Free Pet Care on the Rise

A Middlesbrough veterinary nurse has told TFM the number of people in the town who require free or discounted vet care has increased.

Steph Williams, Chief Veterinary Nurse at the PDSA on Albert Road, says over the past few years more people require help and the hospital now sees up to 200 patients a day.

It's after Channel Four's documentary Dogs on the Dole revealed some pet owners are abandoning their dogs because they're too expensive to care for.

Now the charity is offering free health checks and micro-chipping for dogs in a bid to help those on benefits or low-incomes.

Middlesbrough PDSA is one of the biggest hospitals of it's kind due to high demand in the region.

Steph says clients shouldn't feel ashamed if they have to ask for help, or can't afford to contribute to the treatment of their pet.

She said:

"If we have a particular firm that closes down, we know that six weeks to two months later we might have a brief increase."

That's what we're here for is to help people in need in their time of need.

One of our mainstays is to prevent treatments, educate for the future and treat what we need to charitably for people who can't afford private practice veterinary fees."

The PDSA van will be at BrekoHill Community Centre, Breckon Hill Road, TS4 2DS 10am-5pm on Wednesday 12th August, offering free health checks and micro chipping for dogs.