HUDDERSFIELD'S RSPCA branch is offering cut price microchipping for pets during the forthcoming national RSPCA Week.

Pet owners will be encouraged to chip their pet rabbits as well as cats and dogs.

Jane Robinson of the local RSPCA said: "Several stray rabbits have come into the care of the local RSPCA this year. It would be so much easier to reunite them with their families than to have to rehome them.

Microchip your pet

"Every week Huddersfield RSPCA takes in cats as strays or from vets following accidents and despite our efforts to find owners through adverts in the Examiner, we often have to rehome cats which probably already have a good home.

"Even the most caring owner would be unlikely to trace their pet if, for some reason, it went beyond the local area unless it is microchipped or permanently marked.

"We urge people to take advantage of this offer and to make an appointment at any of the vets listed during RSPCA Week."

Huddersfield RSPCA will also be doing a collection of food and money at Huddersfield's Tesco supermarket on Friday and Saturday April 29 and 30.

Also, there will be a special food collection at the local funeral directors A E Cooper at Crosland Hill, Mackness at Dalton and Co-operative Funeral Care at St Thomas' Road and Slaithwaite.

The following supermarkets have permanent food collections for the branch: Leo's at Marsh, Safeway at Meltham, Bhullar Brothers at Salendine Nook and the Co-op at Holmfirth.

Please support your local RSPCA.

For further information on neutering, rehoming and volunteering, contact the information line on 01484 602300 or Jane Robinson on 01484 603488.

Nationally RSPCA staff and volunteers are preparing for a nationwide fundraising push to boost awareness of animal welfare and promote responsible pet ownership. ll 177 RSPCA branches will be raising funds to help pay for the vital work they carry out in combating cruelty and promoting kindness to animals in their area.

Now in its 11th year, RSPCA Week is once again supported by Tesco. RSPCA branches will be holding cash collections in around 300 Tesco stores throughout England and Wales, and asking shoppers to donate pet food to their local animal centres. RSPCA Week will be promoted on 1.7 million four and six pint cartons of Tesco own-brand semi-skimmed milk

"Each year a staggering number of pets are left abandoned, unwanted and neglected and RSPCA rescue centres are bursting with animals desperately looking for new loving homes," said Jackie Ballard, RSPCA director general.

The Society rehomed around 70,000 animals in 2004.