Animal Protection Trust Awareness

Left on the shelf ... and feeling sorry for myself.

Animal Protection Trust's Awareness Campaign aims to highlight the plight of animals remaining in rescue centres for months.

Snip and Chip

APT urges pet owners to neuter and microchip their dogs and cats as part of a campaign to promote responsible pet care.

Neutering is an essential step to take to avoid unwanted kittens and puppies. From the earliest age of just 6 months, a female dog and cat can be ready to reproduce. A cat can have up to 3 litters each year. An unspayed female cat can be responsible for producing thousands of descendants - in just 5 years this could be as high as 20,000!

Unneutered male dogs and cats are likely to wander off in their search for a female and run a higher risk of being killed or injured on the roads. They also tend to be aggressive, leading to fights with other dogs and cats which can easily result in serious injuries and possibly contracting life-threatening viruses.

Microchipping will ensure that a dog or cat has a permanent identification system, by having a microchip placed under the skin at the back of the neck. The microchip registration number can then be identified by using a scanner. Should the pet ever become lost or involved in an accident, microchipping will provide an excellent chance of a pet being reunited with its owner.

Jacqueline Ward-Reel, our Chairman, said: "Sadly many dogs and cats that arrive at rescue centres are not neutered or microchipped. Although pet owners may be concerned with the costs involved, it is a responsible and caring act which, in the long term, will benefit their pets by them having a healthier, happier and safer life as a result."

Press and media enquiries about the events should be directed to Ruth Allsopp at Blackcat PR, on 01737 814159, or emailed to ruth@blackcatpr.net