Hartlepool pupils use art to highlight responsible pet ownership

Primary school pupils in Hartlepool have taken part in an art competition to promote responsible pet ownership.

Housing Hartlepool, in partnership with Hartlepool Borough Council and The Dogs Trust, held the competition, which attracted 170 entries from primary schools throughout the town. Youngsters were asked to illustrate how people should best care for their pets.

Jordan Airson, 11, of Springwell School was named the winner and wins a £50 gift voucher and a visit to the Dogs Trust at Sadberge, County Durham, for his class. Second and third prizes went to two ten-year-olds from Throston Primary. Kate Todd-Davies received a £25 voucher and Paige Anderson a £15 voucher with a visit to the school by the Dogs Trust also part of their prizes.

The designs were judged by Housing Hartlepool staff and visitors. The winners will be used on posters and leaflets to promote the housing company’s pets’ policy.

Helen Ivison, Housing Hartlepool’s housing manager, said: “The standard of entries was extremely high and it was a difficult decision to pick the top three entries.

“The winning designs all reflect key aspects of what being a responsible pet owner is all about and will be used on literature to promote Housing Hartlepool’s responsible pet ownership policies.”

Housing Hartlepool, with the support of the Dogs Trust and Hartlepool Borough Council, has also arranged a series of dog micro chipping and pet advice sessions across the borough.
They are being held:

• Wednesday February 9, 10am - 1pm, Summerhill Centre, Summerhill Lane, Hartlepool, TS25 4LL.
• Wednesday March 2, 10am-1pm. West View Community Centre, Miers Avenue, Hartlepool, TS24 9JQ
• Wednesday March 16, 10am-1pm, Owton Manor Community Centre, Wynyard Road, Hartlepool, TS25 3LQ

When a chip is implanted, it gives a pet a unique code number, which is then stored along with the owner’s contact details on a national database. This information can be updated if an owner moves house or a pet’s ownership changes.