Archive for the ‘Animal Charities’ Category

WWF UK is asking the new Conservative government and the national water companies to ensure water metering is in place in the next 10 years to help the UK’s water crisis. Meters are a very important part of water regulating as levels continue to drop around the country. This summer’s dry weather has seen many water shortages in the south and east of England, and now is the time for the UK government to insist water companies install compulsory meters for customers who live in ‘water scarce’ areas.

Freshwater Policy Officer at WWF UK, Rose Timlett, said -

Not only is the current water charging system unfair and outdated, it is also piling huge pressure on our rivers and their wildlife. One third of our river catchments are facing damage because we are simply taking too much water out of them, a problem that is set to get worse with climate change and a rising population. With the current water shortages across the country, water companies and the Government should be doing all they can to help more households install a water meter.

After last year’s government review into metering and charging, it was strongly recommended that up to 80% of UK homes should be metering by 2020. Yet with only 37% of households currently metered, it is going to take a strong initiative to reach the proposed targets. The 5 year plan being bandied around shows that 50% will be ready by 2015, only half of what is required.

Rose Timlett continued -

The UK remains one of the only European countries where the majority of households do not pay for water on the basis of what they use. We pay for most things by what we use, as it seems the fairest way, so it is ludicrous that most households have no idea how much water they are using and how much water – and money- they could potentially be saving. Universal metering will lead to better awareness and understanding of water use by the householder, but also better understanding of water demand by the water companies and more innovative demand reduction schemes.

Help WWF UK with a Charity Gift

The WWF is a non profit organisation who can only sustain their tireless work in saving the planet and its inhabitants through donations. You can help raise funds through the WWF Adopt an Animal scheme.

From as little as £3 a month you receive a certificate, a print of your animal, a greetings card, and a soft toy that would make a fantastic charity gift for a loved one.

> > Click here to Adopt an Animal with WWF UK

View other top charity gifts

All new RSPB membership orders now come with a copy of the excellent Nature Guide activity book absolutely free when ordering online before the end of Tuesday 31st August 2010. This great book is jam packed with interesting activities, facts, and great photos. When you order an RSPB membership online, not only will you get this free gift (or you can choose the RSPB Handbook of British Birds if you prefer), but you also receive -

• Free welcome pack with ‘Things to do’ and ‘Places to go’ booklets
• Free entry to over 100 beautiful nature reserves
• Free quarterly magazine full of wildlife articles and news

Plus a children’s membership also features -

• Colourful kids’ membership packs to suit each child’s age group
• Free magazines every two months
• Free gift for each child tailored to suit their age group

An RSPB membership is a great way for the young, and old, to learn more about the amazing and beautiful wildlife that inhabit the British Isles. Plus with over 100 nature reserves to choose from, you’ll never get bored of discovering new and exciting places to study and explore.

> > Click here to order an RSPB membership today

Margaret Green Animal Rescue shelters and rehouses unwanted, abandoned and ill-treated animals throughout Dorset and Devon. It is the oldest animal welfare organisation founded in the area and helps to find caring, loving homes for over 1,000 animals each year including dogs, cats, horses, farm animals, rabbits, guinea pigs and birds.

Founded in 1965 by the late Mr Jerry Green, they now have three animal sanctuaries in Dorset and Devon which are constantly busy with new animals to care for, alongside their permanent residents. They also offer pet bereavement support for families who have lost a beloved member of their household.

You can offer your support to the Margaret Green Animal Rescue by -

• Making a donation
• Sponsoring an animal
• Rehoming a pet

Thanks to the support of the general public, the Margaret Green Animal Rescue can continue to cares for over 1,000 animals a year. To find out more about their fantastic work or to make a donation, simply click on the link below to ensure that they can continue to make a difference to the animals and families of Dorset and Devon.

> > Margaret Green Animal Rescue

WWF UK are looking for two animal lovers aged between 18-22 to joy the trip of a lifetime to Russia for the Tiger Youth Summit on 12-19th September 2010. Two lucky winners will be flown alongside WWF representatives to visit the Youth Summit and help spread the word about the animal charities tiger conservation work. With only 3,200 tigers left in the wild, now is the time for world leaders to discuss the possibility of doubling the world’s tiger numbers by 2022 at a meeting in St Petersburgh in September.

Whilst this meeting is taking place the Youth Tiger Summit will be in Vladivostok in the Russian Far East. Along with visiting the summit, the two winners will get to chance to visit actual tiger habitats, learning about the threats they face in the ever changing world. Whilst they are studying the tigers living area, the two lucky winners will also get a chance to see what the WWF are also doing to protect the species from extinction.

To apply simply click on the link below before 9am on Wednesday 21st July 2010 to have a chance to take part. Good luck!

> > Click here to apply for WWF Tiger Youth Summit

Adopt a Tiger with WWF UK

WWF is a non profit organisation who can only sustain their tireless work in saving the planet and its inhabitants through donations. You can help raise funds through the WWF Adopt an Tiger scheme.

From as little as £3 a month you receive a certificate, a print of your tiger, a greetings card, and a soft tiger toy that would make a fantastic charity gift for a loved one.

