Walkiesbybye

15/07/2024

How to look after your pets in the sunshine

12/07/2024

This is why I prefer to use 2 dog leads or 1 lead and a harness as quite often a client has their dog collar on their dog very loose so the dog can easily slip its collar or they have a poorly fitted harness.

For your dog (s) should always use the 2 finger rule between the collar and their neck to ensure it is not too tight and not too loose.
If you are worried about the dog snagging the collar while at home then leave the collar off until you take the dog out from your home.

10/07/2024

I find it really sad that although there are many people that treat their dogs as a very important member of their family and sometimes circumstances can change that sometimes people don't have a choice but to "give up" their dog but their seems to be an increasing number of people that don't always think what it takes to have a dog which includes the cost, time involved and what would happen if they needed to go to a vet unexpectedly. I also wonder how many owners got their dog as a possession rather than a sentient being.

When you abandon a dog, leave it tied up somewhere, or pass it off to someone under the pretence of returning but never do, does it weigh on your conscience? Do you think about the fate of the dog that has loyally served your family for years?

Here’s some information for you:
ADDR was established to help reunite mis5ing dogs with their families, bringing joy when a beloved pet is found. We are not equipped, mentally or otherwise, to handle dogs at risk of euthanasia because you can't find a rescue space for them. What do you think will happen? If you can't find a space, neither can we. Every rescue is overflowing.

Dog wardens finish work early in the evening, the SSPCA doesn't handle stray dogs, and there are only two police stations with kennels, which fill up quickly. If we are asked to scan a dog and it has no chip, we have nowhere to take it. But the bigger issue is that more and more often, we're being told that if a dog doesn’t find a place immediately, it will be put to sleep.

We have tried to help, especially recently with elderly dogs abandoned by families after their owner passes away. We've even offered to cover vet bills and try to help rehome these dogs where possible. But we can't continue like this. We can’t bear to see the pain in a dog’s eyes, not understanding why it’s been discarded. Despite our best efforts, we do fail to save these dogs, and it breaks our hearts.

Please think carefully before getting a dog. Can you afford vet bills? Can you commit for the next 15 or so years? What will happen if your dog outlives you? Will your family care for your pet, or will they abandon it?

This country is facing an unprecedented crisis with no room in rescues, rampant puppy farms, and people making impulsive decisions based on emotion rather than reason when they see a cute puppy. If people stop buying these dogs, the demand will decrease.

Consider going to a rescue centre before getting a dog. They need your support too.

Thanks Liz

07/07/2024

New TV channel launching in August will be showing a piece on the Ayrshire Drone Dog Rescue Group.

https://www.thescotlandchannel.tv/

04/07/2024

Great advice for anyone who has "lost" their dog(s).

04/07/2024

A happy ending for the family of Lola.

**Lola's Story**

⚠️⚠️ Why You Should Stay at or Return to the Missing Point ⚠️⚠️

Please note - If your dog has escaped from home, leave the door they used open, providing clear access to the home. Dogs will try to return if given the chance. Avoid shouting their name, trying to catch them, or chasing them. A dog in fight-or-flight mode perceives everyone and everything as a predator and will only come back when they feel safe. Chasing only prolongs their time away.

Lola is a young Cane Corso (initially advised to us as a Boxer) rescue who had only been rehomed four weeks prior. She wandered off during a walk at Loch Doon. Her owner didn’t have a phone, and we were contacted by several people asking for help. We typically only communicate directly with the owner to ensure swift and accurate information. However, the owner's brother reached out, stating he was with the owner and had a phone.

We advised everyone to stop searching and return to the missing point to wait. From Facebook posts, we noticed well-meaning people were out looking with their dogs. Knowing Lola wasn't keen on other dogs, and considering that this could be perceived as "chasing," it became clear that Lola would hide, viewing everyone as a predator, until she felt it was safe to come out.

**Told by Her Owner**

"Lola is my baby, and I love her so much. She had been missing for a few hours with no sightings. By 11 PM, it was getting really cold, so my brother took me home to grab a biffy bag and some camping gear, then we went back to Loch Doon. I left a red torch as a marker at the missing point to know where to return. I kept wandering and calling her name calmly, knowing not to shout and instill panic. Hours passed with no sign. Where was she?

