RSPCA sends warning to dog owners ahead of July 19
The UK's leading animal welfare charity has offered a reminder that all dog owners will have to put plans in place for their pets when they return to work.
Ahead of the country’s so-called ‘Freedom Day’ on 19 July, the RSPCA has issued an urgent warning to all dog owners.
As next Monday sees the final step in the government’s roadmap to lifting lockdown commence, with the rules on the wearing of face coverings, social distancing measures, and mass gatherings all set to change, it signals a return to the workplace for many.
But after what may have been nearly 16 months at home for some, it’s not just us who will have to adapt to an altered way of life.
Pointing out that millions of people have welcomed new four-legged friends into their lives over the course of lockdown, the UK’s leading animal welfare charity has offered a reminder that all dog owners will have to put some plans in place for their pets as life returns to something resembling normality.
Most notably, the RSPCA has suggested that dog owners split their time between the office and home, take their dog to work occasionally where possible, or ask friends to help mind the dog when they are out.
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Animal welfare experts at the charity have pointed out that dogs can become extremely anxious when left alone, even for relatively short periods of time.
The RSPCA has suggested that dog owners split their time between the office and home / Credit: Unsplash (Bruno Emmanuelle)
“There are now an estimated 12 million dogs across the UK,” Dr Samantha Gaines, Pet Welfare Expert at the RSPCA, told the Liverpool Echo.
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“Sadly, research suggests that around eight in 10 dogs can struggle to cope when left alone [and given that] many families have taken on a new dog during lockdown and some of them may have never experienced being home alone, this could pose real challenges after ‘Freedom Day’ in England.”
Offering advice on how best to approach the situation, Dr Gaines added: “When we pop out to the shops or head out to work, our dogs can become very anxious or worried.
“Some dogs can struggle with nothing to do or be frightened by loud noises outside, but many dogs form close bonds with us and don’t like to be alone [and] if they haven’t learnt that being by themselves is a positive experience, then it can be very difficult.
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“It’s really important that we help them learn to cope with being left at home and gradually teach them to be alone in a positive way [and] we’re urging owners to think about this before they head back to the office and to come up with a plan to help their dogs cope with this change in routine.
“Some dogs who find being left home alone difficult may exhibit behaviours that are usually associated with stress and anxiety, like barking, toileting in the house, or being destructive.
“But others may not give any clear signals that they’re struggling and can often suffer in silence.”
Fearing that this is just the beginning of what could become “the biggest dog welfare crisis of a generation”, with behavioural problems said to be one of the key reasons why dogs are relinquished to RSPCA rescue centres, Dr Gaines is encouraging owners to be “dog kind” and “understand your pet’s needs”.
“Many dogs can find changes in our routine very unsettling, so it’s really important to introduce any changes gradually.” she continued.
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“Prepare now and help them to be happy and healthy in the long-term, [because] if not, we fear the biggest dog welfare crisis of a generation, and millions of dogs suffering everyday when their owners go out to work.”
Manchester United fans planning another major protest amid more upheaval around the club
Danny Jones
Manchester United supporters look set to stage another high-profile demonstration in protest against the INEOS Sports ownership group.
This is the latest response to the club’s continuing struggles, and not just the first proper organised mobilisation of the year, but the first since the most recent major march last spring.
Following the sacking of ‘manager’ Ruben Amorim, despite co-owner Jim Ratcliffe and his board of executives insisting that the Portuguese head coach (that distinction proving to be a crucial detail), the local sporting giants are once again starting from scratch and looking for another replacement boss.
With that in mind, militant fan group The 1958 announced their most recent protest ahead of a home fixture next month in a rather bold fashion…
As announced we protest against this dysfunctional co-ownership before Fulham.
Yep, neither Amorim, Erik ten Hag, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, nor any face even remotely associated with Old Trafford/Carrington is safe from an AI parody.
As for The 1958 group’s actual protest plans, speaking via the BBC this week, the supporters’ trust has confirmed that they will be making a vocal statement outside the stadium on Sunday, 1 February.
Travelling Reds already made their thoughts known with a very blunt, provocative and somewhat controversial banner in the away end at Turf Moor for the 2-2 draw against Burnley.
With Man United approaching a third-round FA Cup tie against Brighton and two big games in the form of a Manchester Derby at home and a trip to Arsenal, they have decided to choose the Fulham game at Old Trafford to stage the march.
Despite admitting that the results under Amorim were no way near good enough, they insist that the – most notably the overarching and Glazer family shadow ever looming over the organisation.
Further details around the actual timings and locations are still yet to be shared by the organisers, but you can expect this to be a well-attended, large-scale event.
Often convening at The Tollgate pub near regular matchday tram stop, Trafford Bar, before walking down Talbot Road towards the ground itself, we imagine Reds will then descend upon the Theatre of Dreams in their thousands.
In case you didn’t already surmise from the video itself, Ratcliffe and co. will be no doubt the subject of the usual chants, as well as more banners and flags.
What do you make of the latest plans, Man United fans?
Nothing will ever be quite as bold as the infamous Old Trafford break-in from 2022 (Credit: The Manc)
More Greater Manchester football matches called off as Storm Goretti sets in
Danny Jones
Yet more scheduled football matches in Greater Manchester and the surrounding regions have been postponed and/or cancelled due to Storm Goretti.
The increasingly cold, blustery and icy conditions moving over from France and across more parts of the UK have already caused schools to close, flights to be grounded, and plenty more disruption.
Another such inconvenience has come in the form of live sports, large swathes of which now look like they simply won’t be taking place.
One of the latest to be called off is Salford City‘s upcoming game against Swindon Town in the FA Cup this weekend, with various other games involving teams up and down the footballing pyramid now facing uncertainty over whether their third-round fixtures will go ahead as planned.
Ironically, this is just the tip of the iceberg, if you’ll pardon the very obvious pun.
Another game that was called off late last week, between Chadderton and FC Isle of Man, is yet to be rescheduled; the same is true of Rochdale AFC’s meeting with Brackley Town, Radcliffe v Oxford City, as well as games involving Bury, Stockport Town, Irlam, Cheadle Town, Prestwich Heys and more.
Other nearby outfits, such as Chorley, Warrington Rylands and Ramsbottom United, just to name a few, are also still unsure of when their next game will be.
In many cases, it is simply a matter of the grounds being largely or completely frozen and deemed unfit for use following pitch inspections.
Oldham Athletic – which has already been hit with plenty of snow and frost – yesterday confirmed that their Notts County clash wouldn’t be going ahead due to that very reason.
With winds of up to 90 miles per hour also being reported, yellow and even red weather warnings have been issued across various parts of the country, with people being urged to check their routes home from work by local authorities.
Storm Goretti should start calming down this evening (Fri, 9 January) and into Saturday morning, but the after-effects could still play havoc over the next few days.
For instance, over in Cheshire, Macclesfield FC are going so far as to call on nearby residents to help clear their playing surface from heavy snowfall.
So, if you’re in the area and fancy helping out, they could sure do with your help.
VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED
Macclesfield FC are once again requesting the help of the fanbase and the local community to help clear the remainder of the compacted snow from the surrounding areas of the https://t.co/fL99QEEJ4D Stadium.
Emily Sergeant -
14th July 2021 
