Get Active: volunteer, experience, connect with the natural world

 
Get Active: volunteer, experience, connect with the natural world and put animal magic into your life! 

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  1. For horse and donkey lovers, get active for the Brooke

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    Love donkeys and horses?   

    If you do, just take a moment to imagine them walking mile after mile, every day. 

    That’s the reality for many working horses, donkeys and mules who work tirelessly, around the world. 

    The Brooke reach over 1.5 million working horses, donkeys and mules across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East and help them.  

    Step in their Shoes and raise funds for the Brooke so that they can help hardworking horses, donkeys and mules

    If you do and want to do your bit to help them, please take a look at The Brooke's Step in their Shoes Challenge and take on the 100 mile challenge to raise essential funds to support the working animals they care for every day. 

    The Brooke is asking us all to walk 100 miles (not in one go!) at some stage this year. 

    There is no set time limit for the challenge;  you can do the 100 miles however you like – walking, wheeling, running or cycling, whatever!  If you have a dog, you could include your daily dog walking in your 100 miles!

    Register, and a fundraising page will be set up for you - you just need then to share the link with your family and friends and ask for donations.  The Brooke is asking us to raise £100 or as much as you can. 

    If you can't do the challenge, why not donate or sponsor someone? 

    Visit Step in their Shoes' website here

  2. Join in the Miles and Meals Charity Challenge with Harringtons

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    Get active!

    Harringtons has launched a “Miles and Meals” campaign to get everyone moving and also get more meals to those in need.

    The idea is to help pet owners clock up the miles – and for every one mile walked, Harringtons will donate a meal.  

    There’s an online community that tracks steps, using exercise and running app Strava.   Meal donations will go to dogs in need.

    Lets go! WOOF WOOF!


    In short, the more miles we all do, the more meals go to pets in care.

    Harringtons are hoping that a million miles will be walked – which will mean one million meals can will be donated.   And hopefully we can all get fitter and having waggy tail fun while we’re doing it!

    So far, over half a million meals have been donated!

    You can use the hashtag #PositivePawprint for a chance to be featured in Harrington’s gallery!

    I want to go for a walk!

    COVID-19
    Stay safe and please stick to the current COVID-19 restrictions in your area.  Maintain social distancing.    

    Fetch more information

    Find out more here

    Sign up here

  3. New organic pet shampoo from Green People

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    Take a look at Green People's new Pet Shampoo!
    Take a look at Green People's new Pet Shampoo!

    Green People produce organic beauty products for all the family - women, men, kids and babies.   And now, I'm delighted to say, they have produced something for the most important member of the family - your dog!

    I adore Green People's products.  I've been using their moisturiser, cleanser and sun protection lotion for a few years now, and I love the way they make my skin feel.  They last, too.  I'm not one of those people who spend ages getting ready for the day and I have to say it takes a lot to get me interested in any sort of beauty stuff, but I'm a big fan of Green People.

    One of the reasons is that they work with a number of charities - in the past they have worked with BornFree, the Marine Conservation Society, the Woodland Trust and Plantlife.  

    The company is based in West Sussex, not far from us, so that's another reason for my loving them.  

    This is allPaws Wild Mint Cleansing Shampoo

    Now they have two allPaws pet shampoo products, one for younger dogs and one for older dogs and those with sensitive skin.

    Take a look at allPaws pet shampoo

    Green People say they are safe and gentle, good value for money (because they last) and if you wash your dog outside, the product won't damage the environment.  The tubes are easy to squeeze (handy if you have to chase your dog round the garden to wash him or her) and they won't cause skin irritation.

    Take a look anyway and see what you think!  

     

  4. Volunteer to be a Toad Patroller

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    Did you see Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s programme on BBC2 on Saturday afternoon?  

    It featured a number of exciting wildlife projects, and among them were a group of volunteers who go on Toad Patrol.

    In short, volunteers on Toad Patrol help toads cross busy roads safely.

    Common toads have very special wants when it comes to choosing where they breed.  They often go back to their ancestral breeding ponds every year.  And they cross the same route – which can lead them across roads.

