Pets are beloved members of our families, yet in emergencies, we are left with no local, life-saving options. Some urgent conditions require immediate treatment, and the current distance to emergency care is simply unsafe. Examples include: • Poisoning – ingestion of toxic foods, plants, or chemicals can be fatal within an hour. • Bloat (Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus) – a life-threatening condition in dogs that requires immediate surgery. • Seizures – prolonged or repeated seizures can cause brain damage or death without rapid intervention. • Road traffic accidents – traumatic injuries often require urgent stabilisation. • Obstructed labour – both mother and offspring can die if treatment is delayed. • Blocked urinary tract (especially in male cats) – can lead to organ failure and death within hours. Families should not have to risk losing their pets simply because they live outside the city. With so many pet owners in our coastal and rural communities, the lack of a local emergency veterinary facility leaves us vulnerable and forces unnecessary suffering.

The government promised to work towards phasing out animal testing. Now they're creating a roadmap to make it happen, but it needs to be an ambitious and detailed plan, with clear milestones to drive progress that will benefit science and society.   Scientific and public opinion is on the side of phasing out animal testing. Other countries, like the US and those in the EU, are already making progress with their own detailed roadmaps.   A real roadmap will lead to better science and a stronger economy while phasing out animal testing. Let's seize this opportunity to make vital, positive change. It's time to bring UK science into the 21st century by focusing on human-relevant research. See how phasing out animal testing will benefit science and society here and here

We need to use our voice to stop defenceless animals being maimed, injured or killed for fun

I have had several incidents where a loose dog has come at me. It's quite scary as I'm partially sighted and can't see the dog until it's there. On one occasion a dog was barking at me and the owner taunted me about being scared of the dog. Once when I came out of my flat a loose dog came at me and it was scary luckily I haven't been attacked by a dog but that's not the point 

The UK has a good record of farm welfare (excluding battery chickens). We have fought long and hard for this. We do not need US meat imports. 

I would say that people need to recognise that animals as well as people feel pain and suffering and should not be subject to and more than they already experience through the rearing process for food.

If you have any kindness in your soul then you should join my campaign because it has been proven that makeup don't even need to test on animals to ensure that humans can use them. It has scientifically been proven that animal testing can be replaced with new technological methods that are often faster, less expensive and more reliable. So what's the need to buy animal tested products?

Because its tough enough surviving, and no bird should die trapped behind or in netting. Imagine the fear and thirst and hunger. There's no reason this can't be sorted humanely. It's so distressing to see birds dead, and a massive worry that you'll not be able to rescue a living one in time. I'm still upset by seeing this last year.

15 December update. Dorset Council, at last, on Tuesday 12 December, has now carried out an inspection of the kennels. This should have occurred 2 months ago when Mr Grant originally applied for a new licence to commence 1 January. The inspection team stated that they were unaware of the challenge to Dorset Council's interpretation of the Regulations 2018 and associated DERFA statutory guidelines regarding the issue of a lack of integral exercise runs for each kennel and the statutory guidance that allows for multiple exercise opportunities in lieu of integral runs. Dorset Council, despite initially indicating it expected to send its inspection report to Mr and Mrs Grant on 14 December, does not now expect to do this until Monday 18 December - only 2 weeks before the current licence expires. In the meantime, Mr and Mrs Grant have to continue to turn away all business after 31 December, as they still do not know whether a new licence will be issued. This petition relating to Dorset Council's previously declared intention to close the kennels on 1 January without an inspection was sent to the CEO Dorset Council on Tuesday 5 December; at that stage it had attracted 817 signatures since it was launched 3 days beforehand. It was accompanied by a report amplifying the detail contained in the petition, demonstrating exactly why the Council’s original position was (and still is) in breach of the DEFRA guidance for boarding kennels, and thus unwarranted and unjust. The owners of Pets Haven kennels would again like to express their profound appreciation to all who supported the petition. As would all the dogs currently boarding there. Your involvement meant that Dorset Council was unable to ignore the issue. A further update will be published as soon as Dorset Council has sent their report to Mr Grant (expected 18 December). I can see no valid reason why it should not include a new licence - but Dorset Council's Animal Welfare department seem to be a law unto themselves.

Any Dog that grains a reputation for threatening people is at Risk, especially large and powerful breeds. Responsible Owners know that handled correctly with firmness and love, these dogs thrive and responding to behave beautifully within family settings. I'm a Canine Instructor (49yrs experience and 20yrs specialising as a Consultant with aggressive dogs) Please..... We know that none of this is, is due to dog's breed, but down to the Owner, how they train and treat the dog, or not. Address the Legislation towards the Owner. No Puppy is born Bad is Aggressive. It's purely down to the experience that have been subjected to.

Considerable scientific research, consolidated in the government-commissioned London School of Economics (LSE) Review of the Evidence of Sentience in Cephalopod Molluscs and Decapod Crustaceans, such as crabs and lobsters, has highlighted the advanced nervous systems of crustaceans, confirming their capacity to feel pain and distress - including when being boiled alive. Following the formal recognition of their sentience in the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) should take immediate action to implement explicit guidelines for legally compliant and humane killing methods for decapod crustaceans. By taking these steps, Defra can lead the way in promoting humane treatment, aligning its practices with the law and its ethical responsibilities. We call upon you to make a stand for the legal protection of crustaceans and to ensure that their welfare is considered. We the undersigned firmly believe that it's time to replace pain with welfare at the time of killing for crustaceans. The absence of clear guidelines around their killing methods leaves these creatures vulnerable to inhumane practices that go against our national values of compassion and ethical treatment for animals. (www.gov.uk/government/news/lobsters-octopus-and-crabs-recognised-as-sentient-beings).

I think if everyone comes together we can save a dog breed in which there are a lot more of these dogs that live their lives as a happy family pet than there are ones who attack people. We need to pull together and stop dog breeds getting punished just because of bad owners