog is keen to ensure that people are committed before they even visit their potential new pet. DogsBlog.com has a strict policy of not enabling users to search for dogs by location. What would at first glance seem like a barrier to success, is actually part of why the service works. Making it difficult for casual browsers or impulse buyers has created a system that weeds out those least suitable for dog ownership.

Kim Bruce, who manages the site with daily doggy updates explains, “People who have bought a dog on impulse are among the main contributors to the harrowing dog abandonment figures. Making the site work in a way which means people may have to travel ensures that only those serious about dog ownership will enquire. This reduces the chance of that dog returning to the rescue system. We had a couple travel take a 700 mile round trip from Orkney to Middlesbrough to bring their new dog Jake home.”

But for those dedicated owners that are prepared to travel, the rewards are worthwhile. As well as finding themselves a new best friend, DogsBlog estimates that they have saved British dog owners approximately £50m(1) in total over the last three years.

What began as an idealogical experiment soon turned into an invaluable service for dog rescue centres around the UK.

Ryan explains: “I’d always been fascinated with Channel 4′s Pet Rescue programme and how after showing a dog thousands of calls would flood in to rehome him and so with the web taking such a prominent position now and people adapt to searching online, I thought why can’t the web do the same thing?” Over the past 3 years the innovative website has grown from strength to strength and is proud to be partnered with a family company that prides itself in having fed generations of family dogs. The partnership between the two companies works because dogs can find themselves in the animal welfare system due to behavioural problems that can be related to a poor diet. With Butcher’s variety of products containing fresh meat, natural ingredients and all the vitamins and minerals your dog needs there is no better dog food for keeping your dog “as fit as a Butcher’s dog”.

DogsBlog and Butcher’s Pet Care will continue their efforts to help more dogs find new homes through National Dog Adoption Month this September.

References
(1) Based on the number of people adopting a dog rather than buying a dog, multiplied by the average cost of a dog (Labrador £500)
(2) According to annual kennelling costs of £6.65 per dog per day published by *** January 2008

What The Stars Think of DogsBlog.com

Kate Humble, Wildlife TV presenter & rescue dog owner: “DogsBlog is a great place to start if you are thinking of adopting a dog. The site has lots of helpful advice and can put you in touch with a range of re-homing centres right across the country. If you can give a dog a good, loving home, adopting a rescue dog is fantastically rewarding. I did exactly that a year ago and it is the best thing I’ve ever done.”

LBC Radio’s James Max: “Whilst I am a big fan of computers and technology, what children and families benefit from more is interaction. What better way than with a dog? Exercise, fun and companionship all in one. And by taking on a dog that hasn’t got a home you’ll be doing a good turn too. DogsBlog.com is a brilliant way to find out what dogs need a home so before you shell out hundreds of pounds on a pet, why not think about adopting a dog instead?”

Kristin Bauer from hit TV show, True Blood: What a beautiful site! Very friendly, open, easy to use and every single dog I felt I knew from their wonderful profiles and photos. If you are looking for a new companion this is a great place to go. It’s the eHarmony of the rescue world, connecting you with the right companion for you. So many gorgeous, sweet furry guys that want a best friends. I know as I have two best friends in my home that rescued me AND www.DogsBlog.com has found new homes for 10,000 dogs! Thank God for sites and people like this in our world.

Let’s Meet The 10,000th Dog Rehomed

Axis is an 11 week old German Shepherd cross Akita who found himself looking for a new home at such a young age and after being a part of three homes and three families, found himself looking for a new home and his fourth – and final – forever home.

His new owners, Kim and Will O’Brien found out about Axis online and that he was only minutes away. Since finding his home with them, he’s settled in really well and his new family have even re-arranged their furniture showroom’s office to give him his own ‘work space’ so he can visit daily and spend quality time with his new family day in and day out.

To try and debunk the myths about dog adoption and encourage dog lovers to consider adopting, DogsBlog.com and Butcher’s Pet Care, are launching National Dog Adoption Month this September.

Visit www.dogsblog.com to find the dog of your dreams – bring joy, adopt a dog!

To support Lake County with implementing this decision, American Humane has awarded the shelter a $1,600 grant to make the transition to euthanasia by injection (EBI), which American Humane considers to be the only humane and acceptable means of euthanasia for shelter animals. The grant will cover the costs of permanently removing the shelter’s gas chamber, as well as the costs for the initial supplies and equipment to perform EBI. The shelter is working to make the transition in the next 60 days.

