Pendle News Room

“Pendle was the only organisation in England to win this award, thanks to creating a new PetSafe scheme which we launched last year,” announced Councillor David Whipp.

“We started PetSafe after problems arose when people who lived alone were rushed into hospital leaving no-one to care for their animals,” explained David, who leads on Neighbourhood Services.

“It can be a real problem for some of our older residents,” he said.

Rachel Williams, Senior Parliamentary Advisor for the RSPCA said:

“The judges found Petsafe a simple and effective  scheme which could be picked up by any council to make a significant impact on animal welfare. 

“They were particularly impressed with the idea of having a credit card-type display with the information about a person’s pets.

“The judges also liked the way Pendle Council works in partnership to ensure Petsafe is effective.”

Dog Warden Laura Robinson, who devised the PetSafe scheme said:

“We’ve been working with local police, ambulance,  fire services and social services to put Petsafe into action.

Explaining how the scheme works, Laura said:

“All people have to do is go to our website www.pendle.gov.uk/petsafe and print off details on the Pet Safe form and leave it somewhere prominent such as on the fridge door.

“That way, there'll be an emergency contact readily available and the care of your pets will be passed to the right person,” she explained.

Pendle was also one of three councils in England to get a Special Recognition Award at the ceremony.

Rachel William said: “For the same council to win both a Special Recognition award and the Innovator in the same year is a huge achievement.”

“Michael Ward, Chief Executive of the RSPCA said: “I would like to congratulate Pendle

Council on their exceptionally well-deserved awards.

“It’s heartening that despite shrinking budgets there are councils like Pendle which are going above and beyond to help animals - often using teamwork and innovative ideas.”

And the RSPCA also recently awarded Pendle Council’s dog wardens with a gold pawprint for the ninth year in a row!

The award is in recognition of the work the team does to care for over 200 stray dogs a year and in running educational sessions in schools about responsible dog ownership.

The dog wardens also organise free micro-chipping drop-ins with the Dogs Trust to help dog owners stay within the new law, which came in last year.

David Alexander who manages the Dog Warden team and who attended the awards ceremony with them, said:

“This means our team is the best in England and is among the top teams in the UK.

“We’re very proud of them.

“Thanks to their efforts, Pendle Council was the only organisation at the London awards to be recognised with a hat trick of awards!”