If the dog or cat gets sick, it can be expensive for the owner. In Bonn, a mobile veterinary practice takes care of the pets of people who have no money for treatment.
Bonn – Elke Wolf opens the sliding door of the vet’s mobile and sticks out her head: “Next, please!”
Gunnar Beckers and his dog Knut are already waiting in front of the converted ambulance in Bonn. “He has ticks and probably an infection,” he says. “And could you please also take a look at his heart failure?” In the mobile practice of the “European Animal and Nature Conservation Association” (ETN), destitute seniors can have their sick darlings treated free of charge.
The word got around
The vet mobile has been on the road in Bonn since last November and stops two days a week in four different places – with the vet Claudia Gomez and assistant Wolf on board. Initially, the response was still low because many clients were probably uncomfortable taking up the offer, says Wolf. But now the two women can hardly save themselves from making appointments.
“The demand is huge,” says Wolf. “We now have a permanent base of around 400 patients – and new ones are added every week.” The official consultation hours of two to three hours per location are no longer sufficient. In addition to acute treatments, checkups and vaccinations, Gomez also performs minor operations in her driving practice.
Originally, the project, which according to ETN is unique in this form nationwide, was only aimed at over 60-year-olds who do not have enough money to visit the vet. But because of the great demand, people in need over the age of 40 are now allowed to come – they have to pay a contribution of 15 euros.
Financing through donations
Beckers and his Labrador-Husky mix went to the vet’s mobile for the first time today after a friend told him about it. “The heart pills for Knut alone always cost me 52 euros a month – I can’t afford that,” he says. So he is grateful that this opportunity now exists.
The pet owners must provide proof of means. The ETN finances the treatment costs through donations – according to the association, 100,000 euros are planned in the budget for 2021. The city of Bonn provides organizational support for the project, for example with the selection of locations and contacts to local networks, as a spokesman explains.
Otto Bölke brought his tomcat Moritz with him, who suffers from a severe allergy. “I always have to buy him special feed,” says Bölke. “Then there are also the vet costs and the medication all the time – I couldn’t pay all of that, I don’t have a lot of money.” That is why Moritz is now a permanent patient at the vet mobile.
Help for animals – and people
He scratched his sore all over again, and the last medication didn’t help either. Gomez wants to draw blood from the cat again today, but he initially defends himself loudly, moaning. Bölke swallows noticeably, the sweat stands on his forehead. “Everything will be fine. We’ll manage it, ”says helper Wolf and pats the 52-year-old reassuringly on the arm.
Wolf and Gomez now know almost the entire life story not only of the animals, but also of many owners. “They often pour out their hearts to us,” says Wolf. Some people would bring sweets or cool drinks out of gratitude. “We help the animals, but actually also the people,” says Gomez. “That’s why I like doing my job so much.” Dpa
