uk.rec.pets.misc FAQ
- From: "Marcus L. Rowland" <forgottenfutures@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 2 Oct 2005 21:20:23 +0100
uk.rec.pets.misc Frequently Asked Questions
-------------------------------------------
This file contains the charter for this newsgroup and (possibly) useful
information for the benefits of posters. There is a lot more information
that could be useful, and I would be grateful to anyone who posts me
details of more societies, mailing lists, etc., or points out any
errors.
A separate post updates information on the new quarantine procedures for
cats and dogs, which are now in use on a trial basis; see the message
"UK PETS Travel Update - Repeat post" for full details. Note that this
is a SUMMARY of the situation and can't be guaranteed to be up to date.
See the MAFF site for the current state of play:
http://www.maff.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm.
http://www.maff.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/default.htm
The PETS Helpline telephone number is:
0870 241 1710 (UK)
+44 870 241 1710 (overseas)
for the latest details.
A general point on netiquette; if you feel it necessary to comment on
spam, please DO NOT quote the original message in full; most spam is
removed by ISPs within a few hours of posting, repeating the message
simply keeps it "alive". This especially applies to chain letters etc.
It's also a good idea to set follow-ups to alt.dev.null to avoid
perpetuating a long thread.
One question that comes up surprisingly often can be summarised as
"who's in charge here?". In brief, this is an unmoderated usenet
newsgroup, essentially an anarchy, and there is nobody in charge.
Offensive messages and violations of the newsgroup's charter should be
handled by complaining to the ISP of the person who posted the offending
message. Starting long threads in the newsgroup does nothing except to
encourage trolls.
Please note that there is no particular reason why I should be the
person to post this, apart from the fact that I initially got the
newsgroup off the ground; if someone else thinks that they can do a
better job, and has the time to do more research, PLEASE let me know.
If I've omitted something you expected to see here, contact me, and I'll
do my best to include it in the next FAQ. I'd especially like to see
more material for the most popular pets, such as cats and dogs! It would
help considerably if more people contributed information to the FAQ. At
the same time I'd like to keep this message as small as possible.
Contents:
1 The newsgroup's charter
Notes on the charter
2 Quarantine - This URGENTLY needs revision!
2a The Balai directive; importing animals without UK quarantine - also
needs revision!
3 Dangerous pets - the Dangerous Wild Animals act
3a Dangerous dogs
4 Docking; legal status and cruelty issues
5 Animal societies, groups, etc. especially in the UK. Addresses, web
pages, etc.
6 Animal Rescue Organisations and charities
7 Hints and tips
8 Pets In Schools
1: The uk.rec.pets.misc charter
-------------------------------
Unmoderated group: uk.rec.pets.misc
CHARTER
Summary:
uk.rec.pets.misc Pet care and related issues in the UK
Subjects for discussion:
Pet-related activities, events, and products which are mainly of
interest to pet owners in the UK. Examples could include:
Availability of pets, supplies, and pet housing in the UK. Pet
shows and events in the UK. Helpful vets etc. UK pet magazines,
TV programmes, etc. Private advertising of pets etc. wanted or
for sale.
Postings relevant to animals in general, and not specifically to
the UK scene, may best be handled by the existing rec.pets.*
hierarchy. Political matters related to animals and their
welfare in the UK may be more relevant to uk.politics.animals.
The activities of wild animals are more suitable for
uk.rec.birdwatching and/or the sci.bio hierarchy. Items related
to horses and ponies etc. are likely to be most relevant to the
uk.rec.equestrian newsgroup.
Posters are asked to include a reference to the general class of
animal involved, and the type of post, by including one or more
of the following codes in the message title:
[AQ] Aquaria, Fish etc.
[BIRD] Birds etc.
[CAT] Cats etc.
[DOG] Dogs etc.
[FS] For sale.
[HERP] Herpetology; snakes, reptiles, amphibians, etc.
[INV] Invertebrates (insects etc.)
[MAM] Other mammals; Rats, mice, ferrets, etc.
Short (less than 20 line) on-topic private advertisements and
announcements of events relevant to readers are permitted, at
intervals of at least a week; off-topic or commercial
advertising is not, except as part of a signature.
Binaries are not permitted on this group, however references to
on-topic FTP-able material and Web URL's are welcomed.
This group will not be moderated.
