BIRMINGHAM Dogs Home is calling on supporters to dig deep to help turn its dream of creating an onsite vet clinic into a reality.
The Catherine-De-Barnes based charity has launched its Healing Hearts Appeal which aims to raise £100,000 of vital funds to build a bespoke veterinary clinic.
It will be equipped to help the charity better manage both emergency cases and the ongoing physical health of the 2,500 plus dogs they care for each year.
The new veterinary facility is predicted to increase the survival rates of dogs brought to the centre in a life-critical condition and decrease the length of time that dogs need to remain in Birmingham Dogs Home’s care.
Giles Webber, chief executive at Birmingham Dogs Home, says: “The cost of this care is now reaching over £200,000 a year.
“Building our own in-house clinic is one of the most important decisions in the development of the charity.”
The charity say the increased demand for ‘designer’ puppies during the pandemic has increased the production by irresponsible breeders, leading to charities such as Birmingham Dogs Home seeing a rapid rise in the number of unwanted dogs with life-threating and debilitating inherited conditions.
These charities are then having to foot the bill, putting an increased strain on charities.
Hayley Glee, assistant manager at Birmingham Dogs Home, siad: “The new clinic will be particularly crucial for dogs like Teddie, who was handed into Birmingham Dogs Home in October 2020.
“On arrival, Teddie was immediately rushed into the vets for a full examination.
“His front legs were completely splayed, meaning he was unable to walk or even stand.
“The vet diagnosed him with swimmer syndrome — a rare development deformity of new-born dogs. Swimmer syndrome isn’t common, so little research has been conducted to find the cause.”
Teddy developed pneumonia, due to lying on his chest for prolonged periods and he has to have an operation to help him with his breathing.
Now at six months old, Teddie has undergone numerous operations to improve his health and mobility.
Dr Joe Inglis who appeared on the long-running BBC 1 series Vets in Practice before becoming resident vet on Blue Peter, This Morning and The One Show has thrown his support behind the appeal.
For more information on how you can support Birmingham Dogs Home and its Healing Hearts Appeal, visit www.healinghearts.org.uk
