🐾 Splash Patrol
Pause Before You SplasH
Protect your dog. Protect your river.
Every year, thousands of dogs enjoy North Wales' rivers. But many flea and tick treatments contain insecticides that can wash into our waterways when treated dogs swim, contributing to pollution that affects aquatic insects and the wildlife that depends on them.
The campaign encourages dog owners to take simple steps to reduce this risk while continuing to enjoy the outdoors.
What Goes on Your Dog Can End Up in the River
Healthy rivers depend on healthy ecosystems.
Many commonly used flea and tick treatments contain the insecticides Fipronil and Imidacloprid. Although these chemicals are no longer approved for agricultural use in the EU, they are still used in many pet treatments and are increasingly being detected in rivers and the wider environment.
Once they enter our waterways, these insecticides can affect aquatic insects—the tiny creatures that form the foundation of healthy river ecosystems.
What the evidence shows
Fipronil was found in almost every river tested in England (98.6%).
Safe ecological limits were exceeded by more than five times in some locations.
These chemicals have also been detected in fish, river sediments, coastal waters and even songbird nests.
How Treatments Reach Rivers
Most people don't realise there are several ways flea and tick treatments can enter the environment.
Spot-on Treatments
Spot-on treatments sit on the surface of a dog's coat. During swimming, bathing or heavy rain, active ingredients can wash directly into rivers and streams, where some commonly used ingredients are highly toxic to aquatic insects and freshwater wildlife.
Oral Treatments
Oral treatments are less likely to wash directly from a dog's coat. However, some active ingredients pass through dogs and can remain active in faeces, creating another pathway into the environment.
Five Simple Actions
Every Dog Owner Can Help
Small actions by thousands of dog owners can make a real difference.
🐾 Keep treated dogs out of rivers
Spot-on treatments can wash into waterways after application.
🩺 Talk to your vet
Ask whether your dog needs year-round treatment and discuss the most suitable option for your dog's lifestyle.
💩 Always pick up dog poo
Some treatment chemicals can pass through dogs and remain active in faeces.
🦋 Protect insects. Protect rivers.
Healthy rivers depend on healthy aquatic insects.
❤️ Share the message
Every dog owner can help reduce insecticide pollution in our rivers.
Become Part of the Pack
Join hundreds of dog owners helping to protect North Wales' rivers.
Purchase your Splash Patrol badge, stitch it onto your dog's bandana, and wear it with pride on every adventure. Together, we'll create a visible community of river guardians, inspiring others to Pause Before They Splash.
Join the Pack
Buy your Splash Patrol embroidered badge and stitch it onto your dog's bandana or coat.
Show your support for cleaner, healthier rivers and become part of the growing Splash Patrol community. Every badge helps spread the message to Pause Before You Splash.