How the third sector is responding to the pandemic
Warning over buying a puppy during lockdown
Dog health and welfare experts including vets, rescue organisations, scientists and breeders are urging the public to stop and think before buying a’ flat-faced dog’, as online searches for getting a dog reaches an all-time high, while the French Bulldog becomes the UK’s most popular breed.
New statistics from PDSA and released by the Brachycephalic Working Group (BWG) show that Google searches for ‘buying a puppy’ increased by 175% in just one month of UK lockdown compared to the average.
And according to the latest 2020 registration data released by BWG member organisation the Kennel Club, the French Bulldog – a brachycephalic or flat-faced breed – is once again the UK’s top dog, with the highest puppy registrations of any breed during January to March 2020. Searches for French Bulldog puppies via the Kennel Club’s ‘Find a Puppy’ tool also increased by 225 per cent during April and May 2020, as people stayed home, compared to the same time last year.
Brachycephalic breeds, such as French Bulldogs, Bulldogs and Pugs – often referred to as flat-faced dogs due to their short muzzle – can suffer from a number of health problems such as breathing, eye, spine, dental and skin-fold issues. In addition, unscrupulous breeders and traders are cashing in on the high demand by farming them in huge numbers and often poor conditions - whether bred in the UK or imported from abroad. These twin problems have created one of the most pressing welfare issues for dogs right now in the UK.
Support for those starting high school
Leading health and social care charity Quarriers is responding to the added pressures and new ways of learning faced by children of school age as a result of coronavirus. Schools, young people and parents can now access two resources to help young people prepare for high school and learn about their own mental health.
Through its three school-based services, Quarriers recognised how coronavirus and the lockdown has affected children, young people and families and their routines in particular so wanted to offer extra support.
The first booklet focuses on the transition from primary to secondary. The charity recognises that making the move from primary to secondary school can be exciting and scary in equal measure – even in usual circumstances. To help, it has developed a handy workbook to help children understand how they are feeling, tackle worries and prepare for the new school year. The second booklet focuses on wellbeing and provides young people with strategies to help when times get tough.
Due to lockdown measures, children have been unable to take part in the transitional week which usually sees children visiting their new school, meeting teachers and generally getting a taste of secondary school life. However, this year, changes to usual school routines and schedules such as reduced class sizes and varying break times, are likely to increase feelings of uncertainty in those starting and continuing their secondary school career.
To access your copy of transition or wellbeing resources, email schoolbasedservices@quarriers.org.uk or visit the website.
Stunning prints to raise funds
An award-winning Scottish artist has been selected to create an exclusive print that will play a vital role in helping to protect and grow the population of golden eagles in southern Scotland. The partners behind a ground-breaking UK conservation initiative believe that the “stunning creation” is now more important than ever for the continued success of their project while the country follows the government’s Covid-19 recovery plan.
The pioneering South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project invited professional artists from across Scotland to submit proposals for the design of a poster, part of an important new informational leaflet to help people understand how they can address concerns about low numbers of golden eagles in the area.
Based in Wigtownshire, printmaker and Associated Member of the Society of Wildlife Artists, Lisa Hooper was selected because of her passion for protecting wildlife and utilising her artwork to beautifully showcase the wonders of the natural world. She created the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project prints with great skill and precision over several weeks using an intricate process on an antique circa 1860 Colombian Press. In addition to the final striking image featuring as a poster at the centre of the project’s printed leaflet, Lisa will now sell these exclusive A2 South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project prints and make a donation from each sale to support the project’s ongoing conservation efforts.
For the latest news on the project visit: www.goldeneaglessouthofscotland.co.uk
For more information about Lisa Hooper and to purchase one of her exclusive golden eagle prints visit: www.hoopoeprints.co.uk