“American Humane encourages adoption and spay/neuter to reduce pet overpopulation and thus reduce the rate of euthanasia,” said Dori Villalon, American Humane’s vice president of Animal Protection. “However, we recognize that euthanasia can be necessary, such as when an animal is suffering or cannot be adopted. But we believe that the use of gas chambers is an outdated and unnecessary method. We applaud Lake County for its decision to stop this practice, and we strongly encourage the remaining nine counties and one township in Michigan that still use gas chambers to follow Lake County’s lead and take advantage of an American Humane grant to transition to EBI.”

In 2009, American Humane launched an intensive legislative initiative to ban gas chambers in animal shelters. Currently, American Humane is continuing its efforts in Michigan to achieve the passage of House Bills 6042 and 6043, which state that all Michigan animal shelters and Class B dealers (laboratory animal brokers) may not euthanize cats and dogs by any method other than EBI. The bills, drafted by American Humane with assistance from the State Bar of Michigan Animal Law Section, are sponsored by Reps. Rick Jones and Fred Miller.

For more information about American Humane’s work to ban gas chambers, visit www.americanhumane.org/stopgassing.

“Pets have become important members of the family, and their needs are often high on the list of must-haves for many buyers, sometimes even higher than priorities of the two-legged members of the family,” says, Eileen Healy at Prudential Rocky Mountain Realtors® in Colorado. “Calling out features or local pet-friendly amenities can make or break a buyer’s interest in a particular property.

If a buyer knows a home they love already has features the family dog or pet will also love, they’ll be more inclined to give that home a second look and consider it more than others on their list.”

While proximity to dog parks, doggy day-care centers, or pet fashion stores are often priorities for dog owners interested in city properties, suburban properties generally have ample space for seemingly unusual pet-friendly features. For the sophisticated canines, this Victorian dog house that matches this $10,995,000 home listed on Realtor.com in California is a must see. If country living is for you and your ‘dawg’ needs a warm place to chill after a long day of sheepherding on the prairie, consider a heated doghouse with a deluxe dog run listed on Realtor.com at $520,000 in Idaho. Or, for pooches in need of alone time or a quiet space, consider this secluded cottage on Realtor.com at $524,000 in Illinois.

While spaces customized to a dog’s specific needs are not uncommon according to Shari Guess, a Realtor with Buy Wise Real Estate in Texas and active member of the Great Dane Rescue of North Texas, many dog lovers do go the extra mile when it comes to creating a pet-friendly environment at home.

“We have one particularly enormous Dane named Sampson, and we couldn’t find a pet door big enough. So we made our own out of a semi-truck mud flap. It’s a few years old now so we’ll be duplicating our efforts and replacing it soon,” said Guess. “We also put in a small outdoor patio so when it’s muddy Sampson and our other dogs can go outside for whatever reason and come back into the house without us having to wipe 16 muddy paws! It has a short three-foot fence, pea-gravel with fire hydrant and can be accessed via the dog door from the dog room.”

As the nation heads into the Dog Days of Summer, and in honor of National Dog Day on August 26th, Move celebrates man’s best friend with information, tips and guides from pet experts and top Realtors specializing in pet-friendly homes. Whether it’s building a pooch palace or installing a bone-shaped pool, Move offers advice on how to celebrate your canine and improve the value pet-loving buyers will give your property as they search for their next home. Interesting topics available now for pet lovers and home enthusiasts to explore on the Move Network include:

– Properties for sale with fantastic pet-friendly features: As more
people consider themselves “pet parents,” Move showcases homes for
sale perfect for adapting their lifestyles to their furry family
members.
– Dogs go green: Have you ever thought about your dog’s carbon “paw
print”? Find easy ways to go green with your dog, including using
environmentally-friendly dog products like biodegradable toys.
– Celebrity and presidential dog homes: Celebrities love to shower their
dogs with love, affection… and doghouses. Heard about Paris Hilton’s
two-story kennel mansion built for Tinkerbell? Or what about Drew
Barrymore naming her dog ‘Flossie’ in her property trust valued at $3
million?
– Realtor tips on benefits of pet-friendly homes: Realtors share
experiences in working with pet owners in the market for a home and
explain that Fido plays a larger role in finding a home then one might
think.
– How-to build a doghouse: Want to build an abode for Fido on a budget?
Here are steps required, tools needed, and instructions for building a
doghouse for under $75.00.
– Moving tips for your pet: Moving can be stressful for pets, so prepare
a room for your pooch while you’re packing everything up, ensuring
hazardous materials are tucked away. Find a vet near your new home and
a list of pet friendly hotels in case you need to stay at one while
getting settled into the new place.
– Streets named after famous dogs: Wondering how some streets were
named? The famous dog Nipper in the RCA Victrola ads lived in Bristol,
England, and visitors there will find a small road named “Nipper
Alley.”
– Landscaping tips to create a pet-haven in the yard: Is your garden
going to the dogs? Man’s best friend can be a gardener’s worst
headache until you learn how to peacefully coexist with your canine
companions.
– The Top 10 Dog Parks in the U.S.: If you love to play at the park with
your dog, you’ll love Dog Fancy’s list of top 10 dog parks. The
Jackass Acres K-9 Korral in New River, AZ topped the list this year;
it is completely green, and recycles dog waste to create other usable
materials.
– Pet friendly hotels: Traveling with your dog has never been easier, as
hotels across the country are increasingly offering pet-friendly rooms
and activities. According to www.BringFido.com, some of the most
popular cities for pet travel include Myrtle Beach, SC and Santa
Barbara, CA.
– Pet friendly apartments: Finding an apartment that allows dogs is not
always easy. Check out the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals in your area, you’ll probably find a list of local
pet-friendly landlords.

