People And Dogs Society (PADS)
working together with Save for a Change.
Dog problems and problem dogs
The "Canine Advice Life Line" ("C.A.L.L.") is a telephone advice service setup by PADS dealing with all kinds of dog related problems or worries! A list of current numbers is on the PADS website.
The original telephone service has now been extended to include email, and up to 8,000 people per year from all over the world are turning to PADS for help with their dogs.
Most, but not all, of the people who contact PADS are dog owners, and queries vary from the mundane to the very unusual. Most callers need advice on some fairly straightforward matter of dog ownership - the law, where to find a breeder or training club, house training or feeding, perhaps - but some queries are more challenging.
A policy of confidentiality prevents publication of the details of individual calls, but PADS has been asked for hair dye for a dog going to a Millennium party, a breeder for "Chinese Jacuzzi" puppies (later found to be Shih Tzu) and whether a moulting dog was going bald! PADS are also often contacted by TV, radio and freelance journalists, or students researching dog related projects, and are happy to help.
The Society boasts that it can find the answer to almost any dog related question, however unusual!
Informing the public
In addition to the C.A.L.L. Service, PADS goes out into the community offering advice and information about dogs; running promotions in supermarkets, shopping centres and at galas and dog shows and supplying free speakers to talk about dog ownership. The speakers will speak to any age group or venue, and in the past have been into prisons and Quaker Meeting Houses as well as Brownies, schools and Pensioners Clubs.
Further information is offered via PADS "Code of Caring" leaflets, and fact-sheets. The leaflets give general advice on a particular topic such as "Your puppy, his surroundings" or "Children and dogs" and the fact-sheets deal with a particular problem in more detail; titles include "Dogs that run away", "House-training" and, "Separation anxiety".
Both are aimed at the novice dog owner, and give reliable common sense advice in a straightforward and sometimes amusing way. They are ideal for individual dog owners, but are also used by breeders, owners, vets, and clubs who have contact with puppy or dog owners. Leaflets and fact-sheets are available free of charge through PADS and the Advice Lines. The new PADS website is also a growing resource for dog owners, and those with dog related problems, all over the world. It is currently visited by around 36,000 people a year.
Providing services
PADS has been called a "Cinderella charity". It is run entirely by volunteers on a shoe-string budget, and because they concentrate on education rather than on re-homing dogs, often miss out on the 'sympathy factor' which attracts support to other dog charities. Nevertheless between 8,000 and 10,000 dog related problems were solved last year and know that the work is worthwhile.
You can help PADS by switching to a cheaper supplier and making your donation to PADS, also you can join the society as a member. Some people do this simply to receive a subscription to the newsletter, Pawprints, and to be kept up to date with what's going on in PADS. Others decide to become more actively involved in what PADS do. Whichever you prefer, new members and supporters are always welcome. If you would like more details please contact us or check out the PADS website.
Queries answered by the Canine Advice Line Operators
(callers have given permission for their questions to be used here. Some details have been changed to protect their identities.)
- How can I help my 5 year-old to overcome his fear of dogs? A year ago, he loved dogs but a strange dog nipped him, tore his coat and scraped his skin. Since then he has kept his distance from dogs, but did not appear fearful. His friend now has a puppy. It's very good with children, but my son is so scared the puppy will bite him that when we visit he will not come down from the picnic table, even if the puppy is leashed.
- We are a young family (kids 2 months and 5 years) and we'd like to adopt/buy a suitable dog. We are interested in a small to medium dog, own our home and have a large yard. Can you suggest some breeds for us?
- I have been married 4 months. My husband loves dogs. He lets them inside the house. How healthy is it living with a 14 year-old female dog that sheds tons of hair a day? She constantly brings in mud and dirt, but he can't seem to see it my way. If I am being selfish, please help me understand him. Am I over-reacting? I would be happy to know that I am. I just want to know if it poses any danger to our health. I need advice on how to tell him that I can't have her inside any longer. I don't want to be selfish. I love animals too, but I believe there is a limit to this love. Am I wrong? Please, I would appreciate any help or advice.
- I intend to start racing with my pet huskies. I need to buy a trailer in that can accommodate ten dogs at a time to go to meetings. Most people the sport have two wheeled trailers for this, but there is a rumour going round that because of a European ruling this will soon become illegal and four wheeled trailers will be necessary. No one knows if this is true. Four wheeled trailers are much more expensive than two wheeled, but there's no point my buying a two wheeled trailer if it is going to be illegal in a year or so. Can you tell me if the rumour is true?
- I am conducting a study on Dog Life Vests. I anticipate testing if this product indeed assists dogs if they fall off a boat. I need background information - specifically are some dogs more likely to drown due to body mass, and are some dogs better swimmers than others?
Supporting PADS
You can support PADS by using the Save for a Change energy comparison service to switch energy providers, we will then make a donation to PADS on your behalf (£5 per fuel). Whether you are looking to reduce the cost of your household bills, improve your 'Carbon Footprint', or just simply want to get away from your current provider - our service is completely 100% free & impartial. So get switching and pass on your 'change points' to People And Dogs Society (PADS)!
