Bristol student vets fund pet vaccines for struggling owners

Ashley said he sometimes went without food to afford pet care for his English bulldog Bruno

Low-income pet owners have been given a helping hand by an animal charity offering free pet vaccinations.

Trainee vets fundraised and joined forces with Bristol Animal Rescue Centre on Wednesday to administer jabs.

The charity said it had helped 54% more people via the scheme since last year supported by The Bristol Paws Project.

Ashley, whose dog Bruno had a jab, said it made the difference between him eating or not as he sometimes went without food to afford pet care.

He took his two-year-old English bulldog along to an outreach clinic run by the centre in Lawrence Weston and said: "Any bit of food, anything I get from here means I can eat more and eat better."

The charity holds weekly clinics in Knowle West and Lawrence Weston and offers services such as free health and welfare checks, non-urgent consultations, low-cost neutering and free flea and worming treatments.

Bob and Kathleen Greenberry took their Parson's Terrier Bella and their Springer Spaniel Poppy to the outreach clinic in Lawrence Weston

Ashley said he struggled with poor mental health but his beloved dog Bruno kept him going and stopped him from feeling too lonely.

Bob and Kathleen Greenberry, whose springer spaniel Poppy was diagnosed with cancer last year, said they would not be able to afford the £7,000 vet fees ordinarily.

Helping people who might otherwise not be able to afford veterinary care for their pets was the impetus for students at the University of Bristol to set up the Bristol Paws Project in 2016.

Mr and Mrs Greenberry said without help they would not be able to afford the £7,000 vet fees for their Springer Spaniel Poppy who has cancer

Student vet and Bristol Paws Project volunteer Victoria Challes said the clinic was a fantastic way to get hands on with the animals.

"We're here, we're getting the training, but we're also giving something back to our future customers," she said.

Veterinary nurse and the outreach lead at Bristol Animal Centre, Victoria Oates said their services had been "more in demand than ever before" as families struggled "to put food on the table".

The centre said it expected an even bigger leap in the winter months as the knock-on effects of the energy crisis began to bite for local pet owners.