How a Twitter joke can run round the world before the truth has got its boots on...*

Several interesting things have been happening in the Twitterverse during the course of the day. No, I don't mean the persistent crashing under the sheer weight of tweets about Obama's phenomenal inauguration. I mean the speed with which information - and mis-information - can spread when you're not completely Twitter-savvy and there's a recession knocking at the door.

While @dogstrust was happily gathering daft pictures of business cards, ice scrapers and, erm, lobsters to prove that people really are who they say they are, one busy Twitterer was cracking a joke. In two separate updates, they posted:

Have you heard that Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is going into administration?

They're calling in the Retrievers

Boom boom! Unfortunately, well-meaning supporters quickly copied the first sentence and spread it around their followers, missing the punchline. Seeing a potentially worrying case of Chinese whispers developing, we gave the Battersea communications department and ring, and they confirmed that big name journalists, publications and even their own staff are flooding them with concerned calls and emails.

So, just to make sure the message is completely clear, this is from a member of the Comms team at Battersea:

This is an online joke – Battersea has NOT gone into administration, or called in the RETRIEVERS (a breed of dog!), and has not gone bankCRUFT (the famous dog show!)…

So there you have it!

*borrowed from Terry Pratchett

Other Pets: Socialising cats

At Dogs Trust, we spend a lot of time talking about early and thorough socialisation of dogs as the best form of prevention of behavioural problems. Vets, behaviourists and trainers spend much of their time working to correct problems in dogs who have not been properly socialised.

But what about cats? That was the question asked by a reader of A Vet's Guide To Life. We tend to think of cats as solitary, anti-social creatures. We even revere them for their independence. So what happens when we need to calm a frightened cat in a social situation?

A Vet's Guide To Life gives some very sensible advice about introducing guests in small numbers and, importantly, carefully training the person (adult or child) to be gentle and offer a rewarding experience to the animal. Cats respond to different rewards than dogs, and much of the advice surrounding this topic suggests training should be kept to short bursts with the cat having a 'safe' route.

The notion of a safe route for the cat - either a separate room or a few shelves that they can quickly scuttle up to get a view of the area from a secure distance - is key in introducing both adult cats and kittens to new and potentially frightening situations. This could be introducing a new baby, having visitors to the house or introducing a new cat, dog, ferret etc. to the mix. When my baby nephew first came to visit, my parents' elderly and now sadly deceased cat, Zoey, hid in her favourite spot between two sofas until he fell asleep; when he went quiet she emerged, sniffed, gave a quick lick to his hand and from then on was perfectly calm around him as she had approached the situation on her terms.

I'll be watching this blog carefully as I've recently been adopted by the pictured abandoned kitten (now known as Snaffle) found wandering on the streets. I've had cats before, but never one who clearly left mum too early and is a potent mixture of bullish confidence and bad manners. My other main source for lots of good cat information is the Cats Protection website. And yes, people who adore and work for dogs can be cat lovers too!

The Wag and Bone Show is back! Come join us at Windsor Great Park this summer

The popular and successful Wag & Bone Show is back for another year of fun, games and all things doggy. The even, on Saturday 2nd August in Windsor Great Park, helps raise funds for seven major animal charities and provides entertainment for all the family, both two- and four-footed members!

Former Blue Peter presenter Peter Purves provides commentary on the main events throughout the day, which is sponsored by Purina PetCare. As the owner of seven dogs, he has declared that "whatever the weather, I think The Wag & Bone Show is a winnner. So much to see, so much to do, I defy your dog not to have a wonderful day. And you might even enjoy it yourself, I know I shall!"

Pedigrees and crossbreeds are eligible to take part in loads of different events and The Blue Cross will be looking for this year's 'Top Dog', so if your dog has a melting expression, is a
loveable rogue or you are the best doggy family then enter the Top Dog competition. There are
10 categories at £2 per entry and you can register online at www.thewagandboneshow.com.
Scruffts, the fun dog competition run by the Kennel Club, caters specifically for crossbreeds and
only costs £1 to enter. You may even find yourself in the national final in November. Categories
like Child’s Best Friend and Golden Oldie ensure there is something for everyone at this year’s
Wag & Bone Show.

Other events and services (by no means an exhaustive list!) include:

• Dogs Trust Dogmobile with dogs looking for homes
• Obedience tests at Temptation Alley
• Doggie Water Bobbing
• Doggie Dash fitness tests (prizes for every entrant)
• Meet the Agony Aunt and Uncle for a Q&A on behaviour training and more
• Southern Golden Retriever Display Team performance
• Race between the charity mascots Barney (Blue Cross), Bat (Battersea) Carla the Cat (PDSA) Fred (Wood Green Animal Shelters), Rufus (KC) and Zippy (Dogs Trust). Come on Zippy!
• The Shopping Village
• PDSA free 10-minute dog 'MOT'

Tickets and information: 0871 230 5569 or online at www.thewagandboneshow.com
Ticket Price: Adult: £10 in advance (£11 on the door)
Concessions: £8 in advance (£9 on the door)
Children (5-16 years): £8 in advance (£9 on the door) Up to 4 years - Free
Family Ticket (2 adults + 2 children): £25 in advance (£30 on the door)
Camping: Caravan and camping facilities are available onsite priced at £25 for two nights. Book
your site in advance by telephoning 01753 847900
Opening Hours: 10am to 5.30pm, Saturday 2 August 2008