With the lovely warmer weather arriving, The Blue Cross has some advice to keep dogs – and their owners – on their best beach behaviour.

Dogs and owners alike love the beach but if you do go, remember to respect the area so that dogs remain welcome at the seaside and take a few simple precautions to keep your pet safe.

Always supervise your dog in the water and make sure they stick to paddling at the edge of the water rather than swimming.

If your dog does get into trouble, don’t go in after them, call the coastguard.

Dogs often get excited around children playing with balls and people having picnics – make sure yours will come back when you call and of course, always clean up after your dog.

This year's theme is:

Happiness is... time with your pet!

National Pet Month’s aims are to:

• promote responsible pet ownership
• make people aware of the benefits of pets for people and people for pets
• increase public awareness of services available from professionals who work with animals
• raise awareness of the role, value and contribution to society of working companion animals.

You can find out more about Nationa Pet Month at their website.

More than 3,000 horses took part and the main findings were:

• Lameness was the most common problem, affecting 11% of horses surveyed, but the foot wasn’t the most common cause
• Laminitis was less common than previous surveys had suggested with only 3% of horses in the survey affected
• After lameness, weight was the next most common issue with 9% recorded as overweight and 8% as underweight
• Skin disease affected 5% of horses and wounds affected 4%
• Colic affected 2% of surveyed horses, with a 6:1 ratio between medical and surgical cases.

The National Equine Health Survey (NEHS) was created as part of a drive to improve the health of horses in the UK.

As Larry the cat prepares to take up his new post as Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, The Blue Cross has some top tips to smooth his transition into the corridors of power.

If David Cameron wants to keep the antique furniture intact and his home flea-free, there are certain things worth considering.

Tim Sillis, Blue Cross adoption centre manager says: “It sounds like the pressure is on for Larry to hit the ground running in his appointed task of rat-catching, which means he’ll have to keep his hunting weapons in tiptop shape.

“Hopefully he won’t choose the famous Chippendale porter’s chair or oval cabinet table to sharpen his claws, but providing Larry with a scratching post should help save the antique furniture!”

Tim adds: “With all the visitors and staff coming and going at Downing Street, there’s a risk that they’ll all be tempted to give Larry lots of treats.

“The last thing the government needs is another fat cat to deal with, so it’s worth laying down strict rules about mealtimes to keep him healthy and fit.”

Here are some other kitty-related issues to consider:

• In a flap – the world-famous blast-proof steel reinforced door to number 10 might pose a problem. Will the Camerons be installing an equally high security cat-flap? Maybe the Downing Street policeman will have the task of letting the cat out added to his list of duties.
• Cat-illac danger - previous Number 10 pet Humphrey narrowly escaped being crushed by Bill Clinton’s two-ton Cadillac, so Larry should beware ‘The Beast’ that is President Obama’s official vehicle. Visiting dignitaries will need to check underneath the wheels of their limousines for inquisitive cats before driving away.
• Unwanted pests – no, not the opposition! But the inhabitants of Number 10 should be wary of adding fleas and worms to the list of resident vermin. Regular treatments from the vet will keep them at bay.

Today we welcome the Chinese New Year and this year it is the Year of the Rabbit. So for all the rabbits we look after here at PETsits, we hope you have an extra hoppy new year!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everyone at PETsits!

As usual, we have given a donation to an animal charity and this year it has gone to the RSPCA.

If you are thinking of going away for a short Winter break or an overnight New Year's party, then don't forget to get your booking in with your nearest PETsits pet sitter!

Click on Find Your Nearest Pet Sitter and send them an email before your advent calendar countdown begins!

The Blue Cross is warning people how dangerous fireworks can be for pets.

The flashes and bangs bring misery to many of Britain’s pets and they’re urging people to keep their animals safe over the noisy nights ahead.

Chief vet of their Merton animal hospital, Caroline Reay, says: “So many pets are terrified of fireworks, they can get into a real state.

“We’ve seen pets who have been so scared they have injured themselves trying to get away or hidden in dangerous places.

“Some have even been killed after bolting from the house in front of a passing car.”

This happened to Jeff Alwright, from Wiltshire, whose Labrador Miles escaped from the house after being spooked by fireworks on Guy Fawkes night.

In his terror he cleared the five-and-a-half-foot garden fence and ran away. It was later discovered that Miles had bolted in front of a car and sadly had to be put to sleep.

Mr Alwright said: “We’d only had Miles for three months and didn’t know just how scared he’d be when the fireworks started.

“He was gone in a flash and must have been petrified to run out in front of a car. I was devastated and I just hope that by warning other people about what happened to Miles it will prevent the same thing happening again.”

For details on how to keep your pet safe visit the Blue Cross website.

Cats are the perfect pet for witches, wizards or mischievous masterminds, a fun survey by The Blue Cross has revealed.

More than 60 per cent of people chose cats – and Mr Bigglesworth, Dr Evil’s cat in the Austin Powers films, was picked the most evil of all fictional cats.

Three quarters of people who took the online poll picked black cats as their colour of choice for a career in spell casting or evil mastery. 

But while black cats remain popular with aspiring witches and wizards, it seems they’re commonly overlooked by us mere mortals.

The Blue Cross has more than 50 unwanted black cats currently looking for homes and they spend on average twice as long waiting to be rehomed compared to their colourful counterparts.

Lewknor adoption centre manager Julie Stone says: “This Halloween we’re appealing for the public to give into their dark side and offer a home to a black cat.

“Whether you’re looking for world domination or just a sleek, gorgeous companion to snuggle up with this winter, we have the perfect pet for you.”

You can find more details about offering a home to a cat from the the Blue Cross on their website.