I RECENTLY volunteered to give evidence at a Royal College of Vets hearing in London. I did this because Maurice Kirk has shown kindness to me and consideration for my pets over the past ten years.

I first met Mr Kirk at the Animal Hospital, Tynewydd Road, ten years ago. On our first meeting he showed me the completely refurbished operating theatres and ward facilities.

Little did I realise that our much loved dog Holly was to need a life-saving operation in the next few months.

One day Holly collapsed like a pack of cards and I took her to Mr Kirk who immediately diagnosed a life-threatening womb infection. He operated swiftly and the dog's life was saved.

The following year Holly developed an unrelated tumour which once again was successfully removed.

I couldn't afford to pay for the second operation but Mr Kirk allowed me to pay it off in stages. I mention this as a mark of his consideration and he has shown this consideration to others.

Three of my animals have had potentially painful conditions involving their eyes. Mr Kirk in each case has been anxious to relieve the suffering by encour-aging me to be vigilant in case the eye condition worsened.

The reason I mention this is to show that his manner is consid-erate of animals' feelings.

Recently Mr Kirk operated successfully on my cat which had been involved in a road accident. When I found the cat on the road it looked all but dead. Mr Kirk has also been giving sympathetic and helpful service to my married son - being unaware that he was my son as he lives in Penarth.

Mr Kirk successfully operated on my son's much loved goat, removing a tumour. Also, due to speed of diagnosis Mr Kirk saved four of my son's rabbits from catching myxomatosis.

The Animal Hospital established by Mr Kirk gives 24-hour service to the people of Barry and much happiness has been given to many people as their animals have been helped and healed. I think it is only right that these things are known.

My wife and I have both benefited from Mr Kirk's kind and thoughtful service so we jointly put our names to this letter.

Rev and Mrs M Danks, Luchana, Independent Anglican Mission Church.