Discussions

Hi, We recently moved to Sens (89100) and have 2 medium size dogs (9kg each). We are looking for Dog sitters nearby, as sometimes we may have weekend vacation plans. Will need someone to house them. At the same time, we are also looking for Groomers. Please recommend if any.Thanks ya! :)

Anyone welcome whether you're a seasoned beekeeper or a beginner. Whether you have bees, don't or just want to learn. Whether you believe in a natural approach or a more human managed one.https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeeksinFrance/

Hi anyone know of an Engish speaking Vet in the Macon area or within areasonable drive in Southern Burgundy? Many thanks

Does anyone know of any kennels and vets near Beaune?

Hi all.  We are thinking of moving to Burgundy, more specifically Cosne Sur Loire.  As our menagerie will be coming with us it is important to us that there is a good English speaking vet in the area.  Any recommendations?  Thanks in advance

I feel compelled to write a note to warn of pet poisoning.  I doubt anyone comes to the area we live and we don't know exactly where it came from, so this is just a general warning as our dog sadly died from the poisoning as the vet was unable to save him.  The vet advised that it was a aggressive neurotoxin, which rules out manypossibilities of how the dog picked it up, but still leaves enough that we don't know what it was but it would definitely have been a good dose of a strong chemical. I didn't see our dog eat or drink anything, nor lick something off his fur, but as the gardens around us are closed off, it is either something in the crop field behind our house or someone is putting the product outside the confines of their garden.  I will be talking to the Mairie about it but obviously nothing brings our dog back from his horrible death.  However, I would like to highlight that after walks or if your dog has run outside your garden for a bit then you need to watch them closely for any early symptoms for a long time after, just in case.  Our dog didn't vomit, the symptoms were very mild at first, but I now know what to look out for. I've written the full details on my blog - it's recent and I'm too tired to type it all out again here, so if you'd like to read it, it's here: http://www.backtoburgundy.com/first-signs-that-your-pet-has-been-poisoned/ Otherwise, I hope my experience could save another animal.  Better would be that people stopped using such aggressive chemicals. I'll update if we get any further indication of where it came from and what it was.

If so, then find out more about it by reading this article: http://www.thegoodlifefrance.com/expats-volunteer-opportunities-in-france-with-laarf/ Or join the LAARF volunteer network (Les Amis des Animaux en Refuges de France) on: Facebook: LAARF SPA Volunteer NetworkWebsite: laarf.comEmail: info@laarf.com Do you want to walk dogs and cuddle cats at your local refuge?

Hi, is it just me or is anybody else feeling we are being "used", "abused" and "taken for a ride" with Cannel crossing charges for our pets? I can book a car with up to 9 people in it on a channel crossing for as litle as £63 rtn., but put one dog in the car and they want another £30. For what, the dog stays in the car, it is easily identified by a micro chip, no trying to match up an old photo to a dishevelled face like my passport, I get cafe, toilets, rest ares at the port, duty free shops, musak, lounges with comfy chairs etc on board while the poor old dog has to sit down in the car deck locked in the car. Doesn't seem fair to me, even with five people in the car that's only £12.60 each, with all those facilities for our comfort and the poor old dog, or cat, is charged £30 with nothing laid on.. no it doesn't seem fair to me. Now it isn't DEFRA who charge the fee, I've checked, it is solely down to the channel crossing companies. Why? Is the answer just greed and "because they can?" and is there anything we can do about getting a better deal?

Hello We recently rescued 2 kittens who had been placed in the road so that they would get run over. They were about a week old (eyes were still firmly closed). I have been bottle feeding them for nearly 4 weeks now, an exhausting business! I have read a lot of info on the intenet about weaning them, but get a lot of conflicting views. Has anyone hand reared and weaned kittens? I am trying at the moment to get them to lap the milk from a saucer, unsuccesfully I might add.  I have also tried dried food for kittens, which I moistened first, they don't really want that either. I have visions of feeding these kittens by bottle for the next 15 years! Any advise would be gratefully recieved. Thank you.

I don't know whether this sounds a tad trivial, but it's something that is beginning to become more than a little annoying. Recent neighbours allow their three dogs to foul regularly on the lane just outside our garden gate, garage and front doorstep. When asked, they eventually clear away the mess, or not, according to their mood. We have now adopted the strategy of  throwing the turds back into their front patio, to no avail. Can anyone help with a solution? Talking rarely has any effect. We have been called 'Vieux cons' more than once.

