The Blue Cross is one of Britain’s oldest animal charities, established in 1897.  Every year, our network of animal adoption centres and hospitals helps thousands of sick and homeless pets and horses across the UK.

 

The Blue Cross receives no government funding and relies on the support and generosity of animal lovers to continue our vital work.

 

Visit our website for more information about our centres and the work that we do: www.bluecross.org.uk

 

 

Animal adoption centres

 

Eleven Blue Cross adoption centres across the country take in unwanted or abandoned cats, dogs, rabbits and other small animals who are looking for loving new homes.

 

Our expert staff work hard to find a match that is right for both pet and new owner. Being given up for adoption is stressful for any animal, so we make every effort to ensure that we are rehoming the animal into a happy new home that will last a lifetime.

 

Equine welfare

 

Equine welfare remains at the heart of The Blue Cross and we offer lifelong guardianship to horses and ponies whose owners can no longer look after them for many reasons. The long-term loan system we operate through our two dedicated equine rehabilitation and rehoming centres allows us to screen applicants thoroughly before the adoption begins, and also to keep in touch and monitor the welfare of our horses. A third equine centre offers rest and retirement to Blue Cross horses who are not suitable for rehoming.

 

Veterinary services

 

Our veterinary services are available to pets whose owners are on means-tested benefits, state pension or low incomes.

 

All four Blue Cross hospitals – in Grimsby, Merton, Hammersmith and Victoria - are equipped to a high standard to deal with a variety of veterinary problems, ranging from routine neutering to complex spinal surgery. Our team of more than 100 dedicated vets and nurses are devoted to providing animal care round the clock.

 

The Blue Cross also operates four mobile veterinary clinics in London and a network of clinics nationwide that provide basic veterinary attention, vaccination, microchipping, and advice on animal care.

 

Education

 

As part of our commitment to educating the public about responsible animal care, The Blue Cross offers a national programme of free talks teaching the importance of responsible pet ownership to children in schools and youth groups. The talks are given by trained CRB-checked volunteers, often with the help of their Blue Cross education dogs.

 

Information

 

Visit our dedicated All About Pets website for a range of nearly 80 leaflets giving expert pet advice and support for owners to keep their animals healthy and happy: www.allaboutpets.org.uk. The site is also home to a thriving community of pet lovers, regularly chatting on the online forums about all their pet related issues.

Date Updated: 20/07/09