Caring for animals in Autumn and Winter

• Check ponds every day. If they freeze over, place a saucepan of hot water on the surface to gently melt the ice. Never break the ice.
• Keep dogs away from frozen ponds and lakes. Thin ice can break under a dog's weight. Watch for paws becoming impacted with snow - this can cause discomfort.
• Give outdoor pets plenty of bedding and be prepared to move them into a shed or garage for extra shelter.
• Horses and ponies must always have access to shelter. They also need frsh water, a rug and extra food.
• Garden birds will appreciate grated cheese, pastry, stale cake, moist bread crumbds, biscuits, cooked rice and bacon rind. Also plenty of fresh water fro bathign and drinking.
• To reduce the risk of disease, bird tables and feeders should be cleaned weekly and water bowls daily.
• Hedgehogs hibernate between November and March. Keep aside a hedgehog-friendly area of garden with heaps of leaves and brushwood.
• Always check bonfires before lighting them - animals could be sheltering inside.

• During firework season, keep all pets indoors after dark. Shut all windows and doors and turn on the television to drown out the bangs.
• Remember to make proper provision for your pets if you go away - reliable kennels or trustworthy friends are best.

No Pets as Presents

The RSPCA says don't give pets as presents at Christmas  or in fact any other time.When people get bored with their presents, they may throw them out. The pet may be welcomed at first, but abandoned or neglected later when the novelty has worn off and the amount of care needed if fully understood.

A pet should have the right kind of home and care to suit its needs and a lot of thought is necessary before choosing an animal - it should not be a spur of the moment decision.

HERE ARE A FEW OF THE RSPCA'S TOP CHRISTMAS PET CARE TIPS

• Don't leave pets at home alone. If your family is going away for Christmas or the New Year make sure arrangements have been made to look after your pet while you are away.
• Think about travel arrangements for your pet. If you take your pet away with you, make sure it will have plenty of exercise and water during long journeys.
• Give your pet a quiet corner away from festivities. Pets are easily upset by loud bangs from crackers and party poppers. Keep your pets in a quiet room away from all the noise.
• Keep Christmas decorations out of reach of pets.Fairy lights can appeal to playful pets. Also decorative yew tree branches and berries can be lethal to pets if chewed or swallowed. Also watch out for small toys and burst balloons that could easily choke a pet.
• Be sensible with Christmas treats for pets. Pets can easily choke on bones and it is not kind to feed a pet sweets, chocolates or cakes. A sudden change of diet can cause stomach upsets.
• Try to stick to your usual care routine. Christmas can be a very unsettling time for pets. Do not buy toys that can easily be swallowed or bitten into small pieces pets could choke on.
• Do not forget about animals kept outside. Pets such as horses, rabbits and pond fish need extra attention at this timeof year.

Animals kept in hutches should be given extra bedding and, if possible, moved into a dry shed or garage. Fish ponds and horse troughs should be regularly checked so that the water does not freeze over.

Now that the new school term has started, you may be asked to write about animals and thier care. You may perhaps have to do a project about 'caring agencies'.

Did you know that we have lots of information to help you at The pAws Centre in Barrack Street, Norwich?

We have information on pet care, the environment, wild animals, the work of the RSPCA, how the RSPCA started in 1824 and the work of the wildlife hospital at East Winch. Of course we can tell you about the work of this local branch of the RSPCA and it's continuing work to help and re-home animals locally.

Why not have a look at our National Website which is www.rspca.org.uk

Competition

To be in with a chance of winning a year's free membership of the Animal Action Club just design a poster to remind people that they need to take care of their pet all year round.

Send your entries to: Junior Membership Competition, RSPCA Paws Centre, 71-75 Barrack Street, Norwich, Norfolk. NR3 1WJ.

Please click here for detailed information on how to help your animals during the firework season.

Animal Action Club

RSPCA Animal Action Club Members are an active bunch. There are thousands who raise money, write letters of protest to MPs, help animals in trouble and generally speak their minds about animal welfare.

Animal Action Club membership costs £11.00 a year. It is open to all young people up to the age of 13 who care about animals. Each new member receives six copies a year of their own magazine, called Animal Action, and when first joining, a folder, containing stickers and a membership card. A cute and cuddly Perfect Pet soft toy comes with the folder too.

To join, write to:

RSPCA,
Wilberforce Way,
Southwater,
Horsham,
West Sussex,
RH13 9RS.

You will need to send your name, address and date of birth with a cheque or postal order for £11.00

There are over 500 Animal Action Club members in the local branch of the RSPCA.

Leo - one of our past residents

Pets are Family too - Animals and Children - click here for more information