A hospital to treat animals belonging to families on low incomes is almost ready to open its doors to its first furry clients.

Britain's leading veterinary charity, the PDSA, will be inviting sick pets into its consulting rooms and operating theatres at the PetAid Hospital, in High Road, Vange, from June 30.

Preparing - Jennie King, head nurse, with her cat Greevo, and veterinary nurse Dawn Seabrook Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

Tens of thousands of animals from the smallest mouse through to the largest great dane will receive treatment at the hospital, along with reptiles crawling in for emergency treatment.

Jennie King, 26, head nurse at the animal hospital, said: "The new hospital is really great and will help people who can't normally afford vet treatment for their pets.

"The pets will also benefit of course as some animals go without the treatment they need for days as their owners simply cannot afford vets fees."

The hospital was built in part from a £750,000 donation to the PDSA by the Margarete Markus Trust.

It will be open 24-hours-a-day and every day of the year with four vets and a team of nursing staff on hand to deal with sick pets.

To be eligible for PDSA treatment, a pet owner must live within the designated postcode area of a PetAid hospital or PetAid practice and be in receipt of either housing benefit or council tax benefit.

Further details can be obtained by calling the PDSA's freephone veterinary inquiry line on 0800 731 2502.

Published Tuesday, May 27, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Echo