Dog days of summer?

I just received this advance publicity notice from Councillor Tim Beaumont who is taking responsibility for dog related issues in Liverpool (a beautiful and delicious irony on several fronts for those of you in the know). These roadshows look really good and are a poke in the eye for the ConDems who have scrapped Labour's national plans around dog ownership management.

LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCIL DOG WELFARE ROADSHOWS 2010

Liverpool City Council working with the Merseyside Dog Forum, and in partnership with the R.S.P.C.A and the Dogs Trust will be holding a number of events during the year to promote responsible dog ownership and provide owners with the opportunity to have their dog micro chipped.

In addition the P.D.S.A, the U.K’s leading veterinary charity will be in attendance at many of the events, offering free health checks for dogs, which will cover general fitness as well as key concerns such as obesity and dental disease.

When and Where?
On Saturday 7th August the road show will be in Wavertree Park.
On Sunday 8th August it will be in Stanley Park, and it will be in Croxteth Park on Thursday 12 August.

The road show will remain in the Merseyside region at various locations up until Sunday 22 August 2010.

Events will also be held in Liverpool on Saturday 14 August at Calderstones Park and on Sunday 15 August at Clubmoor Community Centre in Townsend Lane

Micro chipping, health checks, advice on neutering and responsible dog ownership will be available each day between 10.00am and 4.30pm.

The City Council is committed to promoting “Responsible Dog Ownership” and further events are planned for later in the year.
The following is a provisional list of dates and venue’s:-

Saturday 4 September (Sefton Park).
Sunday 5 September (Tesco Car Park, Old Swan)
Monday 6 September (Ellergreen Sports Centre, Norris Green)
Monday 20 September (FED Building in Formosa Drive)
Sunday 3 October ( Conleach Road Car Park in Speke)
Monday 1 November (Walton Road area)


What is Micro Chipping?
The chip is about the size of a grain of rice. It is quickly implanted and carried a unique number that is recorded on a National Database.
Please note that a dog must be at least twelve weeks old before it can be “chipped”.


Why bother?
It will help to re unite you with your dog if it manages to get out. Dogs that have been micro chipped and are found to be straying will, on the first occasion, be returned to their owner by the Animal Warden.
In cases where the owner cannot be contacted then the dog will be taken to the R.S.P.C.A kennels in Halewood. In order for the owner to subsequently reclaim the dog, all costs and kennelling fees will need to be paid in full before the dog can be released.

What will it cost?
All dog health checks and micro chipping is free of charge.
However donations will be accepted and shared amongst the animal charities that are involved in the event.

Who is Eligible?
Any dog owner from Liverpool or from any part of Greater Merseyside (Wirral, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens, Halton, Warrington).

What if I’m unable to get my dog to the road show?
Mr Ray Gordon from “Pets to Vets”, who specialises in pet transportation has agreed to transport dogs to and from their home address to the road show, if the owner is housebound or is unable to do so themselves.
Due to limited availability this offer is open to Liverpool residents only and will need to be booked in advance, a small charge will be made to cover the costs of the transportation, further information is available by contacting Ray Gordon, “Pets to Vets” on telephone number 07941259754.

If you have any further enquiries please contact Liverpool Direct, Tel, 233 3001, who will be able to put you in touch with a member of the Animal Warden Team.