CHECKERS OFFERS SUPPORT DURING NATIONAL PET WEEK

During National Pet Week, which runs from Saturday 29 April until Saturday 6 May 2006, the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter is reminding pet owners to consider their responsibilities and neuter their pet dogs, cats or rabbits. This is one of the many responsibilities that pet owners should recognise and which the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter will be highlighting at the Checkers Superstores during the week long campaign.

Owning any pet mans a commitment for looking after and taking care of that animal for the whole of its life.

Keeping an animal is a big responsibility. It is important to be completely aware of the extra responsibilities that owning an animal will involve, such as obtaining veterinary treatment for the animal if it becomes sick or injured and arranging for it to be properly cared for while you are away from home. Neutering is also another big responsibility that all cat, dog and rabbit owners must recognise, so as to ultimately help reduce the number of unwanted animals and pets. Uncontrolled breeding leads to many unwanted animals. At this time of year, cats especially can breed prolifically, which can ultimately result in unwanted kittens and an increase in the stray cat population.

In Jersey, Checkers is supporting the week by inviting the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter to use the Checkers superstores at Red Houses and St Saviour to set up a stand to emphasise the responsibilities of pet ownership to the customers.

A leaflet has also been produced through Checkers which sets out points that people should bear in mind when considering obtaining a new pet. JSPCA Animals’ Shelter staff will be at both the St Saviour and Red Houses Checkers stores between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 29^th April and Saturday 6^th May, advising customers on responsible pet ownership and handing out the Pet Week leaflet that has been produced by Checkers.

Also, Checkers has kindly persuaded a pet food supplier, Pedigree, to kindly donate a week’s worth of animal food and treats to the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter. Checkers will be highlighting their “Donate Pet Food to Charity” scheme and encouraging customers to contribute to it.

The JSPCA Animals' Shelter stand at the Checkers store at Red Houses.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The event at Checkers will run from Saturday 29^th April until Saturday 6^th May on both Jersey and Guernsey. In summary, the activities will be:

· JSPCA static displays explaining their work at Checkers superstores at Red Houses

and St Saviour

· The Checkers advice leaflet: “Buying and Keeping a Pet – the expert’s tips”

distributed at the JSPCA stand

· JSPCA collection tins so that customers can donate money

· One week’s-worth of food and treats will be donated by Pedigree to the JSPCA, as

well as other animals charities, including the GSPCA and Animal Aid in Guernsey.

· Checkers’ “Donate Pet Food For Charity” initiative will be highlighted, inviting

customers to donate to the JSPCA

· There will be banners and posters in-store, making customers aware of the event.

The JSPCA Animals' Shelter would like to thank everyone for their support during National Pet Week, which raised a total of Ł561.25. Well done and thank you!!