Animal Rescue with Marion Garnett

Dedicated animal expert Marion Garnett, founder of the Ealing Animal Charities Fair, continues her column

It’s fabulous here today. The sea’s calm, the sun’s out and the dogs are lapping up the fresh air. But, while I’m on my day trip to the South Downs, I’m also doing other things.

I’m thinking of all the dogs who would like to be here but for whom, at the moment, such days out can only be a dream.

Dogs such as ex-racing greyhound, Zac, who is currently waiting at Dogs Trust Harefield, for a new home. Maybe one day, he will have a loving owner who will bring him to the sea for a day. If this could be with you, see Zac’s details at dogstrust.org.uk. Zac loves a walk and also likes to relax on his bed. He might enjoy the sea, too, if he knew it existed.

While I’m here, I’m also being vigilant in case I see Bertie. Many readers will know about Bertie from social media (Twitter @bertie_is). This Cockapoo was lost in April on the South Downs when he bolted from the person who was looking after him. His owner is an Emergency Medicine Consultant.

The doctor has spent every spare moment since he was lost, looking for him. But Bertie has disappeared without trace. It’s not known, if he is living rough on the South Downs, has been taken in by someone or died.

If your dog is lost, things you need to do include checking areas your dog is familiar with or areas where they may be trapped, contacting the Council dog warden and making sure your contact details are up-to-date with your dog’s microchip company.

You also need to report them missing to vets and rescue centres. As well as spreading the word via posters, social media and by registering them with lost dog websites.

Of course, there is the possibility that after he bolted, Bertie was stolen. Dog theft is, alarmingly, on the increase. According to Dogs Trust around 2,000 dogs a year are stolen from families in the UK with 70% of thefts being from the home or garden.

Ways to reduce the risk of your pet being stolen include by ensuring your house and boundaries are secure and by never leaving them unattended in a public place such as outside a shop even for a minute. If you think your dog has been stolen you must report the theft to the police ensuring you get a crime reference number. For more details of what to do if your dog is missing/stolen go to dogstrust.org.uk/dogtheft.

Zac