    Have you thought of volunteering for a toad patrol?
    Have you thought of volunteering for a toad patrol?
    image copyright to Froglife.org

    Of course, they are crossing the roads as cars and lorries are passing through them. There’s no need to tell you who comes off worst.

    Enter the Toads on Roads project. 

    It registers these sites as migratory crossings and it also helps organise local toad patrols.

    A patrol can apply to local councils for road warning signs to be put up and help toads cross. 

    Toads on Patrol has now been going for 20 years and there are many crossings around the nation.

    How would you like to volunteer to join a Toad Patrol?

    You can volunteer as much or as little as you want – but you need to be committed and enthusiastic, and willing to turn out in the evenings in wet weather.  Migration can run from as early as January to as late as April so you’re going out in the dark in wet and cold weather for much of the time

    That said, this is a great opportunity to: 

    • Help toads
    • Meet like minded people who want to make a difference
    • Do something different with your evenings

    If you’d rather be inside in the warm, you could always donate to support Toads on Patrol.

    Find the Toads on Patrol nearest to you.

    Find out about becoming a Toad Patroller – and there’s an information pack here.

     


    Be a Reserve Warden for the Day Experience, available from Froglife.org

  5. Looking for animal crafts for the kids? Take a look at Baker Ross

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    Baker Ross have up to 34% off their  creative animal world collection so that you can keep the kids entertained with a range of farm animals, jungle animals, sealife and more!

    Gallop off to Baker Ross now


    Baker Ross cover all sorts of animals – sloths, llamas, rats, pigs, hedgehogs, farm animals, blue tits, koalas, chickens, snakes, woodland animals, dogs, bats and mice! 

    This offer ends on 10th May 2020, so take a look at their amazing animal craft collection today!

     

  6. New rare Asian Elephant at Chester Zoo

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    Have you been watching Secret Life at The Zoo?  It's on our screens on Thursdays on Channel 4 at 8pm.  The enthusiasm and love the keepers show for their animals never ceases to amaze me, and there's good news from them from the animals at Chester Zoo!

    A rare Asian elephant was born. 

    The female calf was born to 15 year old mum Sundara Hi Way, after a 22 month gestation.

    And the birth was caught on CCTV cameras!  The rest of the family herd welcomed the new born, including 1 year old half brother Anjan and 3 year old sister Indali.

    Asian elephants are listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).  Sadly the species is threatened by habitat loss, poaching and human-wildlife conflict - like so many animals.   A deadly herpes virus threatens them as well.  

    Chester Zoo is working hard to help elephants in the wild, focusing on human-wildlife conflict in Assam, India.   The zoos' conservationists are working to prevent the deaths of elephants and to help find ways in which elephants and people can live side by side.

    And they are also working to search for a viable vaccine to help rid elephants of EEHV.  Progress is being made - and hopefully one day this threat will be dealt with. 

    Plan your visit to Chester Zoo here - you'll find all the information you need!

     

  7. Pet First Aid Courses with the PDSA

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    Did you ever do a first aid course on people?   Well, now you can do a Pet First Aid Course with the PDSA.

    The PDSA is the UK’s leading vet charity.  It’s got a network of 48 pet hospitals, and it provides treatment for millions of poorly pets who are sick and injured and who belong to people in need – there are criteria you need to meet to have your pet seen to by the PDSA.

    The PDSA also promotes responsible pet ownership.   And one of the things they are doing is running Pet First Aid Courses!  

    Pet First Aid Course

    The main focus of the training is to help you identify when something isn’t right with a pet and then how you can act accordingly in an emergency situation before you get to a vet.  The course also looks at how you can prevent  some emergencies happening in the first place. 

    • Recognising normal for your pet
    • Heatstroke
    • Bandaging
    • Bloat
    • Poisoning
    • Seizures
    • Choking
    • Resuscitation
    • Being prepared

    These take place around the country and you can find a list of pet first aid courses here.   They are delivered by the PDSA’s Community and Education Nurses, using some theory work, group discussion, case studies, video examples and practical exercises.  You can test your knowledge afterwards by completing an online quiz – you’ve got 7 days and 3 goes to pass the quiz and then a course certificate will be emailed to you.

