TV Vet Returns From African Animal Aid Mission

TV vet returns from mission to South Africa with plea for help to other UK vets

A British TV vet and writer has returned from South Africa with a message to other UK vets – please consider volunteering at township clinics providing a lifeline for needy animals.

Emma Milne, a practising vet and star of Vets in Practice and numerous other shows, spent two weeks with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) at IFAW-supported animal clinics – CLAW in Soweto and Mdzananda, on the outskirts of Cape Town.

Both projects offer much-needed medical care to the pets of people living in some of South Africa’s poorest communities, as well as caring for and neutering homeless dogs and cats and rescuing animals from cruelty.

The Mdzananda clinic has just one vet to serve the Khayelitsha township, which has more than one million inhabitants and no other veterinary services, while CLAW’s mobile clinics often operate without a full-time vet.

Emma said: “Working at these township clinics and meeting the people and their pets has been life-changing for me and I am eager to get back to Soweto again and do what I can to help. Meanwhile, I hope that through words and pictures I can convey what I saw and experienced and get help for people who love and need their pets just as much as we do.

“I would urge other vets in the UK to consider spending some time helping out there; I can guarantee it will be an incredibly fulfilling experience they will never forget!”

Robbie Marsland, Director of IFAW UK, said: “IFAW is extremely grateful to Emma for her efforts to highlight these important projects. The value of pets to people in impoverished communities should not be underestimated. We hope people are inspired by Emma’s experiences to support this vital work.”

Any qualified UK vets interested in volunteering at the projects is asked to email their name and contact telephone number to info-uk@ifaw.org or for more information visit www.ifaw.org
During her visit Emma also spent time at CARE (Centre for Animal Rehabilitation and Education) in Phalaborwa, which rescues, rehabilitates and releases orphaned and injured baboons.

Emma Milne is best known in the UK for her appearances in the highly successful BBC1 programme Vets in Practice, appearing in all 11 series. She has also been featured in many other TV shows and has written countless articles on animal welfare issues for a variety of publications. Emma’s first book, The Truth About Cats And Dogs, was published in 2007 and highlights the realities of veterinary work as well as the inherent and increasing health problems with many breeds of pedigree dogs and cats. During her time touring the townships Emma offered advice to pet owners and treated animals suffering from a variety of diseases and conditions, including poisoning and malnutrition.

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Tags:  Animal Welfare