DogLost supporters have been helping Manchester Dogs Home with offers of blankets, food and potential foster homes after the horrific fire which killed 50 dogs.

Donations have been pouring into the Manchester Evening News’ JustGiving page. If you are able to help our friends at the Home please donate, however small. JustGiving

DogLost has joined four organisations in the field of pet theft and loss to push for greater reform to reduce the impact the issue has for owners.

Launching at Westminster with Neil Parish MP, chairman of the Associate Parliamentary Committee for Animal Welfare and Angela Smith MP Shadow Defra Minister, the Alliance is to push for five key reforms.

Three lie with microchipping: Compulsory scanning of microchips by vets, rescues and animal wardens, and of deceased pets by highway authorities and Network Rail. This, the Alliance, believes will be crucial in reuniting pets with their owners.

Said an Alliance spokesperson: “The compulsory microchipping of dogs scheduled for England in 2016, and Wales next year, provided the ideal opportunity to implement these reforms, but sadly Defra has not taken this on board.”

The Alliance also wants a microchip to be absolute proof of ownership rather than simply the registered keeper so that ownership disputes can be more readily resolved.

Another strand to the campaign is through the judiciary, whereby the Alliance is asking for animals to be reclassified under theft legislation. As the legislation stands, theft of a pet is no more serious that the theft of an object. Prosecutions are few and custodial sentences unheard of.

Continued an Alliance spokesperson: “We have already made a submission to the Sentencing Council and this has been supported by Neil Parish in his capacity as AGPAW chairman.

The five organisations comprising SAMPA are DogLost – the country’s largest reunification organisation; Dog Theft Action; Pet Theft Awareness; the Dog Union and Vets Get Scanning – run by Sir Bruce Forsyth’s daughter, all of which have a common interest in pet theft and micro chipping.

Celebrity supporter, Marc the Vet, whose Pup Aid campaign prompted a parliamentary debate last week, also supported the launch and he is pictured with Angela Smith MP and Neil Parish MP.

DogLost will be at Pup Aid tomorrow at Primrose Hill. We’ll be with colleagues Vets Get Scanning, Dog Union, Pet Theft Awareness and Dog Theft Action on the eve of the launch of Stolen and Missing Pets Alliance.

Fun dog show, celebrity supporters and more. Primrose Hill, London.

On National Dog Day, DogLost is urging people to pre-register their dogs with DogLost.

When a dog goes missing, every owner is in a panic. Finding a photo and microchip details are time-consuming but necessary.

By registering with DogLost and providing all a dog’s details in advance, valuable time can be saved should the worst happen.

“It just takes a few minutes” said founder, Jayne Hayes “and it will take away a lot of the worry should your dog go missing or be stolen.”

With pre-registration, just a click of a button will alert the DogLost team that your dog is missing and alerts and posters can be automatically mailed without delay.

To register, just fill in the form here

Rain didn’t deter thousands of pet-lovers streaming through the doors of Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire for The Pet Show.

DogLost was pleased to have been invited to make more owners aware of dog theft and the need to keep their animals secure.

DogLost’s team were able to chat to hundreds of dogs owners – some of whom were either registered with DogLost, had been helped by us or had, indeed, been helpers.

For many people, it was the first time that they’d realised that a microchip doesn’t offer complete protection when their dog goes missing. A big part of DogLost’s education programme is to make people aware that a chip can only help reunite a dog if the dog is found and scanned.

Celebrity supporter Marc the Vet called by in between his ‘Ask an Expert’ sessions. And for those whose animal interests extend beyond dogs, there very pets of every variety on show.

DogLost will be at this weekend’s Pet Show at Stoneleigh advising owners on how to keep their dogs safe.

With the increase in dog theft, DogLost needs to raise awareness of microchipping and registering with the site as well as ways to combat the thieves.

You will find us in on stand F13 near the main entrance and between the cafe and the Kennels Arena. Celebrity supporter, Marc the Vet will be on the Pet Show stand answering all your dog-related questions.

Other attractions at the show include: displays, special guests, meet and greet areas, animal habitat features, educational workshops, have a go activities and all the latest products, supplies and equipment for pet loving visitors.

The Pet Show 2014 returns to Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on 2^nd – 3^rd August 2014 and is open 1100-1700 on both days. The Pet Show

Our Herts & Essex boarders co-ordinator, Kim Herbert, has finally won her five-year campaign to fence off a section of railway line in Harlow where her hearing dog was killed.

Cassie, a Border Collie, was killed when she strayed onto a section of track in Harlow. Her tragic death led Kim to campaign fiercely for Network Rail to erect a fence between Harlow Town station and an industrial estate.

Despite Network Rail’s initial refusal to act, Kim went on to enlist the help of the council, her local MP and an army of people who signed her online petition.

Read the Harlow Star story

Sharon Collins  had given up all hope of seeing her Staffordshire Bull Terrier again when she disappeared more than five years ago from Bere Regis in Dorset.

That was until Ellie arrived at Landyke Kennels in Fife where owner and former DogLost co-ordinator Sylvia scanned her, looked at the DogLost website and realised who she was.

The chip details were out of date, so southwest regional co-ordinator Gina visited the address in the hope of gleaning some information. As luck would have it, the new owner knew a relative who was able to put her in touch with Sharon.

Transport was arranged from Fife to Dorset to get Ellie home, with kennel owner Sylvia driving the first leg all the way to Peterborough.

The photo shows owner Sharon with Ellie and the original DogLost missing poster.

Read Ellie’s story

Read Daily Mail story

When Big Issue seller, Ralph set off to fulfil a lifetime ambition to sail along the south coast in a dingy with his best friends Jess, he didn’t bank on Jess going overboard.

Collie X Jack Russell terrier, Jess, was frightened by the sound of gunfire from nearby Dartmouth College as they entered a creek.

Ralph’s sister, Maria, registered Jess with DogLost and the team immediately sprung into action. Administrator, Jayne, contacted the local farms, whilst co-ordinator Bobbie gave advice and contacted the local rescues.

On DogLost’s advice, Ralph left his sleeping bag on the beach and eventually Jess found it. It was an emotional reunion, and when Ralph contacted DogLost he said: “A big heartfelt thank you to all of you for all the moral and practical support you gave me while Jess was missing. I’m touched deeply by it all and feel somewhat overwhelmed. I would like to say a special thanks to Jayne for all she did. It was truly above and beyond the call of duty. You helped me so much and eased my worries and pain.”

Jess has settled back to their normal routine and Ralph is sure she is more confident in herself for being away.

Read Jess’s story

Summer is one of the busiest times for DogLost as dogs frequently go missing while on holiday.

Fazed by the unfamiliar surroundings of a family holiday, dogs are unable to rely on familiar sights, sounds and smells to get them home.

Although DogLost springs into action to help owners find their dogs, the end of the holiday may come before a dog is reunited. Faced with the return home without their beloved pet, the search becomes more heartfelt when they have to decide whether to return again and again or to let local helpers continue.

One way to prevent losing your dog in the first place is to rent a GPS tracking collar for your holiday. Dog Tracker Plus made by Retrieva and endorsed by DogLost, is available for a fixed rental of 30 days for £30.

With your dog wearing the collar you will be able to see where they are at all times on your mobile phone – ideal when you are away from home, even in Europe. The collar also sends anti-theft and tamper alerts to keep your dog safe and give you peace of mind.

To rent a collar call Dog Tracker Plus on 01442 877796. If you quote offer code DLR1 they will make a donation of £3 on your behalf to DogLost as well!