-------------------------------
Notes: The newsgroup became operational in May 1997. Full details of the
process by which it was formed are at
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/forgottenfutures
-------------------------------
2: Quarantine
-------------
British quarantine law is currently under review, and what follows may
already be wrong. I would be grateful for help revising it. Most of this
information is extracted from the British Council's web page in
New York: http://britain.nyc.ny.us/bis/fsheets/11.htm
There is information on quarantine and related matters at
http://www.maff.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/default.htm
There is a rabies FAQ at http://pw1.netcom.com/~eholden/rabies.htm
More quarantine information web pages can be found at
http://www.robin.no/~simgreen
http://bubl.ac.uk/org/zsgws/D344043.htm
The Quarantine Abolition Fighting Fund is at
http://freespace.virgin.net/simon.green - may replace the above
Paul Davis <pjd@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> runs a quarantine centre and has offered
to answer questions.
More information on arrangements, kennels, and the precise
legalities would be greatly appreciated! The information on the Balai
directive which follows it is also important within the EC.
-------------------------------
Britain in the USA: Quarantine
Taking an animal into Britain: quarantine regulations
Last major update: August 1995
All domestic dogs and cats must undergo six months in quarantine on
arrival into the United Kingdom. An import licence must be obtained from
the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in Britain.
Application forms and guidance notes, including a complete list of
kennels and catteries licensed for quarantine purposes, are available
from British Information Services
Accommodation must be reserved at a quarantine premises and arrangements
made for the animal to be transported from the port of arrival before an
import application is completed. Some premises will submit the form on
the customer's behalf and many also operate a carrier service.
All quarantine premises are privately owned and vary in the level of
comfort and care provided for resident animals. It is recommended that
brochures be compared and premises visited whenever possible before a
final choice is made.
-------------------------------
Any toys, bedding etc. given to pets while they are in quarantine must
be incinerated by the quarantine facility when the pet is released; they
cannot be returned to the animal's owner.
-------------------------------
2a: The Balai Directive
------------------------
The article by Harry Mitchell which follows originally appeared in Cats
magazine and is quoted with the author's permission. After talking to
him I've added two footnotes which may be useful. This means of
importation is only permitted within the EC. The other species
that are normally quarantined are presumably also covered by this
directive, but I haven't confirmed this.
This section may be obsolete, since the UK PETS travel scheme appears to
supersede it - I'd be grateful for confirmation if so.
-------------------------------
I have been asked by several people about the Balai Directive and how
it affects importing cats without the need for Quarantine. In actual
fact, the animal spends the first nine months of its life in a form of
Quarantine but in the home of the breeder and must not leave the
premises for any reason other than to visit the Vet.
The Directive was set up for traded animals and not for bringing pets
back into the country. The breeder must be registered with their
equivalent of our MAFF. In Holland, it is a matter of having the
premsies checked by the Ministry concerned and being issued with a
registration number.
At three months the kitten should be Rabies inoculated and Micro-Chipped
[1]. Certificates are needed for both, stamped, signed and dated by the
Vet.
At six months, the kitten needs a blood test to show a Rabies antibody
titre level of at least 0.5 International Units and, once again,
certificates are needed signed and stamped.
Six months after the Rabies injection the kitten can come into England
under the Balai.
Approximately two weeks before you intend to bring them home, you should
notify your local Ministry of Agriculture (MAFF) Veterinarian, giving
date of arrival. Five days before departure date the kitten should have
a completed Health Certificate signed, stamped and dated. This should
then be Faxed to your local Ministry Vet the day before you depart.
On arrival home you will get a telephone call from the Ministry Vet to
arrange a visit. He will take a blood test, read the Micro-Chip [2] and
examine the Health Certificate. You will have to supply a Micro-Chip
reader. We borrowed one from our own Vet. A week later you will get the
OK letter freeing your cat of all restrictions.
Handy advice - to register the cat with the GCCF you will need a
clearance letter from MAFF and Certified Pedigrees. The most important
thing is to have a good breeder prepared for the Balai. Keep every
document and remember all documents should be in English. All documents
and blank Health certificates can all be obtained from MAFF. The MAFF
telephone number is 0181 330 4411.
-------------------------------
[1] A small microchip (about the size of a grain of rice, similar to the
type used to stop shoplifting) is implanted under the animal's skin.
When a suitable reader is used the chip transmits a coded signal, its
serial number.
[2] There are apparently several types of chip; if possible ensure that
the type fitted is compatible with the chip reader. Mr. Mitchell
suggests taking the chip reader abroad, and checking before returning to
the UK; in the case of his cat, it was necessary to fit a second chip
which registered on the reader.
