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'We have to be smarter' - animal rescue centre launches pet mobile

Yunus MullaNorth West
News imageBBC Emma Jensen, who has long brown hair and is wearing a brown jacket. is standing in front of pet mobile while being interviewed. BBC
Emma Jensen said rescue "alone was not enough anymore" as the service launches across Merseyside

With rising vet bills and increasing concerns over pet owners struggling to cope, a rescue centre has decided to put the wheels in motion to help those in need.

Freshfields Animal Rescue is now operating a pet mobile van across Merseyside.

While the mobile clinic is not an emergency veterinary service, it is run by a vet nurse and a dog behaviourist who can offer basic treatment, advice and preventative care.

The outreach service has been developed by Emma Jensen, the charity's director, who said animal charities were increasingly dealing with the consequences of financial hardship.

"Rescue alone is not enough anymore," she said.

"The scale of the issue is too big.

"Nobody can manage, we are not getting as many donations.

"We're getting more demand from people, and so we have gone 'we have to be smarter and get ahead of the problem'.

"So this is our solution. We are having to get into prevention."

News imageA teal-coloured van covered in animal print and photos of animals is parked up on a car park. There are a number of seats and tables outside the van.
The pet mobile is run by a vet nurse and a dog behaviourist

Michael Kelly said he came across the service through word of mouth.

He welcomed the support available as he is currently out of work and struggling with bills.

As part of the support offered, a veterinary nurse put a diet plan in place to help his dog Nyla improve her health.

News imageMichael Kelly, who is wearing a grey jacket and blue jeans, is crouched down next to his dog.
Michael Kelly said he cannot afford to go to the vets after losing his job

The service also offers behavioural support for dogs, amid what the charity describes as a significant increase in animals arriving at rescue centres with behavioural problems.

Dog behaviourist Nat Busby has found the problem has increased since the coronavirus pandemic.

"If people are having issues with their dogs when they are small or minor issues , it is about helping owners understand what is happening," she said.

News imageA woman, who is wearing a blue T-shirt and black jacket with a Freshfields Animal Rescue logo, is smiling at the camera.
Nat Busby works as a dog behavourist for the charity

Pet owners who need additional support can also be given access to a mobile phone app where around-the-clock veterinary advice and specialist behavioural guidance can be accessed free of charge.

The service can also direct people to low cost vet care where owners can get treatment for their animals.

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