Dog rescue centre under pressure over rising vet bills

A dog rescue centre near Shrewsbury says rising veterinary costs are placing increasing pressure on its finances, as more abandoned animals are arriving needing treatment.

Marty Burrell, who runs Hillbrae Rescue Kennels near Shawbury, said vet bills were among the charity's biggest expenses and had increased significantly in recent years.

Burrell said some dogs had been brought in with broken legs, while others required lengthy treatment for skin and eye conditions that had been left untreated.

She said: "We can't leave a dog suffering. We've got to get it treated."

Burrell said a dog coming into the centre with a cut on its foot can cost up to £150 to £200, with many owners unable to afford the bill or insurance.

"So then they finish up with a dog that's injured, or got really bad skin, or got bad eyes, or whatever, and they abandon them", she said.

The rescue centre, based at Oaklands Farm, cares for stray and abandoned dogs from across Shropshire.

Although the charity continues to meet its costs, Burrell said large vet bills often force other projects to be put on hold.

She said: "If you've got that bill that's for hundreds of pounds, then that puts you back a little way for what you were going to do with that money, but it's got to be done."

The centre launched an appeal last year to help fund improvements to its kennel facilities and site fencing.

To help raise additional funds, members of staff and supporters are preparing to climb Mount Snowdon three times in a single day on Saturday.

Among them are Kieron Weaver and Jim Brace, who work at the kennels and hope to raise around £2,000 through the challenge.

Weaver told the BBC: "We're aiming for around £2,000, any more than that [will] be a bonus."

The group will carry 35lb (16kg) backpacks and set off at 05:00 BST, hoping to complete the challenge by about 17:00 BST.

Despite the pressures facing the centre, Weaver said helping dogs find permanent homes made the work worthwhile.

He said: "It's nice to see the dogs get re-homed after what they've been through."

They also plan to take a small number of rescue dogs with them.

Weaver said he had been training for the challenge by running and walking with his dogs, as well as spending time climbing the Wrekin.

He said: "I've been training, I've been doing a lot of walking. I've been doing running beforehand, so hopefully I'll be fit for this one."

The money raised will help the rescue centre continue caring for dogs that arrive needing medical treatment.

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