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According to the son of the farm owner who is, oddly enough, at school with my daughter, 5000 were released and 4500 have been recaptured. I did see one the other day. They are quite brave, but look a little lost. There seem to be quite a lot being killed on the roads around here and our local shop owner found one in her garden two days ago. We are over eight miles from St Cybranet. Anyone coming onto contact with these mink should immediately contact the Mairie, Pompiers or Gendarmerie. Mink can be nasty. Especially hungry ones.

Anyone know of a good cattery in the Correze, close to Arnac Pompadour or within reach at least? Any suggestions much appreciated.  

Anyone know of a good cattery in the Correze, close to Arnac Pompadour or within reach at least? Any suggestions much appreciated.  

Seems to be the time of year for finding small living creatures in dustbins. In the space of two days we took in four abandoned day-old pups found in our local poubelle which are now being hand-reared and will soon need loving, permanent adoptive homes. A day later, I was handed five tiny kittens, and told a similar story. Please, if you are dropping off your rubbish, make sure you check the bins for abandoned puppies and kittens as this is a frequent occurence and a horrible way for babies to die. For anyone interested in homing any of our foundlings, we have three black and white kittens, all male, and four mix-breed (too little to tell what) puppies to home, three bitches and one dog. The kittens are ready to go, the puppies will be ready at the beginning to mid-October. Please call Tiffany on 05 53 31 23 61 if you can help.

Saved from a bucket of water at birth, we want to help our reformed French neighbour to home a litter of English Setter (French type) puppies which will be ready mid-end of October. The owner has agreed to give the pups up to good homes and if anyone is interested in taking one on, there are males and females available. Please contact Tiffany on 05 53 31 23 61 if you can help. Thanks

[quote]Hi to all dog owners. We have a beautiful black lab/retriever. He was rescued from SPA 18 months ago in the most dreadful state. Our problem is that despite numerous baths, deodorants, grooming and ...[/quote] Strange though it might sound, I recommend you crush a clove of Garlic into his food daily. Garlic will help purify his blood by clearing toxins which may be contributing to his smelliness. Almost certainly he has some physical problem that means he is not as healthy as he should be. I'd worm him, and give either fresh garlic, or granules (even garlic powder or oil will do, but it's VERY strong). He will not end up smelling like garlic, but it may make him smell more like a dog and less offensive to all. Try to use food that is 'natural', so perhaps stop feeding prepared dog foods which are full of chemicals he may not be able to metabolise. Cooked meat (even table scraps, but preferably not curry!) rice, boiled potatoes, pasta, might help to sort out his stink. It's almost certainly a digestive problem, but is also his own smell to some extent. Once cleaned out, you might find his untoxicated scent is quite pleasant, but not unlike the one he has now. I have a hound, filthy old girl, always out on the razz.... smells like flowers. Figure that one out???

"Lagaf" has disappeared from his home in Lezay, Deux-Sèvres since 3rd May 2005 frightened by a storm.He is a ten year old shepherd cross, brown, wearing a green collar.  He is tattooed on the ear and the thigh URT 747.He is very wary of strangers and may not be easily approached.  If anyone has seen him, we would be grateful for any information.Telephone owner, who only speaks French, Tony Bonnet: 06 62 95 33 30.Animal Aid: 05 49 07 67 60.or Animal Matters via link below.Thanks 

#   SAM - Missing since 1st May 2005 from his home. Please keep your eyes open for this dog if you are in the Brittany area and contact us if you spot him. Tel; 05 53 31 23 61 or email [email protected] Thanks

[quote]How many dogs are missing over there ? !!![/quote] Big country.... lots of space, small dogs? People often underestimate the value of a fence.......    

SAM 12 year old Jack Russell dog, black and white, chipped with a collar, has gone missing from his new home near Collerac, Brittany. Lost since Monday 2nd May, his owners are desperate to find him. If anyone has advice as to where they might start looking locally, or if you have seen this dog, please contact ANIMAL MATTERS Lost and Found register via the email link below. Any help much appreciated. Photo to follow. [email protected]

SAM Missing since Monday 2nd May from Collerac area of Brittany.  12 year old Jack Russell dog, white with black markings, a smooth coat with short legs. Micro-chipped and has a collar on. Photo to follow. If anyone has spotted this dog please contact ANIMAL MATTERS Lost and Found register so we can put him back with his owners, newly arrived residents of Collerac who are FRANTIC to find him. He's only been in France a month, so probably doesn't have enough French to find his way home. Keep your eyes open please... [email protected]  

