Launched just six years ago, StreetVet has a simple mission: to deliver free essential veterinary care and services to the pets of people experiencing homelessness and to protect the human-animal bond, keeping pets and their owners together wherever possible. StreetVet’s Head of Marketing, Collette Sheaff explains how the charity has evolved and continues to grow nationally. Find out more about how StreetVet, a charity that is fuelled by hundreds of volunteer vets and veterinary nurses, operates. Who are StreetVet? What started as 2 vets and a backpack in 2016, is now an award-winning nationa ..read more

Do you talk to your pets? I know we do. Of course, they understand some words we use regularly such as, walk, treat, and sit, but how much do they really understand? Until recently there was very little research into language skills of domestic pets but it looks pretty clear that we haven't been talking to ourselves. The relationship between dog and human is unusually close thanks to an estimated 11,000 years of domestication. We feed them, care for them and breed them selectively for friendliness and other useful traits. We have shaped almost every attribute of their bodies and minds. They l ..read more

How it began Save Our Spaniels (SOS) started from humble beginnings in 2015 with one poor emaciated, flea ridden cocker in Spain called Snoop. Laura Hurt and another like minded person, at different parts of the country, had a meeting of minds and desperately wanted to help other Spanish spaniels abandoned on the streets or dumped in the kill stations (perreras) across Spain. With 400,000 strays in Spain, they can only help the tip of the iceberg, but in the last few years, they have managed to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome over 800 bretons (Brittanys) and spaniels. Whilst not exclusively as ..read more

Credit: Vets4Pets What is an Adder? The European adder is the only venomous snake native to the UK. Their numbers are in decline but they have conservation status and they are protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981.This means that it is an offence to kill, harm, injure, sell or trade them. For many conservationists, seeing adders on the brink of extinction is alarming and they are working to save them through education and by setting aside protected areas. In part, their decline is linked to the increasing numbers of buzzards who after suffering themselves for decade ..read more

Things to consider before you firm up your holiday plans If you're contemplating travelling abroad with your dog, there are clearly lots of things to consider.  It is worth doing your homework on the country you plan to visit. How dog friendly will it be, will you be expected to muzzle your dog when out and about, are there local Vets close by, is the climate suitable, (freezing temperatures or scorching heat can make your dog’s life intolerable), can you get hold of your dog’s usual food or will you have to take it with you?  It may be worth getting a new dog tag with your internati ..read more

This time of year has the potential to be fun filled for our pets, with trips to the beach for some and longer days to enjoy summer walks. The season can present certain hazards, from overheating, to bites and stings and toxic stagnant water. A few simple tips will help you prepare and make sure you can enjoy the Summer. We encourage our customers to carry suncream in their bags as it is easy to catch the sun when out walking with your dogs. Did you know that dogs can also suffer sun burn, and  any exposed skin on your dog’s body is at risk . Luckily, their fur protects most of your dog ..read more

The key to keeping any dog fit and healthy is to feed it a balanced and nutritious diet.  A good diet should consist of the correct balance of Fats, Carbohydrates and Proteins which are then broken down by the body into micro nutrients to furniture all living cells with their nutrition to function and survive.  For our canine friends it is not only important to feed a complete balanced meal containing all three macros but it is also important to make sure that any diet contains quality human grade ingredients (where possible) and from a good source. How do these macros work for dogs ..read more

Winston's wheels help dogs who need wheelchairs The kindness of strangers has inspired the owner of a disabled dog to help other pet owners in a similar situation. Rachel Wettner's dog Winston, a nine-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, was diagnosed with a tumour - making it impossible for him to walk without the help of a wheelchair. Crowdfunding helped buy "Winny" his wheels - which depending on the size of the dog can range between £200 to £500. Once Rachel found out that people... were prepared to donate to help a dog in need, she set up a Facebook page and set about raising funds to he ..read more

Many, many people watch Dragons’ Den and follow contestants on their journey as they present their ideas. They witness the successes, the embarrassment, the comedy, the passion and sometimes the failures but it's rare to find out what happens after the show. For us (Debbie and Rob) who set up Barking Bags this has been a rollercoaster year and here is our take on our entrepreneurial journey with a Dragon, Sara Davies, on board. How has it helped the business? For us, the main benefit of appearing on Dragons’ Den was undoubtedly the excellent publicity and exposure. Taking part pushed us to ge ..read more

‘Tis the season to be Jolly! We all know Christmas can be exciting for everyone, including our furry friends.  It can be hard to keep the day-to-day routine, while being off work and having more friends or family around. Here at Barking Bags, we’ve thought of some ideas to not only keep your dog involved, to keep them safe during this holiday season.  12 Days Of Christmas… 1. Plan different walks with your family/friends.  New environments are exciting, all new smells and places to explore. This not only keeps you all active but burns off some of your pooches energy! Get the zo ..read more