> > Click here to Adopt an Tiger with WWF UK

View other top charity gifts

WWF charity research has shown that North Sea Cod is not out of danger yet, even though there has been a marginal improvement in their number. WWF scientists feel that the poor management of stocks threatens to undermine the number of cod in the area, and lead to a dramatic halt in the replenishment.

The International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) has recommended that a 20% reduction in the fishing quota will help restore fish stocks to a level that will sustain a healthy industry. The European Commission will also need to follow this advice to attain a sustainable catch level for all E.U. fish stocks by 2015.

Fisheries Policy Officer at WWF Scotland, Louize Hill, said -

Although a recovery plan is in place for cod stocks, conservation measures are not being effectively implemented or enforced across the whole fishery, and the problem of discards continue to blight any signs of improvement. The recent signs of recovery in the North Sea must be capitalised upon. Discard reduction measures must be mandatory for the catching sector, and long-term management plans that are fishery-wide must be enforced in the upcoming reform of the EU Common Fisheries Policy.

The Scottish Conservation Credits Scheme is definitely on the right track and this kind of strong co-operation between the fishing industry, governments and conservation groups on protecting stocks needs to be firmly built into the way the reformed Common Fisheries Policy works in future.

Though numbers are definitely increasing, there is not yet enough North Sea Cod to maintain a healthy stock level. The planned EU cod recovery target cannot be achieved unless catches are reduced significantly. One of the major issues is the discards that are thrown back into the sea, and these account for up to a staggering 50% of all caught between 2007-09. A large majority of the Cod ‘bycatch’ is often caught by fishermen who are trawling for other fish stocks.

WWF officials are now calling for all vessels to fully document all of their catch, no matter what the species. This can be monitored by by using onboard cameras and catch quotas that will limit the amount of fish removed from the sea instead of recording just what is landed. Already in use across Scotland, England and Denmark, this approach could lead to a marked reduction in discards across the EU if other countries use the new technology available to help the North Sea Cod stock to replenish.

Help WWF UK with a Charity Gift

The WWF is a non profit organisation who can only sustain their tireless work in saving the planet and its inhabitants through donations. You can help raise funds through the WWF Adopt an Animal scheme.

From as little as £3 a month you receive a certificate, a print of your animal, a greetings card, and a soft toy that would make a fantastic charity gift for a loved one.

> > Click here to Adopt an Animal with WWF UK

View other top charity gifts

The town of Swindon is bidding to become the countries most water efficient area. The Save Water Swindon campaign has been launched in conjunction with WWF UK, Waterwise and Thames Water to help ease pressures on the natural environment whilst also helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The plan is for Swindon to be used as an example to the rest of the country as they prepare to reduce their water use. Residents of the Wiltshire town will be supported in their efforts to save water for the next 12 months by the Environment Agency who have deemed the area seriously water stressed.

The average person in Swindon uses 164 litres per person per day, which is approximately 16 litres more per person than the national average. The Government’s target is for people to use 130 litres per day, which is made worse in Swindon as the area has a high population density and water is scarcer than anywhere else in England and Wales.  The Save Water Swindon campaign estimates that by saving 20 litres of water a day, the average home can reduce not only their energy bills by £100 a year, but also their greenhouse gas emissions.

WWF Ambassador and presenter of Grand Designs, Kevin McCloud said -

Save Water Swindon is an ambitious campaign that will set a precedent for how large-scale water efficiency in existing homes can be achieved – with benefits for homeowners and the environment. As we continue moving towards a more holistic sustainable lifestyle, both in our homes and the way we live, water efficiency will play a significant role. Not only will reducing demand for water help reduce the amount we need to take from the environment it can also reduce greenhouse gases and as a result our home energy and water bills.

With up to 6% of the UK’s greenhouse gases resulting from water prep and distribution alone, now is a great time to make a change. To help Swindon reduce its water use, house owners can register online below for a free water saving makeover or have a trained fitter visit their home. Once inside he can give a house a free water audit and then advise on the best water saving products and install them – all for free!

> > Sign up for free water saving makeover

Freshwater Policy and Programme Officer at WWF-UK, Rose Timlett, said -

All the water we use at home comes from the natural environment. People tend not to realise that when they turn on the tap or flush the loo the water could be coming from the local river and when we use too much it’s bad news for the animals and plants that live there. With water use on the up, a growing population and the threat of climate change it’s vital that we all take steps now to reduce the amount of water that’s wasted and help protect some of our most special native species, like the otter, water vole and brown trout. Reducing the amount of water we use is something we can all achieve with minimal effort. We hope that other villages, towns, and cities will follow Swindon’s lead.

Help WWF UK with a Charity Gift

The WWF is a non profit organisation who can only sustain their tireless work in saving the planet and its inhabitants through donations. You can help raise funds through the WWF Adopt an Animal scheme.

From as little as £3 a month you receive a certificate, a print of your animal, a greetings card, and a soft toy that would make a fantastic charity gift for a loved one.

