Free check for dogs on charity's clinic tour

PDSA will have a PetCheck vehicle from July 30 to August 1, at the Pets at Home store in Meanwood, and then at the Dogs Trust on York Road.

There will be a veterinary nurse on the vehicle, who will be available to examine the weight, body shape, teeth, eyes, coat and general fitness of dogs.

Nurses will also be available for free advice on other animals.

Senior veterinary surgeon Sean Wensley says the PDSA tour provides the "perfect opportunity for dog owners to get their four-legged friend's health checked free of charge.

"The tour is a vital part of our work to ensure the health and welfare needs of the nation's pets are being met."

Mr Wensley said regular health checks were vital – last year one in every four dogs that visited the PDSA vehicle was suffering from dental disease, and more than one-in-three were overweight.

He added: "By touring the UK with the PDSA PetCheck vehicles we are able to provide owners with advice on how to improve their pet's health before any problems become too advanced."

PDSA vehicles will be at Pets at Home, Unit 5b Northside Retail Park, Stonegate Road, Meanwood on the Friday and Saturday, from 10am to 5pm, and Dogs Trust, Woodlands Farm, York Road on the Sunday, from 10am to 4pm.

Dog owners have been told that they must keep their pets on a lead at all times and should never leave them locked in cars.

PDSA has been in existence since 1917, with the first Petcheck vehicle appearing in 1921. PDSA now has 43 PetAid hospitals and 360 PetAid practices.

The PDSA has three custom-designed PetCheck vehicles which tour the country from March to October every year.

It has welcomed over 200,000 visitors to its vehicles.