As the shops begin to fill with things you didn’t know you needed, it can be all too easy to get caught up in a spiral of shopping and spending as Christmas approaches. Sometimes it can feel as though the spirit of the festive season has been lost amongst the wrapping paper and endless queues.

In fact, the best gifts are often those that don’t have a financial cost – a thoughtful touch is always appreciated more than the result of a Christmas Eve panic buy. Spending a couple of hours helping people less fortunate than ourselves is so rewarding, and there are many ways in which you can be a Christmas star. The TimeBank organisation has some great ideas on its website, detailing lots of ways you can give your time and experience in order to make a real difference.

Pet lovers may want to help an animal charity, and there are certainly plenty of options for those looking to volunteer their time or skills, or simply donate a meal to help an animal in need this Christmas:

• Keep an eye out in your local supermarket for pet charity stands or collecting bins for food and toys. It’s easy to pop a couple of extra tins in your trolley and donate them on your way out.
• Contact your local shelter and offer an hour or two to help walk the dogs or socialise with the cats. There are countless local organisations you can try, and they will all be grateful for any help you can give. Many of the larger charities have volunteer pages on their websites where you can find details of ways to help near you (try the Blue Cross and PDSA)
• Volunteer with your pet to visit the elderly, lonely and house bound. Any dog or cat can become a Pets As Therapy (PAT) dog or a PAT cat, as long as he or she has lived with you for at least six months, is over nine months old and passes a short assessment.
• Fostering pets displaced when families flee domestic violence is a meaningful and practical way to provide help. The RSPCA’s PetRetreat scheme has supported over 1200 pets, belonging to 800 families who have been victims of domestic abuse. Find out more at the RSPCA website.
• Offer to walk your elderly neighbour’s dog or drive them to the vets or the pet shop when needed
• Why not clear out some clutter and have a table top sale or car boot, with all the profits going to a local pet charity?
• If you are good at crafts or baking, perhaps you could make and sell Christmas cards or mince pies to raise money for a charity close to your heart
• You could even organise a sponsored event or hold a collection at a community carol service

Of course, these are just a few of the ways in which you can volunteer, and no doubt you can think of several local causes that would benefit greatly from your support. So if you’d like this to really be a Christmas to remember, why not spread a little extra love in the direction of those in need – there are few better feelings than the warm glow of a generous gesture of support!

Until next time, very best wishes from Shailen and The Ralph Site team
The Ralph Site, non-profit pet loss support

Please note: The Ralph Site is not affiliated with the third-party organisations in any of the links shared here, and the views, ideas and suggestions expressed in this and other blogs are simply shared with the intention of helping you, our friends, take care of the special animals in your lives.

Now that the clocks have gone back and the Christmas lights are going up, it’s impossible to ignore the fact that winter is on its way. Along with the longer nights and colder temperatures, comes the need to take some extra precautions so that pets who live outdoors don’t suffer with the winter chills; we’ve put together a list of simple steps you can take to ensure your pets stay cosy till the spring:

Rabbits and guinea pigs

Rabbits have naturally adapted to cope with the cold fairly well, but damp and draughty conditions can easily lead to illness or worsen arthritis, especially in older bunnies.

• Check the hutch for signs that water is getting in and block up any gaps
• Ensure that the roof slopes towards the back to drain water away
• The base of the hutch should be raised at least 10cm above the ground in order to avoid damp and rot
• Re-apply waterproofing paint and/or covers (plastic sheeting, tarpaulin etc.) regularly
• Position the hutch away from the wind
• Cover with an old blanket or piece of carpet at night, or a fitted protective cover
• Take care to make sure that there is still adequate ventilation for your pets, leaving the mesh free during the day
• Ideally, move the hutch into a shed or garage, but only if vehicles are not regularly driven in and out – the carbon monoxide in exhaust fumes can quickly be fatal to small animals
• Provide plenty of fresh haw and straw, along with scrunched-up newspaper for your pets to burrow and snuggle in to
  Microwaveable heat pads are available for rabbits and guinea pigs; placed in the hutch at night they offer some welcome extra heat
• Check that your stores of straw, hay and wood shavings do not become damp and mouldy; eating these could cause your pets to become ill
• Provide plenty of opportunities for play and exercise – whilst more difficult during the winter, they remain essential to your pets’ health. On dry days your pets can still spend time in their run, and you can also bring them inside for a supervised run around.
• Check water bottles at least twice a day as these can easily freeze, and your pet may drink more during the colder weather when access to fresh grass and greens is reduced. You might want to add a water bowl in addition to the usual bottle

If your pets are old, young, ill or underweight, you may wish to consider bringing them indoors for the winter. If so, it’s best to choose a quiet part of the house, and provide familiar items with comforting smells in order to avoid stressing your pet. With patience, rabbits can even be litter trained!