I climbed into the biffy bag, my mind playing tricks, imagining a dog running through the woods. I couldn't sleep but lay there, occasionally saying her name and wandering around. I had the red torch beside me, providing light without scaring Lola.

At 3 AM, I suddenly felt licks on my face. It was Lola, excited and licking my face before jumping into the biffy bag. It was the best moment—she was so happy to see me. I got my baby back.

Knowing ADDR was there in the background gave me the energy and hope to keep going. Knowing people and equipment were ready to help if needed was just what I needed to lie there and wait."

🧡 🐾 🧡

Lola’s owner was incredible. He did everything needed and showed real commitment, camping out himself and just waiting.

It’s the hardest thing to do but we know it works.

Please, please if you see a missing dog and it’s running or walking from you, leave it be. It doesn’t want to be caught and you are just adding to the time it will take to return to the missing point or home.

30/06/2024

Happy to say that our new website is now live and you can find out about the services that we can provide for your pets.

Tr oon 1-2-1 Dog Walking & Pet Services.

26/06/2024

22/06/2024

A simple way to donate to ADDR for free.

22/06/2024

Free donations - help us raise vital funds for Ayrshire Drone Dog Rescue (ADDR) which helps missing dogs get home to their loving families which costs you nothing

ADDR will get a donation whenever you shop online using Easyfundraising with many retailers including Amazon, Next, M&S, Ebay, Etsy to name just a few.

If you sign up here it adds an extra £5 donation to ADDR.

https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/support-a-good-cause/step-1/?char=287292&invite=4xxefm&referral-campaign=s2s&utm_campaign=refCROtest

please join today and you too can help us to help the lost dogs get home.

Find out more about ADDR by visiting their pages

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3104081576553418/user/100083161278774

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3104081576553418

04/06/2024

Ayrshire Drone Dog Rescue volunteers do a great job reuniting dogs to their families.

As the holidays approach, we understand that everyone is watching their pennies a little more closely.

But for us, the financial challenges don't pause for the holidays. Every month, we face substantial costs just to keep our vital operations running. We have to cover fuel, drone insurance, event insurance, storage fees, camera data, dedicated mobile phone line, essential software … the list goes on.

On top of that, we must constantly maintain and update our equipment to ensure it is always ready for the next critical search and all volunteers have suitable kits for the job in hand.

Without your support, we face the very real possibility of not being able to meet these ongoing expenses. Every donation, no matter how small, makes a huge difference. Your generosity ensures that we can continue our work, supporting our community and providing the services that so many rely on. Please don’t wait until your dog is missing to help us.

We give 110% to any dog we are contacted about - be that missing, found, abused or deceased. Often we work through the night to get dogs home and it keeps getting busier.

Your support helps us to continue flying high, even when the financial winds are against us. Please, help us keep going. Every penny counts, and your donation could be the gift that makes all the difference.

If you can do a fundraiser for us, please let us know.

Thank you to everyone who supports us.

If you haven’t liked our fundraising page please pop over and do that.
https://www.facebook.com/share/D5pPTNM5A7sbfBzy/?mibextid=K35XfP

Get something in return for your donation. Take part in our very first 2025 ADDR calendar. For just £10 your lovely fur baby can feature in the calendar.
https://www.facebook.com/share/oLK23uLHNwAYZx35/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Are you a business that would like to sponsor one of the months in the calendar? Contact the page please if you’re interested. Only a few spaces left but please help us fill them.

Looking for an unusual gift? Win a voucher for a beautiful memorial keepsake for only £2 a ticket.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/mC7aAi1CQwwQnz4g/?mibextid=K35XfP

Or you can donate to our PayPal account [email protected] (please use friends and family or we get charged a fee).

OR donate monthly to our PayPal.
https://paypal.me/ayrshireddr?country.x=GB&locale.x=en_GB

Or Bank of Scotland
Ayrshire Drone Dog Rescue
Acc no. 24742264
S/c. 802260

If you shop online join our Easyfundraising cause. We get a donation each time you shop online and it costs you nothing.
https://share.easyfundraising.org.uk/ayrshire-drone-dog-rescue-addr/JC0G9V/c2s/a/CR008/facebook

Thank you 🙏 Liz and the Team

04/06/2024

Important advice on missing dogs and their safe return to their families.

