Water for the dogs & wildlife

[Cally]

Hi all & in particular Marions

Could you all take a minute to think of the dogs & wildlife and put out a bowl/s of water if you already haven’t, as I know some will, they unfortunately are not in a position to turn on a tap in this hot weather.

I mentioned you Marions as I know you have contact with the press……

If you have read this & thought “ I can do this” then my job is done

Thank you

[sophie]

Every year I do this (3 times so far this year) and each time the containers have been stolen. I usually use washing up bowls with a rock in the base to stop them blowing away, but still they disappear over night. I've also used old kitchen pans minus handles and they have disappeared. Guess it's time to raid the garage yet again and see if I can find something that doesn't look stealable. Remember to keep the containers topped up and are not too deep so that cats and birds can use them as well.

[trueblue]

I collect yogurt mugs (the big ones) and use them in summer for this purpose, also with a stone in it. Not stolen yet, and can use new ones as often as needed.

[Maisiemoo]

I use empty ice cream containers.

[Ragged Robin]

I always have bowls of water in the garden for my (rescue) dogs. Since they are kept indoors at night and when I am away there is plenty of water for wildlife. I also used to put shallow dishes of water on tables (where the dogs could not reach them) for the small song birds that USED TO grace my garden.

Unfortunately hordes of feral cats fed nearby also invade my garden AFter the discovery on return from outings with the dogs of three pathetic feathered corpses (including a beautiful blue tit, one of a pair that I hoped were nesting nearby) I realised I had to stop encouraging birds for their own safety. Particularly now my own travels are restricted, I really miss the birds which used to flutter in front of my windows, and even when I was sitting in the garden, collecting insects from the shrubs. Even perfectly well fed cats tease and kill small birds and animals for fun, not for food.

The cats also tease the dogs , making them and others nearby bark, and at night they yowl and mate and fight, which is why my dogs have to be supervised in the garden I bought mainly for their benefit, with reduced quality of life for them and me.

Nature is wild in tooth and claw - and fang! If you upset the balance by encouraging one species you risk harming others. As well as feral cats, water also encourages rodents and snakes. I would suggest the disappearance of containers may be because people do not want poisonous snakes or rats attracted to an area where humans,particularly children ,or small pets are at risk of a fatal bite.

If you feed or water wild and feral animals please, please, please, do it away from residential areas.

[sophie]

Would that you are correct re the disappearance of washing up bowls. Sadly the fact that they are on the side of our unmade up road which goes up towards the mountains means that any passing person who feels like a new bowl, just picks them up and walks on. Sadly nothing to do with snakes etc. More like a bit of what we were informed 10 or more years ago.........."After six shopping" Fortunately we have very, very few feral cats indeed which seems strange and long may it stay so.

[Ragged Robin]

I am glad you are responsible about where you put the water Sophie. Apart from the Ice Cream and Yoghurt containers which dont last long in the sun, I can think of anything that would not be attractive to after 6 shopping: maybe you could do an appeal for old pots and pans! The animals dont expect brand new, in winter my dogs seem to prefer puddles to fresh clean water in bowls!