Charity offers free pet health checks

LOCAL dog owners are invited to bring their canine companions along to PDSA's PetCheck vehicle when it comes to Newtownabbey and in so doing, take advantage of a free dog health check as part of the veterinary charity's annual UK-wide PetCheck tour.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Aug 2010, 12:21 BST
Updated 24th Aug 2010, 14:42 BST

The PDSA PetCheck vehicle will be at the following locations in the borough from Wednesday, September 8 to Tuesday, September 13.

On Wednesday, September 8 it will be at Ballyearl Arts and Leisure Centre, 585 Doagh Road between 10am and 5pm; on Thursday, September 9 and Friday, September 10 it wil be at Sixmile Leisure Centre, Ballynure Road, Ballyclare from 10am to 5pm; on Saturday, September 11 and Sunday, September 12 it will be at Pets at Home, Longwood Retail Park, Newtownabbey from 10am to 5pm on the Saturday and between 1pm and 6pm on Sunday, and on Monday, September 13 it will be at Jollyes Petfood Superstores, Glenwell Road, Glengormley between 10am and 5pm.

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An on-board Veterinary Nurse will examine the weight, body shape, teeth, eyes, coat and general fitness of dogs, and will offer free advice on other companion animals.

PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Sean Wensley, said: “PDSA’s PetCheck tour is the perfect opportunity for dog owners to get their four-legged friends health checked free of charge.

“The tour is a vital part of our ongoing work to ensure the health and welfare needs of the nation’s pets are being met. For example, last year, one in every four dogs who visited the vehicle was suffering from dental disease, and over one in three were overweight. Both conditions can have serious long-term health implications.

“By touring the UK with the PDSA PetCheck vehicles we are able to provide owners with advice on how to improve their pet’s health before any problems become too advanced.”

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For safety reasons, only dogs can be brought along to the PetCheck vehicle. However, PDSA’s Veterinary Nurse will be happy to provide free advice and answer owners’ questions on all types of companion animals. Dog owners must keep their pets on a lead at all times and should never leave them locked in cars.

PDSA (The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals) was founded by Maria Dickin CBE, who opened the charity’s first dispensary in 1917 to treat the sick and injured pets of people in need. In 1921 she created her first ‘PetCheck vehicle’ by converting an old gypsy caravan into a horse-drawn clinic and, accompanied by a vet, travelled Britain treating animals. By 1935 PDSA had 11 motor caravan clinics travelling the country.

Related topics:NewtownabbeyDog ownersBallyclare