The step by step horse buying guide.

Buying a horse is a long term commitment not one to take lightly.
Here are some things to consider when you go looking at horses for sale. This is a simple guide, aiming to point you in the right direct and avoid costly or dangerous mistakes.

• For a beginner, a more mature - bombproof horse will be experienced, not so skittish and used to being handled. Match your lack of experience to the horses' wealth of experience.

• Always try the horse out – a trial or loan period is best, get written agreement on the trial period.

• What about horse transport?
  

• Go for temperament, not necessarily breed.

• Only use auctions if you have expert guidance.
  

• Ask questions:- Is the horse easy to shoe, clip, catch, load?
  

• Does the horse have any nasty habits/vices?

• Make sure the vaccinations are up to date?
  

• Are the tack and rugs etc. included in the sale?

• Does the horse/pony have a passport?
  

• How long has the seller had the horse? Why are they selling it? Where did they get it from?

• Take an experienced person with you to see the horse. Ask around, does anyone know this horses history - it all helps.
  

• When you have trialled and found the perfect horse for you, arranged for it to be thoroughly checked by the vet. Your insurance will probably want this report.

• Let the vet know what you want the horse for first, so that he can confirm that it will and be fit and able for your purpose.
  

• Lastly – get a signed and dated receipt.

Happy Hunting!

How to keep your pet safe……

Traditionally we have kept pets to provide a little extra security for us, but now the tide is turning a little and pet theft/loss is becoming more frequent. With a bit of common sense and pre-planning it should be possible to keep your pet safe well and healthy.

You’ve invested in your pet, so invest a little extra and have it micro chipped. Especially important for dogs and cats. Micro chipped animals are not easy to sell on because they can always be traced back to their owner. Puppies can be micro chipped at birth – but this may depend on the size of the breed. The chip is about the size of a grain of rice.
Costs average between £10 and £30. Microchipping is a one-off process and lasts for life. Your fee covers the cost of the microchip, insertion into the database and implanters time. Vets, welfare centres and training clubs offer this service. Be sure to question what company the microchip will be registered with you will need to know for future reference.
Once your pet is micro chipped, you and your pet’s details are stored in a database along with the microchip’s unique 15 digit code. When a missing pet is found, an authorised user (vet or dog warden) will scan the pet revealing the microchip’s unique code, and contact the microchip company. The microchip company will perform some security checks before releasing your contact details to the authorised user – so that your pet can be reunited with you!

Should your pet go missing:-

• Always call your Microchip provider to tell them that your pet has gone missing. Then the microchip company should send out alerts to local vets and dog wardens on your behalf. You should also search your neighbourhood immediately, leaving the description of your missing pet and your contact details with as many people as possible- pet shops, post offices anyone with a notice board. Remember to speak to any postmen, or other service personnel that cover a wide area.

• Call your vets, local animal warden and local police station (non-emergency number)..

• Place Lost Pet Posters everywhere you can - local shops, vets, lamp-posts, restaurants, superstores. Be sure to check the fly-posting regulations in your area.

• Contact your local radio station and newspaper and ask them to put out a message for you, place an advert on AdTrader - we do have a classification especially for this.

• Visit other Lost and Found Pet websites (petlog for example), and register your missing pet's details with as many as possible.

• Walk around the area the dog went missing with a lead, some treats and maybe the dog's favourite toy. The scents of all these things may bring your lost dog back to you.

• Do not shout your lost dog's name as this may make them think they have done something wrong and can scare them off.

• Don't give up - Those lost in an area, often stay around that area. Dogs that are lost from anywhere other than home, often return to the exact spot that they went missing from. A lost dog could return at any time, the same day or even months or years later

• Once you have found your pet again don’t forget to take down all posters and let everyone know that you are happily reunited.

It might also be worth considering whether or not your garden is dog napper proof, don’t leave the dog tied up outside shops etc, be aware of strangers taking unusual interest in your pet.
Pet owning is fun and good for both of you, with a little bit of care and for thought you should both remain safe and well.

Thinking of keeping hens?

