Manchester-based rescue centre Dogs 4 Rescue has issued a heartbreaking plea for people to get their dogs vaccinated after the tragic death of one of their pack.
The kennel-free shelter shared yesterday that Staffordshire Bull Terrier Sophie has passed away with parvovirus after a stay in the emergency vets.
Parvo is a relatively common virus in dogs in the UK, but pets can be protected from it with vaccinations.
Dogs 4 Rescue has urged people to keep up with boosters and jabs, warning of mounting pressure on vets after lockdown.
Sophie the staffie died with parvovirus. Credit: Dogs 4 Rescue
They say that the puppy boom during lockdown may be partly responsible for rising cases of Parvo.
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Sophie wasn’t able to have her vaccination until she had finished her course of medication, and the shelter believe she may never have had a vaccination.
The charitable organisation added that ‘beautiful’ Sophie had an ‘old body and weak immune system’ which left her unable to fight off the deadly virus and an infection.
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The staffie’s name had been changed once she came into Dogs 4 Rescue’s care to give her a fresh start.
She had been in the care of a special foster family.
They said that the death of the ‘wonderful little dog’ has left them all ‘beyond devastated’, especially the volunteer who was fostering her.
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You can find out more about Dogs 4 Rescue and make a donation at dogs4rescue.co.uk.
Dogs 4 Rescue’s full statement
We are heartbroken to tell you about the loss of beautiful Sophie at 3am yesterday morning.
Rescued from the pound only a few weeks ago she had been in the emergency vets since Wednesday trying to fight infection.
She had parvovirus and her old body and weak immune system was unable to cope with this, the most brutal of infections.
Sadly Sophie came to the pound with chronic skin problems from neglect and was unable to be vaccinated until she had finished her course of steroids.
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She had had such a bad background her name had been changed to give her a fresh start.
Her age, and the likelihood she has never had any vaccinations, along with the steroids put her at increased risk.
But post lockdown and because of the puppy boom there has been a huge rise in parvovirus in the UK – stretching vets to their limits.
Devastatingly Sophie was in special foster with our lovely Jess who is beyond devastated, as are we.
Jess not long ago lost her gorgeous old Maz a staffie rescued from us and she knew as soon as she saw Sophie’s first photo she was the special one that could help heal her heart.
We send her all our love and thanks for giving Sophie love and care like she had never known. She was such a wonderful little dog, so happy with her new life.
Losing Sophie has hit us all hard, but we must carry on with our resolve to rescue as many of the unwanted staffies as we can. And to love them as much as we loved Sophie.
Please everyone get your dogs vaccinated and keep up with their boosters. It is not just puppies who need the protection.
Breeders and those who support them cause so many problems and Sophie was one of the vulnerable caught up in it all.
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Thanks to the lovely vets at Animal Trust Bolton who took such good care of her and tried everything and for keeping us up to date. We will love you forever Sophie.
Featured image: Dogs 4 Rescue
Manchester
Two North West cities named among the ‘noisiest’ in the UK – including Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A new analysis has revealed a list of the noisiest cities in the UK, and two Greater Manchester locations are in the top five.
From blaring sirens and car horns, to house parties, barking dogs, and loud neighbours, escaping the noise of a city can feel almost impossible – even in your own home.
No matter whether you live in the hustle and bustle, or you’re out in the sleepier suburbs, noise can keep you up at night, disturb your peace, and lead to frustration. But just how loud are Greater Manchester’s cities compared to the rest of the UK? In a bid to get to the bottom of it, Alpine Hearing Protection has done some research to compile a top 10 list.
And both Salford and Manchester have found themselves not just within the top 10, but within the top five… and to make matters worse, Salford has actually claimed the number one spot.
The reason Salford has found itself at the top of the list, according to the research, is because it sits at the intersection of several major transport and urban hubs, with major motorways running through or around the city including the M60, M61, and M62.
Major rail routes also run through the city – including via Salford Crescent – which sees 16 million passengers every year, and also leads to Manchester Airport.
Top 10 noisiest cities in the UK
Salford
Portsmouth
Manchester
Southampton
London
Leeds
Stoke-on-Trent
Wakefield
Newcastle upon Tyne
Bradford
Parts of Salford are also very built-up, making pockets of the city noisy – especially in the concentrated centre where traffic, construction, nightlife and commercial activity get loud.
And of course, like any growing city, construction noises have been noted as ‘particularly bothersome’ for residents where major developments are springing up.
Manchester is third on the list of noisiest cities, due to many of the same reasons as Salford.
But the difference being that Mancunians are noted as one of the many reasons why the city is so loud – with residents making 5,301 noise complaints across Manchester between January 2024 and January 2025, and Hulme identified the loudest area with 304 complaints.
As well all know, Manchester is also home to many universities, which brings an active nightlife scene to the region, especially in the city centre, and in recent FOI data, it was revealed that the University of Manchester saw 2,049 noise complaints in the last five years.
New Greater Manchester travel warnings issued as Christmas Markets get underway
Emily Sergeant
New travel warnings and advice have been issued across Greater Manchester as the city’s annual Christmas Markets get underway.
Manchester Christmas Markets officially kicked off for 2026 last Friday (6 November), and that means the city region is gearing up to welcome millions of extra visitors over the next couple of months – no matter whether they’re heading to the Markets, shopping for Christmas gifts, or enjoying a festive night out with friends and family.
Around 3.4 million additional visitors are expected in the city centre during just the Christmas Markets period alone.
It’s predicted that almost 40% of that extra footfall will be concentrated into just nine days – including Black Friday weekend at the end of this month, and the first two weekends of December.
With all these extra visitors expected, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has issued travel warnings and advice – encouraging people to choose their travel method, route, and time wisely when planning their journeys.
Millions of journeys are set to be made on the region’s tram and rail networks, whilst walking and cycling are also touted as a ‘great option’ for shorter journeys.
🎅 The Manchester Christmas Markets are back in full force ready for your festive cheer until 22 December.
🚌 Shudehill Interchange and Piccadilly Gardens bus station are both a short walk away from all market locations.
🎄More info: https://t.co/rP2ltFTnUJ https://t.co/hOjmaUHBdS
More buses than ever will also be running across the city region this festive season, as this year is the first Christmas with 24-hour night buses serving every borough.
More double trams will be running on some of the busiest parts of the Metrolink network, including on the Altrincham-Bury line, and on the Trafford Park line during the Christmas period, while additional/enhanced tram services laid on for major events such as football fixtures and others expected to generate higher passenger numbers
Elsewhere, as part of efforts to encourage people to leave the car and give public transport a try, overnight parking restrictions are being lifted on existing Park & Ride locations, and some new pop-up Park & Rides will be opening soon.
“The growing popularity of Manchester and the massive programme of events means it will definitely be busy,” warned Danny Vaughn, who is the Chief Network Officer at TfGM.
“That’s why we’re encouraging people to try public transport if they usually drive, and urging everyone to give extra thought to how and when the travel as they plan their journeys.”
Councillor Mandie Shilton Godwin, who is the Executive Member for Clean Air, Environment and Transport at Manchester City Council, added: “As always, public transport remains the best option if you’re looking to enjoy Christmas in Manchester and we’d urge people to use the bus, tram or train rather than using their own car.
Daisy Jackson -
22nd February 2022 
