RSPCA Wrexham & Deeside Branch

21/03/2024

Message from Cats Protection

09/02/2024

If you have an CL type dog and need help with neutering costs see here.

Neutering your XL bully support | Blue Cross https://www.bluecross.org.uk/neutering-your-xl-bully-support

03/02/2024

Financial help offered. https://www.bluecross.org.uk/veterinary-care-fund?fbclid=IwAR2lTyKeskFp0dXGhl6NaYHSRRQNorf3wCIC2khRD_Q3mp4haXbeGtgIf58

Veterinary care fund | Blue Cross https://www.bluecross.org.uk/veterinary-care-fund

23/01/2024

UPDATE: Closing date for applying for these roles is 09:00am Monday 19th February, so please submit your application to [email protected] if you'd like to apply :)

We're hiring!

Excitingly, we are now recruiting 2 part time (21 hrs per week) posts to support out mobile clinic.

We are getting so busy, we really need some help to keep our service on track so we have developed two administrative support roles that help us manage the volume of calls and contacts we have from clients and members of the public, as well as helping us recruit, train and support our amazing volunteers.

You can find job descriptions for the two roles here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1D05r9EMUCLZNV7tABvdRSfjPPpYce74N?usp=drive_link

If you would like to apply for either of these roles, please email [email protected] for an application form.

We would like to start the roles by March 11th 2024 so please bear this in mind when applying.

Many thanks and we look forward to welcoming you to our team :)

09/01/2024

31/12/2023

29/12/2023

Dog Control Coalition has written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calling for the deadline to be extended. | ITV News Wales

28/12/2023

26/12/2023

Just days left. If you have an American Bully XL type dog you Must take action and register for an exemption certificate by the 31st.you can’t rehome your dog, give to a shelter after that.

Help with neutering American Bully XL Dogs in Wales

Owners of American Bully XL dogs have 2 Weeks to take action
RSPCA Branches in Wales offer help to owners on low income.

The RSPCA Cymru Branches understand that it is a worrying time for the owners of American Bully XL type dogs especially those on low incomes. In order to prevent healthy dogs being put down or abandoned they have come together to offer some financial help to owners to comply with the Law and keep their dogs.
From 31 December 2023 breeding, selling, advertising, rehoming, abandoning and allowing an American Bully XL dog to stray will be illegal. From this date, these dogs must be kept on a lead and muzzled in public
From 1 February 2024 it will be a criminal offence to own an XL Bully in England and Wales unless you have a Certificate of Exemption for your dog. Owners will have until 31 January 2024 to apply for this exemption.
In order to get a certificate, the owners must get their dogs neutered by June or December next year (depending on age). The RSPCA Cymru branches understand that getting such a large dog can be expensive and that many families are already struggling financially, so they have initiated a scheme unique to Wales, where owners on benefits or low incomes can apply for financial help to get their American Bully XL neutered.
Help for owners on low income in
North Wales [email protected]
South East Wales [email protected]

South West Wales https://www.rspca-llysnini.org.uk/neutering/

15/12/2023

Have you got an XL Bully type dog? If so you need to take action and get him/her registered with a vet and apply for an exemption order. The dogs will be banned from 31 December, if you want to keep your dog you MUST register him/her for an exemption order and then you will need to get him/her neutered.
RSPCA Cymru in North Wales is offering some financial help if you live in the areas marked blue on the map. Owners will also need 3rd party liability insurance - the cheapest is with Dogs Trust £25 per year https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/support-us/companion-club
If you require help with neutering your XL Bully type dog you can apply for assistance here - [email protected]

Oes gennych chi gi tebyg i American Bully XL? Os felly, mae angen i chi gymryd camau gweithredu a'i gofrestru gyda milfeddyg a gwneud cais am orchymyn eithrio. Bydd y cŵn yn cael eu gwahardd o 31 Rhagfyr, os ydych am gadw eich ci, mae’n RHAID i chi ei gofrestru ar gyfer gorchymyn eithrio ac yna bydd angen i chi gael y ci wedi’i ysbaddu.
Mae RSPCA Cymru yn cynnig ychydig o help ariannol os ydych chi’n byw yn yr ardaloedd sydd wedi'u nodi'n las ar y map.
Bydd angen yswiriant atebolrwydd trydydd parti ar berchnogion hefyd - £25 y flwyddyn gyda’r Dogs Trust yw’r rhataf: https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/support-us/companion-club
Os oes angen help arnoch gydag ysbaddu eich ci tebyg i American Bully XL, gallwch wneud cais am gymorth yma - [email protected]

01/12/2023

Use this GOV.UK service to apply for a Certificate of Exemption to keep XL Bully dogs.

27/11/2023

Following on from the UK government’s announcement surrounding XL Bully type breeds, we are pleased to announce that:

❗️❗️WE ARE NOW ABLE TO PROVIDE HELP❗️❗️

From Monday 27th November we will be offering owners of XL Bully type breeds financial support towards the cost of neutering carried out at the clinic. Funding is limited, but it allows us to provide clients with an opportunity to have their dog neutered at a more affordable price. Please contact the clinic on 01745 355798 for more information

In conjunction with this we would also like to ask that, if you are able, to please kindly donate any appropriately sized XL Bully type muzzles to us at the clinic so we can make them more readily available to people in the surrounding area 🐾

27/11/2023

XL Bully type owners. Advice so far.
Watch this space, we hope to have more help in the very near future.
ACT NOW to register your dog to get an exemption and keep it.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-certificate-of-exemption-to-keep-an-xl-bully-dog

From 31 December 2023 it will be against the law to:

sell an XL Bully dog
abandon an XL Bully dog or let it stray
give away an XL Bully dog
breed from an XL Bully dog
have an XL Bully dog in public without a lead and muzzle
From 1 February 2024 it will be a criminal offence to own an XL Bully dog in England and Wales unless your dog has a valid Certificate of Exemption.

