Thursday, 10 April 2025
That's Gardening: Discover New Skills at Toby's Garden Festival Frid...
Thinking ahead about buying a dog for Christmas? Please read this first
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Peggy, image supplied by Naturewatch |
The charity says stricter oversight of the puppy trade is urgently needed.
At the end of 2024, Naturewatch Foundation submitted freedom of information requests to 391 councils across the UK and Ireland to update its Dog Breeding Map of the UK and Ireland - a unique tool that helps prospective puppy buyers find out about dog breeding in their area.
The findings reveal there are 2,897 licensed breeders across the UK and Ireland, collectively keeping around 26,000 female adult dogs for breeding – of which just over 23,000 are in the UK. With around one million dogs and puppies joining UK households each year, Naturewatch Foundation estimates only 15-20% come from licensed breeders. Around 6% of dogs and puppies are imported commercially, with the rest coming from unknown, unlicensed or potentially illegal sources.
Naturewatch Foundation's Natalie Harney said, “Dog lovers will be shocked to learn most UK dogs and puppies still come from unknown sources. Despite reforms in dog breeding regulations over the past decade, loopholes and underenforcement remain major problems. Also, with rules varying across nations, it can be hard for the public to know when a breeder should be licensed. These issues require urgent attention from the regulators.
“We strongly encourage anyone thinking about getting a dog or puppy to adopt from a reputable rescue, where many wonderful animals are waiting for their second chance.
"However, if rehoming isn’t an option, it’s vital to ensure you know your breeder. Ask: Are they licensed? How many dogs are they allowed to keep? Are they happy for you to visit, meet their dogs and see their premises? These are vital questions all prospective puppy buyer must ask. Make sure you check out the Dog Breeding Map of the UK and Ireland during your research.”
The investigation also discovered only 34% of local councils could confirm exactly how many dogs the breeders they’d licensed were permitted to keep. Many councils couldn't confirm details like the number of male dogs, litters of puppies or ‘other’ dogs (like retired dogs and pet dogs) permitted in their area.
Whilst Naturewatch Foundation’s investigation found the majority of licensed breeders are registered to keep 10 breeding adult dogs or fewer, some are allowed to operate on an industrial scale. In Ireland, four licences allow over 200 adult breeding dogs.
Three of those are licensed by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, with one single premises licensed to keep a staggering 250 female dogs and 100 male dogs for breeding purposes.
Naturewatch Foundation wants to see improvements to dog breeding regulation across the UK and Ireland, increased transparency and improved enforcement arrangements to better protect dogs used for breeding, their puppies and the public.
Anyone concerned about illegal dog breeding near them should report their concerns to their local council. Reports can also be submitted to Naturewatch Foundation’s Hotline4Pets.
To learn more visit https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council
Reports can also be made to Naturewatch Foundation’s Hotline4Pets at https://www.naturewatch.org/animal-crime-report.
That's Food and Drink: One-Pan Summer Meals for Quick Weeknight Suppers
Why Christmas Pudding Isn’t Just for Christmas
It’s rich, dark, boozy, and unapologetically festive. But who says it should be banished to a single day of the year?
Here’s the case for enjoying Christmas pudding well beyond the 25th of December.
1. It’s Packed With Flavour That Deserves a Longer Life
Christmas pudding is a masterpiece of flavour—dried fruits, spices, citrus zest, nuts, and sometimes even treacle or stout. These ingredients only improve with time, making the pudding deeper and more complex. It’s a shame to relegate that sort of richness to just one day.
2. It’s the Perfect Cold Weather Comfort
From late autumn to early spring, the UK faces long, chilly nights. Even April and May can be cold and snow has been known to fall in mid-May. Hence the old saying: "Ne'er cast a clout till May be out."
So, a slice of warm Christmas pudding with a dollop of custard or clotted cream is just the thing to lift the spirits on a grey evening. Why not treat it like a winter warmer, rather than a one-off?
3. It’s Surprisingly Versatile
Think beyond the traditional presentation. Christmas pudding can be reinvented:
Crumbled into ice cream for a boozy ripple
Baked into muffins or brownies
Stirred into porridge for a luxurious breakfast twist
Turned into a rich bread and butter pudding
These are great ways to use leftovers—or just an excuse to buy an extra one "for the freezer."
4. It Keeps Well
One of the marvels of a proper pudding is its longevity. Stored in a cool, dry place (or frozen), a Christmas pudding can last for months. That means you can enjoy it in March, July, or even as a cheeky September treat when you're dreaming of festive cheer again.
5. It’s a Celebration of Tradition—Any Time of Year
Eating Christmas pudding is a little like opening a time capsule. It connects us with centuries of British culinary tradition. Why should that sense of heritage be reserved for only one d
Wednesday, 9 April 2025
How to Avoid Scams This Christmas: Stay Safe While Getting Festive
Whether you’re shopping online, donating to charity, or even just checking your inbox, staying scam-savvy can save you a lot of stress (and money!).
Here’s how to keep the season merry and bright—and scam-free.
1. Stick to Trusted Retailers
Scammers love to set up fake websites that look eerily similar to the real thing, especially when everyone’s on the hunt for a last-minute deal. To stay safe:
Always type in the URL of your favourite retailers rather than clicking on links from ads or emails.
Look for the padlock icon in the address bar—though this isn’t a guarantee of safety, it’s a good first check.
Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true. A £20 PlayStation 5? Probably not legit.
2. Watch Out for Fake Delivery Texts and Emails
Royal Mail, DPD, Evri and other couriers don’t usually ask for payment to redeliver a parcel. Scammers often send texts or emails pretending to be from these services, asking you to click a link or pay a small fee.
Never click links in unexpected texts or emails—go directly to the courier’s official website.
Check the sender address carefully. Scam emails often have strange email domains like @deliveryconfirm123.net.
3. Be Cautious With Online Marketplaces
Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, and even eBay can be hotspots for scams during the festive rush.
Always pay through the platform’s secure payment system—never send money directly via bank transfer or PayPal Friends & Family.
Meet in person for local pick-ups where possible, and inspect the item before paying.
If it sounds dodgy, it probably is—trust your gut.
4. Don't Fall for Charity Scams
The season of goodwill can sadly attract fake charities hoping to prey on our generosity.
If you want to give, donate directly through a charity’s official website or a trusted platform like JustGiving or Virgin Money Giving.
Check that a charity is registered in the UK using the Charity Commission's search tool.
5. Avoid Too-Good-To-Be-True Social Media Ads
You might see tempting ads for incredible deals on everything from perfume to electronics. Many of these are scams.
Check reviews—not just on the company’s site, but through independent sources.
Search the company name with keywords like “scam” or “review” before buying.
Be wary of newly created pages with little to no information.
6. Keep Your Devices Secure
Use the Christmas season as a reason to do a bit of digital housekeeping.
Enable two-factor authentication on your email and bank accounts.
Keep your devices updated with the latest software and antivirus protection.
Use strong, unique passwords (a password manager can help if that sounds like a lot to remember!).
7. Educate the Whole Household
Scammers often target vulnerable people—especially the elderly. Take some time to chat with your family about common scams and how to avoid them.
Share what to look out for and encourage them to double-check with someone they trust if something seems off.
Final Word
Scammers don’t take a holiday—if anything, they get more active. But with a little awareness and some common sense, you can enjoy a scam-free Christmas and focus on what really matters.
Wishing you a safe, happy, and scam-free festive season for 2025!