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National
Pet Week celebrates 15 years
National
Pet Week will run from Saturday 3rd to Sunday 11th May 2003.
The 2003 theme is 'Pets – your local community friends’
This year marks the 15th anniversary of National Pet Week (NPW)
with a full week of events and fundraising, aimed at promoting
responsible pet ownership. Philippa Forrester, TV presenter
and pet lover, has teamed up with NPW to support the week and
help the national search for the organisation with the most
pet-friendly initiative.
NPW 2003 will focus on the valuable role pets play in the local
community. Pets benefit people across all areas of the community
– families, school children, the sick and elderly –
and in many ways. Scientific research extols the health and
social benefits of interaction with pets and their healing power
is well documented. It is proven that pets can help alleviate
stress, speed recovery from many illnesses and help people to
overcome bereavement.
Many organisations such as offices, hospitals, hotels, schools
and residential homes now recognise the value that pets play
in the community and have introduced ‘pet-friendly’
initiatives - from pet crèches to allowing pets to visit
patients. Organisations will be nominated by their Local Authority
for ‘pet-friendly’ initiatives and stand to receive
NPW’s prestigious ‘Recognition Award’. The winner
and runner up will be announced nationally in time for National
Pet Week.
Over the past 14 years, NPW has successfully run education campaigns
to promote responsible pet ownership, giving hundreds of people
(and their pets!) the opportunity to get involved in fun and
exciting events. NPW 2002 was again a popular event for pet
lovers across the country, with a record 780 events ranging
from church services dedicated to pets, to school open days
and pet shows. Check out the NPW website, at www.nationalpetweek.org.uk
Together with general information on NPW, the site features
details on how to get involved in NPW 2003, including a list
of events taking place in each area. Anyone wanting to hold
an event can register via the web and access publicity and merchandise
material as well as tips on running events.
Alternatively, contact the NPW Administration Office, 4-6 Peterborough
Road, Harrow, Middlesex, HA1 2BQ. Tel/Fax: 020-8422 9300.
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