The borough's pet owners are currently in the midst of National Pet Month - the happy time when all things feathered and furry are celebrated and valued through the UK.

Individually, lots of fun events are being held around the Ballymena Borough and further afield between April 5-May 5, but on a wider scale, the main aims of the event are four-fold:

* to promote responsible pet ownership

* to make people aware of the benefits of pets for people and people for pets

* to increase public awareness of services available from professionals who work with animals

* to raise awareness of the role, value and contribution to society of working companion animals

In short, the month-long event brings together the work of animal welfare charities and professional bodies throughout the UK with the common goal of improving the welfare of pets.

The event moved from being a week-long event to a month-long fund-raiser in 2007, resulting in around £69,000 across the UK for pet and animal charities.

The great thing about National Pet Month is that owners and pet lovers of all ages can get involved, but schools in particular will once again play an important role, with plenty of reasons to get involved.

School pets have been found to motivate pupils to think and learn as children have a high level of natural interest, enthusiasm and enjoyment of animals.

They also encourage a respect and reverence for life in pupils and thereby improve their relationship with other pupils, parents and teachers.

In addition, pets foster a sense of responsibility in children, teach children to nurture and respect life, lead to the development of hobbies/careers in animal care and improve academic achievement.

One organisation which is heavily involved is National Pet Month is Dogs Trust, whose kennels at Teeshan currently house many abandoned and rescued dogs seeking loving new homes.

Here, future owners of a pre-owned dog can spend time getting to know the dogs at the kennels where they are familiar wit the surroundings before even thinking about bringing them home.

There has never been a more timely occasion than National Pet Month to have a look at some of the many dogs at the kennels outside Ballymena.