Fish

If you have fish in a pond outdoors, now is the time to clear away fallen leaves and organic matter from the pond, cut back dead or dying aquatic plants and turn off your filter and pump before the water freezes.
Hopefully you have been feeding your fish with a high protein food over the summer, building up fat reserves to help them through the winter. As the water temperature drops, the amount of food given should be reduced, stopping altogether once the temperature falls below 100C. A wheatgerm-based food is good, as it is easily digested.

Horses

The RSPCA has put together a handy checklist for horse carers, detailing some extra considerations you may wish to bear in mind as winter approaches.

With a bit of preparation, your pets can comfortably weather the approaching winter, and spring will be here before we know it!

Until next time, very best wishes from Shailen and The Ralph Site team
The Ralph Site, non-profit pet loss support

Please note: The Ralph Site is not affiliated with the third-party organisations in any of the links shared here, and the views, ideas and suggestions expressed in this and other blogs are simply shared with the intention of helping you, our friends, take care of the special animals in your lives.

Here at The Ralph Site, we understand all too well the intense feelings of pain, guilt and loss that can accompany the passing of a furry friend. Owners often report that when a much-loved family member dies, perhaps not surprisingly, those pets left behind appear to grieve too.

Just like us humans, animals can mourn in different ways, and some may show no outward signs of distress at all. Any and all reactions are therefore entirely ‘normal’.

Grief in pets left behind may manifest in a number of ways, such as:

• Actively looking for their departed companion
• Loss of appetite
• No interest in playing or interacting
• Unexplained vocalisation
• Changes in behaviour and temperament
• Change in toileting habits

And whilst these are entirely understandable, clearly it is important to be sure that there isn’t an underlying medical reason for any changes observed – consulting your vet is always recommended if you are at all worried, or if any of these symptoms persist.

When you are consumed by grief, it can seem tempting to shut yourself off for a time. In fact, there is much solace and comfort to be sought from your remaining pets, and you should try to give them as much additional attention as possible – for their benefit as much as yours. Grieve together, but try not to reward any unhealthy behaviour they may exhibit. In time their grief should pass and their behaviour should normalise, just as it will for you.

Maintaining a routine with respect to feeding, exercise and so on will help here, although some changes may be inevitable – for example it may be simply too painful to take the same route for walks as you used to enjoy with other pets. It is also important to try and minimise any additional sources of distress or stress to your remaining pets; try to avoid leaving them alone for extended periods or taking a holiday at this difficult time.

It is generally accepted that many pets benefit from being able to see and smell the body of the deceased pet in order to provide an explanation for his or her sudden disappearance. Death is a natural process, after all, and this exposure can help to minimise the severity and duration of their grief. Even if it doesn’t, it is highly unlikely to worsen the situation.
One practical point to be mindful of though – if you are burying your departed friend’s body in the garden, it is probably best not to let any family dogs see the location, as this may lead to an attempted dig. It’s also a good idea to make sure that you dig the hole deep for the same reason.

Ultimately, as with our own displays of grief, a pet’s response to loss can be unpredictable and varied. Be generous with your time and emotions, tolerant of any small changes in behaviour and your patience will undoubtedly be rewarded with a strengthened bond with your remaining pet(s).

Until next time, very best wishes from Shailen and The Ralph Site team
The Ralph Site, non-profit pet loss support

Please note: The Ralph Site is not affiliated with the third-party organisations in any of the links shared here, and the views, ideas and suggestions expressed in this and other blogs are simply shared with the intention of helping you, our friends, take care of the special animals in your lives.

With Halloween and Bonfire Night almost upon us, we thought it would be useful to take a look at some practical tips to help your pets stay calm amidst the inevitable bangs and whizzes that are all too common at this time of year.

Outdoor pets are more exposed to the sights and sounds of Halloween and Bonfire Night, and so we recommend checking on them regularly to reassure yourself that no ‘tricks’ have been played near the hutch, and that any stray fireworks or sparklers are safely removed. If you can, move your pet’s hutch into a garage or shed for added protection and noise insulation, and if this is not possible, add plenty of extra hay and place some old carpet over the hutch to dull the noise and provide extra warmth.

Many dogs and cats are likely to find unexpected loud noises stressful (the RSPCA estimates that 45% of dogs exhibit signs of stress when they hear fireworks). Hopefully after our blog a few weeks ago you have been working on noise desensitisation, but if you’re not quite there yet, the good news is that there is plenty you can do to get through the night with your nerves, and your soft furnishings, intact!

