Bath Cats & Dogs Home is launching its ‘Poorly Pets Appeal’ to help fund the treatment of hundreds of sick animals arriving at its doors during the recession.
The animal charity continues to be inundated with poorly dogs and cats owing to owners who cannot afford vet treatment thanks to the ongoing effects of the recession. Since the economic downturn took hold a year ago, the Claverton Down based independent charity has seen a two-fold increase in the number of animals, particularly older sick animals, dumped in the area requiring urgent attention, thanks to some owners choosing not to pay for vet care. In January alone, the Home took in 19 animals compared to 30 in the same period last year.
Rachel Phelps-Allen, spokesperson, comments: “The challenging economic climate means times are still tough for us and our vet bills are higher than ever due to the consistent increase in sick animals arriving at Bath Cats and Dogs Home. Cat flu is a particular problem at the moment. It spreads quickly and easily and symptoms such as a runny nose and eyes, loss of appetite and a persistent wheeze are common. Dogs are coming to us with arthritis and diabetes and a host of other ailments requiring urgent treatment. We are finding that symptoms seem to be particularly severe in the animals arriving, since many have not been vaccinated or their ailments properly treated.”
Netty the Staffordshire Terrier, pictured above, is in constant pain with sore legs and lameness, caused by arthritis. She requires urgent hip treatment, for example, which will total almost £600. Her carers must pick up her hind legs to enable her to stand. She will only eat when around people, thanks to a fear of the kennel environment and has luckily found a temporary home and human company behind the centre’s reception. Then there’s Nelly.
Nelly the lurcher has a severe case of arthritis, incontinence and a skin allergy, which has caused her serious pain. She has been prescribed a range of antibiotics and painkillers to relieve the soreness for an indefinite period costing hundreds of pounds.
Then there’s Drift, the cat, for example. Found lying in the snow near Frome by a passer-by two weeks ago, this old boy of 12 was severely malnutritioned, underweight and suffering from a serious form of cat flu. He is making a good recovery following medical treatment, including antibiotics and eye cream and is enjoying his cosy new temporary home! However, treatment is not cheap, with the cost of ongoing flu drugs, including IV fluids and antibiotics ranging from £50 to £200 for a very sick animal.
The Home frequently takes in diabetic cats, requiring urgent stabilisation, including glucose curbing and insulin with costs ranging from between £400-£900. There are also sometimes cases of leukaemia and immune deficient FIV, the cat equivalent of HIV, treatment for which does not come cheap.
Mrs. Phelps-Allen continues: “Our Poorly Pets Appeal is seeking to encourage supporters to help us pay for the treatment of so many ill animals requiring both urgent operations and ongoing medical treatment. In trying to care for so many sick animals vet bills total hundreds of thousands of pounds each year and it is only with the continuous financial support of animals lovers we are able to continue our work. With your support we can help give them the healthy, happy, pain-free future they deserve. This is a particularly tough time for our animals and any help given will be gratefully received.”
Commenting on the launch of the campaign Kim O’Meara from The Better British Dog Owner’s Campaign in association with Butcher’s Pet Care said, “This is a very worthy cause. The recession may have officially come to an end, but many dog owners still continue to worry about money and the affects it has on themselves, their families and their family dog. ”
Anyone able to give a donation to Bath Cats and Dogs Home can donate on-line via its website: www.bathcatsanddogshome.org.uk or can contact the fundraising team on 01225 78733.
Alternatively, please send a cheque made payable to Bath Cats and Dogs Home, The Avenue, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AZ.
