However, it is important to remember your furry and fourlegged family members need special attention so they can enjoy the festivities as well.

New people, a change in routine and a busier household can be unsettling for your pets. Here are the RSPCA’s tips for helping your creatures keep their comfort this season.

Whilst many animal lovers will be familiar with the message that pets are for life and not just for Christmas, sadly that isn’t the case for everyone.

Every year, the RSPCA is inundated with unwanted animals who are either signed over to the charity or even abandoned when the burden to look after them becomes too much.

The novelty can soon wear off when a dog needs walking in the rain or a cat, rabbit or Guinea pig needs expensive veterinary treatment. The Society therefore advises potential owners to carefully consider their decision before bringing a pet home.

If you are prepared to make the lifelong commitment, you will be rewarded with the unique pleasure that comes with looking after a pet.  The RSPCA has thousands of animals looking for new homes so visit your local branch to find out
more.

Whilst we may overindulge on mince pies and pile on a few pounds after the festive season, it’s important to make sure your pet still eats a proper diet and gets regular exercise.

Pet obesity can lead to serious health repercussions such as joint problems, breathing difficulties, diabetes, impaired liver function and even premature death.  Although it is hard to resist the pleading eyes of your pet, the best Christmas present you can give is time not treats.

Dogs should also never be given chocolate as it contains a poison, which can be fatal. Special chocolate drops for dogs are available from most retailers. Also avoid giving your dog the bones from your roast dinner as they can be a choking hazard.

Aim to keep your dog’s exercise regime consistent. If your pet is getting less exercise, try to reduce its food intake a little.

New sights, sounds and smells can unsettle your pet so try to give them a little extra attention throughout the season. Set aside a separate quiet area for your pet to rest in, especially if you are having a party.

If you are going away for the Christmas period, ask a friend or relative to look after your pet or take them to a reputable kennel or cattery. Alternatively, if you are staying in the UK, choose an animal-friendly destination and take your pet with you.

If you are thinking of buying a present for your pet then consider getting them microchipped. This will save heartache if they were to stray or get stolen and many owners have been happily reunited with their pet that has become separated from them thanks to the little chip that is no larger than a grain of rice.

For more information go to www.rspca.org.uk

The event was in honour of the two RSPCA awards recently won by the Council. It is the first local authority in England and Wales to achieve a silver level award from the RSPCA for animal welfare. The Council has also been awarded a silver award for its handling of stray dogs.

Member Champion for Animal Welfare Councillor Mrs Mavis Webster said “These awards are a huge honour for the Council. They are testament to all the hard work that officers have carried out to ensure that standards of animal welfare are maintained to a high level.

“Council officers involved in animal welfare work extremely hard, for example, our dog warden does a superb job in ensuring lost dogs are reunited with their owners and any stray dogs are rehomed as soon as possible.”

The Council has won awards in two of the categories; the Animal Welfare Principles Footprint and the Stray Dogs footprint.

The Animal Welfare Principles Footprint includes the provision of a written policy on animal welfare – the Animal Welfare Charter – and examples of good practice sharing. Additional requirements include website links and information, and adoption of higher welfare policies with regard to food procurement.

The Stray Dogs Footprint covers the policies and procedures that should ensure stray dog welfare is protected from collection to conclusion, including kennelling, both during and out of office hours, as well as swift treatment of injured and sick dogs. It also focuses on proactive work to educate the public and preventative measures to reduce long-term straying.

The Community Animal Welfare Footprints awards aim to reward and promote good practice in animal welfare by local authorities and housing providers in England and Wales.

They recognise organisations that have gone above and beyond their basic service requirements to ensure higher animal welfare standards.

Councillor Mrs Mavis Webster, Member Champion for Animal Welfare said “I am so pleased that Rochford District Council has received these awards from the RSPCA. It is a testament to all the hard work that officers have carried out to ensure that standards of animal welfare are maintained to a high level”.

The awards are split into four categories and the Council have won awards in two of the categories; the Animal Welfare Principles Footprint and the Stray Dogs footprint.

The Animal Welfare Principles Footprint includes the provision of a written policy on animal welfare – our Animal Welfare Charter – and examples of good practice sharing. Additional requirements include website links and information, and adoption of higher welfare policies with regard to food procurement.

The Stray Dogs Footprint covers the policies and procedures that should ensure stray dog welfare is protected from collection to conclusion, including kennelling, both during and out of office hours, as well as swift treatment of injured and sick dogs. It also focuses on proactive work to educate the public and preventative measures to reduce long-term straying.

There’s no need to worry about the calories though, as the only chips on offer are those that help reunite lost or stray dogs with their owners.

The Dogs Trust chip van has been touring the length and breadth of the country to promote the benefits of microchipping to politicians. The charity estimates that just a third of dogs are currently microchipped and wants to see the Control of Dogs Order amended to make microchipping compulsory alongside the current law stating that all dogs must wear a collar and tag.

Councillor Mrs Mavis Webster the Member Champion for Animal Welfare said:
“I fully support Dogs Trust’s campaign to introduce compulsory microchipping. This will lead to a reduction of unidentified strays on the streets and also reduce the unnecessary destruction of pet dogs which go missing every year”.

Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity and firmly believes the most effective and humane way of reducing stray dog numbers in the long term is through microchipping, alongside education and neutering. Last year microchips helped reunite 15% of strays with their owners – with compulsory microchipping the charity estimates that upwards of 50% could be reunited.

Dogs Trust Chief Executive, Clarissa Baldwin explains:
“Nearly 97,000 stray dogs were taken in by local councils in the UK last year; 6,710 of which were put to sleep, many because they could not be reunited with their owners. We urgently want to see these figures decrease and believe that microchipping can aid this process”.

Responsible dog owners can get their pet chipped at their local vets for an average cost of £20-£30. Alternatively, contact Acres Way Kennels on 01268 770402, where the Council has negotiated a discounted price of £15 for micro chipping dogs and cats belonging to Rochford District Council residents.

Dog microchipping is also available through Dogs Trust who will microchip all dogs by appointment at any of their rehoming centres for a reduced cost of £10 and £5 for those on means tested benefits. This is a small cost for the security of knowing that should a dog stray the chances of him being reunited with his owners will significantly increase.