News

An outbreak of the disease, which has affected some dogs in Essex and sadly lead to the death of one dog has everyone very concerned.

As more and more dogs travel abroad, and as our climate seems to be getting milder, the UK is at risk of invading new parasites to which our pets are not currently immune.

This week's story of the unfortunate incident in which a dog has died from Babesia, probably spread via ticks, has caused alarm.

Petplan vet Brian Faulkner takes an in-depth look at Babesiosis, including the cause, the symptoms, and the precautions you can take to keep your dog as safe as possible.

Petplan Sanctuary have always understood the importance of microchipping as the most effective way of identifying a lost or stolen pet. From 6th April 2016 all dogs in England, Wales and Scotland will be legally required to be microchipped and their details registered on an authorised database.

Why is the government making it compulsory for dogs to be microchipped and what does this mean for dog owners?

Ministers hope the change in the law will help reunite owners with lost or stolen pets, relieve the burden on animal charities and local authorities and protect the welfare of dogs by promoting responsible dog ownership. All dog owners in England & Wales will need to ensure their dog is microchipped by the 6th April and their details are kept up to date with an approved microchip database.

Is there a fine/penalty if I don't get my dog microchipped or keep my details up-to-date?

Once the new rules come into effect, if a dog without a microchip comes to the attention of the authorities, its keeper may be served with a notice requiring the dog to be microchipped, and may face criminal prosecution and a £500 fine if they do not comply with the notice. If the keeper continues to take no action, an enforcer can seize the dog and microchip it at the keeper's expense.

In addition, if the breeder or subsequent keepers of the dog do NOT update the dog’s details on a database that is compliant with the regulations, then a notice may be served requiring the keeper to microchip the dog within 21 days of the served notice.

How will the microchipping law be enforced?

The Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2014 will be enforced by local authorities, police constables, community support officers and any other person which the Secretary of State may authorise to act as an enforcer of the regulations.

• Want to know more about the changes in law and what it will mean for dog owners? Find out more on Petplan’s Microchipping FAQs page.

Summer is a great time to be a dog owner - walks in the morning light and warm evenings socialising with fellow pet owners makes spending time with your pet even more special.

However, there are also extra considerations that pet owners need to take into account when out and about with their pet. Issues such as how to deal with scorching weather or grass seed infections are things that every pet owner should know. Petplan have teamed up with Battersea Cats and Dogs Home to help keep your pet safe this summer with their 'Top tips for summer pet safety'.

So, with you and your pet able to enjoy the summer months safely, there is no reason not to get out and enjoy this brilliant time of year - and where better to do so than at the beach?

Click here to see five of Petplan's favourite dog-friendly beaches from all across the UK.

According to the Blue Cross, the number of stray cats in the UK is on the increase and a stray can often be hungry, frightened or even sick or injured.

Because of the often difficult decisions that need to be made if you come across an injured cat, it's important to know what to do should you find one. Petplan has put together some useful advice should you find a stray cat with some help from our friends at the Blue Cross.

View this advice here.

Autumn is here and there is no better time to look at where you and your dog can go to make the most of these great months.

Check out five of the best places for autumn dog walking here.

Our website has a brand new look and is packed full of new features!

Our new site has lots of information about Petplan Sanctuary, our policies and what our customers have to say about us. Some of the new features include:

• You can now get a quote and buy a policy online
• Our new customer area lets you retrieve saved quotes and access all your policy documentation electronically
• Our news area allows you to keep up-to-date with industry stories and any updates from Petplan Sanctuary

We always like to hear your feedback so if you have any comments please let us know using the new feedback tab on the right hand side of the page.