Caring for, and animal stories

Welcome to this months newsletter from the RSPCA Bedfordshire South Branch. This month we have tips on caring for animals, some interesting animal stories, animals needing new homes also read up on the latest campaign, find out what the RSPCA Bedfordshire South Branch are up to and much much more.

If you have any suggestions, comments, think you can help out or simply want to know more we would be happy to hear from you.

Owning Pets Keeps you Asthma Free

Research suggests that children who grow up in homes with pets are less likely to develop allergies, backed by a recent study by researchers from the University of California, San Francisco.

Working with mice, the scientists found that exposure to house dust from homes with a pet appeared to protect the mice against a common virus called respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which infects the lungs and breathing passages and is a major cause of respiratory illness in young children. (In adults, it usually causes run-of-the-mill cold symptoms.) Severe infections in infancy are linked with an increased risk of developing respiratory problems like asthma later on.

Floods – What to do with Pets

Floodwater rises rapidly so act early. Bring all small animals inside and if possible, upstairs. Move food, bedding and fresh water somewhere dry. Plan your escape route. Make sure you can be contacted in an emergency and you have suitable carriers for small animals. Keep a supply of food for evacuation.

Put important documents such as microchip numbers, vets and vaccination details in a sealed bag, along with a photo of your pet in a sealed bag, in case your pet gets lost.

Rabbit Care

Rabbits are grazers and naturally eat only grass and other plants. Rabbits do not naturally eat cereals, root vegetables or fruit and some plants are poisonous to rabbits.

Rabbits naturally eat for long periods of time, mainly at dawn and dusk. If a rabbit eats more food they need, he/she will become overweight.

Teeth grow continuously and need to be worn down and kept at the correct length by eating grass, hay and leafy green plants. Failure to eat the right diet can result in serious dental disease. The water supply should also be checked twice a day.