Pets

Help & support for pet owners feeling the pinch

With rising living costs and UK pet owners, charities and rescues feeling the pinch, National Pet Month (1st April – 1st May) aims to provide practical support for pet parents and carers.

Based around the five key welfare needs of our pets –Companionship, Behaviour, Diet, Health and Environment – NPM’s April campaign takes a closer look at these topics to provide advice on how to care for a pet companion responsibly and within your budget.

Throughout this month pet owners can tune into NPM Live broadcasts via social media, and follow the campaign blogs, while pet and vet professionals share advice on topics such as good pet nutrition and the importance of regular health checks, vaccinations, correctly reading labels for disease prevention, dental health and cleaning up after pets.

Did you know…?

Freddie Mercury really loved cats. He had a vest with portraits of his cats painted on it, wrote songs about some of them, and had albums dedicated to not only his favourite cats, but to "all the cat lovers across the universe."

There is also advice on puppy and kitten training, creating a dog friendly office, how to look out for changes in our pets' behaviour and what to do about it, the benefits of taking on an older rescue animal, plus a guide on how to become a sustainable pet owner.

Nicole Paley from National Pet Month said: “We want pet owners to know there is help available and encourage them to seek support from pet organisations. Sometimes just one conversation with a vet or pet professional can make a positive difference for you and your animal companion. There’s a lot of advice out there: no-one needs to feel on their own. By joining in National Pet Month 2023 we can all work together to care for our pets responsibly.”

To get involved in #NationalPetMonth follow NPM social channels and share your pet stories. See www. nationalpetmonth.org.uk for more information.

Tag to win!

Our furry family members deserve the very best! Newton Wood’s Horse and Groom Epsom Salt, which is ideal for dogs, can be dissolved in warm water and used as a soak, spray or exfoliator to focus on supporting the health and wellbeing of your beloved canine companion.

For a chance to win a bag, follow them on Instagram @horseandgroomepsomsalt and send a picture (via direct message on IG) of your pooch!

Your pet pics...

This is Ralph who loves a ball. Any ball will do, but a tennis ball is the firm fave. He has been known to play fetch for eight hours straight! He is a lovable scruff bag!

Hannah Gad

Here’s Percy, a Havana brown kitten, enjoying a spot of sunbathing.

Dave Lowe

This is Buddy. He came to us as a stray and now has his paws firmly under the table!

Barbara Coasby

Giving

Community is important to me and I’m passionate about what I do.

My work as a life celebrant helps families who have lost a loved one to create a unique and fitting ceremony that’s personal to them.

Other services I offer include:

• Weddings & vow renewals

• A ‘Remember Me’ package

• Bereavement Café counselling

• Grief Care boxes

Contact: michelleharvey.lifecelebrant@yahoo.com facebook.com/michelleharveylifecelebrant www.mrar.co.uk info@mrar.co.uk

0208 650 0121

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