 |
|
|
|
 |
|
||
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
 |
|
||
| Animal lovers go to PDSA PetCheck event SOMERSET dog owners and their canine companions attended a free PetCheck event hosted by the UK’s leading veterinary charity PDSA at a garden centre in the county last week (April 3 and 4). The PDSA PetCheck vehicle visited Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre, which is located at Monkton Heathfield near Taunton, as part of its PetCheck tour. An experienced PDSA Veterinary Nurse was on hand to offer free health checks for dogs and expert advice on the care of other pets.  Liz Woodward, Pet and Aquatic Department Manager at Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre, said: “It’s great that representatives from the PDSA were able to visit us with their PetCheck vehicle. “Lots of people attended the event to get their dogs checked by a PDSA Veterinary Nurse who examined the animal’s weight, teeth, eyes and condition of their coat. It was a real success and we hope to welcome the PDSA back in the future.” Those who attended the free event at Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre also had the chance to pick up free PDSA pet care leaflets entitled ‘Diet and Exercise’, ‘Neutering’ and ‘Vaccinations’. Liz added: “We are keen to support the PDSA and the excellent work it carries out. The charity has a care ethos we follow when looking after our own animals housed in our Pet Centre.” Last year, PDSA completed more than 5,000 pet health checks during the PetCheck tour, which revealed that one in three dogs are overweight. Elaine Pendlebury, PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, explained: “During the 2007 PDSA PetCheck tour, the charity found that dog obesity levels had increased to a worrying 30% compared to 21% in 2006. “Obesity can have serious health implications for our four-legged friends, including heart disease, diabetes and arthritis.” Leading veterinary charity, PDSA provides free veterinary care for the sick and injured pets of those unable to afford veterinary fees and promotes responsible pet ownership. The charity operates a UK-wide network of 47 PetAid hospitals and branches and also works through some 350 contracted private practices (PetAid practices). This year PDSA PetAid hospitals and branches will provide more than 1.8 million free treatments and more than 200,000 preventive treatments, such as vaccinations, neutering and microchipping. In addition, more than 36,000 pets are registered for PDSA-funded veterinary care through PetAid practices. In 2008 delivery of PDSA PetAid services will cost more than £48 million. The charity is funded entirely by public support; mainly donations, gifts in wills and trading. To be eligible for PDSA care, a pet owner must be in receipt of either Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit and live within the designated postcode catchment area of their local PDSA PetAid service. Potential and existing clients can obtain more information on PDSA PetAid services by phoning 0800 731 2502. PDSA operates 179 charity shops UK-wide and is supported by 4,800 volunteers. The charity asks that it is referred to by its initials, PDSA, in all editorial rather than by its legal name The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals. PDSA and PetAid are registered trademarks of PDSA. |
