PDSA Create Report On The Well-Being Of Our Pets 

Report Overview
A disturbing animal welfare report by veterinary charity, PDSA, The Peoples Dispensary for Sick Animals, reveals that millions of pets are more aggressive, overweight and misunderstood than ever , due to fundamental gaps in pet owners’ animal knowledge.

According to the report, 1.3 million dogs across the UK are displaying problem behaviour, 18.5 million dogs, cats and rabbits are being fed diets that are detrimental to their health. Apparently 11.2 million pets are at risk of life threatening disease due to not being vaccinated or neutered.

Findings from the second PDSA Animal Well-being (PAW) Report produced in conjunction with YouGov, claims to expose a serious lack of basic knowledge of animal care for millions of the UK’s pets. 

Reservations
The report, which says it captures the views of pet owners, the veterinary profession and for the first time, children. After reading it and the findings, I have some reservations on the information provided and where some of the blame lies!

The new report claims to  identify serious concerns when it comes to the well-being of our pets. Taking on pets is a huge commitment and one that brings with it significant responsibilities throughout a pet’s lifetime.

These responsibilities are not optional, they are a legal requirement and vital to ensure the physical and mental wellbeing of all pets.

The report states: “Just as humans have basic health and welfare needs, so do animals, but it is clear that in many cases their individual needs are just not understood.”

Finger Pointing
I am not convinced that this report is not tainted and biased towards the enormous controls of the pet industry, by the vets themselves

I am more of a fan of the PDSA than I am of say the RSPCA, who I believe, are not fit for purpose. Unlike the RSPCA the PDSA does sterling and vitally important work.

However I do not believe this report hits the areas where our pets, and especially dogs, are being let down. It is my strong belief backed up by research, that the very profession that was involved in the creation of this report, have been culpable in creating some of the medical problems they speak about.  

What it fails to achieve is point the blame from some of these major problems in the right direction.

Vaccinations
Lets take Vaccinations. The majority of our pets and especially dogs are being over vaccinated.  This fact becomes more apparent when you look at the Vaccination manufacturers guidelines.

These state that Vaccines should be administered every three years. Not yearly as some Vets are doing. The BVA (British Veterinary Association) states every 3 or 4 years. From what scientific research did  the vaccine companies and the BVA get their figures from, as i am not aware  of any study or research that corroborates this time frame?

There is a massive ground swell and knowledge base, that suggest over-vaccination is causing major health problems with our dogs immune systems. Top immunologists and some professors of veterinary medicine have suggested that the DOI (Duration of Immunity) may last for life. 

Dogs are becoming very ill and is some cases dying as their immune system breaks down. It is worth reading this Vaccination Study Which is one of many. I have written an in depth article on the major effects of over-vaccination.

This article covers the all the areas of vaccination and gives  peer referenced confirmation of my finding. You may be somewhat shocked at the diseases and problems that over vaccination can cause.  Are Vets Overvaccinating

Neutering
They are also recommending neutering, but do not say when this should be done. Yet they state dogs are getting behavioural problems. Is there any wonder this is happening, when Vets and Welfare organisations are neutering puppies as young as 6 weeks of age. RSPCA Shock

Not only does early neutering cause behavioural problems it also causes physical problems because of the reduction and removal of important hormones. Do these organisations imagine that nature gave these hormones as additional extras?

All mammals are born with various hormones. Three of the most important ones are Oestrogen, Progesterone, and Testosterone. All dogs male and female have these hormones. by what degree each hormone is present determines the sex of the animal.

These are commonly called sex hormones, and are related to reproduction. However they also play a very important role in other aspects of the animal’s well being. They allow and create physical, social, and behavioural maturity.

Without these hormones the dogs, if immature when the operation is carried out may not behaviourally and physically reach full maturity. Both physiological and psychological problems may occur because of these early invasive operations.

 Obesity is a major problem. Yet it is a known fact that neutering slows down the dogs metabolism that causes obesity. I am not against neutering. However, I am against it at the wrong time and for the wrong reasons. See my article for in depth knowledge about NEUTERING.

In summation some of what the PDSA has said hits the mark, but they need to look closer at the the reasons for some of the problems that are arising, instead of blaming the owner all the time look a little closer at the person that’s pointing the finger!

 Stan Rawlinson
Dog Behaviourist and Obedience Trainer