Charity work
Burnham House is a great supporter of the work of several animal charities and is happy to help in this vital work in many different ways. The Dover surgery takes in rescued, abandoned, sick or injured animals and treats them as they await a new family.
PDSA PetAid
The PDSA PetAid scheme allows needy pet owners in Dover and Folkestone to get reduced Veterinary treatment for their pet from any of our branches. The scheme is available for those in receipt of either Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit, and who live in postcode areas CT15, CT16 and CT17 in Dover or CT18, CT19, CT20 and CT21 in Folkestone. If you think you may be eligible, collect a blue form from one of our surgeries, complete and return it to us enclosing documentary proof of benefit and a Postal Order for £5.00 payable to the PDSA (please note that cash or cheques cannot be accepted). You may be contacted to arrange a free of charge health check as your pet must be registered as healthy when joining. For this reason it is vital that you register for the scheme as soon as possible - before your pet needs treatment.
Further information can be found on the PDSA website or by calling the PetAid helpline on 0191 514 4353.
Since Burnham House first began we have provided Veterinary staff for the RSPCA Clinic in Folkestone. The Clinic is open from 2 - 2.45pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and provides treatment for those in receipt of:
Retirement Pension
Incapacity Benefit
Jobseeker's Allowance
Housing Benefit
Income Support
Bereavement Benefit
Those using the Clinic must take Proof of Benefit (including their National Insurance Number) along with them. The cost for a Consultation with the Vet is £7.00 and drugs will be charged at a reduced price.
Contact the Clinic at 21 Grace Hill, Folkestone (Opposite Folkestone public library); 01303 242433.
As well as staffing the RSPCA Clinic, we also deal with the RSPCA Inspectorate to attend possible cases of animal cruelty. Regrettably such cases are not uncommon and our Vets follow through these cases, acting as Professional Witnesses in court if necessary. Recent work with the Inspectors has included the investigation of illegally bred tortoises and 'smuggled' birds.
It is not just the RSPCA who help safeguard our animals. We also work with the Port of Dover, Trading Standards and the Police on very diverse cases.
Sea mammals, particularly common and grey seals, are frequently found sick or orphaned off the coast of Kent and we have developed excellent facilities for their care. Young seals are treated then moved to one of the RSPCA facilities equipped to rehabilitate seals and often returned to the wild. We have also provided Veterinary support for stranding incidents around the coast including porpoises and whales. These strandings are attended by the British Divers Marine Life Rescue who are a well trained group of volunteers that operate throughout the UK. Two of our vets (Jeremy and Iain) have been trained by them as volunteer Marine Mammal Medics and without the charity's assistance on the shoreline, our job would be much harder.