As part of the process to exempt your dog, you will need third-party liability insurance, insurance against your dog injuring other people - this is provided through Dogs Trust Membership. Your dog must be microchipped (which is already a legal requirement).

Your dog will also need to be neutered. If your dog is less than one year old on 31 January 2024, they must be neutered by 31 December 2024. If your dog is older than one year old on 31 January 2024, they must be neutered by 30 June 2024. We recommend that you arrange for your dog to be neutered as soon as possible to ensure that you meet these deadlines.

Once your dog has been exempted you must adhere to the conditions otherwise you could be committing a criminal offence and your dog could be seized. You must be able to show the Certificate of Exemption when asked by a police officer or a council dog warden, either at the time or within 5 days.

To legally keep your dog you must apply for a certificate of exemption by the 31st of January 2024. The Government’s website explains how to apply for this certificate.
What is the exemption process?

The Government released details about the exemption process on 14 November 2023 and we strongly advise you read through it in detail. We have summarised the key information here. People need to check if their dog is an XL bully themselves, so they won’t need to be removed from their homes.

To apply for a certificate of exemption, your dog must microchipped (a legal requirement for all dogs), have third party liability insurance and be neutered. If your dog is less than one year old on 31 January 2024, it must be neutered by 31 December 2024. If your dog is older than one year old on 31 January 2024, it must be neutered by 30 June 2024. We recommend that you arrange for your dog to be neutered as soon as possible to ensure that you meet these deadlines.

Owners must pay an application fee of £92.40 and apply for a certificate of exemption.

Any exempted dogs will have to wear a muzzle and kept on a lead at all times in public after 31 December, and kept in a secure place from which they cannot escape. We recommend owners should start training their dogs now, positively, to get used to muzzles and there are training videos online to help you do that.
Will dogs need to be taken away to be assessed as part of the exemption process?

No, your dog will not be taken away. You need to check if your dog may be an XL Bully dog in order to apply for an exemption. The Government’s website explains how to do this and you can read the official definition of a XL Bully dog.

Height is a necessary requirement so you should assess your dog’s height first, measuring from the ground to the withers (the top of the shoulders) and not higher. The minimum height for an adult male is from 20in (51 cm) at the withers and for an adult female from 19in (48cm) at the withers. If the minimum height is not met then your dog is not considered an XL Bully and no further assessment is needed. If your dog meets the height requirement, you will need to work through the rest of the definition.
How do I know if I have an XL Bully dog?
Owners are being asked to identify whether their dogs are XL Bully dogs. The UK Government has published their official definition of an XL Bully dog. The height of your dog is a necessary requirement and so you should measure your dog’s height first, from the ground to the withers (top of the shoulders) and not higher. The minimum height for an adult male is from 20in (51 cm) at the withers i.e. top of the shoulders and for an adult female from 19in (48cm) at the withers. If the minimum height is not met then your dog is not considered an XL Bully and no further assessment is needed.
Can I report an XL Bully dog to you?
We only take reports about cruelty and neglect, regardless of breed. We do not deal with complaints about dogs acting dangerously - please address any concerns about aggressive dogs to the police. As the current law stands, it is an offence to allow a dog of any breed or type to be dangerously out of control in a public or private place.
Do you have any information about how to stay safe around dogs?
Please read our advice on meeting unfamiliar dogs and how to keep children safe around dogs.
What is likely to be an offence when the ban is introduced?
From 31 December 2023, it will be illegal to sell, breed or give away an XL Bully dog.

From 1 February 2024, it will be against the law to own an XL Bully dog in England and Wales without an exemption certificate. Owners of exempted dogs must adhere to the conditions at all times otherwise they may be committing a criminal offence and could have their dog seized.
Will dogs be required to wear a muzzle and lead if I rent a private enclosed field?
We understand that this is currently causing a lot of confusion and are seeking guidance from Defra.
What support and information is available for XL Bully owners?
We understand that this is a difficult and upsetting time for owners. Please continue to give your pet the walks and care that they need as you go through this process. If you are concerned about your dog's behaviour, we would urge you to speak to your vet and they can refer you to an ABTC registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist if necessary.

It's advisable to get your dog used to wearing a muzzle by introducing this gradually and positively so that the dog doesn't feel uncomfortable with it on. Read the Blue Cross information about how to muzzle train your dog.

It's also important to ensure your dog is neutered, microchipped and that you have third-party liability insurance.
What’s going to happen to all of the dogs in our care
Until 31 December, we and other rehoming organisations are able to continue rehoming XL Bully types. After this time it will become illegal to rehome to members of the public and we are seeking further information from the UK Government about what this means. This is a difficult time for our staff who have been caring for dogs who are likely to be affected.

We're concerned about what support will be offered by Government to rescue centres to fulfil the requirements of this ban, which will be very difficult for staff and vets to carry out.

Help from Dogs Trust https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=Awr.nwgdnmRlsFM9SH13Bwx.;_ylu=Y29sbwMEcG9zAzMEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1701121693/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fwww.dogstrust.org.uk%2fdog-advice%2flife-with-your-dog%2fat-home%2famerican-bully-xl%2fsign-up/RK=2/RS=MWs0A3XlMR1mwPdMvd_Zt0SMYtE-

08/11/2023

03/11/2023

A nice story for the weekend

A Jack Russell in Suffolk has taken on six kittens, cleaning and feeding them her own milk.

23/09/2023

BIG Hedgehog Map

09/09/2023

The ultimate cat burglar.

Four-year-old Gingee has gotten her paws on a child's spade, pair of goggles, sieve and even a knife.

31/07/2023

Missing Cat