Four Paws Pet Care

27/07/2022

Fantastic company,

Winner Best Wedding Videographer Essex Wedding Awards 2017/18 & 19

18/11/2021

IMPORTANT: This post is only relevant for those within the 3km protection zone around Kirby Cross (marked on this map in blue).

An outbreak of Avian Influenza (or Bird Flu) has been confirmed at an animal sanctuary at Kirby Cross in Tendring. The disease is caused by a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza virus which is adapted for birds and presents very low risk to human health.

The Government has declared control zones around the sanctuary to help prevent any spread. Full details of the extent of the zones, the controls in place and the steps to take if you’re a poultry keeper can be found by visiting https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu.

If you keep poultry within the 3km protection zone, you must now follow specific rules and must register your birds. This is quick and easy to do and will enable us to monitor the disease in the area and provide you with up-to-date information and advice on keeping your birds safe.

The quickest way to do this is by completing an on-line form by visiting https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/business-centre-3/non-registered-poultry-premises-report-form.

As always, please seek advice from your vet if your birds become ill for any reason. If you or your vet suspect the disease, you are required by law to report it immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency on 0300 020 0301.

If you find dead wild waterfowl (swans, geese or ducks) or other dead wild birds such as gulls or birds of prey, you should report them to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77 (option 7). Pet owners with other animals do not usually need to take other action. If a person has concerns regarding their pet, they should contact their private veterinary surgeon.

29/01/2021

30/06/2020

The view from my seat just now. She is such a good mum taking them for a walk around the garden.

29/06/2020

Four Paws is open!!!!! Furry friends to play with.
However, we do have some squatters. This wild duck decided to make our veggie patch her nest and this morning she arrived with her babies for the first time. I am back to my happy place surrounded by animals.🥰

26/06/2020

Only 3 more sleeps to go until I get to see my furry friends again. Tess can't wait.

23/06/2020

At last the time has come to re-open Four Paws!!!! Monday 29th June will see pups arriving again for some fun and play with their friends. Places are limited so if you are interested in Doggy Daycare give me a call.

15/04/2020

29/01/2020

Please be extra vigilant with your pets.

Dogs are suffering with vomiting and diarrhea

19/12/2019

Essex Police say the 15-year-old may still be in the Tendring area

11/12/2019

Last promotion before Christmas. Dog portrait vouchers and sittings for £30 in the Colchester, Clacton and Harwich area. All done in your own home. Please message if interested. Bookings being taken for late January into February with possibly an odd last minute slot before Christmas

03/11/2019

Great idea for Christmas presents

These panda washable wipes are cute 🐼🐼
100% cotton backed in a white bamboo terry towelling 🐼🐼
£5.50 for a set of 5 wipes

21/08/2019

15/07/2019

Reusable face wipes will be available in this lovely fabric very soon 😊

09/07/2019

It’s a busy evening for me here tonight. Etsy orders are coming in thick and fast for the reusable face wipes. I’m just in the middle of updating the listings. 100% cotton fabric and backed in sustainable bamboo towelling.
Simply apply your normal lotion, wipe and pop in the wash.
A set of 5 is just £5.50 plus postage
Message me to order or pop over to my Etsy shop 💕
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/WittonwoodCrafts

18/06/2019

** NEW PRODUCT ALERT **
With the recent news articles regarding plastic waste and our throwaway society, I've decided to do my own bit to help the environment. No more throwing away one time use face wipes/baby wipes. These reusable wipes are a great alternative. Great for removing makeup and for sticky little hands. They are made from 100% cotton fabric and backed in sustainable bamboo towelling. Environmentally friendly woven Bamboo it is highly biodegradable and eco-friendly, having hardly any impact on the environment.
Each come in a set of 5 wipes. 3 of which are patterned & backed with towelling and 2 are double sided towelling. Size approx 5 inch square.
£5.50 per set
Postage £1.85

13/06/2019

Charities All Dogs Matter and Animals Asia will benefit from the fundraiser

01/05/2019

Colchester Borough Council have now responded

15/04/2019

The sadest day today. Our very first daycare and boarding resident Oscar has crossed over the rainbow bridge. He will be forever in our hearts.😭💔 R I P Oscar ###xx

01/03/2019

28/01/2019

Dog portraits of your favourite pets photographed in the comfort of your own home or on location

17/01/2019

11/12/2017

Diesel enjoying the snow while here on holidays.

