Archived press release

Date Published: 27/05/08

Pet checks cover general fitness as well as the key health concerns

Dog owners across Aylesbury Vale are being given the opportunity to have their pets checked by an experienced veterinary nurse for free.

PDSA, the UK’s leading veterinary charity, will be touring the district next month to promote responsible pet ownership.

During its four day visit, PDSA veterinary staff will be giving free check ups to dogs from their PetCheck vehicle. Pet checks cover general fitness as well as the key health concerns including pet obesity and dental disease.

Aylesbury Vale District Council’s environmental health team will also be on hand to give advice about caring for dogs.

The PDSA PetCheck vehicle will be visiting the district on the following days:
• Thursday 5 June – Quarrendon and Meadowcroft Fields, Aylesbury (10am – 5pm)
• Friday 6 June – Southcourt Community Centre, Aylesbury (10am – 5pm)
• Saturday 7 June – Buckingham car park, Cornwalls Meadow (10am – 5pm)
• Sunday 8 June – Wendover Woods, Halton (10am – 4pm)

For safety reasons, only dogs can be brought along to the PetCheck vehicle, but advice from PDSA veterinary nurses is also freely available on other pets. Owners are asked to keep their dogs on a lead and are reminded not to leave them in parked cars.

Councillor Sir Beville Stanier, AVDC Cabinet Member for Environment and Health, said: “I strongly encourage local dog owners to take this chance to have their pets examined as even seemingly healthy pets can have problems, which if caught early enough can be solved. Lots of families who own dogs will benefit from this event and it is a wonderful way to promote the responsible dog ownership message throughout Aylesbury Vale.”

PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Elaine Pendlebury, comments: “During the 2007 PDSA PetCheck tour the charity found that dog obesity levels had increased to a worrying 30 per cent, compared to 21 per cent in 2006.

“Obesity can have serious health implications for our four legged friends, including heart disease, diabetes and arthritis. So, we are urging as many dog owners as possible to visit the PDSA PetCheck vehicle, to find out more about their dog’s health and take advantage of a free dog health MOT.”

For further information about the free pet health checks, contact the AVDC environmental health team on 01296 585154 or email jnewton@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk

PDSA has a range of free pet health care leaflets available on its website, which can be downloaded from www.pdsa.org.uk