Eastleigh MP supports pet charity’s education efforts
Mike Thornton, MP for Eastleigh, joined Blue Cross pet charity last week (THURSDAY 24th APRIL) for one of their free education talks at Fair Oak Infant school in Eastleigh.
Blue Cross Education Officer Kerry Taylor and education volunteer Sally Harding, talked to around 150 four to five year olds with the help of Sally’s dog, a Sprocker spaniel called Mabel. Pupils learned about various aspects of caring for pets and how to stay safe around dogs.
Kerry said: “Many children may already own pets or will be pet owners in the future. We hope that if they start learning as early as possible about how to look after them properly, this will help reduce the number of neglected and unwanted animals coming into charities like Blue Cross. Some of the children we talk to have never had a pet of their own, so meeting our education dogs is always a big hit too.”
Mr Thornton added: “I really enjoyed the visit, and in particular meeting Mabel a beautiful Sprocker Spaniel, and I’m sure that the children did as well. With more and more pets being abandoned every year and with dog attacks still a sad reality, it’s vital that we reach as many children as we can with messages about the responsibility involved in being a pet owner and about dog safety. I would encourage all schools and youth groups to book one of these fantastic, free talks as soon as possible.”
Blue Cross staff and volunteers have reached more than 300,000 young people through their free education talks, which complement the National Curriculum and can be tailored for children aged from five to 12. The charity’s dog safety talks are increasingly popular and are often requested by schools in areas where there has been a dog attack or if a pupil has a particular fear of dogs.
To book a free education talk call 0845 3701027 or email [email protected]. Talks are free, but donations are welcome as Blue Cross is funded entirely through public donations. To see lots of fantastic free resources to go along with the talks, visit our education section.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
• Photo: Mike Thornton MP with Blue Cross education volunteer Sally Harding and sprocker spaniel Mabel pictured with some of the children from Fair Oak Infant School.
• Blue Cross has been dedicated to helping poorly, injured and abandoned pets for over 100 years. We opened the world’s first animal hospital in 1906 and since then our doors have never closed to sick and homeless animals.
• Today we run four animal hospitals and 12 rehoming centres across the UK, which provide treatment and seek happy homes for thousands of cats, dogs, small pets and horses every year.
• Blue Cross actively campaigns to improve all aspects of animal welfare, working with the government, schools and others to improve the lives of pets and their owners.
Media contact
Sophia Khan, Blue Cross press office: 020 7932 4070 / [email protected]