Glasgow vet recognised for work with homeless
Ruby established The Trusty Paws Clinic to offer free veterinary treatment and advice for dogs owned by homeless people.
A Glasgow vet is to be recognised for her work helping homeless people and their pets by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).
Ruby Shorrock studied to become a vet at the University of Glasgow and now works at a small animal practice in the city.
While studying, Ruby became aware of the challenges faced by homeless pet owners and was shocked to discover that no homeless hostels in Glasgow would take people with their dogs.
Inspired by her research, Ruby established The Trusty Paws Clinic to offer free veterinary treatment and advice for dogs owned by homeless people.
After she learnt of a similar scheme run by student vets in Nottingham, Ruby gathered some vet student friends together to help set up their own clinics in Glasgow.
Since the first Trusty Paws Clinic opened two years ago, Ruby and her team have provided treatment to countless numbers of dogs from the homeless community, from neutering and vaccinations to de-worming and skin infections, all at no charge.
In light of the clinic’s success, Ruby has now started offering a similar service to homeless people and their dogs in London.
“Ruby’s work to help homeless dog owners and their pets is a great example of community work which helps both people and animals,” said Philip Mansbridge, UK director of IFAW. “We hope that her efforts will inspire the next generation of animal welfare campaigners and carers. She is a very deserving winner of IFAW’s Veterinary Award.”
Ruby added: “I have always loved charity work and animal welfare, it is great to do my day job and help those animals but this gives me a different kind of satisfaction...starting the clinics really challenged my own misconceptions about the homeless.”
Ruby will receive her award at the IFAW’s prestigious Animal Action Awards event at the House of Lords on October 18.
Image (C) Karen Gordon
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
