COMPETITION winner Billy the dog and the Cats Protection League were present to witness the opening of the new Pets at Home store in Launceston on Friday.

The team were very excited about the day after weeks of long hours and hard work leading up to the opening, and met customers with smiles, balloons and of course, pets were welcomed with open arms too!

Guests were taken on a special tour of the new facilities, which include a pet village, an aquatic and reptile centres. They then took part in a pet care workshop with the highly trained store team, and were amongst the first to meet the new animals. Pets at Home mascot, Robbie the Dog also joined in the fun.

Store manager Kate Hunter said: "It was great having Cats Protection here on the day, and we look forward to being actively involved in the local pet community from day one. It was a busy first day and we hope we are able to support lots of local organisations in raising awareness of responsible pet care in the area."

Mary Chudleigh of the Cats Protection League took part, alongside volunteers, in the opening festivities and spent time over the weekend helping to raise awareness of their work.

There was a party atmosphere at the store over the Saturday and Sunday, with a percentage off all purchases plus free entertainment, including face painting and balloon modelling, available for children from 10am until 4pm on both days.

One of the features of the new store is a Pet Adoption Centre, where needy pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and other small animals are cared for until a new loving home can be found. The store will also offer free nutrition consultations and in-store licensed medicines advisors.

Pets at Home Launceston has created eight jobs for the area's pet lovers and will provide thousands of dedicated pet products, catering for dogs, cats, small animals, chickens, reptiles, birds and fish, as well as wildlife.

See this week's 'Post' for more photos.