PET owners have been dealt a shock after finding out a number of veterinary practices will cease their emergency out of hours services.

And those who own domestic animals have been expressing their deep concerns about the service closures.

IVC Evidensia, which operates Grove, Alexander and South Lakes vets have announced that, due to vet shortages, they can no longer provide the service at some of their South Cumbria practices.

The company has advised people to travel more than an hour to Carnforth for their nearest out of hours treatment option.

Cat owner Jane Feist said she was terrified of what this might mean.

She said: "I couldn’t drive for an hour if one of my cats had been hit by a car.

"And I'm lucky - I’ve got a car – for people that can't drive, it’s hardly on the bus route."

"Has anybody actually bothered looking at the map?"

Ms Feist, originally from Bicester in Oxfordshire, explained that in other parts of the country, a closed surgery might mean a five or ten mile journey, but a 45-mile trek across Cumbria into Lancashire was not acceptable.

Despite looking for staff for more than a year, they have not managed to recruit enough verterinarians to keep the emergency service open.

At the moment only Alexander Vets have announced they are affected while Grove bosses said its service will remain for the time being.

Grove Vets said: "We are still providing our own out of hours service at the moment. We will inform all of our clients of any changes as they occur. Please be kind to all veterinary professionals at this time."

A spokesperson for IVC said: “The huge increase in pet ownership in the UK has put unprecedented pressure on vets and nurses, and there is a global shortage of qualified veterinary surgeons. 

"This has put huge strain on our team, who continue to provide excellent care for local animals. We have tried for a year to recruit additional vets to our local practices, without success. 

"As such, we have made the difficult decision to move some of our Out of Hours service for the area to Carnforth, but no decision has been made yet on all of our Out of Hours service in the area and we will continue to provide care locally through our available network of practices until 7th April.“