RSPCA branch launches appeal to cover vets' costs for injured animals

The RSPCA Northamptonshire Branch is desperately looking for public support after having one dog and three cats brought into their care suffering from severe fractures and dislocations.
Picture: Northamptonshire RSPCAPicture: Northamptonshire RSPCA
Picture: Northamptonshire RSPCA

It has been a difficult time for the branch, starting with Herman a ginger cat who was signed over into RSPCA care suffering from a fractured leg. Just 24 hours later Blue, a one-year-old Husky, came into the branch’s care suffering from fractured bones in his leg after his owners couldn’t afford the veterinary treatment.

Shortly after Herman and Blue came into the branch’s care, six-month-old kitten General was signed over to the branch with a dislocated hip and fractured femur, along with one-year-old kitten Elsa who was suffering from a multiple pelvic fractures and is also pregnant.

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The RSPCA Northamptonshire Branch is now facing costs of £3,000 to £5,000 to cover the cost of the animals’ surgeries - not including additional veterinary post-operative care or costs associated with these animals being in foster care for a prolonged period of recovery time. With the help of RSPCA Birmingham and Block Fen animal hospitals, Corby Vets, The Avenue Veterinary Clinic and Northlands Veterinary Hospital, these animals are currently, or will soon be, receiving the necessary treatment they need at a reduced price for the charity.

The local charity relies on public donations in order to help animals like these with veterinary treatment and care and they are desperate for the public’s help to ensure these animals receive the treatment they desperately need.

Dawn Smith, animal welfare manager for the branch, said: “All of these animals came into our care desperately needing our help to stop them from suffering and being in pain.

“The veterinary teams that we are working with on these cases have provided us with a great deal of support. We rely solely on public donations and are only a small, local branch so to have four animals all requiring major surgery come into our care within a week of each other is a big pressure for us.

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“After the necessary operations, each of these animals will need further vet visits to monitor the healing progress as well as crate rest for the cats for several months, and Blue will require 2-3 months of rest to ensure he is back to full health. All of this will come at an additional cost to the branch and these animals will require care from volunteer foster carers.

“It is coming into our busiest time of year and we are already struggling for foster space, so if anyone is interested in fostering for the branch please get in touch.”

Last year the branch spent £50,000 to £60,000 on veterinary fees alone, so a potential cost of £3,000 to £5,000 for the surgeries needed for these animals could mean the branch spending 10% of the annual veterinary costs in one week alone.

Any member of the public wanting to donate to the surgery for Blue, Herman, General or Elsa can do so by texting PAWS14 £5 or PAWS14 £10 to 70070. Alternatively you can contact the branch by emailing [email protected] or by visiting the RSPCA Northamptonshire Branch Facebook page.

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