Wythall vets return from Indian charity mission (From Redditch Advertiser)

Wythall vets return from Indian charity mission

4:40pm Friday 8th March 2013 in News

TWO Wythall-based animal experts have returned from a North Indian charity project where they spent two weeks caring for stray animals and carrying out crucial preventative treatments.

Vet Maria Serrano and head nurse Hannah Orme were sent by local veterinary clinic YourVets, on Alcester Road, to aid the project in the deprived province of Sikkim.

They carried out crucial neutering treatments to assist with the much-needed population control of stray dogs and led the vaccination of stray animals against rabies.

Their trip was such a success that YourVets is planning to send their vets out to other projects throughout the world to continue providing essential medical help to animals.

Suzanne Johnstone, YourVets practice manager, said: “Maria and Hannah have proven how incredibly worthwhile is to use their skills in less developed areas of the world where animal care is often unavailable and underfunded.

“They worked extremely hard and came back with some incredible stories - we’re very proud of their achievements.”

Ms Orme said: “Vets Beyond Borders charity does incredible work and we were honoured to be a part of the programme. Before the charity set up in this area of India, the mass shooting of dogs was a common method used to manage the local street dog population.

“These inhumane measures were very upsetting for local people, who wanted to see a change in the way street dogs were handled. Vets Beyond Borders has made that change a reality and we were delighted to lend a practical hand to assist this fantastic work.

“I had a challenging, wonderful once-in-a-lifetime experience and I am so proud of the work we did. Our next aim is to raise funds to courier out much needed medical supplies which have been kindly donated by a wide range of YourVets suppliers so the Sikkim team can continue to carry out their vital work.”

The project, hosted by Australian charity Vets Beyond Borders, relies on volunteers to carry out vital treatment to sick and injured animals.

For more details, see vetbeyondborders.org.