Charity vet clinic reaches out to more Oxfordshire pets

19/10/2007

Six months after the introduction of a vet clinic at The Blue Cross animal adoption centre in Lewknor, the charity has announced it is to help even more Oxfordshire pets. The weekly clinic provides treatment for pets of people on lower incomes who struggle to afford private vets' fees and will be extended to cover a wider area from the clinic's six-month anniversary today. 

Over the last six months, the Blue Cross clinic has offered its services to pet owners in Thame, Wallingford, Chinnor and Watlington carrying out crucial procedures including microchipping and vaccinations plus treatment for minor ailments where possible. More serious or complicated cases are referred to a local vet practice where treatment is subsidised by The Blue Cross. From 19 October, pets in Cowley, Blackbird Leys, Sandford-on-Thames, Wheatley and Garsington will also be able to take advantage of the veterinary care.

Julie Stone, Blue Cross centre manager at Lewknor said: "It's great that we are able to extend this service to help even more local pets. Most of the appointments so far have been for pets to get their essential vaccinations. We are really pleased pet owners realise how important this sort of preventative treatment is, protecting their pets from potentially life-threatening illnesses. We look forward to seeing many new faces at our clinic and continuing provide a lifeline for pets, who may otherwise be denied expensive vet treatment."

The veterinary sessions are held at The Blue Cross animal adoption centre on London Road from 10.00-12.00 every Thursday. Appointments are available to all residents on a low income who live in postcode areas OX49, OX39, OX9, OX10, OX4, OX33 and OX44. To make an appointment, please contact the centre on 01844 355293.

The Lewknor clinic is part of a national scheme for The Blue Cross, aiming to help more pets nationwide to receive the vital treatment they need. Veterinary clinics also exist in the charity's animal adoption centers in Bromsgrove and Felixstowe, and more are planned for Tiverton and Southampton. The clinics join the four Blue Cross animal hospitals situated in London and Grimsby, including the charity's flagship Victoria hospital which was the first of its kind to open in 1906.

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Notes to editors

The Blue Cross is not government or local authority funded and relies on support through donations, legacies and other fundraising activities. Therefore it is asked that pet owners using the clinics give a contribution towards the cost of their animal's treatment, vaccination or microchipping wherever possible.

Lewknor animal adoption centre reopened in 2005 after moving from Chalfont St Peters and hundreds of animals are successfully rehomed every year.This centre has two-acres of land, together with modern kennel facilities, and big grounds for exercising animals and agility training. A cattery for 40 cats offers state of the art facilities and plenty of environmental enrichment.

To contact the centre call 01844 355293. Opening hours: Wednesday to Monday: 11am-4pm. Bank Holidays: 11am-2pm. Closed on Tuesdays.

The scheme will be run in association with Larkmead Veterinary Group.

The Blue Cross is Britain's pet charity, providing practical support, information and advice for pet and horse owners. Through its network of animal adoption centres it rehomes thousands of animals each year. Its hospitals provide veterinary care for the pets of people who cannot afford private vets' fees.

Media contact
The Blue Cross: Louise Lee on 020 7932 4066 / 07880 781637 (out of hours) or louise.lee@bluecross.org.uk.