Most of us are fully aware that ‘A pet is for life, not just for Christmas’, as the saying goes. However, although you may have been financially comfortable, when you took a pet into your home, times change and you may not be now. Once we have grown attached to a pet it is hard considering having to part with them, especially due to financial constraints, but you may have to. However before you make such a drastic decision consider other options.  Read more...

Pet owners use the Internet for everything from health care information and purchasing pet products to just sharing stories and photos with fellow animal lovers. While a simple Internet search can produce thousands of websites, who’s got the time or patience to sift through countless sites hoping to happen upon one that will provide the content you’re looking for? Pet owners don’t despair, here are fourteen websites that will provide all the information you need, and then some.  Read more...

Our beloved pets seem to find their way into our lives in ways we never imagined. They provide us with hours of companionship, as well as hours of entertainment. We all have questions now and then when it comes to things we should know about our pets. One of the simplest places to find answers to your questions is to click onto the world wide web. Here is where you will find hours of ideas to help you bond with your pet.  Read more...

The Animal Welfare Act 2006 finally came into force in England in March 2007 and in Wales in April 2007. There was much media hype in the run up to this piece of legislation which left many pet owners worried that they would be jailed if they gave their pet dog one biscuit too many or deprived Tiddles the Cat of his favourite cushion.So what does the Act mean to you, the responsible pet owner? Are you covered by your pet insurance?A person commits an offence if he does not take such steps as are reasonable inall the circumstances to ensure that the needs of an animal for which he isresponsible are met to the extent required by good practice.Before the Act people only had a duty to ensure that an animal didnt suffer unnecessarily. The new Act keeps this duty but also imposes a broader duty of care on anyone responsible for an animal to take reasonable steps to ensure that the animals needs are met. This means that a person has to look after the animals welfare as well as ensure that it does not suffer. Of course these are very general guidelines and it would be impossible for any statute to give examples of every situation it envisaged guarding against; that is why, in England and Wales, the Courts are called on to interpret what they think a statute meant where a dispute arises and that is how a body of what is called case law grows up over the years in England and Wales which lawyers have to research when they are faced with a novel situation.Firstly I would hope that sheer common sense would be your starting point. You may have seen the recently reported case of a Labrador that was so grotesquely overweight that he could hardly move; not surprisingly the owners were found to have been in breach of the Act; they were heavily fined and prevented from keeping pets for a year.We have been concentrating on pets but does the Act apply to all animals?The duty of care applies to animals for which a person is responsible. So please note all those who work as pet sitters or dog walkers either professionally or as a favour for friend or family can be responsible for an animal on a temporary basis under the Act.What happens if someone breaks this law? The Act imposes criminal penalties so your dog insurance or cat insurance wont cover any fines. The maximum fine is 20,000 and/or prison for up to 51 weeks. Before that stage is reached an improvement notice may be issued which will specify the breaches and the steps required to rectify them. If they arent taken then a fine and/or prison will follow.

As a veterinarian, I am often asked about pet health insurance. My first advice to those trying to decide which company to use or which policy to purchase, is to first decide whether pet insurance is truly right for them at all. In my opinion, pet health insurance is not appropriate for the vast majority of pet owners.  Read more...

Will your pet insurance cover your pet if he is overweight? Pet obesity is becoming more prevalent as pet owners are leading a more sedentary lifestyle and inflicting this upon their pets. In the UK alone, it is estimated 50% of pets are obese, while 15% are clinically obese!  Read more...

With the current economic recession, pet ownership can be hard. Believe it or not, there are many ways to save money when it comes to our pets. Whether furry, feathery, or just scaly, your sure to find a way to keep your pet happy while keeping money in your pockets.  Read more...

Most vets will suggest that you look for a health care plan to cover your pet. With the rising costs of pet care it is advisable to find a good insurance policy to cover accidents and ailments that can affect your pet. It is best to shop around, but the cheapest plan is not always the best plan. When looking into health care plans, you need to take into consideration many factors:  Read more...

Having a pet is akin to having a child. He or she is a member of the family, and should be treated as such. If you are not ready to have children, there is a good chance that you are not ready to have a pet. They need your time, energy, love and affection every day, and rely on you for everything they need, both emotionally and physically. You will need to review your thoughts and feelings, your living situation, financial situation, any allergies you may have before increasing your family. The following questions should help you to make an informed decision that both you and your potential pet will be happy with.  Read more...

For many people, pets aren’t just animals—they’re part of the family. And that means giving them the best possible care and attention, from a healthy diet to regular grooming, visits to the veterinarian (and if a condition is diagnosed) all the treatments and procedures that money can buy.  Read more...