An excellent idea, but perhaps there are a few things that you should consider first? Your new hens will need just as much attention as the average family pet (although they don’t need daily walks)! They will need fresh water and food daily, to be tucked up in their secure henhouse each night and of course lots of love and affection.
Hens can be very tame, so are quite a good pet for young children and also teach them a little about the food chain. You can source your chickens from a supplier of young point of lay hens, of which there are many on AdTrader, or rescue some ex battery hens. Don’t think that ex battery hens are in any way unhealthy, they are given full vaccinations at chick stage, but what will be new to them is the space to roam and forage for food.
Where ever you source your chicken they will need time to settle in and establish their natural pecking order before their true characters shine through. AdTrader has lots of chicken coups or iglus to house them, or make your own. Chicken houses can be on stilts to help protect them from foxes, or just well protected with chicken wire or fencing. But they must be both fox and vermin proof as well as ventilated.
They will need some purpose made hen food – purchased from County style shops, online or famers supplies as well as fresh produce – veg trimmings and some scraps etc. Also some grit which is necessary for them to digest their food.
Hens need regular worming, about 3-4 times a year and protecting from parasites, most notably Red mite. They may also need other medical checks should problems occur.
But, the pay off is that you will have a plentiful supply of fresh eggs, a slug and snail free garden and some new best friends!

Fancy a game of darts?

Tricolor dartfrogs for sale. I have 14 Tricolor froglets for sale with more on the way. Lovely confident little frogs £15 each - discount for multiple purchases. Excellent starter frog, males sing like little canaries. Set up can also be provided. Viewing welcome without any obligation to buy. I live in Fife, Scotland.

Hop along and place your ad for your unusual pet - or check out the Reptiles and Lizards on AdTrader.

Employment scam ads

A new scam has appeared in the news today – which as always is best to be aware of.

DETECTIVES in Plymouth are trying to unravel a complex employment scam after arresting three city people.
Police say the trio appear to have been duped into cashing fake traveller's cheques by an online con-man.
The arrests have all led investigators to the same job advert on the Gumtree website.
Officers were alerted to two separate incidents last weekend, one at a bank and the other at a Post Office. Both saw foreign nationals attempt to cash in 3,000 Euros in counterfeit traveller's cheques.
Staff spotted they were fakes and called the police, who arrested a 22-year-old woman on Friday, April 15, and a married couple – a 35-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman – the following day.
Detectives say both parties had applied for a housekeeper/cleaner job they had spotted on Gumtree.
They were then emailed by the advert's author and asked for personal information.
Police say the fraudster told them they were 'the lucky one' who had landed the job, saying their future employer wanted to give them an advance as a retainer.
According to police, they were sent traveller's cheques and told to cash them to pay for his 'house broker', sending the bulk of the money via a wire transfer to a third party.
The con artist, who used a British-sounding name, said he was living in Spain but about to return to the UK.
However, after trawling through emails provided by the arrested trio, detectives say they are unconvinced English is the man's first language.
All three have been released on bail until May 19.
Dc Dave Neale, who is leading the investigation, said: "The people we've arrested have given us plausible accounts of their initial intentions."
Appealing to anyone else who may have been in contact with the 'employer', he added: "There are scores of this type of fraud going on in this country. The targeting of specific individuals is becoming more complicated and more intricate. In this case the person behind the fraud provided a wealth of seemingly legitimate information. But it should be a warning to people in Plymouth and the surrounding area; we don't want to see any more people risking their own liberties."
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 08452 777444 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 quoting crime reference EC/11/3972.

How gorgeous is Greg?

Friendly loveable skewbald donkey colt.Greg is a coloured donkey jack, born on the 20/04/11. He loves a fuss and is extremely nosey, wanting to join in any activities. Will be microchipped, passported and vaccinated against tetanus. £100 deposit secures till weaning. £450.
More gorgeous animals like this on AdTrader, or place your own free ad - AdTrader the place to be.

Hissssssing Sids for sssssale............

Male royal python and viv. Hi all im selling my male royal python and viv.
He is a gorgeously placid snake and will come with his viv which is approx 4ft x 2ft x 2.5 ft, ceramic heater and guard, light, large log, large cork hide, another hide, water tub....the viv has sliding glass doors and also a lock on...
Im not too sure on his age but he measures approx 4ft at the mo and is a very chunky strong boy! Eating well on rats, although he will occasionally miss a feed as royals often do. Collection from Cambridge please.
Ssssell your ssssnakes for free on AdTrader!

Fish the most relaxing of pets?

I don’t think so – the Heron ate all of our Koi, didn’t find that very relaxing! Moving swiftly on before anyone lectures me on the benefits of pond covers!
It’s true, aquariums or outside garden ponds, there is a certain calming quality to aquatic pets. Although Aquariums may need a certain amount of knowledge and maintenance it should be relatively simple. Regularly check filters and lights, feed daily, and monitor the water ph. You can buy lots of bells and whistles for your tank depending on your pocket and interest.
AdTrader is a rich source of Tropical, marine and pond fish for sale, so it needed cost too much to set up. Why not? – go for it, but don’t forget to cover your pond!

