Will this be a great year for pets?

Well we really hope so! As we near the end of the first month we can tell you that we've met some great pets so far. It's wonderful to be able to help make a pets life as good as it can be. And make no mistake, some of the dogs and cats that we see have very charmed lives.

As is usually the case we meet a few gifted pets at this time of year. No, not ones who can play a piano concerto from the time they're born or are PhD qualified before their first birthday, but pets that are given to someone as a Christmas present. Although this represents just a small percentage of new pet acquisitions the success rate isn't great as they often come into the care of people who are not ready, willing or able to provide the commitment required. Those we see are usually outside of that group as requesting a pet door does demonstrate a commitment to the pet if not always emotionally then at least financially, and that's a good start.

So how can we make it a great year for pets? We can certainly make it better by simply giving them a little extra attention. It's not always easy, life for most people has never been busier. The increasing cost of living means there's pressure to work longer or more effectively. The rise of digital communication has taken us into a new realm where much of the spare time we previously had is dedicated to building, rekindling and maintaining online friendships. Some people now have thousands of friends! Hello?

And what of our loyal little pet friends who sit there looking at us curiously as all this goes on around them. They might wonder where they fit into the picture as their owner presses 'buttons' while they wait for their dinner, walk or even a pat, stroke or cuddle. Let's see what we can do to make it a great year for them...hoorah!