Herald - Issue 401

Page 36 • The HERALD • 28th January 2021 v SUPPORTING YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES v ANIMAL MAGIC 38 Pylewell Road, Hythe, Southampton, Hants SO45 6AQ Tel: (023) 8084 1000 Fax: (023) 8084 5651 www.hythevets.co.uk An Independent Local Practice The Pet Healthcare Centre Adopt a Rescue Dog Beau, Sable and Frank looking for their forever homes. More dogs in need of good homes on our website www.dogs2fosteruk.org BK9Confident Canine Courses & Professional Advice FREE Courses & Resources Help with canine fears, phobias, aggression, socialisation, separation anxiety and lots more Fully Qualified, Experienced & Insured Advanced Canine Behaviourists Enquiries T: 023 8178 17 07 E: dogs2fosteruk@gmail.com in association with Keeping Canine Companions Content! by Dogs2Foster UK Founder, Jo Brewer My name is Jo Brewer, I‘m a professional canine behaviourist. In 2018 I founded Dogs2fosterUK to help rescue dogs nd their “forever homes,” within our rst two years, we have rehabilitated and rehomed almost one hundred rescue dogs in the UK, many here in the New Forest. You can watch our special 2020 video on our website which showcases many of the beautiful dogs we rehomed last year alone. A number of these dogs had severe challenges to overcome before being rehomed, but with the correct approach and understanding, these incredible dogs have gone on to conquer their problems and make wonderful family companions. You can also read many of our lovely reviews on our website. We have now launched our dedicated educational on-line platform for anyone to use which continues to grow and develop. We have FREE courses and resources available as well as e-learning courses for dog owners. In addition, we o er private telephone consultations as well. All our courses have been designed by professional canine behaviourists/ trainers using the latest scienti c based methods which are force-free and promote positive practice in canine ownership, welfare and understanding. We also provide FREE training and resources to other dog rescue volunteers and staff in the UK and abroad. Please get in touch if you are a volunteer working in dog rescue and wish to nd out more. If you are a professional canine expert or, you o er a particular canine service and would like to promote your skills on our e-learning platform, please email us at: dogs2fosteruk@ gmail.com To watch our 2020 video and nd out more about the work we do, please visit: www.dogs2fosteruk.org Happy Dog, Happy Home! Cat owners fall into ve categories in terms of their attitudes to their pets’ roaming and hunting, according to a new study. University of Exeter researchers surveyed UK cat owners and found they ranged from “conscientious caretakers” concerned about cats’ impact on wildlife and feel some responsibility, to “freedom defenders” who opposed restrictions on cat behaviour all together. “Concerned protectors” focussed on cat safety, “tolerant guardians” disliked their cats hunting but tended to accept it, and “laissez-faire landlords” were largely unaware of any issues around cats roaming and hunting. Conservation organisations have long been concerned about the numbers of animals caught by the UK’s large population of domestic cats. Most pet cats kill very few wild animals, if any, but with a population of around 10 million cats, the numbers of birds, small mammals and reptiles taken, can accumulate. Apart from their role as ‘mousers’, most owners nd the dead animals brought home an unpleasant reminder of their pet’s wilder side. Addressing this problem has been di cult because of disagreements between people prioritising cat welfare and those focusing on wildlife conservation. e Exeter team’s ongoing research project ‘Cats, Cat Owners and Wildlife’ aims to nd a conservation win- win, by identifying ways of owners managing their cats that bene t the cats as well as reducing wildlife killing. is research is a step towards understanding how cat owners view their cats and how best to manage them. e researchers say their ndings demonstrate the need for diverse management strategies that re ect the di ering perspectives of cat owners. “Although we found a range of views, most UK cat owners valued outdoor access for their cats and opposed the idea of keeping them inside to prevent hunting,” said lead author, Dr Sarah Crowley, of the University of Exeter’s Environment and Sustainability Institute in Cornwall. “Cat confinement policies are therefore unlikely to find support among owners in the UK. However, only one of the owner types viewed hunting as a positive, suggesting the rest might be interested in reducing it by some means. To be most effective, efforts to reduce hunting must be “Birdsbesafe” collar covers. Many owners also t their cats with bells. e research team are now examining the e ectiveness of these and other new measures and how owners feel about them, with a view to o ering di erent solutions. “The study highlights the urgent need for cat owners and conservationists to work together to find tailored solutions that are cheap, easy to implement, and have a positive effect on wildlife and bird populations across the UK.” iCatCare’s Head of Cat Advocacy, Dr Sarah Ellis, said: “The finding that many UK cat owners actually care a great deal about wildlife conservation and their cats’ impact on it, suggests that some owners are receptive to employing cat friendly ways of reducing hunting. The right interventions could improve wildlife conservation efforts, maintain good cat mental- wellbeing, and, at the same time improve the cat-human relationship.” e study included 56 cat owners, some from rural parts of the UK (mostly in south-west England) and some from urban areas (Bristol and Manchester). For more information on the study visit: www.songbird- survival.org.uk Songbird Survival - What Type of Cat Owner Are You? compatible with owners’ diverse circumstances.” Suggested measures to reduce hunting success include fitting cats with brightly coloured