BLUE PETER vet Joe Inglis visited York to launch Responsible Pet Ownership month - a national campaign to encourage pet adoption.

Shoppers at the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet were able to meet the star vet and discuss which pet would suit their lifestyle.

Experts from the Blue Cross animal charity, which has an adoption centre at Thirsk, were also on hand to explain how potential pet owners can adopt an animal from one of their centres.

With face painters and interactive online questionnaires the roadshow was fun as well as informative.

The Responsible Pet Ownership campaign aims to encourage people to provide a caring home for an animal from an adoption centre; to highlight the factors that would-be animal owners need to consider before choosing the right pet for their lifestyle; and to provide people with the information they need to care for their new pet for the rest of its life.

Joe Inglis, explaining why he was backing the campaign, said: "Pets are a great addition to any home - from teaching children about how to look after animals to being a companion for the elderly, they really can change lives.

"The Responsible Pet Ownership roadshow is a great opportunity for animal lovers to find out everything they need to know about choosing and caring for a pet."

Updated: 10:26 Monday, June 09, 2003