A Tauranga vet is on a mission to help owners get their overweight pets to lose weight.

Tauranga Vets, which has clinics in Tauranga, Te Puna, Katikati and Papamoa, are encouraging people to get their pets registered in the ‘The Biggest Loser Healthy Weight Management Program'.

All cats and dogs in the Bay of Plenty are invited to participate in the programme which is designed to manage healthy weight loss in a supportive and educated way over a 12 week period, all the while taking home numerous milestone prizes and having the chance to win some major grand prizes.

The program involves coming into one of Tauranga Vets' four clinics for an initial weigh-in, at which ‘before' photos will be taken.

The client will also be educated on healthy weight loss for animals, nutrition and exercise options, ideal body fat and gain an understanding of the risks of obesity for our furry friends.

The initial check-in is followed by a few more weigh-ins for a period of 12 weeks.

Milestone prizes include food vouchers, free nail clips, food bowls, cat and dog toys, gift hampers and more.

One cat and one dog will be crowned ‘The Biggest Loser' and each will receive a $500 credit at Tauranga, Te Puna, Katikati and Papamoa Village Vets.

The overall grand prize winner (selected randomly) wins a holiday on us with a $500 Bachcare® voucher! Bachcare® have plenty of pet-friendly home available, so you can holiday with your animal too.

Lead Nurse at the Tauranga clinic Jaimee Roelofs and Veterinary Technologist Shontelle Thomas initiated and developed the programme, after noticing that most days they interact with clients who own pets that are overweight.

'Often we see people that have the right ideas and intentions for their pet's weight management but they tend to drop off because they have a lack of knowledge or lack the support or incentive to continue and reach their pet's weight goals,” says Jaimee.

'We wanted to create a campaign that was open for clients that are new to the weight loss process but also for clients that have been struggling with weight management for a period of time and are still not quite able to reach their goals and need more help.”

Although in its inaugural year, Jaimee and Shontelle hope it will become an in-clinic program that will be repeated again and again in years to come.

Managing Director of Tauranga Vets David McDonell agrees, saying that although this program comes with all the bells and whistles of freebies and prizes, it really comes down to the overall wellness of your pet.

'Making the decision to invest your time and thought into the health of your pet should be commended,” he says.

'A long, healthy and happy life can be achieved in our pets when diseases associated with obesity and malnutrition are prevented or managed, so recognizing and assessing your pet's changing needs is an important part of being a pet owner.”

Intake into the program starts from now and participants have until October 19, 2020 to sign up. If you need any further information or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on 0800 838 7267.