Man really is dog's best friend

With the help of thousands of customers Pets at Home, the leading pet superstore chain has announced it has smashed its fundraising target for The Blue Cross.

Across the UK, the company's 175 stores have managed to raise in excess of £210,000 for the pet charity in just 10 months - £10,000 more than was targeted. Fundraising is continuing in all stores to raise even more money to support The Blue Cross and to raise awareness of the benefits of re-homing a rescue pet.

Fundraising activity that has taken place in stores up and down the country so far includes everything from sponsored walks to pet pamper days in store and selling hundreds cuddly beanie toys and pin badges. Younger customers also helped by entering a competition to design the ideal home for their pet.

The Blue Cross finds homes for hundreds of animals every year. Cats, dogs, small pets (rabbits, guinea pigs etc), horses and even goats are currently being cared for by The Blue Cross. Last year alone, its adoption centres cared for 1,989 dogs, 3,315 cats and 573 small pets.

We wanted our customers to consider and understand the benefits of adopting a pet, explains Linda Whiting from Pets at Home. That's why we chose to support The Blue Cross as our chosen charity.

The charity does vital work, not only finding new homes for animals, but also supporting owners with pet care advice through a number of veterinary hospitals for those on low incomes. We're thrilled we've not only reached, but smashed, our target!

Vanessa Rossiter, corporate fundraising officer at The Blue Cross, added: What Pets at Home has achieved for us is amazing and we can't thank them enough! The staff have been excellent really enthusiastic matched only by the generosity of Pets at Home customers. Thank you all.

There are many reasons why animals can end up needing a new home. The money raised will help us to continue our services, caring for many more animals while they find a new home. I would encourage all animal lovers out there to consider adoption first and help one of our animals find a new home.

Anyone interested in finding out more about Pets at Home's campaign with The Blue Cross can either go to their local Pets at Home store or visit www.petsathome.co.uk or www.bluecross.org.uk.

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Notes to editors:

Pets at Home
Pets at Home has more than 175 stores across the UK. The company has expanded from a single store in Chester in 1991. All stores provide pet care, supplies and advice to pet owners and some also feature grooming facilities and veterinary surgeries.

The Blue Cross
The Blue Cross is Britain's pet charity, providing practical support, information and advice for pet and horse owners. Through its network of animal adoption centres it rehomes thousands of animals each year. Its hospitals provide veterinary care for the pets of people who cannot afford private vets' fees.

For further information:

Sarah Halton or Helen Conyers at Tangerine PR
Tel: 0161 817 6600 / 07736 509630 / 07880 730729
Email: sarah@tangerinepr.com / helen@tangerinepr.com