AN ANIMAL welfare clinic is set to expand.

RSPCA’s Clwyd and Colwyn Branch is taking its Vaughan Street clinic in Rhyl to a new level, having bought an adjoining building to provide more services to their client base which has reached around 3,500 pet owners.

Affordable veterinary treatment is provided to animals whose owners are in receipt of state benefits, or individuals with an annual income of below £16,000.

Cats, dogs and rabbits are the most commonly treated companion animals at the clinic which aims to promote responsible pet ownership, through vaccination, neutering, microchipping and the provision of animal welfare advice.

Sylvia Moss, branch treasurer, said: “Our clinic is thriving and we are very proud of the part it plays in the local community.”

The branch is appealing to the general public for support. About £42,000 is required before all the new services will be available.

“We are hoping our new clinic will become an RSPCA flagship in the North of Wales,” said Sylvia.

The RSPCA Colwyn and Clwyd Branch was set up in 2006 following the amalgamation of the Colwyn Bay and Vale of Clwyd branches.

The Colwyn Bay Branch began back in the 1960s and along with the Aberconwy branch, brought about the beginnings of animal centre in Upper Colwyn Bay - Bryn-Y-Maen - until this was taken over by the RSPCA in the 1980s.

Following the merger of the Colwyn Bay and Vale of Clwyd branches in 2006 - sights were set on the relocation of the Rhyl Clinic (which had come under the Vale of Clwyd Branch) - which was housed in an old toilet block next to a railway line. As an extension was not deemed possible a search for new premises was made.

“A suitable shop was purchased and with a lot of hard work by volunteers it has become the thriving clinic we have today,” said Sylvia.

“We are led by our branch manager Kieran Barlow, who works tirelessly to provide veterinary care to animals and to help and advise their owners.

“Kieran also trains volunteers - many of whom have found full time employment in the workplace. As client numbers have greatly increase we now feel the time is right to extend the clinic in order to provide greater services for pet owners in the area.”

To contact the branch to help with their expansion project, email, admin@rspca-clwydandcolwyn.org.uk