Kids nagging for a small furry pet?

Before you commit what do you need to consider? This will depend on what animal you choose.
Hamsters – will need a very secure cage, or a habi trail to keep them secure and amused. They’re excellent Houdini artists and will escape easily if allowed. Hamsters must live alone, one per cage, if kept as pairs they will probably fight to the death of one. The cage needs wood shavings - they like to dig and keeps their coats clean. The cage must be kept out of bright light, away from draughts and heaters. Their’ teeth continually grow, so they need something hard to gnaw on. Best foods are seeds, cereals, nuts etc together with a source of protein. They are of course nocturnal, so although small, cute and furry not the best pet for a young child who will be in bed long before the hamster is awake and active. Similar sized pets to consider are mice, rats or Degus - all of which are awake during the day!
Guinea pigs can happily live inside or out providing the cage/pen is good enough, weatherproof and provides shelter from wind, rain and direct sunshine. It also needs to be predator proof with a run to play in. Indoor pets need a good size cage and access to more space where they can run around and exercise. Their diet is relatively easy, leafy green vegetables, hay, fruit and guinea pig pellets, but they can’t produce vitamin C and need a fresh supply every day. Guinea pigs are sociable animals and best kept in groups of at least two.
Rabbits also need a run to play in and a weather proof hutch to live in. They need company, either human or from other rabbits. Their diet consists of fresh hay, veg and purpose made pellets, and need to keep their teeth trim with something hard to chew. Rabbits also like to dig, so if left to run in the garden could well cause a few potholes. A cute furry animal, but possibly not one for the children to pick-up and pet. They do make excellent house pets however – the key could be in the training though!
Thought of a ferret, and why not? Not really suitable for small children, but kids from 12 years up will enjoy owning one. Ferrets live for about 10 years, so be sure first! Ferrets thrive on love and attention (don’t we all)? To live in they need to be litter trained and the house "ferret proofed". Outdoors they will need a secure hutch or enclosure. Smell can be a problem, so castration is recommended for both sexes, unless you intend breeding from them.
Other pets to consider are Chipmonks, Sugar Gliders, African Pygmy hedgehogs, but do your research first, these all need special conditions to live well and happily.
Don’t forget they will also all need Pet insurance, regular cleaning, vaccinations, grooming, exercise, food water and attention, don’t buy or adopt a pet on a whim, it for life, not just for Easter.

Is this the cutest pet ever?

Male albino ferret in Norwich. For sale white male albino ferret and setup including cage worth £130, very tame loves being handled and hugged. Fully trained and very playful, loves running around and walks well on the lead (included & harness) fully house trained will go to toilet on paper or go back to his cage. Fully vaccinated. Eats anything including human food preferably cat/dog biscuits. loves being out and running about and very playful. He is white with pink eyes very fluffy and enjoys having baths.Comes with his blanket food & water bowl and big cage, size = H2ft/24'' W2.7ft/30.5'' D1.7ft/18.5''. Very cheap cage was £135 on its own. will consider reasonable offers. £70. Norfolk.

When is a pig not a pig? When it's a guinea pig!

Pair of sheltie guinea pigs & 1 texel, they are all males, 1 year old. £25. Norwich.

Otherwise known as Cavies - guinea pigs make great pets. Happy to live quietly inside or out, but not alone as they like company. Guinea pigs are friendly, vocal, rarely bite, inquisitive and best of all awake during the day!
Lots more like this on AdTrader Guinea Pigs for sale, or if the guinea pigs have been busy and you are "over stocked" why not advertise for free on AdTrader?

Cats and their characteristics

Broadly each breed of cat has its’ own unique inbred characteristics and it is possibly wise to check out the breed characteristics before you buy a pedigree or first cross cat.
A breed such as a Siamese cat may need lots of attention and stimulation and can be very vocal, although they are highly intelligent and sociable they may not be the ideal cat that is left to fend for itself most of the day. Never underestimate the amount of damage a "bored" cat can do when shut in for any length of time.
Ragdoll cats are very gently and love people, often fascinated by water. Their very trusting nature may be a danger if they are let out unsupervised. Main Coon cats are similar, but larger; however they too can be quite vocal.
The British Blue cat is actually quite shy, loyal and trusting, although can be frightened of children, likes a quieter home.
Bengals need lots of attention and stimulation, best suited to a lively family atmosphere where they will have lots of play and attention. Burmese cats are similar in personality and tolerant of children and other pets.
Of course the good old everyday tabby or rescue cat will have a very varied personality – due to its’ mixed ancestry, but nothing wrong with that. There are lots of beautiful, affectionate cats and kittens on AdTrader looking for a loving lap to curl up on.

