Dog Rescue Charity Urges Pet Owners to be Vigilant
News release
18th October 2013
A dog rescue charity is reminding dog walkers to take extra care when out walking their pet after several cases of a mystery and sometimes fatal illness were reported.
Around 50 cases of seasonal canine illness (SCI) have been reported in woodland up and down the country with Sherwood Forest, Clumber Park, Thetford Forest, Rendlesham Forest and the Royal Sandringham estate all linked to the mystery illness.
Several reports of dogs being taken ill have been received by the Jerry Green Dog Rescue Centre in Blidworth, Nottinghamshire. The dogs concerned were taken ill shortly after walks in woodland areas with symptoms including vomiting, lethargy and a loss of appetite.
The charity, which has five centres in Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire, is urging dog owners to be on the lookout for symptoms and to avoid walking their dog in woodland for the time being.
The Animal Health Trust is also requesting that anyone who has taken their dogs for walks in the affected areas fill out a short questionnaire to help with research.
“At the moment it is unclear what exactly is causing the illness, so it is very important that you keep an eye on your pet in the hours following a walk and make immediate contact with your vet if you have any concerns,” said Angela Salisbury, Head of Operations at Jerry Green Dog Rescue.
“There are no preventative measures but all the evidence shows that if dogs get veterinary treatment quickly then they tend to recover within seven to 10 days.”
Cases of seasonal canine illness are usually seen from August to November. Although early indications suggest that the illness is related to small harvest mites, research is still ongoing and the exact cause remains unknown.
To complete the online questionnaire visit http://www.aht.org.uk/cms-display/preworkingForm.html
Notes to editors:
Jerry Green Dog Rescue was founded in 1961 in Broughton, Lincolnshire and is now one of the UK’s largest dog rescue charities. It has rescue centres in five locations:
• Gilberdyke, East Yorkshire
• Broughton near Brigg, North Lincolnshire
• Algarkirk near Boston, Lincolnshire
• Blidworth near Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
• Thirsk, North Yorkshire
Jerry Green Dog Rescue has a caring ethos which puts the dogs in its care at the centre of everything it does. It also operates a policy whereby prospective adopters are introduced to dogs in a neutral environment away from the kennel, resulting in less stress for the dog and increasing the chances of permanent homes being found.
The adoption process at Jerry Green Dog Rescue involves a number of introductory visits and the rehoming team provide pre and post adoption support to ensure the move to the dog’s new home is as smooth as possible.
The charity receives no Government or National Lottery funding. This means it is dependent on the generosity of public and corporate donors/sponsors.
Jez Ashberry
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
jez@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk
t: @jezashberry
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