It seems likely that most pet species will be microchipped and
registered in the near future, as a control on strays, innoculations,
quarantine, etc.; for example, captive bred tortoises (and other CITES
species) must now be chipped before they can legally be sold, to prove
that they have not been imported illegally.
-------------------------------
3 Dangerous Pets - Dangerous wild animals
------------------------------------------
Dangerous Wild Animals and the law (based on text provided by
Dave Brooke, originally part of a post on the Slither mailing list for
snake owners). Please note that this applies to predominantly WILD
species regarded as inherently dangerous, eg. some snakes, and not to
domesticated animals which are covered by separate legislation.
-------------------------------
The DWA (Dangerous Wild Animals) Act is an act of Parliament by which
local councils regulate keepers of dangerous species.
The owner must first approach their local council to apply for a DWA
license for the specific animal, and must pay the fee that has been set
by the council in advance. For example, Stevenge, Herts, sets a fee of
285 pounds.
The council will then send around the local animal expert who will
inspect the premises, question the owner as to experience and generally
get the feel for the ability of the person to keep the animal.
If the expert doesn't believe the animal should be kept by the
applicant, the application is turned down and HALF the fee is refunded.
If the application is granted then the owner can have as many of those
animals as he/she likes. The DWA Licence lasts for 1 year.
Pros of this system:-
It makes it hard to legally get dangerous species without someone
checking you out.
There is some register of specific problem animal keepers who can be
contacted in the event of an emergency, or are the most likely owner if
an animal is found loose.
The cost could inhibit idiot buyers who don't know what they are taking
on.
Cons of this system :-
The DWA covers all implied "Dangerous Animals" ie Lions, Tigers, Cobras,
but there are grey areas where the law isn't clear. Since policy is set
at local council level, it may vary in different areas.
The inspectors can't possibly be knowledgable about all species and so
could pass/disqualify claims without clear reason.
Since each species needs a separate permit, someone owning a range of
related species may be heavily penalised.
The DWA only covers the people who apply for them, there are many cases
where people get these species and are only caught because they are
stupid with them.
As with most things the DWA has some good ideas but it is too easily
abused; since councils set their own policy, revenue is an issue. It
is in the interest of councils to regard species as dangerous.
-------------------------------
3b Dangerous Dogs
-------------------
The following has been copied from Naturenet, a web site for countryside
and conservation issues: http://naturenet.net
-------------------------------
Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and other dog law
Extracts from the Act. Direct references are in quotes.
1. The following dogs are dangerous dogs under the meaning of
the Act:
Pit Bull Terrier
Japanese Tosa
They cannot be "in a public place without being muzzled and ... being
securely kept on a lead by a person who is not less than 16 years old."
2. "If a dog is dangerously out of control in a public place, the owner;
and if different, the person for the time being in charge of the dog, is
guilty of an offence."
"A dog shall be regarded as dangerously out of control on any occasion
on which there are grounds for reasonable apprehension that it will
injure any person, whether or not it actually does so."
This applies to any dog, of any breed. The last paragraph above means
that any dog which is a bit lively might commit an offense if not kept
under control - this could be your dog too!
-------------------------------
4: Docking
----------
Peter Squires has provided this summary of the current status of
docking (now somewhat old - a more up to date version would be
appreciated).
-------------------------------
The docking of dogs tails is a practice which has been carried out for
centuries in order to avoid tail damage, for hygiene and other reasons.
Today there are over fifty traditionally docked breeds which are
recognised by various Kennel Clubs.
But docking has, in recent years, come under the scrutiny of the
veterinary establishment, which has condemned the practice as an
unjustified mutilation.
Breeders, dog owners and many veterinary surgeons disagree with this
view. They believe that if docking ceased, dogs would suffer. Docking,
they say, is a perfectly humane procedure when properly carried out,
and one, which prevents far more distress than it causes. It is, like
neutering, simply a practical animal management technique which should
remain available to dog breeders and owners.
Tail docking has historically been undertaken largely by dog breeders.
However, in 1991, the UK government amended the Veterinary Surgeons Act,
thereby prohibiting the docking of dog's tails by lay persons from 1st
July 1993. Now, only veterinary surgeons are, by law, allowed to dock.