[quote]Hi. Quick update on Bobby the long eared cricus cat. He's stopping with us. The scabs covering the tatoo still are not off, but the decision is made, and it is a relief. I have been laughed off t...[/quote] Tresco, Nick and Janet lost a cat, not a dog, through no fault of their own (careless kennel owner) and have been FRANTIC for weeks about it's loss. Whilst, by law, you should attempt to find the original owner of the cat  I understand that you feel possessive about the care you have given and where it might have come from. However, it's poor condition could merely indicate that it's been lost and incapable of taking care of itself, which indicates a much loved housecat, rather than an independently reared outdoor type which would usually be able to look after itself quite well. The indications (tattoo and battered appearance) lend more towards the former, than the latter type of cat. As a compromise, Animal Matters operates a Lost and Found website. You can email a photo and details of the cat you have found, adding the three tattoo numbers you have. If someone is searching and comes across their cat, they would have to contact the Petsearch Helpline first who could check out the original home to your satisfaction before needing to admit where the cat is. Phoenix could probably also check out the tattoo number for you, if the scabs ever fall off (not that you want them to!!). Fact is, if someone has bothered to tattoo a cat, and most uncaring owners wouldn't dream of such an expense, you really ought to try to return it to them. My experience of such things has shown that there are wonderful owners in France who are just as traumatised by the loss of a beloved pet as anyone else. Sorry to disagree with most other posters, but I've heard the story from the other side, and it's often heartbreaking. Whatever you decide to do, at least the cat is being cared for right now. Regards Tiffany

[quote]More of a dog question than a France question. I think my dog Ian (the larger of the two in the adjacent photo) is depressed. Any suggestions about what I should do? Is there such a thing as dogg...[/quote] What makes you think he's depressed John?

[quote]the dog has a passport, and had its rabies, etc, in December prior to coming to France in Feb.I know we have to wait 6 months since its blood test to take it on a visit back to UK, but is there anythi...[/quote] You can fly dogs into the UK via BA at Heathrow. The limitations are due to the animal reception facilities at the other end. Heathrow has one, Stansted does not. So it's Bordeaux, Toulouse or a link via Paris. The easiest way is to drive. Better all round for the animal involved....

[quote]i was wondering is it as good as you see on the tv ie a place in the sun program a couple bought a farm for 29k. is was this real?[/quote] Yes, it's real but bargains are few and far between now and usually found by those in the know. You are much more likely to be able to find a house similar to the one you might be in now for around 3rd less or near to half the money. That's more realistic. We bought a barn and three acres four years ago for 21k. Have spent approx 20k on it and it's half renovated and now worth closer to 90k. Could easily spend another 50k on it, but can't afford to, but still we have liveable accomodation owned outright, mortgage free in a place as beautiful as the Scottish Borders/Devon/Peak District but on average considerably warmer. However, it's not all plain sailing, as you can see if you read around the message boards. Language limitations, loneliness, integration problems, constantly misunderstanding people, the risk of getting fleeced by residents of all nationalities, problems finding work (you really need to be fluent), draconian institutions and antiquated business rules... add to that miserable children who miss their friends and take a long time to adjust, not to mention the sometimes incomprehensible 'attitude Francais'  and you see there are lots of things to be considered, but these are issues everyone moving to a new area/country has to deal with. How you do is up to you. I came out here with no alternative, we couldn't afford to buy in the UK, so I considered we had to make it work and we have. But it's not been entirely easy. However, it is A MILLION times better than being in the UK.  Have no regrets. Plus, I can honestly say, having lived and worked rurally all over the UK for thirty years, the locals around us are the friendliest, most helpful, most welcoming countryfolk I have ever met, as long as you treat them with respect of course. Give it a go. You might enjoy it!

Now Only Three Remaining. Ready to collect. Two dogs, one bitch remain. Please help.

[quote]Vine weevil grubs are only about 1 cm in length. The cockchafer grubs are larger by far. The problem is telling the stag beetle grubs from the cockchafer ones. As I researched this further, I came a...[/quote] Beginning to look as though my grubs are stag beetle grubs (gulp) which I've been merrily turning over to the chickens. Like you, see no reason why wood eating grubs would be residing beneath my lawn and veg patch.... and they seem too pristine white to be cockchafers. So presumably I should break my hens of this habit? Nice pics of DWB (Capricorn) and liked the comment that it should be the 'Horloge de l'amour' rather than the 'Horloge de la mort'! You gotta love the french for seeing it that way!!

[quote]Fair enough BUT stag beetle larva are so similar that this endangered beetle will be killed unless you spend a lot of time learning the difference and as you said, if you use poison all the good will ...[/quote] I've been finding these white grubs too.... don't know what they are but was also told they eat the roots of plants and that I needed to get rid of them. However, it seems a bit like Canute and the waves, and I'm not prepared to poison However, whenever my chickens see me reach for my spade now, they all come charging over to whereever I'm digging and seem delighted to pounce on every grub I unearth, although they seem less keen on the worms (eco-friendly chickens?). Do you know if the chickens are discerning enough to tell the difference between the cockchafer grubs and the vine weevils? Do they eat both, and how does one tell which grub is which? Don't want to be feeding endangered stag beetle grubs to them.....    

