UK Pet Care News: July 2026

Four things worth knowing this month if you own a pet or rely on local pet services. Councils are putting up blue-green algae signs at popular dog-walking spots, the RSPCA has published figures showing summer cruelty reports climbing, vets are pushing tick checks after every walk, and there is a fresh heat warning aimed at smaller pets. Here is what changed and what it means for your week.

Blue-green algae signs go up at popular dog-walking spots

Staffordshire County Council warned on 13 July that toxic blue-green algae has been found at Chasewater and Cannock Chase Country Park, two busy walking spots, and has put up signs telling owners to keep dogs on a lead and away from the water. The algae shows up as green or turquoise scum on the surface and can be fatal if a dog swims in it or drinks it, and there is no antidote once the toxins take hold. If your walks take in lakes, ponds or reservoirs this summer, look for warning signs before you let a dog off the lead, and get to a vet straight away if your dog is unwell after being near water. It is also worth asking anyone who walks your dog where they go and whether they let dogs near open water; our guide on what to ask a dog walker covers the questions to raise. Reported by Staffordshire County Council.

RSPCA says summer cruelty reports are rising

The RSPCA released figures on 7 July showing a 64% rise in summer cruelty reports over five years, with 6,322 calls to its cruelty line across June, July and August 2025 against 3,852 in the same months of 2021. Reports also climbed 22% in a single year, from 17,260 in 2024 to 21,117 in 2025, and the charity says cats are among the animals most often caught up in it. For an owner the practical point is timing: the charity and many services are stretched thinnest in exactly the weeks you may be travelling or leaving a pet with someone new, so line up trusted care early and check references rather than booking in a rush. If you are still looking for a reliable walker or sitter, our guide on how to choose a dog walker sets out what to check first. Reported by Times and Star.

Vets push a simple tick check after every walk

With ticks most active in the warm months, vets are reminding owners to run a tick check over a dog after every walk, warning that the parasites can pass on Lyme disease. Ticks tend to latch on around the head, ears, neck and between the toes, so it is worth running your hands slowly over those areas when you get home rather than trusting a quick glance, especially after grassland or woodland walks. If you find one and are not confident removing it, or your dog seems off colour in the days afterwards, speak to a vet. If you are between practices or new to an area, our guide on how to find a good vet is worth reading before you need one in a hurry. Reported by Dogs Today.

A heat warning for smaller pets, not just dogs

As another spell of hot weather arrived, the RSPCA warned that rabbits, guinea pigs and other small pets are easy to overlook in a heatwave, and that temperatures inside a car, conservatory or shed can turn fatal at around 22C. The advice is to move dog walks to early morning or late evening, keep hutches and cages in the shade with plenty of water, and call a vet at the first signs of heat stress such as lethargy, heavy panting or drooling. If someone else walks your dog, it is worth agreeing that hot-weather walks shift to the cooler ends of the day; our guide on how to choose a dog walker covers setting that kind of routine before you book. Reported by LBC.