Wood Green is to stop offering low-cost veterniary treatments to pet owners on benefits or low incomes as part of a radical shift towards preventative treatments, education and advice.
Its existing veterinary clinic will close on July 7, and pet owners will be redirected to private vets or the RSPCA Harmsworth Memorial Animal Hospital in Holloway, Islington, which already offers a broader range of treatments for those on low incomes and benefits.
The shift in focus means the centre, in Lordship Lane, will be able to triple its space for cats in need of rehoming, from 10 to around 30.
The only London branch of the charity, which is now in its 90th year, will also be able to provide advice and preventative treatments including neutering, vaccinations, microchipping and flea and worm treatments to more pet owners as a result.
The concentration on prevention and care will also see the centre extend its reach into the community, with staff visiting schools, local businesses and community groups to promote animal welfare and responsible pet ownership, and behavioural and welfare advice and support sessions will be run at the centre.
The move means that, going by numbers, the charity will be able to help far more pet owners than it currently can through its veterniary clinic, and by educating owners about responsible pet ownership, it hopes to reduce the incidence of common problems it sees at the clinic, such as skin problems from untreated flea problems and unclaimed stray pets without microchips.
Clive Byles, chief executive of Wood Green, The Animals Charity, said: “Although we are changing what we do at our London centre, we believe that the changes we are making will enable us to reach out and support even more pets in the north London community.
“Wood Green opened its doors 90 years ago in order to make a difference. Whilst the social context has changed, our ambition has not. We continue to make a difference for pets, people and the communities they live in.”
The charity will also put more resources into a joint programme with other charities and agencies aimed at cutting the number of stray and unneutered pets in the community.
