Dog owners are invited to bring their canine companions along to PDSA’s PetCheck vehicle which arrives in Newtownabbey next month.

Pet owners can take advantage of a free dog health check as part of veterinary charity PDSA’s annual UK-wide PetCheck tour on Wednesday September 8 to Tuesday September 14.

The PDSA vehicle will be at the following locations:

— Wednesday 8 – Ballyearl Arts and Leisure Centre, 585 Doagh Road, Newtownabbey, 10am to 5pm

— Thursday 9/Friday 10 – Sixmile Leisure Centre, Ballynure road, Ballyclare , 10am to 5pm

— Saturday 11/Sunday 12 – Pets at Home, Longwood Retail Park, Newtownabbey, Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 1pm to 6pm

— Monday 13 – Jollyes Petfood Superstores, Glenwell Road, Glengormley, 10am to 5pm

An onboard veterinary nurse will examine the weight, body shape, teeth, eyes, coat and general fitness of dogs, and will offer free advice on other companion animals.

PDSA senior veterinary surgeon, Sean Wensley, said: “PDSA’s PetCheck tour is 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 ongoing work to ensure the health and welfare needs of the nation’s pets are being met.

“For example, last year, one in every four dogs who visited the vehicle was suffering from dental disease, and over one in three were overweight. Both conditions can have serious long-term health implications.

“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.”

For safety reasons, only dogs can be brought along to the PetCheck vehicle. However, PDSA’s veterinary nurse will be happy to provide free advice and answer owners’ questions on all types of companion animals.

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