Les Amis des Animaux
From foster to forever home
From foster to forever home
Credit: Dannii Mackay – experienced dog fosterer with Les Amis des Animaux
STOP PRESS: You can now report a case of abuse or mistreatment online (which allows confidential and anonymous reporting to police or gendarmerie)
What is the law in France?
French law recognises animals as “sensitive beings” and requires that owners keep them in conditions compatible with their biological needs.
The neonatal and transition periods overlap with the stress‑hyporesponsive window, a time when puppies’ stress systems are naturally dampened. Gentle handling, mild environmental changes, and brief separations build resilience without creating fear. As senses open and mobility increases, puppies explore confidently, making this an ideal stage for low‑dose habituation to everyday sounds, textures, and handling. Understanding this window helps fosterers avoid overwhelming puppies, support healthy development, and prepare them for the challenges of life beyond the litter.
Bringing a puppy home is a huge transition. New sights, smells, people, and routines can feel overwhelming for a young, sensitive dog. The first days should be calm, gentle, and predictable. Let your puppy explore slowly, keep greetings low‑key, use familiar bedding and routines, and make sure they get plenty of rest. Supportive handling, happy vet visits, and small, positive exposures help your puppy feel safe. Confidence begins with a soft landing and steady reassurance.
Congratulations on adopting a puppy through Les Amis! You are giving a chance to a little life that has already been through more than most of us realise. Your puppy has been lovingly cared for by a foster family who has done their very best to prepare them for this moment—but the next chapter begins with you.
Puppy skeletal development is a critical process from birth to at least 12 months, with bones transitioning from soft cartilage to strong, mature structures. Growth plates remain vulnerable through rapid growth phases, especially between 2–6 months. Proper nutrition, controlled exercise, and breed-specific care are essential to support healthy bone formation and avoid long-term issues. Understanding this timeline helps ensure your puppy grows into a strong, well-balanced adult dog.
We’ve all heard it: “Wear them out! A tired pup is a good pup.”
But here’s the shocking truth: pushing your puppy on long walks, fetch marathons, or endless running could leave them crippled for life.
We often receive requests from cat owners who are seeking help to rehome their pets. This maybe because of illness or incapacity but frequently the reason is a return to the owner’s original country. We are not usually able to offer practical help but we have set out a set of guidelines which may be useful for anyone finding themselves in this position.
One of the less appealing features of life in rural France is the number of homeless cats living and breeding and fending for themselves without care or support.
How many of us would know what to do if our beloved cat or dog stopped breathing as the result of an accident or some other trauma? One of the kittens in our care last year had a very lucky escape as foster mum Tracy knew exactly what to do and saved his life.
CAN CATS AND DOGS BE FRIENDS?
We see this quite often as a query and the simple answer is YES – they can in the majority of cases. However, it takes patience and time. Some are quite quick to accept one another and others not so.
If you or someone locally has found small kittens which look as if they have been abandoned, here is a basic guide to giving emergency
In forests or gardens, on the ground or on tree branches, certain caterpillars may be seen following each other in single file. These “processionary” caterpillars
We all want a safe and happy Christmas for ourselves and our pets so here are a few tips for the holiday season.
We have all had to cope with the sadness and sense of loss when a beloved pet dies but what will happen to your pets if you die first? Nobody knows if or when this might happen, so it makes sense to have a plan in place to ensure they are cared for both immediately afterwards and in the longer term.
As holiday season is upon us, we asked our legal eagle Adrien Pech to tell us all about the law around having a house or pet sitter to look after your animals while you are away.
Yes most of us would agree it is possible – but I’m not talking here about an old dog, I’m talking about an “old” person – me! Been in dogs for over 40 years and learnt loads and loads along the way having tried many aspects of dogdom . . . obedience, agility, gundog training, showing, judging, breeding . . . so pretty much steeped you might say!!
This gorgeous girl is Belle. She was surrendered to a refuge in July 2023 and made her way to Les Amis where she was in foster with Linda Walsh then in October became a lifetime foster with me, Caroline Mills.
Belle arrived in a terrible state, very itchy with little fur on her back. Linda worked hard with her vet and Belle made a good recovery, but in the Spring the problem came back.
When you leave a legacy to us you help ensure that we can continue to be here for the dogs and cats who needs us.
It allows us to care for them for as long as it takes to find them the homes that is their true match. A gift in your will, or an in-memory fundraiser helps us to ensure their future.
This is a story about Manon, a wonderful Airedale Terrier who I first met last year when I was asked by Lynn Hull of Les Amis des Animaux to groom her.
1. If you see an apparently homeless cat which is very obviously pregnant, then she may be looking for somewhere to have her kittens.
1. If the cat is friendly, obviously used to people and to living in a house, and if it looks well fed and in good condition then it may well live locally and just be out on its rounds.
It is only natural to want to give our pets a little of what we are eating, but beware as many human foods are harmful
1. Plenty of fresh drinking water It seems obvious, but it’s easy to overlook when your pet’s water bowl is empty. Ensure they always have
WHAT IS FIV AND WHO GETS IT? FIV (Feline immunodeficiency virus) is usually acquired by uncastrated males fighting for territory so is quite common in
It’s a really common problem for dogs to be scared and/or anxious during thunderstorms. This is because thunder storms are loud, unpredictable and can bring
We realise how profoundly upsetting to lose your beloved pet even if it is only for a few hours but there are plenty of steps you can
Check to see if the dog wears a collar with the owner’s contact details on a tag. If the dog is tattooed, read the number
Gratefully copied with permission credit @LauraMeyer We have been seeing a lot of posts offering dogs/puppies for rehoming/rescuing for a fee and for requests and
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