04/06/2024

Please read if you want to bring a "missing" dog home safely.

28/05/2024

For anyone looking to get a GPS tracker for their dog.

There’s been a lot of lost dogs recently and a charged tracker is a lifesaver.

If you go to Tractive’s website (not valid on other sites) and at the checkout enter the discount code “ayrshiredrone30” you’ll get 30% discount off the cost of the tracker (still the subscription to pay but worth every penny).

ADDR don’t get any money for this we just want to keep your dogs safe.

Thanks Liz. X

26/05/2024

This is a useful tool which we have used several times over the years for our pets.

🐾 Pet Tip - Removing a Tick 🐾

If you do find a tick, don’t be tempted to pull it off. Tick mouthpieces are buried in the skin, and incorrectly removing a tick can leave these parts within the skin surface, leading to infections.

The best way to remove a tick is with a special tool called a tick twister – these are very inexpensive and can be purchased in our practice.

How to use:
- Slide the tool between the body of the tick and your dog’s skin, making sure all fur is out of the way. This will trap the tick.
- Gently rotate the tool, until the tick comes loose.
- Removed ticks should be disposed of safely and it is advised to handle them with gloves.

How to prevent ticks:
- Stay up to date with monthly treatments by joining our complete care plan.

📞 - 01294 322550
🌐 - www.vets4pets.com/pet-health-plans/complete-care/dogs/

16/05/2024

Please don't leave your furry best friends in your vehicles. Even when the sun isn't shining it can get very hot in a short amount of time.

12/05/2024

Please do your homework when buying a cute puppy so you can look forward to many years of having a happy and healthy dog.

Ok, it’s one of my long ones…and I am absolutely not going to apologise for that…

This week some shocking pictures have emerged of dogs who have been rescued from an Ayrshire property with all indications pointing to them having been used in a profit making puppy selling operation.

I hesitate to use the phrase “puppy farm”. I’m going to make myself a bit unpopular here no doubt - but I’ve been around for a long time and I’ve heard that phrase levelled at breeders who do actually run operations along a high standard, who check their genetic lines, who are registered with the local authority and inspected yearly, who feed their bi***es well, wean their puppies properly and use local vets for checks and microchipping- but because they make a profit they are given this classification.

So I’ll stick with the term “breeding operation”

The business of providing a growing market with puppies is not all fluffy cuteness and there are operators out there who will exploit anyone who has made the decision that they want to bring a puppy into their home.

The only person who has the ability to stop these “breeding operations” from maltreating the animals in their ownership for profit is YOU, the puppy buyer.

In Scotland a breeder can have and sell puppies from five litters in a year without having to be registered with the local authority, so that could be easily 30 pups at a grand each conservatively. Not bad eh? And no one is checking on the living conditions and health of the mum of your puppy. No one.

A real breeder will be aware of the animal welfare act 2006. The dogs in their care will have a high standard of housing, be well fed (a good diet pre mating can get you an extra puppy in a litter!), well socialised, have access to veterinary care. It’s a lot of work, especially post weaning. Potential owners will be vetted, puppy packs will be provided, ongoing advice will be available. Jeez, that’s all a bit expensive, maybe they aren’t just in it for the money after all!

When a buyer hands cash over despite all the red flags popping up, they are supporting a trade that relies on that poor wee thing tugging on your heartstrings - cause the seller doesn’t have a heart.

No matter how hard it may be, and no one blames you here, if you ever find yourself in that situation, please, please walk away.

And I’ll tell you another reason why. Maternal health.

If your pup has been born to a mum whose health has not been nurtured and whose nutrition prior to mating and throughout gestation has been poor, you are way more likely to end up with a pup suffering from

Allergies and skin issues
Behavioural problems
Genetic disorders
Training difficulties
And more…..

So your initial outlay will be nothing compared to your costs over the next ten to fifteen years.

Together we can ensure that there is no market for those who see dogs as nothing but a profit making machine.

If you got this far thanks 🙏

If you want to help then Islay Dog Rescue have a collecting tin on our counter ♥️

Much love to them at this difficult time and to Ayrshire Dog Drone Rescue who jumped in to help.

