Avonvale appeal will help animals in need

Sarah Bleach, veterinary nurse , and Rita the cat promote Avonvale's Christmas relief operation.

Avonvale Veterinary Centres’ staff are asking clients and the public to drop in at any of their surgeries in Kenilworth, Southam, Warwick and Wellesbourne with food, blankets, toys or cash donations with which to purchase food for pet rescue centres including Rough Collie Rescue, Avon Cat Rescue and Cats Protection.

Diane Goddard, practice manager, said: “We are hoping for a bit of festive generosity. The media has been full of stories concerning pets being abandoned because of the economic climate and, with some owners also unable to afford neutering, the problem can only get worse.”

RSPCA reports state that the number of animals being abandoned has soared by 65 per cent since the global financial crisis hit in 2007 and that convictions for animal cruelty are up by almost a quarter.

Avonvale is also selling Christmas cards in aid of the Cinnamon Trust - a specialist national charity which supports elderly people and their pets - and Dogs for the Disabled.

The practice has also been supporting World Society for the Protection of Animals charities working with animals in the Philippines affected by Hurricane Haiyan.

To make a donation go online.