08/09/2017

I have just read this and felt the need to share as there are so many dogs out there who are reactive dogs and need that bit more understanding.

A day in the life of a reactive dog

Hello. I’m a reactive dog. People call me ‘reactive’ because I sometimes bark, growl and lunge towards other dogs, people, cats, cars – some of those things, or all of them.

‘Reactive’ is a label though and I would like you to understand what it’s really like to be ‘reactive’ and how I actually feel when I ‘react’.
If you are a ‘reactive’ dog, certain things, taken for granted by other dogs – such as a simple walk in the park or a trip to a dog show, become a bit more complicated. While I would love to be able to investigate all the fantastic smells in the park, or have a great time in a training class, scoffing off some yummy treats and exercising my brain cells, life for me is sadly full of anxiety and fear, and instead of enjoying these events, I am constantly on edge.

Why, you might want to ask? Can’t you just, like, get over it?

Nothing ever happens to you when you are out, why get yourself so worked up?

The problem is, ‘getting over it’ is not that simple. My anxiety and fear stem from many things – I might not have been socialised properly when young, or I might have had a bad experience. That means that certain things (other dogs, small children, load noises, people coming up to say hello) fill me with anxiety, fear or sometimes even panic. In many of those situations, if I could, I would probably run away, but many a time I can’t as I’m attached to a lead or cornered (like when another dog comes up to me and doesn’t want to leave me alone). But what sometimes works to make scary things go away is barking and growling at them – even bouncy dogs eventually get it. And while I might not look pretty or friendly when I growl and bark and lunge – hey! It works to get me out of a sticky situation and makes me feel safe again.

It’s not easy to feel scared every time I leave the house, and it’s not nice to see my owner tensing up or upset every time I feel I need to react. People shout abuse at me sometimes, ask my owner to muzzle me or even never walk me. But frankly, I don’t mean anyone any harm, I just want to be left alone. My owner works so hard to convince me that life isn’t all that scary after all – she feeds me yummy treats when a scary things approaches, she keeps me safe by helping me move out of the way rather than walk towards what is bound to upset me, she really, really tries, and I am slowly learning to trust things that used to freak me out loads.

But every now and then, just when I start thinking that maybe other dogs, people, cars etc. aren’t that scary after all, someone or something comes up a bit too close and my old fears come back – and all I can do is panic and scream (that is bark, growl and lunge) to make them go away.

So next time you see one of us – reactive dogs – out and about, please please – don’t judge. Don’t shout abuse at my owner who is trying all she can to make me feel safe. If you’re asked to call your dog away, please do, and don’t ask questions or claim your dog can do no harm as he’s friendly (to us, reactive dogs, that’s sometimes even worse!). Don’t let your children stroke us unless our owner says it’s fine. Just give us a bit of space so we can be on our way.

Thank you so much!

Written by the team at Pets in Practise "where determination and positivity, works!"
http://www.petsinpractise.co.uk/

****Edited to add resources 29/4/2018 ****
Why Shock, Prong and Choke collars should never be used on reactive dogs

http://www.petprofessionalguild.com/chokeandprongcollarpositionstatement

http://www.petprofessionalguild.com/shockcollars

Great websites about counter conditioning which can help both you and your dog cope and rehabilitate.

http://careforreactivedogs.com/

http://grishastewart.com/bat-overview/

This is the company that makes the muzzle featured on my dog. They are made to measure.
https://www.bumas.uk/mobile.php

Yellow Dog UK - Tabards and Dog coats

05/07/2017

What a fantastic idea!!!

This is well worth going to..!!

17/05/2017

Currently our youngest member of Four Paws enjoying the sun. This is Juno.

31/03/2017

The sad day has come to say goodbye to Helen. Thank you for all the laughs and tears over the years. We still remain good friends and you will still see all the dogs here whenever you want, you just have the benefit of coming and going when you want. Good luck with your recovery. ###x.

21/03/2017