Kind-hearted bikers deliver vital medicines across North Wales to keep pets safe during coronavirus outbreak

Two kind-hearted bikers are delivering vital animal medicines across North Wales to help keep pets safe during the coronavirus outbreak.

Volunteers Jimmy Aspinall and Neil Pearson have been transporting emergency medicines across the region on behalf of the RSPCA’s Clwyd and Colwyn Branch.

The branch’s Rhyl Clinic on Vaughan Street is the only RSPCA clinic operating in the area amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Staff are therefore providing repeat prescriptions, emergency treatment for animals and advice to concerned and anxious pet owners all across the region.

Since the lockdown was announced in Wales on 23 March, the three-member team of branch manager Kieren Balow, veterinarian Olatz Iglesias and clinic assistant Claire Darbey have worked tirelessly.

The clinic has issued 507 prescriptions, seen over 300 emergencies and dealt with over 3,000 phone calls.

Many medicines can be posted to pet-owning households. However, some emergency medicines and those which need to be temperature-controlled must be delivered.

Deliveries were initially carried out by clinic staff, but capacity was proving a huge challenge – which is where Jimmy, Neil and their motorbikes have stepped in.

RSPCA Clwyd and Colwyn branch manager Kieren Barlow said: “This has been an exhausting but hugely important time for the Clinic in helping countless animals across the North Wales region.

“Our vet Olatz Iglesias, and clinic assistant Claire Darbey, have been flat out as we issue hundreds of prescriptions, deal with emergencies and take thousands of phone calls.

“It really has underlined the vital resource offered to pet owners in North Wales by our clinic team.

“But we’re also indebted to our biker heroes Jimmy Aspinall and Neil Pearson – who have been getting on two wheels to transport emergency medications to pet-owning households.

“Their kindness is getting vital drugs to pets who need them desperately.

“Jimmy and Neil have relieved us of such a time-consuming task, meaning clinic staff can focus on dealing with emergencies, repeat prescriptions and advising pet owners over the phone.”

Jimmy said: “We’re pleased to be helping those who cannot get out at the moment by delivering vital medicines for their pets.

“As a dog-owner myself and a big fan of animals, it is really rewarding. As this crisis continues, we’re just glad we can do something to help people and animals alike.”

Neil added: “Animal welfare is a cause really close to my heart. We lost our Jack Russell Elvis in September, and I was really keen to do something to help.

“Animals too often get overlooked – so it is so rewarding to be making these urgent deliveries.”

Anyone looking to donate to the Clwyd and Colwyn branch to help animals can contribute via Paypal, via donations@rspca-clwydandcolwyn.org.uk

Pet owners seeking advice about caring for their animals during the coronavirus crisis can also access the RSPCA website.