Animal Welfare

The Lord Mayor of Exeter has officially opened a new rehoming, advice and behaviour unit from national pet charity Blue Cross in the city.

Dogs, cats and small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs will be cared for in foster homes whilst they are waiting to be matched to a new home by the team at the unit at Matford Park Road, Marsh Barton.

The team at the unit will offer rehoming, advice and behaviour services, as well as a pet food bank for owners struggling to cover the cost of feeding their pets.

Joining the Lord Mayor in cutting the ribbon to officially...

A new criminal offence to crack down on dog theft and put people who steal these much loved pets behind bars for up to five years has been set out in the Government’s Kept Animals Bill last week (Thursday 18th November).

The dog abduction offence, announced in September by Defra , will be added by the Government to the Kept Animals Bill, bolstering the raft of measures it already includes to further protect pets, livestock and kept wild animals.

Prior to this new offence, pet theft was treated as a loss of property to the owner. This new offence will take into account...

On Saturday 2 April, Exeter Friends For Animals (EFFA) in association with Fairfoods Catering will be launching their spring “Go Vegan” campaign at St Stephen’s Church in Exeter High Street.

Anyone interested in trying an animal-free diet, or simply curious about “what vegans eat”, is welcome to drop by between 11.30 am and 2.30 pm to browse the information stalls, pick up some recipe ideas, try some free food samples or stop for tea and cake or a snack.

At 2 pm, there will also be a talk on the health benefits of veganism by sports scientist Jack Childs. As a former...

Tiverton and Honiton MP Neil hosted the RSPCA annual reception at the House of Commons on Tuesday 17th June. Neil Parish, who is also Chairman of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, met with RSPCA inspectors, as well as members of the police and representatives from local authorities.

A number of other animal welfare groups were also present, with the theme of the event: ‘Together we can’. Over the next parliament the RSPCA will work closely with other animal welfare groups, as well as representatives from the public and private sectors to ensure that animal...

Following the relaunch of RGB Building Supplies’ Well Built Community Fund in April, the builders merchant is now calling for groups and charities that support animal welfare issues in the Exeter area to get in contact and tell them what help they need.

Whether a group needs materials to build or repair new animal enclosures, update facilities or create a new space, RGB would like to find out how £1,000 worth of materials could help.

Keith Harris, Product and Marketing Manager at RGB Building Supplies, said: “Our Well Built Community Fund is all about showing our support...

A man has been found guilty of offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 after failing to improve the squalid conditions he kept his ponies and dogs in, despite several warnings and advice from Devon and Somerset Trading Standards, the Police, the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare.

Leslie Weatherill, 73, of Ide appeared before Exeter Magistrates Court.

The court heard how Mr Weatherill kept his ponies on an area of scrub and woodland near Doddiscombsleigh which, according to a national expert on horses, was inadequate for their needs and so their welfare was severely...

A Mid Devon farmer, who pleaded guilty to a range of animal welfare offences, has received a life-time ban on keeping all animals and a 12 month suspended sentence.

Philip Govier, 69, of Willtown Farm, Clayhidon, on the Devon Somerset border, pleaded guilty to offences in January after allowing the carcases of dead animals to be eaten by dogs and predators, and leaving his cattle in such condition that they developed inflammation of the skin.

Officers of Devon and Somerset Trading Standards found, during visits between January 2013 and April 2013, rotting remains of sheep,...

An Okehampton farmer has been convicted in Exeter Magistrates Court of breaching the ban that was imposed on him by Exeter Crown Court in November 2012.

He was fined £500 and ordered to pay costs of £500 plus a £30 victim surcharge. So a total of £1030. The prosecution was brought by Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Service.

The court heard that Leon Smith kept a collie dog in a livestock trailer on his land at Meldon, near Okehampton for at least six days. The court was told that a local resident heard the dog in the trailer on 24th March 2013, took photos, and...