In addition to offering expert advice on pet-friendly properties, Move, Inc., has partnered with top breeders at Breeders USA in California to provide facts and statistics relative to top breeds by city, and the most popular breeds in America.

“We’re pleased Move is helping homeowners identify ways to transform a home into a pet-friendly environment because it’s a great way to maintain a pet’s health and vitality,” said Daniel Hect, Master Dog Trainer and owner of BreedersUSA.com in California. “By identifying the needs of your pet while you’re searching for your next home, whether it’s with an outdoor play area or “doggy-doors,” the property is not only enhanced esthetically, but the upgrades can also become a viable marketing feature when selling or buying a home.”

As part of the campaign, Move, Inc is pawing to get a glimpse into the most luxurious doggy dwellings by asking pet owners to submit their favorite photo of their pets’ home on the Realtor.com Facebook Fan Page and be entered to win $250 gift certificate for Petco. Visit Move.com, Realtor.com/blogs or join facebook.com/realtor.com for additional details on the Dog Days of Summer campaign!

Cheapest Dog Insurance

First things first, nobody should be foolish enough to evaluate the cheapest dog insurance as the best dog insurance. What we’re looking for is the best value dog insurance policies on the market today.

Remember; pet insurance is a financial protection product and you tend to get what you pay for, so going with a company which has a reputation within the insurance sector is one of the best practices when searching out good health cover for your dog.

[Recommended: try this site for the top dog insurance deals.]

Direct Line dog insurance represents a very competitive pet insurance product that includes:

* Multi-pet discount.
* Payment direct to the vet.
* Cover per condition, so no limit on the number of claims
* A fixed one-off excess for each condition

Their melting chocolate brown eyes are finally open, they totter around uncertainly on their legs and they walk in their bowls of food – these are the new police dogs of the future, destined to patrol MoD assets nationwide. For now however, they are the cutest attraction at the kennels in the base. Sergeant Matt Robertson, of the MoD police force dog unit, said: “Not surprisingly, people are queuing up to come and see them.

The puppies are learning to walk and their eyes are opened fully. They have all put on a healthy weight and are very well and thriving. We are all very proud of them and their mother Willow.” Willow has produced only the second such litter for the MoD Police Force as part of the new programme to breed its own dogs for the future. Previously, the police service bought in new dogs.

This is a first for the police dog unit in Devonport. There have been two previous such litters bred especially by and for the MoD Police. The first at the breeder’s kennels, the second was at police headquarters and this now the third – a coup for Devonport. 1 of 2 Once the pups have reached the age of eight weeks they will leave their crèche and go for development training – a major step towards playing a crucial role in the UK’s security.

The force dog unit usually bought in German Shepherds as new recruits, but they have increasingly become susceptible to health problems which shortened their working life. The best way forward both to guarantee good quality healthy dogs and provide value for tax payers’ money, was to remain in- house and switch breed to Belgium Shepherds of the Malinois variety.

Matt said: “The breeding programme guarantee us a high standard of dog, we know the origins of the dogs and their genetic history and their temperament. This breed is already known for its sociable character and they are easy to train with a high level of fitness.

The breeding programme means we can trace their lineage and parentage – the father is the same in both litters and the mothers are sisters.

We are confident we can carry on this programme and within the force, Devonport will become a centre of excellence.”

Animal welfare campaigners joined forces to bring Bruce’s plight to world attention. In fact, Bruce’s story still remains one of the most viewed and commented articles on this very website.

Bruce, the deathrow dog is free!

He has been released in to the custody of a Galway animal rescue.

Seized in September 2007 , the council who incarcerated Bruce openly acknowledged that he was not taken on the basis of anything he’d ever done, but purely on the grounds of what he happened to look like.

