May 16, 2019 - 1216 views
A pet retailer is taking the lead in supporting a campaign for retired police dogs.
PetPlace in Abergele is to host charity events throughout the summer, including an afternoon tea in aid of Paws Off Duty – a charity which was set up in 2015 by a North Wales Police dog handler to help with the day to day costs of looking after the animals when they retire.
PetPlace – who also have stores in Ruthin, Chirk, Mold and Llangefni, are hosting an afternoon tea on Thursday, May 16th where they will be joined by charity founder, PC Jackie Edwards and her canine colleagues PD Fiona and PD Scotty.
Under police regulations, dogs used for general purpose or specialist work are paid for by the force up until the point they retire, often between the ages of seven and 10-years-old.
Once they leave all support ends and the costs sit with the dog’s handler, or their new owner if it has been rehomed.
PetPlace regularly supports the campaign and sells copies of the ‘Paws Off Duty’ calendar across its North Wales sites.
Managing Director Sion Pritchard said: “The dedication of the dogs and the service they give to our communities in helping to fight crime is just incredible, so they deserve our care when that ends.
“As well as afternoon tea there will be a raffle and the police dog handlers and K9’s will be in attendance, so we hope to see lots of people there on the day.”
PC Jackie Edwards, founder of Paws Off Duty and a member of the Force Dog Section said: “PetPlace have been brilliant in supporting the charity and were instrumental in making it a registered charity through various fundraising events.
“I can’t thank them enough for this and would also like to thanks the kind volunteers and members of the public who have supported us throughout.”
She said that paying medical fees and rehoming the dogs can be expensive, and it is a lot of responsibility for the handlers as the animals will be replaced in the force.
She added: “It’s a big commitment, and not just financially. Hopefully we can raise as much money as possible on the day and continue caring for the animals when they’ve retired, because they give so much during service. They are fantastic and are out on the front-line fighting crime alongside police officers, so it’s important they’re given a happy home.
“My future goal is to raise enough funds to erect a permanent K9 memorial for our brave police dogs at the Pet Cemetery in Holywell, which will include commemorative plaques to honour them.”
The afternoon tea takes place on Thursday May 16th at the PetPlace store on Rhuddlan roundabout, Abergele where tea/coffee and a scone will be served for £6 which includes a free ‘pup cake’ for dogs. £1 of every sale will be donated to the charity and a raffle will also be available on the day.
PetPlace also works alongside Wagtail UK in training detection dogs, which play a major role in the war against drugs and terrorism, in the UK and overseas.
