(Updated 14/7/01)

Hope is spreading throughout the South West

Tamsin Taylor-James, Manager of Project Officer, Exeter Big Issue,
explaining the Hope Voucher System to Big Issue vendor Spike & his dog Sky.

HOMELESS PEOPLE in Exeter can now obtain free preventative veterinary care for their canine companions thanks to the NCDL’s innovative Hope Project.

The scheme, which already operates in Bournemout and Truro, provides a way by which people in housing crisis can obtain veterinary vouchers from the Big Issue magazine, selected day care centres and hostels. These vouchers can then be exchanged for free neutering operations, worming and flea treatments and vaccinations for their dogs.

The vets participating in the scheme in Exeter are Crane and Moore, 64-66 Fore Street, Heavitree, Exeter EX1 2RR. At the Alphington branch (12 Lovelace Gardens, Exeter EX2 8QX) Mr Robert Crane is the participating vet.

Clare Kivlehan, NCDL Hope Project Manager, says:
“The NCDL believes all dogs are entitled to veterinary care, no matter what their circumstances are, and for many of those in housing crisis their dogs are their only companions so to keep them fit and healthy is vitally important. We are thrilled to be expanding into new areas such as Exeter every year and we would not have been able to do this without the huge amount of public support we’ve received and the help of participating vets and homeless organisations.”

As well as Exeter, the Hope Project also operates voucher schemes in Birmingham, Bournemouth, Brighton, Cambridge, Canterbury, Newcastle, Newport, Nottingham, Southampton and Truro. Since the projects launch in Bournemouth last year more than eighty vouchers have been issued so far.

The Hope Project also operates a monthly clinic at the Beaumont Animals’ Hospital in Camden, London. If any vets or veterinary nurses are interested in volunteering for the clinic they should contact Clare Kivlehan at the NCDL on 0207 837 0006.