Worthing's Pets 2 Vets is helping animals in medical emergencies

Karen and Andy Adsett launched Pets 2 Vets early last year after identifying a need for a service that is able to provide care to animals while en route to the vets.

Based in Findon, the service currently covers West Sussex and parts of East Sussex and Surrey with three ambulances.

Karen and Andy, 54, first began working closely with vets when they ran their search and rescue organisation Southdowns SAR 4 lost dogs ltd and were asked if they would consider doing a transportation service.

Karen, who is a retired accountant, said the service is one of a kind in the area.

Andy and Karen in front of their fleet (Image: Submitted)

The team, which is made up of the couple and their daughter Stephanie, have all trained in pet first aid at Brinsbury College in Sussex.

They can transport animals to and from the vets and the service’s animal first aiders can be on board the ambulance to provide any medical care if needed.

Animals can also be transported in the ambulances to and from groomers and kennels.

The service has also been approved by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, Karen said.

“We love our animals,” said the 52-year-old. “We wanted to do something that would make a difference to people’s lives and for those who struggle to get into vets and groomers and kennels.

“There was a huge gap in the market. It was so desperately needed.

“A lot of taxi services won’t take animals but we didn’t just want to be a pet taxi service. We wanted to be able to provide medical assistance too.

The service currently has three ambulances (Image: Submitted)

“A lot of these pet ambulances are calling themselves ambulances but they’re not carrying the equipment that could help a pet in a medical emergency.”

The service has been a hit and the Adsetts are working with more and more veterinary surgeries as well as the emergency services.

If an animal requires medical attention following a fire or police incident the service will take the animal to a vets practice or animal hospital for no charge and instead will ask for a donation.

This part of the business will rely solely on donations and fundraising.

“If they want to donate at some point once they’ve recovered after their accident or fire then they’re welcome to do so,” said Karen. “But they don’t have to.

“Police have now put us into their control centre so if anything comes in where there’s an animal it will come up to call us. The support from emergency services is fantastic.”

Karen hopes to expand the service with more ambulances and staff in the future.