Queen of clean, TV presenter, Anthea Turner, is calling for animal lovers across the UK to don their marigolds, get feather dusters at the ready and have a spring clean in aid of pets in need of vets!

If your house is overflowing with vases, photo frames and ornaments, or your wardrobe is crammed with too many clothes and accessories, then Spring is the ‘purrr-fect’ time to clearout the clutter and donate items to your local PDSA shop!

Anthea says: “There’s no excuse for an untidy home, especially as having a spring clean can help sick and injured pets! So, why not organise any unwanted items from around your home and take them along to your local PDSA shop. And don’t forget to Gift Aid the donations!”

PDSA Head of Trading, David Facer, says: “By donating some of your unwanted items to PDSA, you’ll be helping to raise vitals funds to help pets in need of vets.

“Plus if you’re a tax payer and fill in a Gift Aid form, PDSA can claim an extra 28p for every pound made by selling your items, at no extra cost to you as the cash comes from the tax man! All items sold by PDSA shops help the charity treat the sick and injured pets of people in need.”

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, at a cost of £48 million, which is funded by the generosity of the public.

For more information about PDSA and to find your local PDSA shop, please visit www.pdsa.org.uk.

Torchwood star John Barrowman is exactly the kind of celebrity pet owner we love.

Tell you why.

Mr Barrowman ‘gets it’. He gets dog ownership. He is a real, genuine dog lover and one that somewhat defies the stereotypical image of dog owning celebrities. We’re not just saying that because he’s chosen to adopt dogs. Dogs who are older and often find it more difficult to get homes.

We’re saying it because it’s obvious John really does care about the plight of dogs living in animal rescue shelters and he’s put his money where his mouth is (so to speak) by actually getting out there and speaking up for rescue dogs as well as actually rehoming a couple.

This week John added to his family by adopting ‘Captain Jack’ (pictured) from Cardiff Dogs Home.

He was there to open a new kennel block at the rehoming centre in Wales.

Previously John fell in love with and adopted 12 year old Cocker Spaniel ‘Teagan’ from the Dogs Trust in West London.

It takes a special person to be prepared to give a chance to an older dog. Knowing full well that every minute spent with them is precious. Huge credit to John for supporting dogs in shelters and backing it up with actions not just words.

We’re asking our friends at K9 Magazine if they’d consider asking John to be their first ever male cover star. He is a credit to dog owners and celebrities for his dedication to dog adoption.

Come on K9, get him on your next cover!

[What do you think? Should K9 Magazine make Mr Barrowman their first K9 male cover star?]

Pop starlet and dog lover, Kylie Minogue has become the latest celeb to feel the wrath of PETA.

In a posting on the PETA website, PETA senior VP Dan Mathews has urged Kylie to stop carrying a snakeskin bag. In an open letter to the pop princess Mr Mathews writes:

Dear Kylie,

Greetings from PETA, the world’s largest animal rights organization, with more than 1.8 million members and supporters. I am PETA’s senior vice president-and also one of your loyal gay American fans (going back to “Step Back in Time”).

As an entertainer who has overcome major personal obstacles, you have shown that you are unafraid to address serious issues. I’m writing to you today about cruelty to animals. You were recently photographed clutching a bag made of python skin, and as a result there has been a flurry of interest in the bag from both followers of fashion and those who are painfully aware of the excruciating ways in which these exotic animals are skinned.

Every year, millions of snakes—an integral part of jungle and forest ecosystems—are snatched by the greedy international skin trade. The animals are often impaled on hooks or nailed to trees by their heads and skinned alive. Large snakes like pythons may have a hose inserted into their mouths and be pumped full of water to loosen their skin, so it will cut away more easily. The animals’ peeled, writhing bodies are then discarded, and it can take days before the animals die from the effects of shock and dehydration.

And it’s not just in places like Asia and Africa where reptiles are tormented—PETA has conducted undercover investigations at American farms where alligators are bludgeoned in the head before hammers and chisels are used to sever their spinal chords. These methods only paralyze the animals—they, too, are often conscious during skinning. But exotic animal farms are rare—90 percent of these fascinating beings are wild-caught. Those who are “farmed” are usually confined to areas of wilderness that have been fenced off, but because mortality rates are so high, many wild—caught animals are tossed in with them for breeding. The endangered species of tomorrow can be seen in the fashion magazines of today.

Kylie, you are such a compassionate person—I can’t imagine you’d wish to contribute to this hidden suffering, especially for something as frivolous as a fashion accessory that can be replicated with no bloodshed. These days, it’s easy to have a look that kills without killing, with fake snake, mock croc, python pleather, and other designer items that pay tribute to the beauty of these animals without massacring them. Won’t you assure us—and those who follow your fashion lead—that you’ll no longer sport exotic skins?

Kindest regards,
Dan Mathews
Senior Vice President

Link: http://blog.peta.org/archives/2007/10/dan_mathews_to.php

Portsmouth and England striker Jermaine Defoe has reportedly called it off with on off girlfriend Danielle Lloyd over the model’s request to get a dog.

Fearing the extra commitment a dog would bring, the former Spurs hotshot is said to have ended the relationship worried about Lloyd’s idea to get a Paris Hilton style ‘handbag dog’.

Rock sensation and animal-lover Pink has raised almost £100,000 for animal charities, by supporting Party for Animals Worldwide (PAW) and holding a concert at the Cardiff International Arena in August.

PAW is a not for profit organisation created to raise funds and awareness for animal welfare and conservation projects worldwide.

Leading veterinary charity PDSA, one of the charities to benefit, was delighted to have been involved. It relies entirely on the generosity of the public to fund its PetAid services, which this year will cost more than £41 million to deliver.

PDSA National Fundraising Manager, Simi Epstein, says: “It was a fantastic event, and Pink fans did a wonderful job of supporting animal welfare. The money PDSA received – over £15,000 – will make a real difference to the lives of sick and injured pets. This is enough to buy a digital x-ray machine that will assist PDSA vets in the diagnosis of serious trauma injuries.”

Pink has been an animal lover for many years and tragically lost her beloved Bulldog, Elvis last year after he drowned in her LA home’s pool, Elvis was given to her by friend, Lisa Marie Priesley.

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.