Please help my paw's stuck!

Ice blue eyed very fluffy persian x kittens I have persian coat extreme long haired 2 boys 2x longhaired persian coat pure black/brown boys £140. Cambridgeshire.

Lots more kittens and cats on AdTrader and if you have a cute picture like this why not enter our pet competition?

Someone buy her a bone!

Grey male kitten This is a rescue kitten, he is 11 weeks old, frontlined and wormed. £30. Great Yarmouth.

Lots more playful pets like this on AdTrader.

If you have a lovely picture like this of your pets why not enter out competition? The winning entry photo/captions will receive £100 pet gift voucher - enough to buy this kitten something else to chew on!

Cats and Kittens the Purrrfect pet!

Everyone has their own idea of the perfect pet, but if you like cats, their independent ways make them a very easy pet to own.
Their needs are simple. A suitable diet including fresh water to drink, a nice warm place to sleep, lots of hidey holes, access to high places (cats like to look down on you)! Someone or something to play with. A toilet area and a scratching post.
Cats are quite territorial, so happy to live alone, but brothers and sisters can quite happily co-habit together.
Don’t forget to factor in micro chipping your cat, vaccinations, regular flea treatments, spaying and the cost of a cattery for when you are away and if it is a long haired cat, the time spent grooming.
If a cat is for you AdTrader Cats for sale and Kittens for sale have a rich source of cats and kittens of all breeds and types. We have advertising for rescue cats and kittens. Adult cats that need rehoming, often offered free to a good home. Everyday tabby cats to the more exotic pedigree breeds such as Siamese, Bengal, Maine Coon and Ragdoll cats.
Did you know that owning a pet can significantly help reduce your stress levels, according to research - now where's that cat?

Choosing a Dog or Puppy

Each breed has its own characteristics and to truly enjoy owning your dog first give some thought to what you want out of your pet. In some cases it may be best to adopt an older dog- there are many for sale on AdTrader. A more mature animal won't be as destructive or bouncy as a puppy may be, but still able to live a happy active life. Your dogs’ temperament should match yours, don't choose a breed that is highly energetic if you're a couch potato!
Check out AdTraders Puppies for sale or Dogs for sale to find your perfect play mate.
Smaller dogs that are lively and fun to have include the Jack Russell, Beagle, Shih Tzu, Cavalier King Charles, Cocker Spaniels, Beagles and the very popular Chihuahua. Also consider the West Highland Terrier, Staffy, Poodles, pugs and Lhasa Apso.
Medium sized dogs are Border Collies, Bulldog, Basset Hound, Springer Spaniel, whippet or Shar pei.
Whereas if you can afford a larger dogs consider the Akita, Husky, German Shepherd, Greyhound, Boxer, Retriever, Labrador and Dalmatian.
There are off course many crossbreeds to consider, bred especially to encompass the best of both the original breeds. Cross breeds like labradoodles, and Sprocker spaniels.
Consider the space that you have for a dog. Also whether or not you have small children that may be knocked over, some breeds are more child friendly than others. Some dogs shed their hair or are low moulting and some don’t, some need to be regularly groomed/clipped, all extra time and expense.
Research carefully their characteristics so that you know what to expect, the level of exercise and care needed. If a breed was originally intended to round up sheep or work as a gun dog it will be lively and need stimulation, also will need a fair amount of exercise.
Factor in the how much the vets bills will be, as all dogs need their annual vaccinations, regular flea treatment and worming pills. Boarding costs when you go on holiday and whether or not you can afford to insure your pet .
Also there is the ever popular by product from a dog, not a chore easily ignored!
Dogs give lots of love, but need your input to keep them on the straight and narrow, so if you have the time and inclination there isn’t a much better pet to have!

A chocolate dog isn't just for Easter

CHOCOLATE LABRADOR PUPPIES FOR SALE KC Registered beautiful chocolate labrador puppies. . Parents can be seen. Bishop Auckland.
Gorgeous tho they may be owning a dog isn't a short term commitment, so it's alway best to think very carefully before buying a dog. But - on the plus side owning a dog is lots of fun, good for you and you have a friend and companion for life.