Today (May 1) may be the last day of the official #NationalPetMonth campaign but the work of this 28 year-old charity continues.

For National Pet Month, or NPM for short as it’s affectionately known, is so much more than one month each year.

April is fabulous for encouraging UK pet fans to talk about pet issues, stage fundraisers for their favourite pet charity, invite pet and vet professionals to share their expertise in pet care and encourage people to enter our fabulous competitions.

But National Pet Month is so much more than 30 days a year.

You see the great thing about NPM is that it’s an umbrella charity, meaning one of its key aims is to work with other UK pet charities to spread the responsible pet ownership message far and wide, and that can happen at any time of year!

We know how tough it is to keep a rescue or charity going, the constant need to keep funds coming in so the organisation can continue its incredible work.

Good pet care costs money and that’s where our fabulous UK pet loving public are so amazing, donating their time and money – whether it be spring, summer, autumn or winter.

So, it makes perfect sense for UK pet charities and rescues to work alongside us all through the year. Together we can highlight their work through our social media channels, raise their profile and encourage UK pet fans to get involved.

Our specially devised lesson plans headed by TV vet Marc Abraham are another fabulous example of how our work continues outside of April.

Schools can very easily download these plans so they can bring pets into the classroom. Check out http://www.nationalpetmonth.org.uk/schools and if you have a pet themed lesson please tell us about it. Email asha@turquoisetiger.co.uk

UK pet and vet professionals are great at working together. In NPM they have a fabulous opportunity to highlight key pet issues and raise funds for the amazing work of the country’s pet charities and rescues.

So, if you’re a veterinary practice, pet store or pet and vet professional doing something to raise awareness or charity funds, tell us about it. Email asha@turquoisetiger.co.uk

As we move further into 2017 look out for more on NPM’s theme ‘There’s a pet out there for you’ and our digital magazine which will include an April round-up, news from our headline sponsor Tesco Bank, interviews with UK pet fans and so much more.

Please keep #NationalPetMonth close throughout the year. We are #PetCareAware all year round so let’s work together. Pet care is for life, not just for April!

www.fb.com/NationalPetMonthUK

www.fb.com/JoinScratchingPost (cat fans)

www.fb.com/JoinParkBench (dog fans)

@NatPetMonthUK on Twitter