An Alsager vet who flew out to the Caribbean to help an animal charity after a Hurricane Beryl struck their island has told of her experience there.

Amy Dronfield, who has worked in Alsager for the past two years, volunteered her services at the Carriacou Animal Hospital on Carriacou island, part of Grenada. 

Amy operating on an animal. (Photo: Amy Dronfield)

A storm, at the beginning of July, caused near total destruction on Carriacou, killing at least two people, destroying the communication system, damaging hundreds of yachts, fishing vessels and ferries.

The animal charity, Carriacou Animal Hospital. helped look after animals caught up in the disaster but is now facing a new battle - after they found themselves homeless and evicted from their premises.

Now the charity has launched an appeal to fund the building of a new animal hospital, so it can carry on its vital work.

Amy, 27, who qualified as a vet three years ago, had already planned to do volunteering work at the animal hospital but her visit took on a new dimension when the hurricane struck the area just weeks before she went. 

"I was there for two weeks and helped all I could. Coming back to the UK makes you realise just how lucky you are," she said.

"I arrived home to a house with windows, double glazing and electricity. Most of the cars there had been damaged in the hurricane and couldn't be driven. Transport was and still is difficult there.

"On top of this, the charity's landlord evicted them so it is in effect homeless. The Government has given the animal charity some land but they now need the money to build a new centre.

"It was tough to walk away from and I would like to go back but I don't know when. I feel very lucky to have had the experience and very privileged to use my skills to help these animals and people."

And Amy has launched a GoFundMe Appeal here to raise money to help the animal charity to build a new facility so that it can continue to treat animals.

A donation box has been set up in the reception area of the veterinary practice where Amy works, Alsager Vet Centre in Crewe Road.

Amy is volunteering her skills for injured animals on the island of Carriacou island in the West Indies.

Amy wrote while on her two week stint volunteering: "Nothing could have prepared me for the devastation Hurricane Beryl caused. It's rare to see a house with a roof, and for some people, all they have left are the foundations of their homes.

"The there is literally nothing left standing but as this post shows, the people are incredible. We have been greeted with nothing by kindness and smiles, have managed to help out many animals along the way.

"Along with all their worldly possessions, many people have lost what they were using to care for their animals, be it heart worm medications or food. During our community outreach, we have been able to replace these items, and treat each and every poorly dog or cat we have met.

"I'm still collecting donations for the animal hospital, if you would like to donate, please find the link below. Alternatively, there are many gofundme pages for other types of humanitarian aid, including one by Dive shop owner Gary, who is helping rebuild homes here on Carriacou."

Animal Hospital gofundme link is here

Gary's gofundme is here

"All donations will be used to either directly purchase these items for Amy to take with her, or will be given straight to the charity. Anything you can give will be so appreciated," Amy added. 

Want to know more about Alsager?

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Alsager Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.

Please consider following Alsager Nub News on Facebook or Twitter

You can also sign up for our weekly newsletter here - it features the top five stories of the week