EAST Hampshire District Council (EHDC) Animal Welfare Service has collected three awards in the UK wide RSPCA Community Animal Welfare Footprint 2016.

Gold number one was awarded for having the highest standard of stray dog service, meeting the RSPCA standards and criteria for dealing with stray dogs.

The second gold award was given for the extremely high standards expected and enforced by EHDC in relation to Animal Boarding Licensing.

To achieve the two awards the team based at Penns Place in Petersfield overhauled existing standards and procedures.

This was to ensure that the highest level of animal welfare provision was enforced at pet shops, catteries, kennels, home boarders and horse riding establishments.

The team is also dedicated to investigating in East Hampshire illegal animal operations- back yard breeders, unlicensed pet shops, and other similar animal related offences.

A bronze award for Contingency Planning for animals in emergency situations, was also awarded to the team.

A list of animal boarding establishments licensed by the council can be found at www.easthants.gov.uk, and the Animal Welfare Service can be contacted on 01730 234304.