However, following the Government move, the Council of the Royal College
of Veterinary Surgeons in November 1992, ruled docking to be unethical,
unless for therapeutic or acceptable prophylactic reasons. Furthermore,
the circumstances in which the Royal College considered prophylactic
docking to be acceptable were so hedged with conditions as to make the
routine docking of puppies by veterinary surgeons extremely difficult.
Vets who continue to dock risk disciplinary action, including being
struck off the professional register.
There is no European Community Directive or Regulation against docking.
The only International Treaty which mentions docking is the 1987
European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals, established by
the advisory grouping of Western European States, the Council of Europe.
Although it calls for the prohibition of docking, it specifically
recognises the rights of nations which otherwise accept the Convention,
to reserve their position on the issue. The treaty therefore accepts
that docking is not a clear cut matter.
After 9 years, only 11 out of the 39 states have signed and ratified the
treaty, not including the United Kingdom. Five of those, Belgium,
Denmark, Finland, Germany and Portugal have reserved their position on
docking. (Correct as at 18 October 1996)
The Council of Docked Breeds campaigns on behalf of breeders to ensure
that docking remains an option and introduces new breeders planning a
litter, to docking veterinary surgeons. The Council of Docked Breeds has
a web site at http://www.cdb.org
A web site which opposes docking can be found at
http://www.scottvet.demon.co.uk/tailwag
-------------------------------
5: Animal societies, groups, etc. in the UK.
--------------------------------------------
These are all the organisations and sites I have information on as of
this post; additional information would be greatly appreciated. Please
tell me if any details change. Inclusion here does not constitute
endorsement; most are listed by recommendation and have not been
checked. ???? means I don't know exactly what the site is about. See the
WELFARE section at the end as well as the listing for your specific type
of animal
BATS http://www.bats.org.uk/
Bats conservation group
local group sites
http://www.bats.org.uk/localbg.htm
BIRDS Ducks or Waterfowl http://www.btinternet.com/~palmiped
Parrots - http://www.caiw.nl/~have - NB: Dutch language
Kakaris - http://members.xoom.com/sabalou/-bird.htm may be dead
CATS The GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE CAT FANCY [GCCF]
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/GCCF_CATS/
Cats Protection League - http://www.cats.org.uk/
Cats-R-Us (welfare charity) http://www.zyworld.com/catsrus/
Cat Shows (GCCF)
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/GCCF_CATS/shows.htm
Cat Welfare Trust
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/GCCF_CATS/catwell.htm
Feline Advisory Bureau - http://web.ukonline.co.uk/fab/fab.html
Some cat shows are listed at - http://www.palantir.co.uk
Tanya's UK Feline Chronic Renal Failure Information Centre:
http://users.ouvip.com/tanya
Cat mailing list - To subscribe, send a blank email message
For more information: mailto:naomi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Post message: ukcats@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subscribe: ukcats-subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Unsubscribe: ukcats-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
List owner: ukcats-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
My Cat Hates You
http://www.mycathatesyou.com
Just pictures of cats with captions implying dislike of mankind.
CAVIES Cavies magazine homepage
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/cavies/
Cavy shows - http://www.oginet.com/Cavies/
DOGS Anti-docking web page - http://www.scottvet.demon.co.uk/tailwag
Bullmastiffs web ring - http://www.isd.net/aswanson/bully/
Canine Times, email newsletter for dog people
www.cfnaonline.com/caninetimes/
Council of Docked Breeds Homepage - http://www.cdb.org
The UK Dog Forum - defunct, try
http//www.eGroups.com/list/ukshowdogs instead.
The British Canine Shopping Centre - http://www.k9.co.uk
Information about products and services available to UK Dog
owners and breeders.
Dogs Today web site - http://www.k9.co.uk/dogs_today/
UK Dog Show Societies. http://www2.prestel.co.uk/woodbury
Greyhound Rescue
http://www.greyhoundrescue.co.uk/
http://www.oxfordgreyhoundtrust.n3.net
Retired Greyhound Trust
http://www.gurk.demon.co.uk/oxfordgreyhoundtrust
Greyhound Rescue Wales
Tel: 07071 88 1068
Fax: 0870 063 6880
Web site: http://www.greyhound-rescue.demon.co.uk
Email: grw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
GENERAL Event listing of Scottish pet shows
http://bubl.ac.uk/org/zsgws/zoodiary.htm
INVERTEBRATES
British Tarantula Soc., Hertfordshire
phone 01923 856 071
Tarantula web site - http://chekware.simplenet.com/burrow
Entomological livestock Group - http://home.clara.net/pwbelg/
NATIVE BRITISH SPECIES - Legal issues etc.
http://www.naturenet.net/law/index.html
http://www.wildlife-countryside.detr.gov.uk/crime/law
RABBITS ???? - http://www.rabbit.org
UK rabbits mailing list - Send an email message to
rabbit@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx with SUBSCRIBE as your message
subject; send the message from the account which you would like
to receive mail from the list on, also using the name you want
to appear against your messages on the list.
