Relieved of his duties in Alderney, vet David Burrows has moved back the Far East. (0698680)

ONLY one vet is now resident in the island after Animal Welfare took the decision to relieve Dave Burrows of his duties in late December.

In a letter to members, chairman Colin Williams said the body had studied the cost of employing a full-time vet and veterinary nurse and decided that the level of demand and income was not high enough to support the roles.

Mr Burrows, who arrived in Alderney from Hong Kong in 2007, has returned to the Far East, while veterinary nurse Kathy Bichard has left to take up a position at Jersey Zoo.

Animal Welfare has struck a deal with Guernsey-based Vetcare’s John Knight. The company will send a vet to Alderney every fortnight and treat the island’s clinic as if it were one of its own practices.

Mr Williams said the level of demand for veterinary services had risen substantially in recent times but the income raised was not adequate to support the salaries of a full-time resident team.

‘After much consideration we are putting in place veterinary services which will enable us to continue to meet the needs of our membership and allow us to keep open the clinic on a long-term basis,’ said Mr Williams.

‘The experience we have gained over the last two years with Dave has demonstrated that the need for emergency care is rare and that the clinic can meet members’ needs without requiring the services of a full-time resident vet.’

Veterinary nurse Jill Moore will operate the clinic between Vetcare visits.

‘Jill will be able to carry out limited veterinary services around the clock, but always under the supervision of Vetcare, with whom she has 24-hour contact,’ added Mr Williams.

The news of Mr Burrows’ departure comes just a month after Alderney’s other vet, Helen Dickinson, warned that Animal Welfare couldn’t afford to employ anyone on a full-time basis.

‘A vet needs a minimum population of 5,000 to make a living and 10,000 to make a good living,’ she warned in 2007.

Ms Dickinson, who spent a month working for Animal Welfare before parting company with the body, said she would love to work with it again in future.

‘I don’t want the Animal Welfare to hang itself – in fact I would be very happy to work with them.

Unfortunately they have a committee which doesn’t include anyone with veterinary experience.’

When asked whether Animal Welfare would consider working with Ms Dickinson again, Mr Williams said: ‘There may be occasions where it is necessary for one vet to speak to another on certain cases.’