Vets Now Glasgow pet hospital shone brightly as it lit up its festive lights display to celebrate its festive campaign message: “This Christmas, our lights are always on.”
To mark the start of their busiest season, the hospital unveiled a dazzling light display at a special switch-on event, with former Love Island star and Scottish radio presenter, Laura Anderson and her beloved dog Buddy doing the honours.
As the Vets Now Specialist Referral and Emergency Hospital in Glasgow braces for a predicted 79% rise in pet emergencies over the Christmas and New Year period, the clinicians have ramped up preparations to meet the increased demand. This includes scheduling additional teams of vets and vet nurses and stockpiling essential clinical supplies and medicines.
From pets swallowing mince pies to injuries caused by tinsel or fairy lights, the festive season brings an influx of unexpected, and sometimes life-threatening, cases.
Laura Anderson, who attended with dog Buddy, said: "It’s been such a magical evening celebrating the amazing work Vets Now does for pets across Glasgow and beyond. Their message, ‘This Christmas, our lights are always on,’ is so reassuring for pet owners. Having used them myself a few years ago, Buddy and I are feeling super privileged to be a part of this campaign to raise awareness to pet owners.”
Arlene Connor, hospital director at Vets Now Glasgow, is urging pet owners across Greater Glasgow to be aware of the potential hazards.
She said: “Christmas is a magical time, but it can also be fraught with challenges for pets and their owners. Our dedicated teams work tirelessly through the festive season to provide life-saving care when it’s needed most.
“From festive foods to decorations and even gifts, homes can become an unexpected minefield for our furry friends. We’re urging pet owners to be vigilant and take precautions to prevent their celebrations from turning into emergencies.”
Vets Now Glasgow has organised a raffle to support the award-winning charity Give a Dog a Bone, which tackles loneliness for older adults through animal companionship.
Founder Louise Russell expressed her gratitude, saying: "We are beyond grateful to be the chosen charity partner for this event – thank you so much for supporting our unique charitable mission."
Entertainment on the evening was provided by vocal trio 'The Rosa Belles', delighting the crowd as the ‘Santa Belles,’ while guests enjoyed alcohol-free mulled drinks, hot chocolates, festive treats, and even dog-friendly snacks.
The festive display was crafted by The Christmas Decorators, Glasgow and was attended by some of Glasgow’s top dog influencers including @shaunamcgregor, @bonnie.thegermanshep and @beagle_skylartan.
With more than 20 million pet cats and dogs in the UK, Vets Now’s 60+ emergency clinics and hospitals are on standby 24/7 to ensure the nation’s pets receive the care they need.
Visit the Christmas Hub at www.vets-now.com/christmas for expert advice on how to pet-proof your festive season.