Every year National Pet Month celebrates the positive impact pets have on our lives. This year National Pet Month will focus on Responsible Pet Ownership, reminding all pet owners about the importance of giving our pets the best levels of care.  Last year, we launched our Responsible Pet Ownership Checklist, as in 2015 a massive 5 million people did no research at all before getting a pet and we wanted to help potential pet owners understand what’s really involved in being a responsible pet owner. If you know someone who is thinking about getting a pet, please share our checklist and advice to help them make the right decision.

Our Animal Welfare work helps pets and pet owners

Our team of Animal Welfare Officers carry out a whole range of animal welfare work in London and work in collaboration with Brent Council. They also advise on pet care and welfare and help pets and pet owners in the community. Our officers work with the homeless and their dogs and provide temporary pet care in the event of a personal crisis. Find out more about our Animal Welfare work here.

Join in the fun and raise money

Throughout National Pet Month you can also raise money for your favourite pet charity, and we are hoping that our fantastic supporters can get enthusiastic and hold an event or join in our fundraising events. You can sign up to one of our challenge events or how about a fun Tea Paw-ty event?  Hold a tea party with your friends and raise money while you eat cake! You can also enter our Tea Paw-ty raffle to win Afternoon Tea for two at Laduree in Covent Garden.  More details and get your fundraising pack here.

Celebrating the value of pets

National Pet Month also celebrates the value of pets for people and people for pets. We save hundreds of cats and dogs every year and rehome them to their forever, loving homes so we’ll be sharing our rescued and happily homed pet stories with you this month.  Our stories demonstrate how pets can bring true happiness to a household as well as celebrate the brave, resilient and wonderful animals that we save and help every single day.

Animals also bring happiness and wellbeing to humans and our successful TheraPaws programme demonstrates this strong bond. Our volunteers and TheraPaws dogs regularly visit care, dementia and residental homes, hospitals and hospices bringing well being and social engagement to residents and patients. Not only do our visits bring a welcome respite, they also help to unlock memories, start conversations and bring people out of their shells. You can find out more about TheraPaws here.

Offering community vet clinic services and training

National Pet Month also raises awareness of the important role of animal health professionals. Our on-site Vet Clinic and dedicated team of Vets and Vet Nurses help our rescue animals attain better health from the poor health conditions they arrive in, as well as offering accessible and affordable vet care to our local community. Not only does our vet team help animals in the UK, they also  train overseas vets and vet nurses in the highest standards of veterinary care and reproductive surgery so that those vets can give the best care and animal welfare education in their own countries. We’re in the process of expanding our vet clinic to do even more veterinary care and training. Find out about our vet clinic and vet team.