ANIMALS in need of urgent transportation can benefit from a new animal ambulance service which has been launched in the region.

Colchester-based Claire Milne, who was an RSPCA officer for 11 years, says she started K9 Animal Ambulance Services after recognising there was a lot charities couldn’t help with.

“I realised that there’s a real need for what I can provide,” she said. “There’s no other service in the region like this.”

Besides transporting animals which need emergency treatment she also offers microchipping services in the home, transport for routine appointments and first aid while travelling.

“We help all animals from budgies to the largest dog. We even collect injured wildlife. The main thing is to help the animals, but we also want to help people – many have transport but aren’t always prepared. The children could be in bed, they could have had a couple of glasses of wine or it could just be bad timing,” she said.

So far, Claire says the service is working well in Colchester, Clacton and the surrounding area. She is hoping to get more volunteers on board to cope with increasing demand in Suffolk.