Pets need hospital (From Barry And District News)

Pets need hospital

A DOG lover is hoping to kick-start a campaign to bring what she sees as a much-needed pet service to Barry and the Vale.

Pat Hopkins, of Lee Road, recently had to pay a large vets' bill for treatment for her beloved pet, Benson, who was diagnosed with a serious heart condition.

Arthritis sufferer Pat, 54, had to give up her job some time ago due to her condition, and is now claiming benefits. Her husband, Brian, 59, also does not work.

Pat, owner of Cross Staff Benson, 14, and eight-year-old Cariad, a Yorkshire Terrier, hoped to get support from veterinary charity PDSA, which provides free treatment for the pets of needy owners.

But she was told by the charity that her postcode, CF63, fell into the catchment area of the Cardiff hospital - meaning she would have to travel with her dog to the centre, situated in Bute Street, to use the services.

Pat said: "Barry is a growing town, and I don't think I am the only pet owner here who finds it difficult to pay these fees or to travel to Cardiff.

"I am going to continue to pay to use my local vets, but I know there are people in Barry, and in the wider Vale, that are elderly, or are claiming benefits, and would never be able to afford the bills."

Pat said she remembers when a PDSA van stopped near King Square on a Saturday.

"This service was not ideal," she said. "But the treatment was given for just a donation in the box.

"I believe people feel forced to abandon their animals because they feel too afraid to take their pets to the vets because of the charges."

Pat added: "I need help to lobby the PDSA to provide us with a service on our doorstep, to enable us to give our pets the care and attention they deserve at an affordable cost."

A PDSA spokesperson said: "Establishing a new PDSA PetAid hospital is not a decision the charity takes lightly.