Homeless hostel opens pet clinic

The clinic is in the Dunedin Harbour Hostel in Leith once or twice a month for two hours, with a vet from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies offering advice and administering treatment when required.

Veterinary students from the school also get involved in the clinic, making it a learning experience for them.

The clinic is funded by a 5000 bequest from the late Vida Howie, a local resident who wanted the money to be used for the treatment of animals belonging to homeless people in Edinburgh, as well as a 3500 donation from the Pet Plan Charitable Trust.

The funding will continue for 18 months but it is hoped further funds will be found to secure a longer-term future for the clinic.

Dr Andrew Gardiner, who runs the clinic assisted by final year students, said: "Our last visit involved giving first vaccinations, worming, feeding and neutering advice to a new puppy, and checking a litter of kittens.

"The mother would not accept the kittens, so the owner was feeding them every two hours."

James Brown and partner Amanda Masson, 30, have been staying at the hostel since May and are the owners of black and white cat, Boots, who recently gave birth.

Mr Brown, 40, said: "It's great having the vet here because you can see him right away rather than taking a 40-45 minute bus journey to the nearest vets."

Dunedin Harbour Hostel is unusual in the sense that most hostels require residents to give up or board their pets as a condition of admission.

The clinic will now be extended to Castlecliff Hostel - the only other homeless hostel in the city where people are allowed to have pets - next month.

Service manager at Dunedin Harbour Hostel, Kevin Brodie, 39, said: "The clinic is very accessible and it's within their own environment - that is one of the key elements that makes it work."

Dr Gardiner added: "Most of the animals are healthy, happy and well cared for, so the emphasis is on preventative medicine, basic care and, especially, behavioural advice."