Struggle for pet clinic

A LOCAL vet service in Ballymun that provides free and low-cost treatments to pets is determined to keep its doors open despite being hit by regular floods and power cuts.

The Assissi Clinic operated by Dogs Aid has been providing its service in the area for 25 years but is now under threat of closure as its premises at Balbutcher Lane is due to be demolished as part of the local regeneration programme.

Last week volunteers brought in their own power generator to keep the regular Tuesday night clinic open after it was hit by yet another power cut.

Northside People photographer, Darren Kinsella, who was on assignment at the clinic on Tuesday night, witnessed a fire breaking out in the block where the Assissi service operates from.

Firefighters were called to tackle the blaze in the vacant block, which appeared to have been caused by vandals who regularly break into empty flats for drinking sessions.

Rachel Purvis, who works at the Assissi Clinic, says that despite the growing number of setbacks, volunteers are more determined than ever to keep the service running for as long as possible.

“We have never missed a clinic in the 25 years we’ve been here,

? she said.

“Come hell or high water, we’re determined to keep the service going.

“We have pets coming to us that are on regular treatments like insulin and our vets look after that for the owners.

“We also carry out three to four operations per week. We’re actually booked up to next January at the moment.

“I don’t know what people would do without the service. We’re determined to keep going but it’s very much a week-to-week thing at the moment.

“You have people coming to the clinic who can’t afford to go to private vets all the time because it’s become so expensive since pet insurance was introduced. Fees can be astronomical.

“We’re able to say to people to come along and we’ll do what we can for them. People trust us. There’s been a huge trust built up. Everybody knows about us.

?

Rachel and other dedicated Assissi volunteers and vets, including Frances Harvey, Maggie Howard and Siobhan Owens, are still hoping somebody will come forward with an offer to accommodate the Tuesday night clinic.

Dublin City Council say no funding is available for alternative accommodation and that all community lettings in Ballymun flats are on a week to week basis in space that otherwise would have been vacant.

“We have made every effort to facilitate this group for as long as possible, and they have been facilitated in moving a number of times as the blocks in which they were located were due to be demolished,

? a spokesperson said.

The Assissi Clinic needs space that’s ideally on a ground floor, with about four rooms, and that has running water and electricity so it can continue providing a service.

Dogs Aid is entirely staffed by volunteers and funded by public donations. It operates an animal sanctuary in Meakstown, Finglas, as well as the Assissi service in Ballymun.

Dogs Aid can be contacted by phone after 12pm on 087-2944310 or 01-8347134 or by email at [email protected]