Breed specific legislation deems dogs as ‘dangerous’ and illegal on looks alone, not actions.

In Northern Ireland, there is not even a clause in place which would allow “Pitbull-type dogs” to be released on the back of a behavioural assessment under the 1997 Dangerous Dogs Act amendment, which is operative elsewhere in the UK, so Bruce’s seizure automatically condemned him to die.

Shannon Brown, Bruce’s owner, appealed to the court to overturn his destruction order and a three year battle commenced whilst Bruce remained captive at numerous secret locations the behest of the Northern Ireland authorities.

East Galway Animal Rescue (EGAR) appealed to have Bruce taken in to their care – as they are located in Southern Ireland, where the destruction law is not active.

The court heard the appeal and acknowledged that Bruce had an “overall pleasant temperament”, but initially turned it down. That decision was overturned in July and Bruce has been released to the care of EGAR where he is said to be making a good recovery from his three year ordeal.

—
End breed specific legislation NOW! Click Here >

But now, as a direct result of little-known proposed amendments to Title 10 of the Los Angeles County Code, animal sanctuaries countywide could be limited to caring for only 50 dogs and cats — and ultimately forced to surrender all the other unwanted animals to an already overburdened county shelter system. It’s effectively a death sentence for thousands of dogs and cats.

Concerned citizens can help ensure the proposed 50-animal limitation is dropped. Actor and lifelong animal activist Leo Grillo, founder of D.E.L.T.A. Rescue, urges LA County residents who care about animals to contact the five county supervisors and other county officials to express their opposition to the 50-animal limit on kennel licenses.
“If passed, the changes to Title 10 of the Los Angeles County Code will require all facilities with over 50 dogs and cats to sell, transfer or relinquish all animals above that limit of 50 within 30 days,” Grillo explained.

“Rescued animals are not always easy to place, and we’re talking about thousands of dogs and cats throughout the county. Realistically, most of those animals will end up in the pound, where they will be euthanized simply because there is no space for them.”

While Grillo and the D.E.L.T.A. Rescue team are vehemently opposed to the numerical limit on kennel licenses, they support other proposed changes to Title 10, including requirements for facilities to maintain approved emergency evacuation plans and to have 24-hour staff on site.

“We applaud the county’s attempt to make sure animals receive proper care,” Grillo stated. “However, limiting responsible, established rescue facilities to 50 dogs and cats contradicts the county’s stated mission of preserving and protecting public and animal safety. D.E.L.T.A. Rescue stands ready to assist the county in that mission as we have for 30 years, but we cannot do so if the ordinance passes as proposed. We need the public’s help to keep providing safe haven for the pets abandoned to the harsh conditions of the southern California wilderness.”

To learn more about the proposed changes to Title 10 of the Los Angeles County Code and help get the word out, contact D.E.L.T.A. Rescue at P.O. Box 9, Glendale, CA, 91209 or visit http://www.deltarescue.org/.
Members of the community are urged to contact LA County supervisors and officials to voice their opposition to the kennel license cap at the following emails and telephone numbers:

Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, surveys Local Authorities in the UK each year to identify instances of dogs straying. The charity recognises that there is still a problem of stray dogs in the UK – over 107,000 instances of straying in 2009 – and has been campaigning for the introduction of a system of compulsory microchipping of all dogs to help speed up the process of returning lost dogs to owners and making irresponsible owners more accountable for their pets.

The charity which looks after 16,000 dogs every year has a non destruction policy has been campaigning to stop the loss of life of healthy dogs.

Dogs Trust is campaigning for:

* A compulsory scheme to have all dogs microchipped at first change of hands and to make it a legal requirement to keep the database up to date.
* A ban on dogs being sold in pet shops as we believe that too many are sold on impulse.
* The Dangerous Dogs Act to be repealed and replaced with more robust but fairer Dog Control legislation.
* Border crossings, particularly from the Republic of Ireland, to be more strenuously policed.
* The breeding of dogs legislation reviewed and for anyone breeding any litter to be registered or licensed.

Dogs Trust believes that compulsory microchipping is the best way of permanently identifying a dog and is a more cost efficient and effective system than dog licensing, which the charity regards as a tax on dog owners.

Dogs Trust is also concerned about the large numbers of Bull breeds that are being abandoned following increasing publicity associating them with dog attacks, crime and antisocial behaviour. Breeds such as Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Bull Mastiffs and Rottweilers are being unfairly vilified and labelled ‘dangerous dogs’. Sadly overbreeding and negative publicity has resulted in many of these breeds being abandoned both on the streets and at rescue charities such as Dogs Trust.

