A pet retailer is supporting a campaign for retired police dogs.
PetPlace, in Abergele, is to host charity events throughout the summer, including an afternoon tea and fundraising activities in aid of Paws Off Duty tomorrow (Thursday, May 16).
The retailer – which also has stores in Ruthin, Chirk, Mold and Llangefni – will be joined on the day by Paws Off Duty founder Jackie Edwards and her police dogs, Fiona and Scotty, along with fellow handlers and their ‘K9s’ from the dog section of North Wales Police.
Jackie established the benevolent fund in 2015 to help with the day-to-day costs of looking after the dogs when they retire. Under police regulations, dogs used for general purpose or specialist work are paid for by the force up until the point they retire, usually 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 new owner if it has been rehomed.
PetPlace, which opened a cinema, play park and coffee shop for dogs at its Abergele store in December, regularly supports the appeal and sells copies of the Paws Off Duty calendar across its North Wales sites.
SERVICE
Managing Director Sion Pritchard said he would continue to do all he could to support the appeal.
“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,” he said.
Jackie added: “PetPlace have been brilliant in supporting Paws Off Duty 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 thank the kind volunteers and members of the public who have supported us throughout…
“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.”
PetPlace also works alongside Wagtail UK in training detection dogs, which play a major role in the war on drugs and terrorism, in the UK and overseas, and is also a supporter of Ty Gobaith Children’s Hospice.
