DOZENS of pet owners have attended an event to have the welfare of their animals checked.

The RSPCA Middlesbrough South Tees and District Branch organised the event, which saw 75 pets brought into White Cross Vets in Middlesbrough.

43 dogs, 28 cats and four rabbits were welfare checked by the vets and vet nurses in total - who gave up their time for free.

50 of the animals were treated for fleas, 61 treated for worms, 35 microchipped and 21 were neutered as part of the event.

Anne Sutherland, Trustee and Secretary of RSPCA Middlesbrough South Tees & District Branch, said: “We are really thrilled by the turnout.

“There was such a demand that we actually couldn’t get everyone seen on the day so we will definitely be holding another one.

“I’d like to thank everyone involved, but particularly the vet and vet nurses from White Cross Vets - they were absolutely brilliant.”

Veterinary nurse Allison Hodgson, from White Cross Vets, added: “The event started at 10am and we were inundated with people right from the very start.

“Some people waited up to three hours to be seen, and everyone had their pets’ best interests at heart."