???? - http://members.xoom.com/petbunnies
British Rabbit Council, Purefoy House, 7 Kirkgate, Newark,
Notts NG24 1AD
Tel: 01636 676042 Fax: 01636 611683
Governing body for the rabbit fancy, to whom all enquiries about
official breeds, registration, showing etc should be addressed.
Also offers advice and assistance to pet rabbit owners.
Fur & Feather, Elder House, Chattisham, Ipswich, Suffolk,
IP8 3QE
Tel: 01473 652789/652354 Fax: 01473 652788
e-mail: furandfeather@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.btinternet.com/~furandfeather/front.htm
The official journal of the British Rabbit Council.
REPTILES / AMPHIBIA / ETC. - see also WELFARE below
Australian reptiles - NSWRAS
http://www.synflux.com.au/~frednerk/index.htm
Axolotl web pages
http://homepage.eircom.net/~axolotl and
http://www.itintelligence.com/~axolotl.
British Herpetological Society - C/o Zoological Society of
London, Regents Park, London, NW1 4RY
British Reptile and Amphibian Society
Chairman - Mick Powell 0181 591 3484
Cambridge Herp Society meets at:
The Darwin Workshop, Ida Darwin, Fulbourn, Cambridge
Last Sunday of month - 6pm - 8pm. - entrance 50p
contact mark@xxxxxxxxxxxx for details
Caulderdale Reptile Club, Halifax, West Yorkshire
(01422) 846249
Dorset Reptile & Amphibian Society
Chairman and Membership Secretary: Lucie Mann (01703) 893423
Essex Reptiles & Amphibians Soc., contact
Val or Peter Clark 01621 819675
Glenn Cousins 01621 816721
Tara or Colin Simpson 01702 291440
Herts & Beds Herp Soc., meet 2nd Wed of month,
Langford Church Hall
J. Alexander 01767 262051
K. Newland 01767 692086
Melissa Kaplan has an American web page offering expert advice
on a wide range of common reptile species
http://www.sonic.net/~melissk/
Milton Keynes Herp Society
43 Dickens Drive, Old Stratford, Milton Keynes MK19 6NW
P. & B. Pomfret 01908 370112 or 0589 782532
A. Kirkbright 01908 676444.
Reptile Rescue UK - see Rodent Rescue below for full details
www.ukwebs.com/rruk/index.htm
Slither (web page and mailing list for snake owners)
http://www.slither.freeuk.com/ <-- New web site
South Western Herpetological Society
Mrs Karen Tucker, Membership Secretary,
14 Shrubbery Close, Newport, Barnstaple, Devon
Thames and Chiltern Herpetological Group
Meets last Friday of month, the Community Centre, Chiltern Ave,
Amersham. Speakers, video/book library.
Chairman Nick Bessant, tel. 01923 774277,
Secretary Colin Clark 01763 220189.
Librarian Trevor Moxey, (01525 220029).
Tortoise Trust Website
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/ttrust
Two more tortoise web sites
http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~slowcoach/slow/slocoach.html
http://www.tortoise.org/
WebSite for UK and European Herp Breeders, Importers, Event
organisers and Hobbyists. Includes upcoming events schedule,
free classified ads, and list by area of Herp traders.
http://www.ukreptiles.com
Box turtle sites:
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/5504/tess.html
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/5504/index.html
http://www.cviewmedia.com/Reptilian/main1.html
Reptilian magazine (currently free, but may become subscription
only)
RODENTS Fur & Feather, Elder House, Chattisham, Ipswich, Suffolk,
IP8 3QE
Tel: 01473 652789/652354 Fax: 01473 652788
The official journal of the British Rabbit Council.
Rat care information page -
http://www.quite.co.uk/rats/index.htm
A PC Word document version (c. 12 pages) can be sent by private
e-mail, contact blackstaff@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Northern Rat Club
Shows 3rd Saturday every month, Wallsend Community Centre,
Vine Street, Wallsend, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. Judging 1pm.
