This page provides useful information, helpful hints and tips.  If you would like to share any of your ideas or have a website offering information you feel could be of benefit to our staff, supporters, volunteers or dog owners please send the details to info@forest-dog-rescue.org.uk.  We will consider all submissions but reserve the right to decide what is published on this website.

When we are fortunate enough to take our 4 legged friends on holiday with us, we sometimes forget the most simplest of items to take along with us.

Below is a very informative and useful link to help you feel rest assured you have packed all you need and more, enjoy!

Thinking about taking your pet abroad? Recent changes have meant that bringing your pet into or out of the country is becoming increasingly more straightforward, however it is important to follow all the regulations or you may find your pet being quarantined or re-exported at your cost.

 

The Heathrow Airport Guide have kindly shared a link to their website which provides a wealth of information on the things you need to consider when looking to take your pet abroad.  We hope you find this information useful.

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Forest Dog Rescue hold the Council contract for any stray dogs found in our area, which covers mainly Stourport, Kidderminster, Bewdley and part of Bromsgrove.

The Control of Dogs Order 1992 states that ‘any dog in a public place should wear the name and address of the owner either inscribed on the collar or a name plate or disc attached to it’ – 95% of our strays do not meet this basic legal requirement.

A good proportion of our strays are micro-chipped which is the good news, however at least half of them are out of date with incorrect details, phone numbers are not recognised, owners have moved house or the dog has been passed on to new families. Saying the dog was given to  “a bloke down the pub with no name, contact number or address” really doesn't give us much to go on! 

Those of us who love and adore our dogs and consider them a part of the family would be horrified by the stories we hear,  some reasons owners give who refuse to pay the council fee’s are;

 

My dogs can be real pains sometimes but I know I would move heaven and earth to get them back home safely whatever the cost.

 

We obviously love our dogs but do we actually do everything we can to keep them safe?

Are they micro-chipped? 

Do you know what company they are registered with and their contact details?     

Don’t forget to update the chipping company with any changes of address or new phone numbers – there is usually a small fee but it’s worth every penny     

If you are the new owner make sure you register your details as soon as possible – it’s a 10 minute phone call   When you take them to the vets for any reason just get them to check to see if the chip has actually stayed in – it has been known for a micro-chip to come out after being done so it’s always worth getting it checked as a precaution and it takes seconds and it won’t cost anything

Do you regularly check your fencing is safe and secure. Many of our strays have escaped from the garden – high winds have 

These numbers will guide you through a system which will hopefully help you find your dog as soon as possible or to reunite a lost dog with their owner.

It always helps a great deal if your pet is chipped - a vet or a rescue can trace the owner so much quicker and this action alone will save a lot of heartache and sleepless nights. You can easily have your pet chipped at your chosen vet or you can contact us on 01299 269 181 to arrange to have your dog chipped at the kennels. 

Both options are far cheaper than the costs of the authorities caring for your lost pet while in their care plus you don't go through the roller coaster emotions of worrying any longer than necessary...blown down the fencing, the dog has dug a hole to get out or another animal has dug to get in!     

Check the state of your collar and lead – is it in good, safe, working condition?     

Don’t ever leave your dog unattended – there isn't anything in the shop worth the risk of seeing an empty spot where your dog once sat!     

Always be on the look-out for any strangers in the area – there have been growing incidents of pet theft so keep your eyes peeled.

 

PUT POSTERS UP IN THE AREA

 

ASK FOR HELP FROM LOCAL DOG WALKERS

 

It really is the best feeling in the world when dogs and owners are re-united 

Below are useful numbers should you find or loose a dog.

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Worcester Regulatory Services  01905 822799

Kidderminster  Hub -                  01562 732928

Kidderminster out of hours         01562 850053

Shropshire Hub                          03456 789000

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We all love a walk with our four legged friends on these long summer days, but if you walk in the countryside there are a few risks for your dog that you should be aware of. 

Find out more below!

If your dog gets a sting/bite they may suffer an allergic reaction or a potentially life threatening, anaphylactic shock. Symptoms are often immediate and include skin rash, itchiness and difficulty breathing.