> > Click here to Adopt an Animal with WWF UK

View other top charity gifts

The PDSA gift shop is having a massive summer sale, with loads of amazing gifts available with up to 65% off! That’s right, these discounts must be seen to be believed and are the perfect gift idea to treat a family and friend who love animals. With some many treats to choose from, there’s bound to be something for everyone, including -

• Games
• Puzzles
• Pet houses
• Pet gifts
• Greeting cards
• Calendars

and loads more. You can order 24 hours a day, though do hurry as much of this stock is limited in number so be sure to order before Saturday 31st July 2010 to avoid disappointment. With over 450 great charity gift ideas with prices starting at just £1.99, you’re bound to find something special. Plus everything you buy will help the PDSA to treat sick and injured pets, the perfect gift for animal lovers everywhere.

> > Click here to order at the PDSA Gift Shop

Other great charity gifts

All new people joining the RSPB membership scheme will now be able to obtain the ‘Handbook of Garden Wildlife’ worth £9.99 absolutely free. That’s right, if you book your membership online before the end of Monday 12th July 2010 you can now receive this great handbook as a free gift as part of your joining pack. An RSPB membership allows free entry to over 100 nature reserves across the UK, plus a free quarterly magazine called ‘BIRDS’, which will keep you up to date on what’s happening in the fields in and around the countries most beautiful parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

The membership is perfect for those people who are passionate about nature and want to experience it first hand in some of the countries most stunning settings. RSPB nature reserves are fantastic places to see an amazing variety of plants, animals and fungi. There are some 14,000 species of life that make their homes at the hundreds of RSPB nature reserves across the UK, with more than 2,000 of these classed as rare or scarce.

If wildlife conservation is your thing, be sure to check out Springwatch, which starts on Monday 31st May 2010. The show is hosted by the newly appointed RSPB President Kate Humble alongside Chris Packham, and is a great way to see exactly what is going on in the countryside surrounding you.

So why not join the RSPB and not only take advantage of the free entry to amazing wildlife sites across the country, but also receive the ‘Handbook of Garden Wildlife’ absolutely free until Monday 12th July 2010.

> > Click here to order an RSPB membership

WWF charity officials will be launching a new set of reports on new guidelines for the protection of a new, warmer Arctic. The International Governance and Regulation of the Marine Arctic reports were launched in Denmark to coincide with the visit of Russian president Medvedev and show that new plans need to be put into place for this highly vulnerable environment. As the region is no longer completely ice covered, the area is more susceptible to fishing and shipping, which in turn will have a profound effect on its natural habitat and resources.

Executive conservation director for WWF-International, Lasse Gustavsson, said -

The melting of the Arctic ice is opening a new ocean, bringing new possibilities for commercial activities in a part of the world that has previously been inaccessible. What happens in the Arctic has a global environmental and economic impact. For instance, more than a quarter of the fish eaten in Europe comes from the region, and yet we do not have effective rules for fishing in newly accessible areas.

With the Arctic possibly becoming ice free within decades, commercial ships will be looking to sail the Northern Sea Route above Siberia. This in turn will see more oil and gas exploration where once there was none, with the major possibility of spills in this highly susceptible environment. Due to a lack of clean up rules and infrastructure, this could have a devastating effect not just on the region, but also cause repercussions across the world.

WWF officials will be looking into the legal side of how the possible rapid change could allow irreparable damage to the marine environment. If resource extraction is to take place it needs to be within sustainable limits, as currently it is unclear what these boundaries are. This in turn will help to prevent overfishing and stop pollution accidents and shipping disasters. A new, legally binding Arctic framework will need to be put into place to help ensure the future protection of this delicately balanced region.

Director of Campaigns at WWF-UK, David Norman, said -

It’s time to recognise that the current international rules just can’t cope with the complex challenges of the Arctic region. The ice has protected the Arctic Ocean for hundreds of years; we have collectively removed that protection though our contributions to climate change, and now we must work together to manage the new risks we have created.

Help WWF UK with a Charity Gift

The WWF is a non profit organisation who can only sustain their tireless work in saving the planet and its inhabitants through donations. You can help raise funds through the WWF Adopt an Animal scheme.

From as little as £3 a month you receive a certificate, a print of your animal, a greetings card, and a soft toy that would make a fantastic charity gift for a loved one.

> > Click here to Adopt an Animal with WWF UK

View other top charity gifts

With Spring now here (finally!), now is a great time to pick up an RSPB membership in more ways than one. If you order an adult or family membership online by Monday 17th May 2010, you will now receive a copy of the RSPB book ‘Where to Discover Nature’, absolutely free!

This great book is the first to ever detail every RSPB nature reserve in the UK. It includes loads of great photos of all the reserves and the birds, animals and plants you can expect to see. Within the pages is everything you’ll need to organise and enjoy days out at some of the best wildlife watching spaces in the UK. Plus their is a full list of directions, details of visitor facilities and advice on when to visit. Everything you need to make sure you get the most from your RSPB membership.

Remember, this offer is only available online if you order your membership before the end of Monday 17th May 2010, so you’ll have to hurry to take advantage of this fantastic free book offer from the RSPB UK.

> > Click here to order an RSPB membership