1. Now, in the days before Bonfire Night, start letting your cat out or taking your dog for a walk earlier in the evening so that they are used to a new routine rather than being stressed by a big change on the night.
2. Consider using an Adaptil spray on your dog’s blankets and toys – this mimics the appeasing pheromones produced naturally by the mother and thus helps to calm your dog down
3. For cats, Feliway sprays work in the same way. The Ralph Site Shop stocks a range of pheromone sprays and diffusers.
4. We also offer a Pet remedy Natural calming spray, which helps to relax your pet with a unique blend of calming essential oils.
5. Build a safe, dark, comfortable den in a quiet place, and place your pet’s favourite toys, treats and blankets in it.
6. Leave the door to the room where you have made this den open, or provide space for your pet to come and go freely – shutting your cat or dog in will only increase their stress levels.
7. Lock or block any cat flaps so that your pet cannot escape, and provide a litter tray, plenty of food and water and a comfortable blanket.
8. Keep all doors and windows closed, drawing curtains and blinds to keep the noise to a minimum.
9. Sit with your dog or cat, helping them to relax by following a normal evening routine and with music or the television on in the background.
10. If your pet shows any signs of fear try to ignore their behaviour. Don’t punish or fuss over your pet as this will give the message that what they are doing attracts attention, and thus makes things worse in the long run.

Good luck everyone!

Until next time, very best wishes from Shailen and The Ralph Site team
The Ralph Site, non-profit pet loss support

Please note: The Ralph Site is not affiliated with the third-party organisations in any of the links shared here, and the views, ideas and suggestions expressed in this and other blogs are simply shared with the intention of helping you, our friends, take care of the special animals in your lives.

An important annual event raising awareness of animal charities and welfare issues, World Animal Day takes place each year on October 4th, the feast day of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment.

First established in 1931 at a convention of ecologists in Florence as a way of highlighting the plight of endangered species, this year World Animal Day was marked by a Global Wave across social media. It’s not too late to be a part of this influential movement for change – contribute your own images to the Global Wave campaign to raise awareness by uploading a selfie with the official poster – full details can be found at the World Animal Day website.
HAPPY#worldanimalday

Animal welfare organisations across the world are able to gain awareness for their work, as well as benefit from a wide range of fund raising activities linked to World Animal Day. Some of this year’s events included:

• ‘Roar for Tony’ campaign and petition, highlighting the poor conditions in which many captive big cats are held across the world
• Special prayers for animals held at over 50 places of worship in Coimbatore, India
• Doggie Beach Day in the Cayman Islands
• Love the Animals parade in Tondano, Indonesia
• Global March for Elephants and Rhinos in Melbourne

Animal welfare has historically always been very well supported by the Great British public, and animal charities receive millions of pounds in donations every year. They receive no state funding for their important work, although the Treasury does exempt donations from income tax in the form of Gift Aid. The largest – and sometimes controversial – animal charities in the UK receive generous levels of financial support from animal lovers: the 2014 RSPCA Trustees report states that the charity’s income for the year was £125.9 million, whilst the PDSA received £99.3 million in the same year. Whilst these figures are mind bogglingly high, they pale into insignificance when we consider that through the vital work done by each of these organisations, the PDSA was able to provide 2.23 million free treatments to pets, whilst the RSPCA fielded (and responded where appropriate) to 1,299,163 calls to its cruelty line.

Housing animals safely and humanely until they can be re-homed is expensive and requires an enormous amount of time, effort and expertise. And yet smaller, local charities can sometimes be overlooked by pet lovers wanting to donate – TV campaigns and press advertising are an extravagance unavailable to small charities with very limited resources, competing with huge organisations for a share of the limited public purse. If you would like to help an animal in distress this World Animal Day, you can find details of all the UK’s registered charities HERE.

And remember that your donation does not have to be financial – perhaps you have a spare hour to walk a dog? Deliver leaflets? Help out at the charity’s shop? Hold a jumble sale or cake bake to raise much-needed funds? However you choose to help, your contribution will go a long way to helping give animals a better deal – which of course is important at any time of year, not just around World Animal Day.

Until next time, very best wishes from Shailen and The Ralph Site team
The Ralph Site, non-profit pet loss support

Please note: The Ralph Site is not affiliated with the third-party organisations in any of the links shared here, and the views, ideas and suggestions expressed in this and other blogs are simply shared with the intention of helping you, our friends, take care of the special animals in your lives.