Dogs Trust is:

* Working closely with local communities to give youths in urban environments the knowledge to be better and responsible dog owners. The project has been piloted in London and the intention is to roll out this model to other areas around the UK.
* Conducting over 3,000 classroom presentations per year to educate the dog owners of tomorrow about being responsible
* Neutering around 40,000 dogs belonging to people on low incomes
* Offering local authorities free microchips in order to ensure that stray dogs are returned to their owners quickly

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At K9 Magazine, we have long since campaigned for the introduction of a national dog ownership competency test as a means to legislate against irresponsible breeding, supply and ownership of Britain’s dogs.

You can read more about the dog ownership test proposal.

Or have your say on repealing the outdated, cruel law that legislates against dog breeds based entirely on what they look like – click here, repeal the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Help fight the rise in dog abandonments, support National Dog Adoption Month today!

The pubs involved are the Five Alls near Lechlade, Gloucestershire and the Catherine Wheel in Goring-on-Thames, Berkshire – both of which are popular with dog walkers taking advantage of the pubs’ dog-friendly policy after enjoying a walk in the countryside.

Dog owning visitors should ask to see the ‘doggy menu’ when they order food.

The month-long campaign will see a ‘doggy menu’ offered alongside the gastopubs’ human one, giving family hounds the chance to chomp when their owners sit down for a meal. The food will be served in specially-made Butcher’s branded bowls and dogs will be able to take their pick from nutritious meals such as mouth watering ‘Liver & Garden Veg’ chunks in gravy and ‘Chicken & Beef’ chunks in jelly.

Butcher’s and Brakspear believes that after a long walk it’s not just humans who will have built up a hearty appetite, our four legged friends will have as well. They also deserve the chance to relax and enjoy a hearty meal to refuel.

The campaign is promoting the new range of chunks in jelly and chunks in gravy recipes, which is hitting stores in newly-designed six-can multipacks. With its famous slogan ‘Fit as a Butcher’s Dog’, which has featured on its packaging for nearly a quarter of a century on Butcher’s dog food. Butcher’s is a British family company with roots in farming and a strong heritage in pet nutrition and meat expertise.

Caroline Coombs, Brand manager at Butcher’s Pet Care said: “A family walk is a great way to strengthen that special emotional connection with your dog and stopping off at a country pub to enjoy a drink and bite to eat is a great British summer institution. Now dog owners can sit down to lunch happy in the knowledge their dog is enjoying their meal as much as they are. We’ve built our business on feeding generations of family dogs and all our recipes are naturally nutritious and contain all of the vitamins and minerals your dog needs to keep him healthy, happy and fit as a Butcher’s dog.”

Tom Davies, Brakspear’s commercial director, said, “Many of our pubs are located near popular walking routes and attract customers out to enjoy the countryside with their four-legged companions. For many dog-owners, being able to source a meal in the pub for their pet as well as for themselves will be an attractive option and we’re pleased to be offering the Butcher’s meals, which we hope will be a further boost to the dog-friendly reputation of our pubs.”

In the month of August, Butcher’s Pet Care is also lending its support to the third annual National Dog Adoption Month.

With dogs being given up on the rise once again this year, National Dog Adoption Month aims to prove to all would-be dog owners that the dog of their dreams is in an adoption shelter somewhere. All they need to do is look.

The campaign aims to completely dispel the myth that ‘rescue’ dogs need pity or sympathy or that dogs in shelters are somehow there due to problems in their makeup, physical or emotional. The national dog adoption website www.dogsblog.com shows, clearly, that adoption centres are full, literally to bursting point, with all manner of different dogs of different backgrounds of various personality types. National Dog Adoption Month aims to prove to all would-be dog owners that the dog of their dreams is in an adoption shelter somewhere. All they need to do is look.

Adopting a dog is a concept supported by a growing list of celebrities including Lily Allen, Holly Madison, John Barrowman and Drew Barrymore. Sky News presenter Charlotte Hawkins says, “Many shelters are reaching capacity, so desperately need the space to be able to take in the ever increasing number of dogs that need help. It takes a few small changes in your life to give a dog a home, but the rewards will be more than worth it, as I know from my rescue dog Bailey. So if you think you can offer a second chance to a rescue dog then please, please get behind National Dog Adoption Month.”

Throughout the month there will be a number of dog adoption success stories, local fund raisers/open days held by rescue shelters and various events designed to promote the benefit of adopting a dog.

You can download posters from www.dogadoptionmonth.co.uk to take along to local open days, pet stores and veterinary surgeries to promote the message and encourage people to adopt, or why not download some of the free graphics to add into your signatures and spread the word online.

For more information on National Dog Adoption Month visit www.dogadoptionmonth.co.uk