Making a difference thanks to the community's generosity - North Devon Animal Ambulance

With the current rising costs and in keeping with all other animal welfare charities it is a struggle to balance the books and at the end of our financial year, September 2022 to August 2023, we are amazed to realise that NDAA during that period spent just under £235,000 on animal welfare. This could not have been achieved without the fantastic and loyal support we receive from the people of North Devon.

This figure has been made up of veterinary services and the purchase of drugs for the Welfare Clinic. All running costs and overheads expended are extra to this figure. It must also be noted and remembered that the charity has no wages to account for as no one receives any remuneration; all services are given freely from our resident Vet, Heather Hammond, to the Trustees and all the dedicated volunteers.

The Welfare Clinic continues to be held three days a week and Heather treats an average of 90 patients a week, dealing with minor injuries, stitching of wounds, routine animal welfare and euthanasia; the Special Care Unit upstairs cares for animals convalescing and recovering from more serious and life-saving operations carried out by outsource veterinary practices. The majority of serious cases are referred to Hatchmoor Veterinary Practice in Torrington and we are most grateful to Gavin Dalton-Morgan and his staff for their daily support.

We have experienced an enormous increase in the number of ‘put to sleeps’. This is caused mainly by the astronomical veterinary charges for euthanasia and the fact that owners’ are often unable to either afford veterinary fees or obtain veterinary help until it is too late and nothing can be done.

In these situations un-necessary suffering and distress is endured by the pets, but also causes extreme worry and stress to the owners. We have also had cases where an elderly owner’s beloved pet has died at home and no help has been available to dispose of the body and provide a little solace, as many Vets are no longer prepared to make house calls.

Euthanasia does not just create heartbreak for the owners, but great credit must be given to our Vet and volunteers dealing with such situations often causing them great emotional stress and strain.

Looking back over our financial year we feel proud that we have been able to spend so much on animal welfare and have been able to a small degree help and ease the suffering of animals and owners. It has been a difficult year combatting rising costs, ill health and creeping old-age, but we all endeavour to do our very best each and every day. With the large team of loyal dedicated volunteers and the wonderful support and generosity of the people of North Devon, hopefully we have made a little difference.