Elaine (right) with Christine Bleakley on The One Show sofa.

Sad farewell to the PDSA's Elaine Pendlebury

The PDSA is bidding a sad farewell to one of its senior vets, Elaine Pendlebury, who is retiring after spending nearly four decades at the charity.

After graduating in 1978, Elaine dedicated her entire veterinary career to animals cared for by PDSA hospitals.

As well as caring for sick and injured pets, she has been proactive in promoting responsible pet ownership, making regular media appearances on TV programmes including BBC's The One Show, Channel 5 News and, more recently, Channel 4's Dogs - their secret lives.

Such appearances have taken her to a number of weird and wonderful interview locations - not only busy surgeries and city centres, but also windswept beaches and even a motorway service station restroom.

Elaine says it has been a "hugely enjoyable and varied 37 years".

"Some of the stand-out moments include doing a live TV interview at the crack of dawn on a field in Scarborough to award Dotty the donkey a PDSA Commendation for saving the life of Stanley the sheep, and being a mystery guest on the BBC Radio Two Breakfast show!"

Social media platforms have added a new dimension to the way she has been able to promote the message of responsible pet ownership - something which is very close to her heart.

"I have had the chance to embrace more modern communication channels such as hosting live Facebook and Twitter chats to provide advice to pet owners," she said.

Paying tribute to her 37 years of service, the PDSA said she will be very sadly missed.

"Her outstanding commitment to PDSA has helped thousands of pets and their owners, both as a practising vet and through raising awareness of key pet health topics through her extensive media activity.

"We thank her for her contribution to animal welfare, for her tireless work and dedication, and we wish her the very best in her retirement."

Image courtesy of PDSA