Freshfields Animal Rescue is operating a pet mobile across Merseyside to help owners struggling with costs. A vet nurse and dog behaviourist provide basic treatment, advice and preventive care, but the van is not an emergency veterinary service.
The service can connect owners with low-cost veterinary care and offer free access to an app with around-the-clock veterinary advice and specialist behavioural guidance. A nurse has drawn up a diet plan for Michael Kelly’s dog, Nyla; Kelly, who is out of work and struggling with bills, found the service by word of mouth.
Director Emma Jensen said requests for help were rising while donations were falling, prompting the charity to focus on prevention. The charity says more dogs are arriving at rescue centres with behavioural problems; behaviourist Nat Busby said she had seen those issues increase since the coronavirus pandemic.
