We’re joined by Lizzie Charnock, Dog Matching Officer, at Wood Green Pets Charity, talking about Christmas and its impact on impulse puppy purchases that often lead to young adults being handed into the charity. We chat about the rise in abandonment since the pandemic, and why Wood Green’s service to match the right dog to a prospective owner is key. Since 2019, Channel 4’s The Dog House has been capturing hearts across the nation. We chat about the programme and why it's helped so many understand how the Wood Green teams turn dogs’ lives around, and the prospective owners whose lives are enriched by the power of the dog. Lizzie explains that this wildly successful series follows our four-legged friends’ search for their perfect match, and it’s always an emotional roller coaster. From heartbreaking backstories to happy endings, there’s never a dull moment. But behind every success story is a team of passionate people at Wood Green working to turn a pet’s life around. And, as a new series is unleashed, the charity and The Dog House’s production team are looking for candidates, people wanting to adopt a dog in 2025, and might make the grade to contribute to the show. If that might be you, please follow the link below to contact Five Miles Films.

Contact the show here or Channel Four or contact Wood Green direct

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk

Music and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits

To advertise on or sponsor A Dog's Life email: info@theloniouspunkproductions.com

We’re joined by Denise Elphick, co-founder of Pets Pyjamas, the UK’s dog friendly travel agent. We chat about the concept of dog friendly, the power of the ’Hound Pound’, and why the hospitality industry is opening their doors to dogs. Denise explains that every listing from a self catering cottage, a 5-star hotel or a pub has been curated by the Pets Pyjamas’ team. Offering clients peace of mind and assurance that their dog will be welcomed, not just tolerated. As stay-cationing has soared in popularity, with over 50% of all dog owners wanting to holiday with their pooch, hotel groups are becoming more inspired to welcome dogs with bespoke room service options, doggy menus, in-room hospitality from dogs beds, bowls, and toys offered. Dogs just love to be with their owners and the more proactive time together the better. Traveling to different places adds enrichment for your dog, and holidays will inevitably be more active and interactive with your dog. The majority of locations are situated close to train stations, and traveling by train can make for a less stressful journey. Plus Pets Pyjamas insists that dogs stay for free!

For more information go to their website or follow on Instagram

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk

Music and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits

To advertise on or sponsor A Dog's Life email: info@theloniouspunkproductions.com

We’re joined by Les Ward and Debbie Wilson from the International Animal Coalition discussing the breach of animal welfare in Morocco all in the name of football! Les and Debbie explain why campaigners are calling on FIFA to strip Morocco of its World Cup bid after grisly footage has emerged showing the inhumane public slaughter of street dogs in preparation for the event. Dogs can be seen screaming and in pain in the harrowing footage, which shows the 'cleansing' efforts being carried out to support the World Cup bid. This announcement due on December 11th as to whether Morocco’s bid is accepted is a critical point to ending the planned but needless torture and slaughter of millions of street dogs. Despite the fact that the majority of dogs are ‘community' dogs that are vaccinated, neutered and chipped, and looked after by the community, they are being barbarically killed, shamelessly in public in front of children causing Amnesty International to also speak out. The worry is that even if Morocco does not get the bid to stage the 2030 World Cup tournament, the slaying of dogs will continue. The link to sign the petition is below.

Sign the petition

Follow them on Instagram or go to their website

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk

Music and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits

To advertise on or sponsor A Dog's Life email: info@theloniouspunkproductions.com

Keef Yap the founder of YapYap.dog joins us this week to talk about her hugely successful events. Inspired by her own MaltiPoo called Buttons, Keef reached out to like minded people four years ago and has built a community of modern ‘pet parents’ who want to enjoy outings and events like the hugely successful Winter Woof with their dogs. We chat about the organisation that goes on and the creative thinking to make fun interactive features for the dogs to enjoy as much as the humans. We chat about what’s lined up for 2025 as well as the ups and downs of creating a successful brand.

See the website or follow on Instagram

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk

Music and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits

To advertise on or sponsor A Dog's Life email: info@theloniouspunkproductions.com

We’re joined by Caroline Allen, Chief Veterinary Officer, RSPCA and Rob Denman, Head of Professional and Field Services Gas Safe Register discussing the silent killer that is carbon monoxide poisoning in our pets. Raising awareness as part of Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week (Monday 18th-Friday 22nd November 2024), the Gas Safety Register and the RSPCA have joined forces to raise awareness of the vital signs your pet has potentially been exposed to carbon monoxide, saving not only their lives but yours too! New figures show almost all pet owners (99%) are not able to correctly identify all the signs that indicate their pet could be suffering from poisoning from a carbon monoxide leak, despite pets often feeling the impact much earlier than humans due to their size.

Gas Safe Register is the official list of gas businesses who are registered to work safely and legally on boilers, cookers, fires and all other gas appliances. By law all gas engineers must be on the Gas Safe Register.

To find a Gas Safe registered engineer visit GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.

The RSPCA

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk

Music and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits

To advertise on or sponsor A Dog's Life email: info@theloniouspunkproductions.com

Vet and Clinical Supervisor, Lara Howe, at Pet Blood Bank joins us to chat about this life saving charity. Founded in 2007, Pet Blood Bank is a charity that offers a blood bank service for dogs who run very similarly to the human blood service. Owners bring their dogs along to donate blood at one of their many sessions across the UK. The blood is then processed and stored ready to be sent out to vets when they need it. Every donation a dog gives can help to save the lives of up to four other dogs. Before Pet Blood Bank, vets would have to find a donor themselves, often in the middle of the night and with a very sick patient waiting. Setting up Pet Blood Bank means that vets now have immediate access to blood when they need it. We chat about which dogs make great donors, their necessary age, weight, the procedure, the number of times they can give blood in a year.We chat about the different blood types and why there is a demand for the less common negative blood type which belongs to only 30% of dogs. Just as giving blood for humans this is positive experience, and one that’s rewarded with treats, bandanas to become a fun experience. Pet Blood Bank operates nationally and is always looking for more donors!

For more information go to their website

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk

Music and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits

To advertise on or sponsor A Dog's Life email: info@theloniouspunkproductions.com

With firework now upon us, we bring you our chat with Dr Sam Gaines of the RSPCA from 2022 about how you can start preparing your dog now to deal with fireworks that now start at Halloween, through Bonfire Night, Dwali, Christmas and New Year by learning to see the signs of stress in your dog and to create a safe space for them. Anna and Sam also talk about the progress (or lack there of) of various animal welfare bills currently in Parliament, the increase in dog biting, and a new media campaign to add more breeds to the list of Dangerous Dogs.

For more information go to the RSPCA website.

If you love A Dog's Life and would like to help support the show why not become a Patreon backer where you can also have access to some exclusive content.

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk

Music and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits

To advertise on or sponsor A Dog's Life email: info@theloniouspunkproductions.com

For more about Anna go to annawebb.co.uk

Music and production by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions

Cover art by Jaijo

Cover photo by Rhian Ap Gruffydd at Gruff Pawtraits

To advertise on or sponsor A Dog's Life email: info@theloniouspunkproductions.com