Oldest Charity Animal Hospital Celebrates A Centenary Of Care

The nation's oldest charitable animal hospital stepped back in time yesterday to celebrate its centenary. Events at The Blue Cross animal hospital in Victoria, south west London, included veterinary nurses dressed in Edwardian uniforms, a display of photography dating back to the hospital's opening and a mock-up of a veterinary 1900s clinic. The events offered clients a fascinating contrast to the cutting edge facilities of The Blue Cross animal hospital's present-day hospital. Dick Voigt, director of veterinary services at The Blue Cross, said: "Today has been an important event for The Blue Cross. We celebrate the proud history of a London landmark; but we also celebrate generations of skilled veterinary professionals who have dedicated themselves to helping animals - and people - in need. Thanks to them, the Blue Cross Victoria animal hospital remains a lifeline for London's animals." The hospital has remained open 24 hours a day, every day for 100 years, with veterinary staff conducting over one million consultations. Built on the site of the Duke of Westminster's stables, the original buildings were well suited to the charity's early equine work, when many businesses depended on the health of their horses for survival. During wartime, hospital staff cared for tens of thousands of animals injured or left homeless during the Blitz, often working by candlelight during night time raids on the capital.

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