General News 1 4 PET TRADE WORLD OCTOBER 2009www. pettradeworld. com Shocking stray dog fi gures force legislation rethink Dogs Trust calls for compulsory microchipping to halt stray dog problem A staggering 107,228 stray and abandoned dogs were picked up by Local Authorities from UK streets in the last year, according to Dogs Trust's 2009 Stray Dog Survey. This represents an unacceptable increase of 11% and is the highest increase recorded since records began in 1997. Dogs Trust strongly believes that 2008' s change in stray dog law in England and Wales, whereby police no longer hold statutory responsibility for stray dogs, may explain this sudden increase. The charity also fears that the current fi nancial crisis may have had an impact in some areas. With over 9,000 unclaimed stray dogs put to sleep by Local Authorities, the charity is calling on the Government to introduce compulsory microchipping for all dogs in the UK. It hopes this will reduce the problem and help reunite owners with their lost pets and trace abandoned pets back to irresponsible owners. In the last year, of those stray dogs that were returned to their owners, 31% were returned due to being microchipped - with compulsory microchipping many more could be reunited. The annual survey, conducted by GfK NOP on behalf of Dogs Trust, shows a startling increase from the previous year. Despite the sustained eff orts of both animal welfare organisations and Local Authorities, on average 12 stray and abandoned dogs an hour are now handled by Local Authorities. Each hour: . 5 are reunited with their owners . 3 are taken to welfare organisations . 1 is rehomed from the Local Authority kennels . 2 are in kennels for their seven day holding period . 1 dog is put to sleep Dogs Trust Chief Executive Clarissa Baldwin says: " This is the largest annual increase since our records began in 1997. Previously we had seen a steady decline, but the latest statistics show a huge jump in the number of stray dogs both handled and put to sleep by Local Authorities. Some dog wardens mentioned the recession could have been an attributing factor to the increase, while others cited the change in the stray dog law last April. We believe that the time is right to review the Control of Dogs Order and are calling on the Government to introduce compulsory microchipping of all dogs in the UK. Microchipping is an essential part of being a responsible dog owner and has helped so many people become reunited with their beloved pets." Compulsory microchipping already has signifi cant support in the UK. Over 90% of Local Authorities and veterinary surgeons and almost 90% of dog owners are in favour of its introduction according to Dogs Trust research. To date 45 MP's have signed a supportive Early Day Motion ( EDM) for the campaign and the charity has received additional support regionally from local MP's from all three of the main parties. ¦ If you haven't yet started preparing for the festive season then now is the time to start with the release of Petbrands' Christmas Catalogue. With some juicy special off ers to tempt you, they have every aspect of Christmas covered for pets. Christmas stockings come fi lled to the brim with doggie-designed treats, chew toys come in plush fur fabric for pampered pups and Christmas crackers are stuff ed with nutritious, healthy bites. With Buy- 2- get- one- free off ers on many bestsellers and discounts for new trade customers, this year could be a cut- price celebration for pets!' For more information telephone 08714 722 322, email sales@ petbrands. com or visit www. petbrands. com ¦ www. petbrands. com/ christmas Christmas is coming!

General News www. pettradeworld. comPET TRADE WORLD OCTOBER 2009 15 Mobilityisoneofthetop three* concernsforowners NewHill's T SciencePlan T HealthyMobility Offertheproductthatownershavebeenwaitingfor! Preciselybalancednutritionenrichedwith omega- 3fattyacidsandclinicallyproven antioxidantstosupport: Activemobility Jointflexibility Easeofmovement * Dogowners'perception- source: ConsumerPerceivedConditionStudyHill's2008 T TrademarksownedbyHill'sPetNutrition, Inc. © 2009Hill'sPetNutrition, Inc. vets'no. 1 choice T Stiffjointscanaffect everybreed, size& ageofdog NEW totheNEXTGENERATION SciencePlan T range FormoreinformationcontactyourHill'sTerritoryManager orcallCustomerServiceon080028438( IRE1800626002) Upto40%* ofdogs showsignsofstiffjoints Hill's T SciencePlan T CanineBagSizeCaseSize HealthyMobilityMini3kg4 HealthyMobilityMini7.5kg1 HealthyMobilityMedium3kg4 HealthyMobilityMedium12kg1 HealthyMobilityLarge3kg4 HealthyMobilityLarge12kg1