BRITAIN’S first virtual cat and dog adoption event is being live-streamed next month in a bid to rehome unwanted animals.
Adorable pets from animal shelters and rescues across the UK will feature in West End Woofs.
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US actresses Bernadette Peters and the late Mary Tyler Moore co-founded Broadway Barks in 1998, a pet adoption event held to raise cash for animal shelters and rescue shelters in New York.
Featuring a cast of cats and dogs – and the Broadway stars who love them – the annual event has since helped hundreds of animals find homes.
Now the first UK event is set to follow in its paw prints, featuring a host of West End stars and other famous faces. Singer Elaine Paige and The Jerk star Bernadette will host.
Elaine said: “As we all continue to deal with this dreadful pandemic, we’re turning more and more to our four-legged friends for companionship.
“So it would be fantastic if we can help as many dogs and cats find a safe home.”
Potential new owners will liaise with the animal shelters after the event to ensure their suitability for a new pet.
View the event at 7pm on Monday, November 9 on broadway.com. Follow the fun on westendwoofs.com.
Pet Vet
HE is on a mission to help our pets . . . and is here to answer YOUR questions.
Sean, who is the head vet at tailored pet food firm tails.com, has helped with owners’ queries for ten years.
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He says: “If your pet is acting funny or is under the weather, or you want to know about nutrition or exercise, just ask. I can help keep pets happy and healthy.”
MY three-year-old lurcher Maggie is terrified of fireworks and loud bangs.
She runs off if she hears them. We have tried natural herbs mixed with her food but to no avail. Any advice?
Mick Gilhooly, Derby
Sean says: It’s that awful time of year for pet owners — fireworks season. In reality, we should have started a process called desensitisation months ago, but there’s still time.
Try to play the sounds of fireworks at a low level and pay it no heed in the house. Gradually turn it up and only reward Maggie for calm behaviour.
When the time comes, create a quiet den for her, close the curtains, turn up the radio or TV. Try not to baby her too much when she’s showing fearful behaviour. Talk to your vet about anxiety medication if it’s really bad.
RECENTLY, my eight-year-old sprocker Paddy has started wanting his chin scratched underneath and now rubs it along my carpets.
He is eating normally. The vet has had a look and there doesn’t seem to be any swelling anywhere.
Linda Watts, Surrey
Sean says: An itchy face could be a sign of an allergy, but it’s a strange time of year for one like pollen. Perhaps mould or fungal spores?
Has anything else changed in his environment? Have you changed his food or washed his bedding in different detergent? If it’s all of a sudden, something has triggered it. Have a think about the timing.
Sometimes mouth pain or dental problems could make a dog rub their face on things. Get some medication from the vet to treat the itch temporarily, then we’ll know if it definitely is an itch problem and, if not, can investigate further.
MY 16-month-old cockerpoo Boomer still nips us.
He jumps up no matter what techniques we have tried. He is walked daily for over an hour and is the only pet in our household so gets a lot of attention.
Georgina Corry, Plymouth
Sean says: It’s really important to teach pups a thing called bite inhibition. Mum and siblings would tell a pup off for biting too hard during play, but when we take them away from their family aged eight weeks, they lose out on those lessons.
Now your pup is that much older, it’s a tricky thing to nip in the bud. I highly recommend getting a dog trainer involved.
Think about how your reactions actually reward those behaviours. Squealing, pushing him away and so on might just be seen as part of the game and excite him.
MY parents want a Yorkshire terrier. We have tried a few websites and can’t find anything suitable.
Do you know where to get a pedigree Yorky from?
Graeme Hamilton, Falkirk
Sean says: This is a classic question at the moment. There has been a massive surge in people buying puppies during lockdown. Demand has outstripped supply. Even the rescue centres have had record rehoming figures.
But not everyone was prepared for the realities of dog ownership. And we’re seeing reports of dogs being brought back to rescue centres now the novelty has worn off.
Why not consider talking to your local rescue centres about giving a dog a second chance? Most breed societies also run rescue services, so you could try the Yorkshire terrier club. Or consider another terrier type? I always say: Rescue is my favourite breed.
Star of the week
LOVEABLE Larry the cat is unable to see – but has been a lifeline in lockdown for owner Cristina Buil.
Larry, seven, and born without eyes, was left in a box outside the Blue Cross Charity Hospital in London’s Victoria in March.
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Vet Cristina, 38, who works at the charity, fell in love straight away.
She said: “Larry came into my life at the right time, as Covid-19 has made this year extremely stressful.
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“Coming home from work to cuddle up with Larry on the sofa has made the stresses of the day melt away.
“When it came to adopting him or letting him go to a new home, I decided he was to stay with me. He’s my little hero.”
Find out more about Blue Cross at bluecross.org.uk
Win a Blade 4 Pet Cordless cleaner
WE love our pets but not having dog hair all over our clothes and furniture.Now help is at hand.
Vacuum firm VAX has created the Blade 4 Pet Cordless cleaner.
It has a handy mini- motorised pet tool to help lift stubborn hair that is embedded in carpets, beds and furniture.
And as it is cordless, you can use it for the car, too.
Usually £259.99, one lucky Paws and Claws reader can WIN one.
To enter, send an email marked VAX to sundaypets@ the-sun.co.uk
Entries close on November 8.
Terms and conditions apply.
Adorable moment Labrador headbutts pal who snitched on him to owner about mess on the floor
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