If ingested they can have serious consequences. 

Cases of rat bait poisoning are seen commonly with the most obvious symptom being bleeding. 

Herbicides and pesticides can cause fitting, vomiting, trembling and frothing at the mouth

 

Knowing the risks helps reduce them 

There are a huge number of poisonous plants; many of which can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Discourage your dog from eating plants when out on walks.

Toxins produced by these cyanobacteria can be fatal if the contaminated water is swallowed. Do not let your dog swim or drink from ponds with floating algae.

Symptoms depend on which organs are affected and can be fatal. 

Ingesting decaying food can cause an upset stomach. If your dog eats a particularly fatty or unusual food it can cause severe abdominal pain.. 

Plastic and packaging can also cause intestinal blockage if swallowed.

If you are worried that your dog has encountered a threat then you should immediately call your vet for advice. It is important, if your dog becomes ill, to let your vet know if you think your dog could have come into contact with any of the above.

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During the month of June 2017 several proposals were put forward for discussion and eventually on the 2nd of October 2017, new powers were set in place for dog wardens to approach owners to ascertain if they have sufficient means to clear up any waste their dog/dogs have passed while on their walk.

 
They come under the "Public Spaces Protection" on their website

www.wyreforestbc@.gov.uk go to 

Streets & Parking 

Street Care & Cleaning  

Dog Fouling

Here are some more new orders set in place Dog Fouling etc

Dog fouling is unpleasant, a danger to health, and an issue that affects many people in the district. While the majority of owners behave responsibly, there remains a minority of dog owners who do not and it is these people we aim to target through enforcement and awareness campaigns.

On Monday 2 October 2017 a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in relation to dog controls came into force across the whole of the Wyre Forest district. This replaces a number of out of date by-laws to create a more comprehensive and consistent approach when dealing with issues such as dog fouling, keeping dogs on leads, and excluding dogs from certain areas.PSPOs specify an area where activities are taking place that are or may likely be detrimental to the local community’s quality of life. PSPOs impose conditions or restrictions on people in that area.

This order will...

Always clean up after any dog under your control. Then dispose of the bag correctly in either a dog waste bin, a litter bin, or take it home and place in your own waste bin. Do not dump the bag in a hedge, hang it in a tree or dispose of it any where elsewhere as this is littering, which also carries a penalty. 

If you are walking a dog always carry the means to clear up after your dog. A simple plastic bag will do the trick or you could buy a poop scoop.  Asking dog walkers to produce a means to pick up will allow the council to tackle those dog owners who do not intend to pick up after their dog.

Always make sure that you have more bags than you may need. It never hurts to be prepared for the unexpected and you may even be able to help out a fellow dog walker. 

Council officers may direct a dog to be placed on a lead when it is causing a nuisance and/or a danger to other people and their dogs. This will be at the authorised officer’s discretion. You will breach the PSPO if you fail to put your dog on a lead after you have been asked to do so. 
Require dogs to be kept on a lead in certain areas.
Exclude dogs from certain areas.

This will apply to all land the public have access to within the district of Wyre forest unless the land owners have stated otherwise.Cleaning up after your dog

Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Gardens

This area is a small formal garden used for a number of small events. The area features an ornamental fish pond and Green Theatre. Due to these community events and the quiet nature of this area, located in the centre of Bewdley, it was decided that this was not a suitable location for dogs to be off their leads. This decision has been supported by public consultation.

Kidderminster Cemetery

This area was selected following a number of complaints about dogs that were not under control and following the feedback received through public consultation. As a result and out of respect it has been decided that all dogs should be kept on a lead in this area. 

Dogs will be excluded from all fenced/enclosed children’s play areas, splash pads and water play areas.

This was decided so that all families could safely enjoy these facilities. This was strongly backed by the public who responded to our consultation. 

Any person found guilty of breaching the order is liable on summary conviction to a fine up to £1000. Or depending on the behaviour in question, the enforcing officer could decide that a fixed penalty notice of £100 would be the most appropriate sanction.This PSPO may be enforced by any person designated by Wyre Forest District Council. This could include Civil Enforcement Officers, or other frontline staff.

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