Get Snap Happy During National Pet Month in Celebration of your Pet
01 April 2010
In recognition of the role pets play throughout our lives National Pet Month is running a photographic competition calling on pet owners to get snap happy and send in a photograph that captures the special bond between them and their pet. Launching on 03 April, the competition will run until 03 May.
Teaming up with Venture Photography, the UK’s leading contemporary photography company, National Pet Month also wants to hear the story behind this unique friendship, so tell us in up to 100 words, why your pet is truly ‘one of the family’.
Within the competition there is a special category for the over 60s called ‘Friends for Life’ in support of the ‘Pets for Life’ campaign*, led by the Society of Companion Animal Studies (SCAS). See details on how to enter.
Phil Sketchley, Chairman of NPM comments: “Pets play an important role in people's lives providing a constant source of enjoyment, friendship and fun. The competition will give the pet owning public a chance to show and tell the nation what their pet means to them”.
He adds: “Throughout National Pet Month there are lots of other fun and informative events going on all around the country. Have a look on our website to see what’s on in your area and get involved!”
The winner from each category will receive a complimentary photography session and £1000 worth of Venture products. According to Venture Photography, around a third of their clients bring pets along to share their studio experience capturing the unique relationships between pets and their owners.
The runners up from each category will receive a pack of 3 books including The Dog That Saved My Life, Come Back Como and Small Dogs Can Save Your Life.
National Pet Month is now in its 21st year. Running from April 3 to May 3 2010 there will be numerous events the public can get involved in. There’s still time to start planning your own activity now whether it’s to raise funds for your favourite local charity or to draw attention to an aspect of pet care. Or see what’s already on near you - there’s an array of activities from sponsored walks to crafty activities to entirely doggy themed fun days – all helping to highlight animal welfare. Check out for some inspiration.
Notes for editors
*The Pets for Life campaign is led by SCAS (the Society of Companion Animal Studies). Research by SCAS has shown that only 29% of UK facilities permit pet ownership as a matter of policy and, of these, over half (54%) specifically exclude cats and dogs. This is having a considerable impact with nearly 40% of elderly people in care facilities showing noticeable symptoms of distress because they have been parted from their pets. See more information including case studies and facts and figures.
‘The dog that saved my life’ by Isabel George, ‘Come back Como’ by Steven Winn, and ‘Small Dogs Can Save Your Life’ by Bel Mooney are kindly supplied by Harper Collins publishers
Youngsters invited to draw their happy pets for National Pet Month 2010
26 February 2010
National Pet Month is a charity raising the profile of how to look after our pets responsibly whilst showing how much fun we can have with them. This year, from 3 April – 3 May, National Pet Month will be celebrating its 21st birthday and thousands of people will be celebrating life with their pets at hundreds of events up and down the country.
National Pet Month calls on the nation’s children to help create the country’s happiest pet. We’re running an art competition, open to children of all ages around the theme ‘A happy pet I know’ and we’re inviting children to draw or paint their own pets, or those of friends or relatives. The animal they choose could be playing or walking to make it healthy and happy, or eating its favourite food; it could be visiting a pet care specialist or just cuddled up with its favourite human friend.
From cats to dogs, guinea pigs to stick insects, we are asking children, working with their school or youth group, to make a picture – draw, paint, collage – it’s entirely their choice!
All children love animals, so inspire their artwork by arranging a visit to a local pet shop or veterinary practice, or inviting a representative to come and talk to them in school in National Pet Month. It’s a great way to get the children engaged in animals and pet care. For those with pets it enhances what they have already learned; for those without pets, it opens up a whole new world.
The National Pet Month trustees will select their favourite pictures from the entries received. There will be a special prize for those who, in the opinion of the judges, create the ‘Best Pet Picture’. There will also be certificates for the schools and youth groups whose pet pictures are chosen.
Here’s what to do:
- Get visiting: If possible, try to arrange a visit either to or from your local pet retailer or veterinary practice. It will help give the children first-hand knowledge about pets and their care, and will help hone their artistic talents!
- Pick a Pet: Working with your teacher or youth group leader, decide which pet you would like to create a picture of. Pick what makes it healthy and happy: Use any medium – paint, collage etc. Do it as an individual, or the whole class can work on the animal as a project.
- Tell us you are involved: Log on to the National Pet Month website www.nationalpetmonth.org.uk and become a supporter. That way we can send you a free events pack and you’ll get some free posters on responsible pet ownership to inspire you. You can also display these at your school or clubhouse. You can send us an email, fax or post us.
- Submit your entry! Entries should be submitted to the National Pet Month office with the enclosed entry form by Friday 28 May: 3 Crossfield Chambers, Gladbeck Way, Enfield, EN2 7HF.
- Download Guidelines on the competition
- Download the entry form
Notes for editors
Benefits of pet ownership
- Almost half of all UK households own a pet and it will come as no surprise to animal lovers that research shows that pets are good for our health.
- One of the more obvious health benefits of owning a pet is that of exercise - dog walking or playing with a cat is a great way for people to burn a few more calories. Contact with animals can also bring real physiological and psychological benefits, such as reducing stress, helping to prevent illness and allergies, lowering blood pressure, aiding recovery and boosting chances of survival after a life-threatening illness.
- Children who live with a cat or dog have a lower incidence of hay fever and asthma and are less likely to develop animal-related allergies. Recent studies also show that the immune systems of children (particularly between the ages of five and eight) of pet-owning families are more stable than those of children from non-pet owning families - the result being that making pet-owning children are better able to fend off illness.
- As well as all the fun elements associated with owning a pet, pets can bring many educational benefits. Owning a pet can teach a child about responsibilities and mutual trust. By feeding and exercising a pet children can also develop an understanding of daily care.
National Pet Month 2010: 21 years of celebrating pets and people 3 April - 3 May 2010
01 February 2010
From 3 April – 3 May, National Pet Month will be celebrating its 21st birthday. Thousands of people will be celebrating life with their pets at hundreds of events up and down the country. While many of these events will raise funds for local animal charities, National Pet Month is not just about fund raising. It is also all about raising awareness of how pets makes peoples’ lives better, and how we can repay the pets we love by really looking after them responsibly.
Details of how to join in and become a supporter – whether by setting up an event yourself or to see what’s on in your area, are on our website www.nationalpetmonth.org.uk.
Last year saw National Pet Month become the most successful to date with well over 450 events and at least £64,500 raised for more then 35 animal charities.
Phil Sketchley, chairman of NPM said: “National Pet Month was so successful in 2009 we are looking forward to the month-long 21st birthday celebrations in 2010. “National Pet Month is an opportunity for us all to learn more about responsible pet care so we can enjoy our pets for many years to come. By following our 10 top tips, our animals will enjoy healthier and longer lives,” explained Phil Sketchley.
