Worthing Animal Clinic

Registered Charity No. 211467

About Us

About Worthing Animal Clinic

The Clinic, near Worthing's main Co-Op store by Broadwater Bridge - click here for an adjustable-scale map and aerial picture

(100% of all donations will reach us - no

 charges or commission are involved. 

Facility includes Gift Aid option.)

Worthing Animal Clinic, an independent local charity registered with the Charity Commission (no. 211467), now serves, at the last count (February 2008), 5,353 registered patients owned by 3,183 clients.  During 2007 we treated 3,444 patients and registered 1,013 new ones.  Without the subsidised veterinary treatment and care we provide to the pets of local people unable to afford the services of a veterinary surgeon in private practice, many of our patients would suffer through not receiving care.

Clinic Staff

Veterinary Surgeon

David Thomas, BVetMed, MRCVS

Veterinary Nurse

Noleen Costello, VN

Reception: Sue Blunden   Administration: Andy Stringer

    We do not seek to compete with local vets in private practice, but to offer a charitable alternative for those of limited means whose pets might otherwise go untreated.  The charity meets its aims by providing subsidised veterinary treatment and care to the pets of those in receipt of means-tested benefits (Housing Benefit/Local Housing Allowance, Council Tax Benefit or Pension Credit) or recognised as homeless*.  Clients must also live in the Lancing-Worthing-Littlehampton area (postcodes BN11-17).  The subsidy amounts to about 35% of the lower range of costs of treatment charged by local vets in private practice.  Subsidised treatment is provided for up to 3 registered pets.  If a client ceases to be eligible for subsidy, treatment can continue on a full fee basis for the lifetime of registered animals.  (* Accredited in writing by Worthing Churches Homeless Projects or holding a Big Issue seller's permit.)

Payment can be made by cash, cheque or credit card and must be made when attending with the animal. 

It is not a condition of eligibility that clients help the charity raise the funds needed to subsidise treatment for their pets' benefit, but we do ask clients and members to do what they can.  See our Help Us page for numerous opportunities.

Further subsidy schemes are available in certain cases, as part of our policy of promoting responsible pet ownership.  The first scheme provides an additional subsidy of £28 towards the cost of micro-chipping and vaccinating puppies and kittens.  The funds for this additional subsidy are drawn from a legacy bequeathed to the charity in 2003 by the late Mrs Betty Van Peperzeel.  The second provides a further subsidy of 30% towards the cost of neutering puppies to help owners avoid further, unwanted, births.  This subsidy is available to bitches up to one year old and dogs up to two years, and is currently funded by a donation from Worthing Lions and a £2,000 contribution from the charity's own reserves.  The trustees are endeavouring to secure further grants and donations to enable this scheme to become a long-term feature of the Clinic's work.  In addition to these schemes drawing on our own funds, we continue to offer free cat neutering under a scheme operated by Cats Protection.

With now nearly 3,200 clients, we carried out 3,902 consultations and 560 operations in 2007, as well as hospitalising 183 animals overnight.  Further information about our work in 2007/08 can be found in our Annual Report - see the Charity page for how to get a copy.

We also support the community in other ways, such as educational visits to local schools, providing work experience and day release training for young people, and making free animal health information available at the Clinic and our stalls.  (Click here for access to the PDSA's extensive range of Responsible Pet Care leaflets.)

The extensively equipped Clinic is situated at Anthony House, 30/32 Newland Road, Worthing * and is open for treatment by appointment 0900 - 1600 Monday to Friday.  A qualified veterinary surgeon and veterinary nurse are in full-time attendance and deliver a full range of services using the Clinic's extensive facilities, which include an operating theatre, X-ray equipment, in-patient facilities, an electrocardiograph and dental equipment.  Laboratory tests such as blood analysis can also be done on-site; where necessary, animals may be referred to a specialist and/or hospitalised overnight.  We pursue an active training policy under which all staff are encouraged to attend relevant courses.  (* Near the Co-Op store by Broadwater Bridge - click here for an adjustable-scale map and aerial picture of the Clinic.)

Clients will be required to show proof of eligibility (see above) at all times of attending with an animal, whether at the Clinic or at an out of hours surgery, and at registration.  In addition, those using our out of hours emergency arrangements or whose animals are referred to other practices will be asked to pay half the fee charged, at the time of attending the practice concerned.  Our out of hours emergency arrangements are set out on our Contact page.

Worthing Animal Clinic is a veterinary charity dedicated to the welfare of animals, including those of unknown ownership.  We are apolitical and, although we oppose animal cruelty or abuse in any form, non-campaigning - our policy is to devote as much as possible of our funds and energies directly into helping the animals under our care.