    Find a Course Near You

    The course is free but not surprisingly it’s very popular so the PDSA have introduced a £5 admin fee for booking. 

    Please note - due to the increase in demand for their Pet First Aid courses, the PDSA have had to introduce an administration / booking fee of £5.00 per person (that’s non-refundable & non- transferable) (Including VAT)

    You can also sign up online for their Free Pet First Aid Guide

    Why not take out Pet Insurance with the PDSA and help support them that way?  It’s one way they raise funds to continue providing free vet care to the UK’s most needed pets and to promote responsible pet ownership.  Find out more here

     

  8. Diving to help marine life

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    The  Government has just created 41 Marine Conservation Zones, stretching from Northumberland in the North East to Norfolk, to the Isles of Scilly and beyond.  These will help marine life recover and thrive in protected areas.

    A group which was important in gathering the information to help decide which areas should be protected was that of volunteer divers.

    They are members of an organization called Seasearch.

    Seasearch is a project for volunteer scuba divers who are interested to find out and discover more about what they see under water.  They also want to help protect the marine environment around the coastlines of Britain and Ireland.

     

    Seasearch divers record what lives in each area, and establish the richest sites for marine life.  They also pinpoint sites where there are problems for marine life – and those areas which need protection.  Visit their Recording page for more information.

    These findings helped the government decide which marine areas should be protected. 

    So if you enjoy scuba diving and want to make a difference, take a look at Seasearch.  My husband did one of their courses and really enjoyed it.

    Here’s a list of Seasearch groups around the country.

     

     

  9. Animals in War on D-Day - visit the Animals in War Memorial in Hyde Park, London.

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    I’m putting a more sombre touch to this website today to give some time and thought to all the animals and peoplel who have been killed or injured by war.

    If you’re in London, one thing you could visit is the Animals in War Memorial at Brook Gate, Park Lane, (map here) on the edge of Hyde Park. It’s on the edge of Hyde Park . 

    The Animals in War Memorial was created to remember and pay tribute to all the animals who’ve served with our Forces in the wars and conflicts of the 20th century.   They served, suffered and died alongside British, Commonwealth and Allied forces and deserve to be remembered. 

    They had no choice


    Horses, mules, donkeys, dogs, pigeons, cats, elephants, oxen, bullocks, canaries and even glow worms served in the wars.

    They had no choice.

     The Animals in War Memorial is a tribute to all those animals who have served, suffered and died in war

    The Animals in War memorial is a beautiful tribute to them, but if only the wars had never happened, so much suffering and death could have been avoided for millions of animals and people.

    Today on D-Day, let us remember them.


    Visit the Animals in War Memorial’s website to find out more here


    For charities helping animals affected by war, please go to AnimalsCharities.co.uk

     

  10. Tug of War with a difference - donkeys are playing!

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    So here’s a new version of the Tug of War game.

    This time, it’s between two donkeys and it involves a Wellington Boot.

    Who will win?   Wiggins or Harry?



    You'll find this video on You Tube here 
    ©Redwings Horse Sanctuary

    The donkeys live at the Redwings Horse Sanctuary.  The sanctuary rescues abandoned, mistreated and neglected horses and donkeys from across the UK.  IT gives them a safe place to live and provides all they need for life long care, including veterinary treatment and rehabilitation.   Crucially, it also educates current owners and future generations about the value of horse welfare. There are about 2,000 animals at Redwings, all being looked after.

    The sanctuary has 5 visitor centres in Norfolk (there are 2 there), Essex, Warwickshire and Scotland.  If you love donkeys or you’re mad about mules or want a cuddle with a Shetland, take a look at Redwings’ visitors page to find out more.  It’s free to visit (but you can always donate on your way out to help the sanctuary look after these wonderful animals. 

    Can’t visit?  That’s okay! 

    There are plenty of ways to help support Redwings Horse Sanctuary - here are just a few of them.

    CANTER SWIFTLY AWAY TO
    REDWINGS HORSE SANCTUARY’S WEBSITE