Chip in to protect dogs

DOG owners in Liverpool are being offered the opportunity to have their pets micro chipped and given a free health check.  Liverpool City Council has teamed up with the Merseyside Dog Forum, the RSPCA and the Dogs Trust to hold a number of events in July to promote responsible dog ownership.

Micro chipping, dog health checks and advice on neutering and responsible dog ownership will be available between 10am and 4pm on the following dates at these venues:-

► Friday, 8 July 2011,  Newsham Park, L6

► Saturday, 9 July  2011, Wavertree Sports Park, Wellington Road, L15

► Sunday, 10 July 2011,  Garston Sports Centre, Long Lane, L19

► Monday, 11 July 2011,  Doric Park, Old Swan, L13

► Tuesday, 12 July 2011,  Scargreen Park, Shottesbrook Green, L11

► Wednesday, 13 July 2011,  Croxteth Park, L12

► Saturday, 16 July 2011,  Walton Sports Centre, Walton Hall Avenue, L4

► Sunday, 17 July 2011, Sefton Park, L17

► Saturday, 23 July 2011, Everton Park Sports Centre, Great Homer Street, L5

Councillor Tim Beaumont, assistant cabinet member for the environment and climate change, said;- “These events have proved to be popular over the past few years and I am sure they will a big success with dog owners over the next month.  They are all about encouraging responsible dog ownership see the value on having their dogs chipped and I would encourage as many owners as possible to take advantage of these road shows.”

The PDSA, the UK’s leading veterinary charity, will be offering free health checks for dogs, which will cover general fitness as well as key concerns such as obesity and dental disease.  All dog health checks and micro chipping are free but donations will be accepted and shared among the animal charities that are involved in the event.

These services will be available for any dog owner from Liverpool or from any part of Greater Merseyside (Wirral, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens, Halton, Warrington).

For micro-chipping, a chip about the size of a grain of rice is quickly implanted in the dog, which must be at least 12 weeks old. It carries a unique number that is recorded on a national database.  This helps re-unite owners with their dog if their pet strays. Dogs that have been micro chipped and are found to be straying will, on the first occasion, be returned to their owner by an animal warden.  In cases where the owner cannot be contacted the dog will be taken to the RSPCA 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.

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:- 0794 1259754.  Dog owners who have further enquiries should contact Liverpool Direct on:- 0151 233 3001, who will be able to put them in touch with a member of the animal warden team.  

Hundreds join the fun at Southport Hospital Open Day

HOSPITAL staff lifted the theatre curtain on their work at Southport and Formby District General Hospital’s Open Day on Saturday, 2 July 2011.  Around 500 visitors were treated to displays by staff from across Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust.  Among the attractions were behind-the-scenes tours of the theatres, pharmacy and x-ray department, competitions, health promoting activities and dozens of stands explaining the work of Trust staff in hospital and the community.

Visitors to the theatres were shown inside a fully-equipped operating theatre, the history of anesthesia by staff in period dress, and orthopaedic implants used in hip and knee surgery.

Activities in the North West Spinal Injuries Centre gymnasium included face-painting, a pedal-powered smoothie-maker and a life-size game of operation.   Youngsters also brought their teddies to the fracture clinic for “broken” limbs to be set in plaster.

Trust chairman Sir Ron Watson CBE said:- “Keeping people healthy and making them better when they’re poorly takes the dedication of nearly 3,000 Trust staff across north Sefton and West Lancashire.  I was delighted so many people came to celebrate their work and find out more about what goes into making the amazing work they do possible.”

The Aintree Sprint 2011

ON Sunday 17 July 2011, the North West Section of the Vintage Motor Cycle club will be holding an event with a different type of horse power, the 'Aintree Sprint', at the historic race course. This annual event brings to Merseyside top class competitors and machines from all over, to what is now one of the most prestigious locations in the World. The circuit is in-fact an old Grand Prix Circuit and even though the track is no longer as well known for its motorsports, as it is for the Grand National horse race, it is still regarded as one of the highlights to ride by many seasoned and un-seasoned riders and drivers. The event will not only have the sprints, but also lots of display bikes, trade stands and even a fantastic stunt display by Eddie of Ghostie Stunts, who is a professional stunt rider from London! So you will have lots to see and do! The event is once again supporting the North West Air Ambulance Charity which is based at Blackpool Airport and City Airport, Manchester. The practice sessions start at 9:30am with racing from 11:30am. Spectator entry is £5.00. Under 16's can enter for free with accompanying adult who must be with them at all times. No dogs are allowed at this event. For more information go to:- vmccnorthwest.co.uk Track access via Ormskirk Road, Main Stand, opposite Aintree Railway Station. The event is run under the auspices of the A.C.U. - Day Licences available. Despite the organisers taking all reasonable precautions to avoid accidents, sadly accidents can happen, so if you do go, you must remain in permitted areas only and comply with all safety rules and instructions at all times.