The University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Sydney is supporting homeless and disadvantaged Sydneysiders to access quality veterinary care for their beloved pets.
There is a crisis of care for some of our city’s most vulnerable pets. Homeless and disadvantaged owners are unable to fund even the most essential of treatments to improve the wellbeing of their treasured animals.
That’s why the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Sydney is helping to provide assistance to some of Sydney’s most disadvantaged pet-owners by partnering with BaptistCare to establish the HopeStreet pop-up pet clinic, which operates once a month in Woolloomooloo.
Staffed by volunteers, clinicians, veterinary nurses and students from the Faculty of Veterinary Science, the animal welfare outreach initiative is helping the most vulnerable pets of Sydney.
Jemma, whose owner is homeless, was recently attacked by other dogs on the street, suffering facial injuries including painful puncture wounds and bruising. Jemma was brought into the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Sydney to treat her wounds and prevent the development of what could become a potentially fatal infection.
Lobby is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. She twisted her knee and was in terrible pain. Lobby received free vet treatment through the HopeStreet pet clinic. This offered peace of mind for her owner. Through the generosity of the clinic’s supporters, Lobby is now back to her old self.
Ms Piggy is a five-year-old shih tzu that presented with marked dental disease, including some rotten teeth. With the help of the University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, she has had four teeth extracted and her remaining teeth cleaned, relieving her oral pain.
The outreach initiative at HopeStreet is run by clinicians, veterinary nurses and students from the University of Sydney. According to veterinarian, Dr Jess Talbot, there is a great need for this service.
“In our last visit to HopeStreet, we saw 27 pets in two-and-a-half hours. There are so many animals needing care. We don’t have the funds to keep pace with demand and treat the variety of problems we see.
“We would love to be able to do even more for these beloved pets and their owners.”
You can help these beloved pets by making a donation to fund essential treatments including vaccinations, tick and flea protection, and medications to ease the effect of conditions like arthritis and chronic skin disease.