Catherine
BCCS Dip Hlth Nut

06/04/2024

For anyone looking to visit my walkiesbybye website you will have to wait a little bit as it is getting a total overhaul so currently offline but working as fast as I can to get it back online to share .

29/03/2024

One minute countdown.

I was at Tesco at the top of the town yesterday and saw two separate dogs tied up.

I found the owners and had a chat about dogs being stolen and how it only takes seconds. The first one replied “they wouldn’t keep him” jokingly, after explaining all of the below.

The second said “my dog wouldn’t go with anyone else”. If your dog is bundled into a van that choice has just been taken away from him/her.

How to steal a dog in one minute:-

1/ Find an unaccompanied dog left outside a shop.

2/ Approach the dog making happy sounds and talking. 30 seconds.

3/ See how the dog reacts to you approaching, wagging tail and happy to see you. 5 seconds.

4/ Bend down and stroke dog making a fuss as a normal pedestrian happy to see the dog. 10 seconds.

5/ Check around to ensure no one is taking any unwanted attention in you. 5 seconds.

6/ Check around to ensure the owner isn’t around or approaching. 5 seconds.

7/ Untether lead. 5 seconds.

8/ Walk off with dog naturally as if it’s your own.

From the initial approach to stealing the dog it’s taken around 1 minute.

All that is needed next is to check if the dog has been neutered or spayed and chipped. If it’s not sterile and has some value it can be sold into a puppy mill, the chip can be brutally hacked out.

If the dog has been sterilised then it can be sold on to many dog fighting rings as a bait dog to be torn to pieces over a prolonged period of time.

If it’s a designer breed or a pedigree then it can fetch £1000’s on the market.

One minute.

That’s all it takes for you to lose your dog because you left it for just a couple of minutes.

Stop leaving your dogs unattended, it’s a case of when you will lose it not if in the current climate of dog thefts.

And yet unbelievably people still do it!! 🤷🏻‍♀️😡

Liz.

27/03/2024

When you are considering buying a puppy please remember the signs of a potential puppy farm.

We are sure by now you will have seen the puppies seized in Stewarton yesterday from a puppy farm? Many of the pups had health concerns sadly.

Right under our noses! This goes on all the time, but so many people have either no idea what to look for, fall for that cute wee puppy and think they need to rescue him/her, or choose to ignore it. By doing this, all you’re doing is making room for another puppy to be born into this barbaric practice.

Puppy farms have been uncovered in Newmilns, Gaston, Mauchline (west highland terriers) and recently Fenwick.

In 2020, 80 animals were seized from two puppy farms in East Ayrshire.

Here are the key signs to help you identify a puppy farm:

Multiple ads from the same seller - a puppy farm is likely to have a few simultaneous advertisements for different dog breeds (hoodie the phone number and see if it keeps appearing in ads). Check the landline matches the regional code if you pick a puppy up at the address.

Generic/ vague wording - puppy farm ads will likely spare a lot of necessary detail about the litter.

Are they already vaccinated? - A puppy shouldn’t be vaccinated before it is 8 weeks old. If an ad states that a litter is fully vaccinated, it is likely to be a puppy farm.

They want to meet in public - the only reason a seller would ask to meet outside a dog’s home environment is if they have something to hide.

Are you being asked questions? - A reputable breeder will want to ensure you can take care of one of their dogs, so they will try to gauge whether you are a suitable owner.

Can they answer your questions? - If they can’t answer questions about the breed, temperament, and health of each puppy in the litter, then you need to be wary.

The mum is nowhere to be seen - puppies should not be removed from their mother’s care before they are 8 weeks old. If you can’t see their mum, this is a massive issue.

Is the mum legitimate? - A litter and their mum will appear closely attached and affectionate towards each other. Her teats should also clearly be visible. They can use “stooges” that are health and say this is the mother. Check the dog is comfortable around the pups.

Cash payments - People selling puppies without a license are likely to only deal in cash.

Does the address on the ad match up? - If the breeder’s ID address and the address the puppies are being kept at don’t match, this can indicate a cover up.

Can you hear barking/ whining? - If you can hear many other dogs, but they are being kept out of sight, this is a major red flag.

The dogs are unsettled - puppies that have been taken out of their home to be sold will seem unfamiliar with the fake ‘home’ environment they are in.