[quote]TiffanyS, It is a neighbours little terrier dog that is left on a chain on a wood pile 24/7 right next to a road. The poor little thing has very little slack and can really only stay in one place. He...[/quote] I'm afraid I'm not one to stand back when it comes to wading in and dealing with issues like that, so I'd be less hesitant than you... I find, generally that the French are just as aware of animal cruelty issues as we are. It's not entirely the backward country many people imagine, although obviously out in the sticks (as anywhere) you do get poverty and living conditions which are surprising and unusually harsh for both people and animals. If your neighbours dog is clearly in some distress and not being cared for properly, as anywhere in the Western world, you are completely entitled to challenge them about it, or you can enquire about it at your Mairie. No reasonable person is going to be offended by your concern. If anything, you are likely to discover that others have the same feelings you do, but simply aren't prepared to make the effort to do anything about it. If the dog barks or disturbs you, you can complain. The SPA has a welfare officer who may be persuaded to come and have a word with the owners and this may or may not result in a change of living for the dog. Anyone moving to a new area, let alone a new country, has to be wary of encouraging bad feeling towards themselves so I understand what you are saying about not wanting to make yourselves unpopular, but abandoned dogs and mistreated animals are not acceptable under French law, or social conscience although, of course, as everywhere else, it happens often. You, as an individual, have every right to pick up dogs who are straying, find homes for them if they are not identified, take them to your local animal shelter or any one of a number of options. In three years rescuing animals, including forcibly removing a starving horse from a field in the midst of a huge four-way bagarre between the owners of the field, a local horserider, an animal welfare officer and the horses owner, because the animal was dying and I am not interested in who is to blame, I have never had anything but support and good wishes from the locals, who now bring to me their stray, lost and unwanted animals for re-homing because they know I am happy to help. Most good people would not dislike you for trying to help, they are simply too lazy, busy or self-centred to do it themselves and so are usually happy when 'interfering busybodies' of any nationality jump in and relieve them of the need to feel bad any more!! At least, that's what I've found, and I live near Sarlat too.....

[quote]There is great vet in the village with an English partner What a useful piece of information. A great vet is worth his weight in gold and they can be so difficult to find when you're newly arrived....[/quote] Vet is Carine Fondu, she's Belgian I think, and her English accomplice is Kevin. You'll find them on the Montpazier turn. We live not far from Belves.... no doubt we'll bump shoulders over a market stall this summer. I recommend the summer evening markets around Belves if you want to meet people. Also, attend all Vide Greniers and Brocantes... another opportunity to meet locals of all nationalities and poke through the stuff they chuck out!! Recomment Le Bugue market on a Tuesday and regular trips to some of the upcoming social events. I'll keep my ear out for a Roger!!

[quote]Hi TiffanyS, just sent you an e-mail. As I mentioned in my e-mail, if we lived in France permanently, I would be tempted to take one of the abandoned puppies. Good luck in finding homes, just wish I k...[/quote] Want to specify the problem next door? Anything to be done regarding animal welfare?  

[quote]I see what you mean that you have enough puppies.... we've still got three lads left, no-one wants boys![/quote] Must be the single chromosone problem! Actually the pups are no problem, they're just too gorgeous for words. I love them all up to twelve weeks, after that they're nothing but trouble!!! We've got four adult foster dogs here as well as my own three, so yes, it's hectic. Be fine if it ever STOPPED RAINING! Hope the sun is shining on you. Have emailed concerning your remaining pups.  

[quote]The few I’ve come across (Border Collies – no experience of other breeds) give a variety of reasons. Some because of potential quarantine, some because of the way dogs are treated in some countries (...[/quote] In fact it's surprisingly responsible of breeders to have such an option. I don't disagree with it in principle at all, however, I would, as you do, consider that it wouldn't make any difference at all to the pet passport travel scenario, but it would make it difficult to export a puppy that was not yet on the scheme. Definitely something for the poster to take into account. I wonder if it's only Border Collie breeders? Needs looking into.

[quote]I understand that some pedigree breeders place restrictions on their dogs that they may not be exported. I discussed a few things with my UK dog’s breeder before moving and he had to check with his w...[/quote] I'm pretty sure breeders placing restrictions on export are aiming to stop their pups being exported by puppy dealers for resale overseas. If you are clearly a private client, buying a dog as a pet and planning to live overseas, I can't imagine breeders objecting. I'm not aware of any legal way to stop a valid dog owner exporting their dog overseas at will once purchased with change of ownership registered, nor of any entitlement to prevent such dogs being shown abroad, but I'd be interested to know if anyone has such information as fact.....      

Might be able to help you with your dog kennel issue depending on what you need/breed of dog etc. There are a number of options in the Dordogne, including several nice people who board dogs in their own homes as well as some nice kennels and some dreadful ones, both French and English owned! Email for details. Might be useful to know what your requirements are. [email protected]