DISTRESS has been voiced by pet owners worried about the closure of out of hours vetinary services at a number of South Cumbria surgeries.

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.

People have been voicing their worries about the situation in numbers.

Jane Smith said: "Not happy about this at all. I’m sure responsible pet owners wouldn’t call a vet out of hours unless it was a real emergency so the thought of having to travel a distance for help is ridiculous & totally unsatisfactory.

"Pets are going to die through this."

Emma Holdforth said: "This is just wrong. Pets are part of the family and should be able to get care 24/7 like we can!"

Elaine Ferguson said: "When you phone an emergency vet, the pet is probably in a lot of pain - at death's door - and you have to drive 45 miles away that's horrible.

Would you like to travel that distance in pain and distress?"

Helen Carter said: "Our last dog was fitting when we took him at 7.00am in the morning to the emergency vets. 

"The thought of travelling with him to Carnforth in that state does not bear thinking about.

It's very cruel to put the animal through that."

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

A spokesperson for IVC, who owns Alexander Vets, 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."