To arrange Pet Fostering phone the PFSS national number: 0344 811 9909* (9am to 7pm daily)
Pet Care Advice
Dogs and cats of all ages will benefit from regular general health check-ups at the vet. Vaccinations are recommended for dogs and cats and require regular annual boosters, so this is a good time to have your general health check.
The vaccinations for dogs are against distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis and leptospirosis.
The vaccinations for cats are against cat flu, feline enteritis and feline leukaemia.
For fleas, preventative treatment for both dogs and cats are recommended, as once they are discovered they can be difficult to resolve. They can breed in bedding or in your carpets and furniture, so if present it is important to also treat the home. Regular treatment every month for your animal is recommended.
Worms including roundworms and tapeworms also require regular preventative treatment. Regular treatment every three months for your animal is recommended, especially as there is a small risk of passing roundworms to humans.
Ear problems, particularly in dogs can also be common. If you notice a smell, inflammation, wax, discharge or shaking of the head consult your vet.
Dental problems are also common in dogs and cats so keep an eye on teeth and gums and look out for signs of problems such as redness, inflammation and plaque. If you see any of these, take your animal to the vet to be checked. Diets including dry food and regular brushing can help prevent dental problems from developing.
All animals may exhibit signs of illness at any stage in their life’s, and it is important to recognise these signs early and receive veterinary advice.
Common clinical signs in both dogs and cats may include lethargy, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, weakness, depression, increase or decrease in water consumption and urine output.
If you notice any symptoms of illness at all, take them for a check-up promptly.
Pet insurance is a good way to provide peace of mind, there are many policies available, so do your research to find one that suits you.
Overseas Travel with Pets, some information:
The main change for pet travel out of GB is that UK pet passports are no longer valid for travel into the EU. An Animal Health Certificate is now required for each trip to the EU, unless your animal already has a valid non-UK EU passport issued in an EU country.
Requirements for travel from GB to EU or NI
- Microchip (placed or recorded before rabies vaccination).
- Rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel/certification and when the pet was at least 12 weeks of age.
- Animal health certificate (AHC) issued no more than 10 days before travel.
- Tapeworm treatment if travelling to Finland, Northern Ireland, Ireland or Malta. (To be given and certified by a veterinarian 24-120 hours before entry to EU/NI) Travelling back to GB.
- Microchip requirements as above.
- Rabies vaccination requirements as above.
- AHC that was used to exit GB can be used if within 4 months of issue.
- Tapeworm treatment unless travelling from Finland, Northern Ireland, Ireland or Malta.
It is the responsibility of the owner to know the requirements of travel for all countries travelled to and from. Please read the full guidelines before arranging travel at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pet-travel-to-and-from-great-britain
Useful Pet Care Contacts
Here you can find some useful lost, found, rehoming & general support links*
If you feel a pet is at risk, please call the Scottish SPCA 03000 999 999 www.scottishspca.org
Moving Home
There is useful information about pet care and pet arrangements when moving home on the GoCompare website.
Adopting & Caring for Rescue Animals
There is useful information in this topic from the Direct Line website.
Stray Dogs
If you have found a dog straying please contact your local City Council and speak to the dog warden.
Lost Pet
If you have lost a pet it would be worth calling local vets, police and rehoming centres.
There are also two national sites: www.doglost.co.uk & www.animalsearchuk.co.uk.
If your pet was microchipped contact the microchip company (two of the main microchip companies are Petlog and Anibase) to let them know a pet is missing.
Rehoming
PFSS is not a rehoming charity. If you need to permanently rehome your pet or are looking to adopt a pet there are numerous charities who may be able to help. It is impossible for us to list every charity here but a useful site which numerous charities advertise on is: www.rescuescottishpets.co.uk
The three well known charities who take in animals for rehoming are:
* Calls are charged at the national UK-wide non-geographic rate, this is not a premium number and may be included in an inclusive call contract.