Rat mailing lists:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cyberat
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Eurocyberat
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UKratshows
for information about the 7 UK rat clubs and general showing
queries. To subscribe send a blank e-mail to
UKratshows-subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
All new members have to complete a small survey before
subscription is allowed.
genetics and breeding questions
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ratgenetics To subscribe send a
blank e-mail to ratgenetics-subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Midlands Rat Club http://www.midlandsratclub.co.uk
For rat owners and rats in the middle of Britain, holds bi-
monthly shows, on Saturdays, throughout the Midlands.
Yorkshire Rat Club http://www.yorkshireratclub.com
Holds bi-monthly shows, on Saturdays, in Leeds.
Scottish Rat Club http://www.scottishratclub.co.uk
Holds bimonthly Sunday shows in Bearsden, Glasgow.
North of England Rat Society http://www.neratsociety.co.uk
Holds monthly Saturday shows in Walker, Newcastle.
rat_lover_uk e-list, a very friendly list for all UK rat lovers
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rat_lovers_uk or send blank e-mail
to rat_lovers_uk-subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
RatHealth, a list to share rat health problems and treatments
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RatHealth or send a blank e-mail
to RatHealth-subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
DumboRats, an international list for dumbo rat owners
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DumboRats or send a blank e-mail
to DumboRats-subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Mouse mailing list - to subscribe send e-mail to:
Majordomo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx with the following message:
subscribe mice <your e-mail address>.
Leave the subject-line blank, omit sigs etc.
Pet Mouse FAQ http://www.horns.freeserve.co.uk/mouse.htm
National Fancy Rat Society
http://www.nfrs.org
The British Mouse and Rat Fancy & The London and Southern
Counties Mouse and Rat Club. http://www.miceandrats.com/
Blackstaff Rats home page
http://www.blackstaff.co.uk/
Hamster mailing list:
http://www.i-way.co.uk/dylan/mailinglist.html
follow directions to subscribe.
jird site http://www.smallandfurries.co.uk/
National Gerbil Society
http://www.gerbils.co.uk/
ANIMAL WELFARE
Bath cats & dogs home
http://www.westdirect.co.uk/bathdogs
Compassion in World Farming
http://www.ciwf.co.uk/
Organisation campaigning against factory farming, long distance
transportation of animals, etc.
Celia Hammond Animal Trust
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/chat/chat3.htm
European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals
http://www.cdb.org/euro.htm
F.A.I.T.H. Animal rescue
http://www.internetjump.com/faith.org
The Internet Lost and Found
http://www.internetlostandfound.co.uk
Free listings for lost and found animals etc.
Loot also carries free advertising on line and in print
including sections for lost and found pets
http://www.loot.com
National Fox Rescue Society
http://www.innotts.co.uk/nfws
Proteus Reptile Rescue, 204 Slade Road, Erdington,
Birmingham B23 7RJ
Tel. 0121 384 6033 - Fax. 0121 382 9176
Quarantine information page (from British council in USA)
http://britain.nyc.ny.us/bis/fsheets/11.htm
Guinea pig rescue - Yorkshire(?) http://www.gprescue.mcmail.com
RSPCA Causeway Horsham West Sussex RH12 1HG
Tel: 01403 264181
Fax: 01403 241048
DX 57628 HORSHAM
Registered Charity No. 219099
http://www.rspca.org.uk/ and http://www.rspca.co.uk
Animadversion is an organisation opposed to RSPCA policies. See
http://www.freespeech.org/rspca-animadversion
http://www.webtribe.net/a/animadversion
The Blue Cross
http://www.bluecross.org.uk/
Unofficial RSPCA homepage
http://www.airflow.demon.co.uk/rspca.htm
this apparently has RSPCA approval but is run privately.
Vets, links to other sites
http://www.k9bbs.demon.co.uk
Various rescue sites, presumably dog-related.
http://www.homerescue.net
http://www.k9z.co.uk
http://www.k9index.com
http://www.k9index.com/specialneeds.htm [disabled dogs pages]
ANIMAL WELFARE LEGISLATION
http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2002/020102a.htm
Government consultation on changes to animal welfare laws.
The Reptilian Magazine site (see above) carries a petition
opposed to this legislation as applied to "exotic" pets.
