Doggy Slimmer of the Year

January 2008

We've all heard of Weightwatchers and Slimming World but did you know about the PDSA Pet Fit Club?

The PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals) provides free veterinary services for the pets of needy owners in the UK and since 2005 has held an annual pet slimming competition which is designed to provide owners with the help and information they need to help their pets lose weight.

In October 2007 it enrolled seven overweight dogs. One of those entrants was Oscar the Labrador who piled on the pounds after munching on sausages, roast chicken and creamy pasta. The Labrador's weight gain was so bad that he collapsed under the weight and was at risk of having a stroke.

Oscar, who has arthiritis was put on a strict regime of diet and exercise including two walks every evening, and the pooch lost 9.5kg and recently claimed first prize in the slimming competition.

Following his impressive weight loss, Oscar the Labrador's owners have reported a massive improvement in his quality of life. Owner Mrs Critcher said: "At the beginning Oscar didn't take to the diet and used to look at us, as if to say 'is that it? But he soon got used to it. Now he is a totally different dog. He is full of life, has tonnes of energy, his coat is glowing and his eyes are sparkling."

More about the PDSA

• This year PDSA will provide more than 1.8 million free treatments to sick and injured pets and more than 200,000 preventive treatments.
• In 2008 the PDSA PetAid services will cost in the region of £48 million.
• PDSA currently staffs and equips 43 PDSA PetAid hospitals and 4 PetAid branches.
• The PDSA PetAid service is available in a further 175 smaller communities through 348 participating private veterinary practices.
• The PDSA currently employs 230 fully qualified veterinary surgeons and 268 veterinary nurses.
• In the last 12 months PDSA has opened 2 new purpose-built PetAid hospital in Belfast and Aston in Birmingham.
• 4,800 volunteers donate their valuable skills and time to PDSA and work mainly in their shops and fundraising groups.
• The average cost to PDSA of one course of treatment for a sick or injured pet is £143, although the actual cost of many treatments is far in excess of this figure.

Visit the PDSA Website for more information.