Sue Baxter's pet sitting

24/05/2026

Hoping you have a lovely bank holiday and get chance to enjoy the sunshine , this bunch are excited this morning as it’s homemade doggy ice cream today and the paddling pool out in the shade , then it will be back into a cool house for story time and afternoon nap 🐾🐾

23/05/2026

These days there is absolutely no excuse for people not to know how to care for a pet in extreme heat.

The first thing I’m going to say is that heat stroke is preventable !
Heat stroke is life threatening !

6 signs of heatstroke
Heavy panting
Excessive drooling
Vomiting
Seems wobbly and uncoordinated
Diarrhoea
Collapse

AVOID Hot pavements

walk very early or very late and don’t walk at all if need be it’s not essential for a few days

Plastic grass can get very very hot

Lots of fresh cold water replenished frequently

Shade shade shade

Don’t throw balls as dogs will just continue to chase they don’t know when to stop so we are responsible

Windows open at night to let in cool air and closed in the day along with curtains, fans on

Know the signs of early heat stroke

Don’t make car journeys and don’t leave your dog or pet in a car at all in hot weather

If your dog does get over heat and get heat stroke then 1st phone your vet for advise and to let them know your bringing a dog in as an emergency with heat stroke, very very cold water (not tepid) and keeping the head up submerge the body , hose them down but remember on a hot day the water in the hose can get very hot so run it through for a few minutes first , do not cover with wet towels as that traps in heat

Keep out door pets like rabbits in the shade even if it means moving their hutch and run , remember they are trapped and can’t put themselves in a cool environment you have to do it , the sun moves during the day so a hutch might end up in full sun

14/05/2026

It must treat O’Clock !

13/05/2026

After a very showery morning getting drenched multiple times , we have come back in to get dry and have a story , treats and a rest, freedom to choose their own treats always goes down well ❤️🐾🐾

11/05/2026

Story and rest time

11/05/2026

Restraining any pet safely on a car journey is so important , please have a read

“He just likes sitting on my lap.”
“She hates being in a crate.”
“It’s only a short journey.”

In a collision, your pet does not understand what is happening. They become an unrestrained passenger — thrown forward with enormous force in a matter of milliseconds.

A dog sitting on your knees.
A cat carrier loose on the back seat.
A puppy moving freely around the footwell.

In a crash, they can become projectiles.

At just 30mph, an unrestrained pet can be hurled forward with incredible force. That impact can seriously injure:
-Your pet
-You
-Your passengers
-Other road users

And for the pet themselves? The consequences are often devastating:
-Severe trauma
-Fractured Bones
-Internal bleeding
-Escape and road traffic accidents after collisions
-Or not surviving at all

Beyond the emotional impact, loose pets can also distract drivers, interfere with pedals or steering, and increase accident risk. UK Highway Code Rule 57 states that dogs and other animals should be suitably restrained while travelling.

The reality is this:
We would never let a child travel unrestrained in a vehicle. Our pets deserve protection too.

If you travel with your pets, please consider:
✔️ Crash-tested crates
✔️ Safety-certified harnesses
✔️ Proper carriers secured to the vehicle
✔️ Preventing pets from sitting on laps or loose on seats
✔️ Don't let them hang out of open windows!
✔️ Many pet carriers have seatbelt attachment slots, use them!

One organisation working to independently evaluate pet travel safety is the Center for Pet Safety. Their certification programme assesses products against rigorous crash-testing standards and promotes evidence-based pet safety:
🔗 https://centerforpetsafety.org/cps-certified/

Importantly, not all crates and restraints perform equally in real-world crash situations, and research continues to evolve around what truly offers the best protection for pets during travel.

Sometimes the kindest thing we can do for the animals we love is prepare for the moments we hope never happen.

21/04/2026

Information for those that like to travel with your dogs

As of tomorrow, Wednesday 22nd April 2026, if you are a permanent resident in UK, you will not be able to use an EU issued Pet Passport to travel abroad with your pet.

After Brexit, UK born and bred pets were no longer allowed to travel on their EU pet passports. They now need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) to be issued every time they were taken into the European mainland.

But animals who originated in the EU and had been issued an EU passport to come into the UK, were still allowed to move in and out of the country with these, provided they were current and had updates completed by a vet on the mainland. It did not matter that they and their owners lived in the UK.

However, this is now changing and only pets whose owners have their main residence in the EU, will be allowed to travel with their EU passports, all others must be issued an AHC for each trip.

No word as yet, as far as I can see, as to what documentation will be required to prove permanent residence or any updates on the proposed UK pet passports.

The APHA updates detailing these changes;

https://www.improve-ov.com/instructions/instructions-file.php?unique_id=69e207d333a2b&file_type=Briefing+Note&action=view

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-eu-rules-for-pet-travel-for-gb-residents

19/04/2026

What a beautiful day 🌞
Some cheerful photos to make the day even better 🐾🐾

18/04/2026

Yesterday was Tortashell cat appreciation day and look who came for her 1st nail clip with us this gorgeous Torti called Pepper.
Her mum says she can have a bit of tortitude but she was a little angel for us thankfully and even gave me a smooch ❤️