BIOLOGY, ZOOS
If you are interested in the biology of your pet, the University
of Ottawa's web site offers a wide range of biological
illustrations. Most are strictly scientific, but you'll find
plenty of pretty pictures too! http://biodidac.bio.uottawa.ca/
Glasgow Zoopark's web site
http://bubl.ac.uk/org/zsgws/index.html
CITES information on endangered & protected species
http://www.wcmc.org.uk/CITES/english/fauna.htm - search engine
http://www.wcmc.org.uk/CITES/english/eap2fauna.htm - text
The latter is a large slow-loading file, without common names
-------------------------------
6: Animal Rescue Organisations and Charities
---------------------------------------------
It is a legal requirement that all official communications from a
registered charity (including posts to Usenet, letters, advertising, e-
mail, etc.) must contain the charity's registration number.
While there are many legitimate animal rescue organisations such as the
RSPCA, Cat's Protection League, Proteus Reptile Rescue, etc., and many
privately-run groups with genuine concern for animals, it appears that
there are other "unofficial" organisations of fairly dubious quality. In
some cases it seems likely that they are being run for profit, and with
minimal concern for the health and future welfare of the animals
involved.
A legitimate organisation will only release animals for adoption if they
are well and in good condition. Accommodation should be clean and
uncrowded, with clean water bowls etc. You will probably be asked for
some proof of your bona fides (eg address) so that they can be sure that
you are a suitable person to own a pet. There may be a follow-up visit
to ensure that you are treating the animal correctly. If the person
running the organisation seems more interested in extracting the largest
possible donation, it is likely that it is not being run for the benefit
of the animals.
If in doubt you are strongly advised to check with the RSPCA or another
relevant animal organisation, which may know of the group or individual
concerned. PLEASE report any organisations which seem to be ignoring the
well-being of animals.
there is a list of registered charities on the charity commissioners'
web site:
http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk
Unfortunately the search engine has problems with some common names,
e.g. "friends", "pets", "foundation", etc., so if possible get the
charity's registration number as well as its name.
---------------------
Several messages recently have asked for funds etc. for charities. In at
least one case it has been difficult to work out what the charity is,
and impossible to tell where money should be sent. Not everyone has WWW
access, so a reference to a web page isn't necessarily sufficient.
PLEASE, if you post these messages:
Include the charity's address and registration number - this is a legal
requirement in any official message from a registered charity.
If you are not a registered charity, or are not appealing for the
charity in an official capacity, please make this clear.
-------------------------------
7: Hints and Tips
------------------
Repelling cats:
The following are alleged to repel cats from furniture,
motorbikes, etc.; Orange extract or peel, Vicks vaporub. To stop a cat
urinating indoors, clean the place where it pees with a disinfectant
that _isn't_ based on ammonia, then use one of the above to discourage
it from returning to the scene of the crime
-------------------------------
8: Pets in schools
-------------------
Sometimes it can be useful to take a pet into a school for
lessons (art, science, etc.). This is entirely legal provided that the
animal isn't exposed to stressful conditions, and isn't a danger to
staff or students; however, due to health and safety legislation schools
are becoming increasingly nervous about such lessons, and reluctant to
permit them.
It can be helpful to prepare a lesson plan which explains why
the animal is used and incorporates a risk assessment which explains
possible problems and the steps that have been taken to prevent or
minimise them. For example, in the case of animals that can carry
bacteria in their guts this must incorporate COSHH (Control of
Substances Hazardous to Health) data, explaining what will be done to
prevent the spread of infection (e.g., that disinfectant and paper
towels will be provided to clean up any mess, that all children will
wash after handling animals). Other precautions might be needed to
minimise allergies and irritations from shed hairs, deal with bites,
etc.
There's a lesson plan for the use of a corn snake in school at
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/forgottenfutures/snakes/lesson.htm which
may help in preparing lessons using other animals.
Note that some animals (most notably monkeys and apes, parrots,
and terrapins) are banned from schools because they may carry diseases
transferable to humans to which children are especially at risk. Every
school science department should have the full list.
-------------------------------
If you can add anything to the information above, or want to add new
topics, please contact me by e-mail to the address in the header. Please
include WWW and postal addresses for any relevant organisations, if
known. And please keep sending me information on pet societies, web
pages, events, etc.
--
Marcus L. Rowland
"Boy... _These_ things are a cinch!"
[God makes the snake - Gary Larson]
http://www.forgottenfutures.com/
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/forgottenfutures
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