AFTER last week's appearance in Pet SOS Simba, the 18-month-old German shepherd, was in great demand as prospective new owners literally queued up to offer him a new home.
Liz Brooks, her partner John and their three children Michael, Christina and Georgina, were the lucky family to take him home, and while it's early days yet, it looks as if Simba has found a home for life.
Liz of The Moorfields, Coventry, has grown up with big dogs and is particularly experienced in handling German shepherds. Last year however was a distressing time for her when her two German shepherds died. One from cancer aged only seven months and eight-year-old Lady who died from liver and kidney failure.
She particularly wanted another German shepherd and wasn't in the least put off by Simba's background of liking to dominate his owners - particularly female owners.
She is confident that despite his size and strength he will fit in perfectly with her family. She said: 'As soon as we saw him we fell in love with him. And we're just over the moon at being able to bring him home.'
With her experience in owning German shepherds in the past, she fully understands the necessity of training Simba, which she prefers to do through play - rewarding him with treats and extra praise when he behaves well and with-holding them when he doesn't.
'I know it will be a long process,' said Liz who is pleased with the dog's behaviour so far. 'He will need a lot of training. I know that some German shepherds can have bad temperaments but if they are trained well, handled well and treated properly they will become lovely, loyal pets.'
Animal passports
THE quarantine laws in this country were introduced in 1901 to stop rabies-infected animals being brought into the UK and thankfully there have been no proven cases of rabies here for almost 30 years.
The situation at present is that all pet dogs and cats entering this country must be held in quarantine kennels or catteries for six months at their owner's expense.
With over 40 countries being rabies-free, according to the World Health Organisation, there has been increased pressure on the government by various animal welfare organisations including the RSPCA to allow pets to travel between rabies-free countries without quarantine restrictions.
From February 28 this year the government will be starting a pilot scheme for cats and dogs travelling to and from Western Europe, and the full scheme will be in place by April 2001.
To qualify for the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) animals will need to:
Be microchipped.
Be vaccinated against rabies.
Have a blood test at an approved laboratory to make sure the vaccination was effective (ideally 30 days after vaccination) and will then have to wait six months before travelling.
Be issued with an official health certificate recording the details of the chip, vaccination and blood test.
Be treated for tapeworm and ticks between 24 and 48 hours before returning to the UK.
(Approximate cost of these treatments is about pounds 150)
For further details contact the Ministry for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries (MAFF). They have a Pet Helpline 0870 2411710 (9am-5pm weekdays).
Feeding the birds
LAST week we suggested lots of different foods that our wild birds will eat during the winter months. Among them we suggested peanuts. But please, not the salted variety!
What's your tale?
HAVE you had a pet from the RSPCA or the NCDL? We want to hear how it has changed your life; the joy it has brought to your family and the trials and tribulations of a newcomer into the house. Contact Ann Evans on 500353.
The RSPCA Animal Centre in Coundon Wedge Drive, Coventry, is open six days a week (closed Tuesdays) 11am-4pm. Or contact them on 01203 336616.
CAN YOU GIVE A PET A HOME?
ETHAN
ETHAN is a black short-haired rabbit who came to the RSPCA as a stray. He is aged between two and three years. He has a lovely temperament and likes to be handled and groomed. Ethan would make a suitable pet for a family with children.
VINCENT
VINCENT is a four-year-old male ginger and white stray cat. At present he is suffering from an ear infection which is making him slightly grumpy. He does not like being handled but that could be due to his ear making him uncomfortable. Once this clears up staff believe he will make a lovely pet.
BASIL
BASIL is a 5-year-old male cross breed. He is house trained and has lived with children aged two years to ten years. He is good with other dogs. Basil is looking for a home where someone will be there most of the day. He is a very well behaved dog and would suit a home where he will get lots of love and attention.
TILLY & CHARLIE
TILLY AND CHARLIE are both neutered cross breeds who went into RSPCA kennels when their owner was unable to cope with them any longer. They are in need of some training, but they are both still young enough to learn. They are good with children. As with all RSPCA pairs of dogs, staff would like to rehome them together. Please consider giving them a chance as in the right home and with some training they should make great family pets.