Does the picture in the ad match? - Are the puppies you are looking at the same ones advertised? Take a copy of the ad with you so you can double check.

Is the litter healthy? - The biggest sign of mistreatment is unhealthy puppies. If they seem poorly, injured, or distressed, you are likely dealing with a puppy farmer.

This may seem like a lot to look out for, but a puppy farm can disguise its real business in many ways. It’s not always farms or remote locations, they operate from residential homes too.

Ask as many questions as you can, and even take this list with you if you are going to view a potential puppy. An honest breeder will want nothing more than for their puppies to be in safe hands, so they will go to every length to ensure that you are fully informed about their first few weeks of life and their specific needs.

Another tip is when you phone up just say 'I'm phoning about the puppies', don't mention a breed or male or female, if they have to ask which puppies you're enquiring about then run for the hills.

Now, more than ever, with every rescue centre completely full to bursting, dogs being abandoned and put to sleep on a daily basis, ask yourself “is there no way of rescuing a dog from an animal rescue centre”. If the answer is no, then please, please ensure you carry out all of the above checks and don’t fall for that cute wee puppy thats coming from a puppy farm. If the public stop buying them, the puppy farmers will have to stop breeding them!

If you suspect anyone of being a puppy farm, please report them to the SSPCA. Everything reported to them is confidential.

28/02/2024

Just be careful with what you give when you are "treating" your furry friends

Beware

25/02/2024

In case you were not aware of.

If you find a dog YOU MUST REPORT THIS to the dog warden (or police if outwith dog wardens hours).

You can keep the dog safely in your home as long as the authorities are aware - but please report it straight away.

Owners are distraught and out of their mind with worry. There’s also hours of work that go on behind the scenes to find a missing dog.

We know it can be difficult to get through to 101 but please persevere. Also call the dog warden if it’s within working hours please.

Dog warden numbers.
SAC - 03001230900
EAC - 01563576790
NAC - 01294324339

10/06/2023

If you have lost your furry best friend and would like to speak to someone about them then Blue Cross are there for you.

https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-bereavement-and-pet-loss?fbclid=IwAR3i-UIC96ZGmB-v1si9NpZFOU7Bo7-yi10SmjIKlysj3BU103Qpg-sucVE

10/06/2023

☀️ Caution - Heat Stroke ☀️

With the amazing weather we have had recently it may be easy to forget that your pet might not be enjoying it so much! See the attached chart for when its safe to walk your furry friends.

If you are worried your pet may have heat stroke please do contact us or our out of hours, Vets Now Kilmarnock as soon as possible.

10/06/2023

https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/life-with-your-dog/seasonal/warm-weather

12/05/2023

Contact us now via our website to join our client list.
Limited space available.

29/04/2023

⚠️ PET POISONING ⚠️

If your pet ever unfortunately ingests poison always remember SPEED -
S - Stop the pet from eating anymore
P - Phone your registered veterinary practice or your closest vet if not at home
E - Emergency appointment
E - Evidence, always bring labels/samples etc in a safe manner
D - Don't delay, this is very important your pet is seen by a veterinarian asap!

⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️

28/03/2023

Something to be aware of with the increasing number of dogs being rescued from outside of the UK and brought back into the UK.

https://vethelpdirect.com/vetblog/2023/03/14/brucella-in-the-uk-may-mean-your-imported-dog-is-treated-differently-when-you-take-it-to-the-vets-heres-why/12

Brucellosis is a hot topic in the UK veterinary world currently. This bacterial disease can have serious consequences for both pets and people, and vets are on the front-line for diagnosis, prevention, management and control. Many veterinary surgeries and hospitals are putting certain controls in pl...

23/02/2023

Looking for a 1-2-1 dog walker in Troon then WhatsApp me as I have an opening on my client list
Look at my 5 star reviews on Google maps using walkiesbybye or look at my website.

Walkies by Bye
07740 625266
https://maps.app.goo.gl/eLMwfkSpPmzmVFze7

23/10/2022

Classic FM will again be playing calming music on Bonfire night which may help with the stress level of your furry friends.

https://www.classicfm.com/radio/shows-presenters/pet-classics/bonfire-night-classical-music-2022/

Charlotte Hawkins hosts our much-loved show filled with classical music to help keep anxious pets – and their owners – calm and relaxed this fireworks season.