Dear All, This is a strange request. We live in for half of the year in Semur-en-Auxois in a wooded peaceful place (that we've rented) and the other half of the year on a boat half way around the world. We haven't owned a pet because of our lifestyle which would require transporting a pet on multiple long distance flights and cooping them up on a boat for half of the year.  This summer, despite all of our vows, we gave into peer pressure from a gorgeous black cat with emerald eyes who wandered out of the woods and insisted on adopting us. He is an incredibly polite gentleman, fastidious in his habits and he insisted that we were going to be his family. We finally gave in and welcomed him into our lives, took him to the vet who said that he was in good shape, if not a bit thin, and was neutered. He's an indoor/outdoor kitty, about 2 - 3 years old, who loves his forest and garden. He knows how to use a litterbox. It's been a few months now and he is no longer thin, but just right, and is just about the sweetest cat we've known. He's gentle, good natured, and friendly to everyone.  We adore him. Since we don't want to drag him half-way around the world and put him on a boat, but we know that we'll be back on an annual basis every year, we wondered if there is anyone who has a lovely safe cat-friendly place (probably in the countryside with plenty of room to roam outdoors, not near busy streets) and who would consider taking care of him for six months. We'd drop him off in late October and come back to pick him up in May.  Of course, we'd be happy to cover all of the food costs, vet or other expenses.  Perhaps this is a silly idea but we love him so much and he loves his forest and fields here and we'd like to make that available to him for at least 6 months out of the year. We've been asking neighbors (because the best thing would be to keep him here in his forest) but so far, no luck -- they either have lots of dogs or travel a great deal. We're still trying though. I'm not sure if this makes sense but I thought I'd post this query in the hopes that perhaps there is someone out there who might enjoy a lovely companion for half of the year.    

Hello. We have a nest of baby great tits in an ornamental chimney pot in our garden. There is a plant pot on top of the chimney pot and a tiny crack where the parents enter. They are busy feeding the youngsters who are creating a lot of demanding noises. I think they are almost ready to leave the nest. It has been a big temptation to have a glance at the youngsters, but so far have desisted. Does anyone know for sure whether, by removing the pot for a moment to have a look whether the intererence will cause the parents to abandon the babies? I'd hate to do that, but would love to look at the infants before they fly. Any advice appreciated.

Can anybody recommend a Cattery near Dijon? Regards

Hi all.  For those who have been following the story of Luca, here's an update from the original poster:   I went to collect him today after his surgery yesterday which lasted four and a half hours.  He stands an excellent chance of a very good recovery with full mobility.  The vet put one screw on his right side (which he did free-of-charge given the circumstances) where the pelvis had been knocked sideways, and four smaller ones on the other side where it was shattered - x-rays are interesting!  He castrated him at the same time whilst he was zonked out - one more snip or two made no difference after everything he'd done!!  They also kindly treated him for fleas at the same time free-of-charge (every little helps).  He looks a sorry state with his back end completely shaved, apart from his tail and paws, with all his scrapes, incisions and stitches showing.  My youngest 'diva' gave him a welcoming hiss as I brought him in, but he is now in the spare room with the door closed, in his dog cage with a fleece and litter tray and water.  He doesn't need the others poking or hissing at him just yet! There are anti-inflammatories and anti-biotics for a week, and despite the free work, the bill still came to 820,99€.  Would be nice if I could raise a little more in contributions, but people have already been so generous (445€ from AI members, and 200€ from the charity).  All the veterinary staff who have dealt with him have commented on what a sweet-natured and beautiful cat he is - he was worth saving.......

Hi all I'm posting this on behalf of a lady on AngloInfo Brittany, hoping that some kind souls may be able to contribute a small amount towards an operation for an abandoned cat. See here for details: http://brittany.angloinfo.com/forum/viewtopic/222662/0/injured-cat-dilema/ Thanks for taking the time to read this. Best wishes. Linda W

Just popping over from Poitou-Charentes to let you know that a new Facebook group has been formed to bring together animal lovers who would like to help out at their local animal refuge. If you already volunteer for your local animal refuge, or are interested in joining others in helping by walking the dogs or cuddling cats or by collecting and delivering much needed food and bedding, please join us: https://www.facebook.com/groups/433692586732464/ We plan to develop the network and there will be a website in the New Year with lots of information about volunteering, fostering and where you can make a difference, so if you don't use facebook but are interested in being involved, please get in touch, letting us know how you'd like to help.

We are looking for a good home for our 11 year old 13'2hh coloured pony.  He is kind and gentle in every way, but can no longer be ridden so can only be kept as a companion, and he is very good at this job !  He's a good doer, lives out, and doesn't cost much to keep. He would be free of charge to the right home. Many Thanks!

Can anyone please recommend a good Cattery in the Beaune area for our aging and sensitive cat? Thanks

Hi does anyone happen to know of any horse rescue centres North of Dijon? If so could someone kindly post their contact details? Many thanks

Hello Can anyone recommend  a good  kennels in the Montbard area for our 2 dogs, thanks.