Pet owners paying £120 for animals to get married in Leicestershire

It might look like puppy love to some, but to Scrappy and Scuby it is the real thing.

To prove it, they have become the first "couple" to tie the knot at a pet weddings centre.

All owners have to do is to pay £120 for the ceremony. The centre does the rest.

Scrappy and Scuby, both Jack Russells, had their own vows, a cake and were given a certificate.

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Their owner, 12-year-old Matthew Williamson, from Stoke Albany, near Market Harborough, said: "Scrappy, she really loves Scuby. We as a family thought it would be nice for them to get married.

"It was good fun and they enjoyed it."

The pet wedding service is the brainchild of Ann Clark, who owns a cattery near Market Harborough.

She said: "People get married, so why not our pets?

"We have talked to a lot of owners locally who want their pets to marry.

"We want our pets to be happy with their partner so what better way to show their commitment to each other?"

Ann said the services were performed in a garden, which is set in the countryside.

"Pets, who may dress up if they like, take a small stroll over a bridge into our specially built pergola," she said.

"The service, which I perform, takes about 15 minutes. Each couple will get a wedding certificate and a wedding cake.

"They can also have a limited number of guests."

Ann said the service was available to cats, dogs, guinea pigs and hamsters because pets getting married had to be "small enough to cross the bridge".

For that reason the service is not available to larger animals such as donkeys, pigs, cows, sheep or horses, she said.

Same-sex ceremonies will be carried out, as will inter-species nuptials.

"I can see no problems if a cat wants to marry a dog or vice versa," said Ann.

"We will not be allowing owners to marry their pets. That is definitely out."

"Some people say we are barking but we think it's lovely."

Sylvia Ruck, of Market Harborough Canine Society, said: "I think the idea is hilarious.

"I don't believe it will appeal to our members. I think they will feel it's a joke.

"Perhaps it might appeal to breeders who own a couple of animals who have lived together for a long time.

"Good luck to them, but at £120 a go, I'm sure most pet owners have more important things to spend their money on."