A PET shop in Launceston is collecting donations for pets across Cornwall who are living on the streets with their owners.

StreetVet is a national charity which is dedicated to helping the UK’s homeless people take care of their beloved pets, providing free vet care thanks to the help of volunteer vets and nurses.

Freckles Pet Goodies owner Sally Meredith, who runs her pet shop in Launceston’s Market House Arcade, has been collecting for the charity, which has a Cornwall branch based across the county, for a few months now, and is encouraging pet owners in the Launceston area to help the important cause.

Sally said: “StreetVet Cornwall runs a drop-in clinic in Newquay where all the homeless people bring their pets to get free check-ups, dental checks, flea treatment, and can be given toys, blankets and coats. The clinics are run by volunteer vets and nurses.”

Sally is in touch with registered veterinary nurse, Rosalind Incledon-Webber, who is the lead for the Newquay clinics. The Cornish branch also holds clinics in Camborne, St Austell, Truro and Penzance.

There is a team of 30 volunteer vets and nurses which are involved in StreetVet Cornwall.

Sally keeps a donation bucket outside her shop, Freckles Pet Goodies.

She told the Post: “I got involved in collecting donations because it’s mainly to do with the pets — I don’t like to see animals homeless and going without, it’s not very nice.

“The collection bucket is for people to drop donations into — anything their dogs have grown out of. It could be collars, leads, harnesses, blankets and anything else that is unwanted or they don’t use anymore. As long as it’s in good condition, just drop it in to us.”

Sally takes donations to Rosalind whenever she can, which are then distributed to dogs that come into the Newquay clinic.

“They don’t ask for anything from the homeless people,” Sally said. “It’s just to make sure the dog is able to have its health checks, dental checks and perhaps get some new toys and things.

“They had a dog recently who needed a serious operation, and a vet from London ended up travelling down to do the emergency operation in Bodmin. These vets and nurses give up their time to help, which is amazing."

Sally is encouraging people in the Launceston area to have a look for any old collars, harnesses, coats, bedding and blankets, toys and unwanted treats — which are in good condition — to be given to dogs less fortunate than their own.

She said: “I aim to take two or three lots a month. As long as they’re in reasonable condition, bring them in. Even if it’s old collars and leads that your dog has outgrown since being a puppy, or bedding that they don’t use anymore and is just sitting in a cupboard, please donate it into us.”

Freckles Pet Goodies is based in the Market House Arcade, Launceston. Visit their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/FrecklesPetGoodies for more information about the business and its products.

To donate to StreetVet, visit www.streetvet.co.uk or visit the charity’s golden giving page at www.goldengiving.com/wall/streetvet. The charity is also on Facebook at facebook.com/streetvet