My mums beautiful cat Jax was poisoned by antifreeze. 

On Sunday, 18th June 2023, my cat, Jax had been poisoned. It was late afternoon, he came from being outside for less than ten minutes. He vomited twice, and started howling. Within minutes he had collapsed, losing the use of three of his legs. At this point knowing something was seriously wrong, I tried calling my local pdsa hospital (Blackpool). The first call was at 15.43. There was no answer, it was just ringing and ringing, and eventually cut me off. I tried again immediately after, again it was just ringing, and again it eventually cut me off. At this point I called my mum to explain what was happening and to ask if they could drive me to the emergency vets, as I knew they were in Blackburn. A 40 min drive, from where I am, I hasten to add. Being disabled and not being able to drive, there was no way I was able to get there myself. 

After speaking to my parents, and being unable to reach PDSA Blackpool, I called vets now, directly, only to be told that as I was registered with PDSA I needed to keep calling my local pdsa hospital. I was assured that someone was there, and I would get through. So yet again, I tried calling. And at the same time, missing calls from my mum. In this time, my parents had arrived at my home. (They live 4 miles away from me). Both of them were calling PDSA, on my behalf, which ended the same way. Ringing and being cut off. 

Finally, at 16.43, my call was answered. Over an hour from my first attempt. OVER AN HOUR....? 
In that hour of trying to contact PDSA, I was having to deal with, watch, and hear my boy, trying to drag himself around the floor, panting, and howling in absolute agony. As I hope you can imagine, it was soul destroying, seeing him like that. 

Jax died in the car, before we even got out of Blackpool. I am utterly amazed and disgusted that with the size of Blackpool, there isn't one single emergency vets? Maybe if there had been, I could have been in a taxi and there within minutes. Even if Jax was too far along, and couldn't be saved, he could have been euthanized and died quietly and peacefully in my arms, instead of howling in pure agony. 

The way he was, while trying to contact PDSA will haunt me forever. It seems that with no local emergency vet, you better hope and pray, that your pet only gets sick, Monday - Friday, 9 - 5pm. You clearly have no hope of getting to Blackburn and receiving any help. 

As I have a concreted yard, bringing him home to bury, just wasn't an option. So we carried on to vets now. A 40 minute drive away. The staff there were lovely. Kind, caring and respectful, letting me have time with Jax, even though he had passed away. 

I will never forget that hour of chaos, trying to contact my local hospital, while trying to deal with my boy dragging himself across the floor, with his one remaining working leg, while howling and panting in pure agony. As I said earlier, that scene will haunt me forever. 

I sincerely hope you take on board, points I have made, and maybe in the future Blackpool can have at least one local out of hours vet. And then, just maybe, no other animal or owner will suffer the heartache that I have and will continue to have. 

The people of Blackpool need security for their furr babies, they need to know there is a vet available 24/7 close by. 

Please help us make this happen.