Polly puts the mettle on

The prognosis is bright for Polly, a six-week-old Border Collie cross, found wandering Arana Hills without an owner or identification and limping with a broken leg.

Polly seems destined for a good home after being collected by the RSPCA and taken as a charity case to the University of Queensland's Veterinary Teaching Hospital for treatment.

Veterinarian Dr Kate Hill said it was not known how Polly had received her fractured tibia.

She is a brave little patient, recovering well, having captured the hearts of veterinary students endeared by her gentle personality. Dr Hill said students and staff would find it hard to part with her.

Head of the School of Veterinary Science and Animal Production Professor Keith Hughes said Polly was one of 400 to 500 unowned welfare dogs and cats treated each year by the University's Veterinary Clinic and Veterinary Teaching Hospital at an estimated $80,000 cost.

These costs were not recovered. Animals without owners were treated by the hospital without financial support from governments or the RSPCA, he said.

Professor Hughes said charity patients were among 5000 animals examined each year in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, which was responsible for paying its own operating costs through fees charged for services. Total costs were usually comparable to those of veterinarians in private practice, and reflected the level of service provided.

More than 60 employees worked in the hospital, including veterinary specialists, veterinarians in advanced training programs, nurses, radiographers, pharmacists and support staff. Over 180 veterinary students at various stages participated in patient care.

Professor Hughes said in addition to fee-for-service and charity patients, the Veterinary Clinic treated guide dogs for the blind and pets for therapy for the costs of drugs and materials only.

'Another component of our charity work is the treatment and care of injured or sick Australian native wildlife,' he said.

'While all veterinary practitioners with a compassion for animal welfare offer free treatment for wildlife, a high proportion of injured wildlife in Brisbane is brought to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital by the public and the RSPCA.

'These animals, too, have no owners to support their care.'

Professor Hughes said the School would shortly receive the funds from a bequest by the late Arthur Edward Hansen for its animal welfare work, but it needed more public assistance to continue its charity work.

People interested in assisting this work can contact Professor Hughes (telephone 3365 2784).