NATIONAL PET week runs between the 4th-12th May and for this, the fourteenth year, thousands of people up and down the country will be involved in fun-filled events as part of the week. Each year, the responsible pet ownership message is conveyed by running National Pet Week events under a central theme. This year the focus is on pets and schools, with the theme ‘Teacher’s Pet’.

Many veterinary surgeries across the UK have already taken part in NPW over the last 13 years and benefited from both helping to promote responsible pet ownership, while using events or other activities to build relationships with current and prospective customers.

Vet surgeries wanting to be involved should access the Advice on Events section of the NPW website at www.nationalpetweek.org.uk to find out how to capitalise on opportunities during National Pet Week 2002. As well as providing access to NPW promotional materials for the surgery, such as posters and collection boxes, the site suggests ideas for surgery events and tips on generating local media coverage during the week.

National Pet Week is a registered charity and unique in bringing together the work of animal welfare charities and professional bodies throughout the UK. Anyone interested in running events for National Pet Week should write to

Floss Slade at PO Box 310, Pinner, Middlesex, HA5 4XU.