TV presenter Anthea Turner is calling for animal lovers across the UK to put their best ‘paw’ forward and volunteer for PDSA on Make a Difference Day (Saturday 27 October)

Now in its 12th year, Make a Difference Day, organised by Community Service Volunteers (CSV), has encouraged hundreds of thousands of people to volunteer, and this year will be no exception.

Anthea says: “I like to support PDSA as often as I can because I find it tremendously rewarding. Anyone can make a difference. It doesn’t matter whether you can spare an hour, a day or a week. Volunteering can easily fit around your life, so why don’t you give it a go?”

PDSA welcomes volunteers over the age of 14, and offers a full training programme, so previous experience is not essential. From volunteering in one of PDSA’s 182 charity shops to giving talks to school children and community groups, there is a role for every animal lover.

PDSA Head of Volunteering, Janet Compton, says: “The great thing about Make a Difference Day is that it offers a ‘purrr-fect’ starting place for people who are interested in volunteering but don’t know where to begin.

“There are many different motivations for people becoming a volunteer at PDSA. Some do it for the challenge of learning new skills, others for the camaraderie of joining a group, others simply want to help sick and injured pets. So whether you are a leader of the pack, bubbly and outgoing, or just up for a new challenge, why not give volunteering at PDSA a go?

“By donating some of your time to PDSA, you’ll have fun, boost your confidence, enhance your CV and get the feel-good factor for helping a worthy cause!”

Over 4,800 volunteers help in PDSA’s 182 shops, 43 PetAid hospitals, 4 PetAid branches and fundraising groups. For more information about becoming a volunteer, please contact PDSA National Volunteering Centre on freephone 0800 854 194 or visit www.pdsa.org.uk for a full list of volunteer vacancies.

PDSA is the UK’s leading veterinary charity. It provides free veterinary treatment to the sick and injured pets of people in need. This year, the charity will provide more than 1.8 million free veterinary treatments.

[Photo is from the 2008 PDSA Pet Pawtraits Calendar, © Jason Fraser]

Big Brother housemates Alex Sibley and Melanie Hill have been at loggerheads over custody of a dog they share, Poppy.

According to national newspaper reports, Sibley ‘bundled’ the dog into a car and attempted to drive off with her, hitting an oncoming vehicle in the process.

This is not the first time there has been tension relating to the strained dog sharing relationship between the former BB stars.

Sibley has pursued legal action in the past after the couple split in order to win custody of the tug of love dog.

According to the Sun:

A pal of Melanie’s said: “Alex was lying in wait as she took Poppy for her walk.

“They were screaming at each other. He tried to drive off but crashed into a car going the other way. Mel was very traumatised.”

Sibley was taken to Hornsey Police Station and quizzed on suspicion of ABH but released without charge.

Last night he said: “Me and Mel are meant to have joint custody of Poppy but I have not seen her since January.

“There was a squabble but it has been blown out of proportion.”

Police said: “A man in his 20s was arrested but released with no further action.”

Hayden Panettiere loves dogs.

The star of Heroes is seen her playing with two pups. Seems she’s struggling to keep them walking to heel but they certainly look like they’re all having a lot of fun.