Animal Protection Trust Welcomes New Patron, Emma Milne

Animal Protection Trust is delighted to announce that TV Vet, Emma Milne has accepted an invitation to become Patron.

Inspired by her love of animals, Emma Milne devoted herself to becoming a vet from a very early age. She graduated from Bristol University Vet School in 1996 and initially practised in Dulverton, Somerset, during which time she became a familiar face on BBC Television in the 'Vets in Practice' series. Later, after seven years in Cheltenham, she moved to York, where she continues to live today, as a small animal practitioner with her husband (a fellow vet), two collie-crosses, 'Pan' and 'Badger' and three cats.

In 2007, her book 'The Truth About Cats and Dogs' set out to expose the very real problems that beset the world of breeding and showing, where dogs and cats are too often raised for their looks, to the detriment of their health and well-being.

Emma is passionate about raising awareness of animal issues, ranging from fox hunting and tail-docking. She has also worked closely with many charities over the years, both in the UK and abroad. She has travelled to Egypt to see the work of the Brooke Hospital and to help raise funds to provide veterinary care for donkeys and horses in Cairo and Luxor. This year, Emma travelled to South Africa with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). In Soweto and Cape Town she visited the townships and saw the work of the projects in place to help pets that belong to the township communities many of which are affected by HIV AIDS, as well as abject poverty. She hopes to encourage more vets from the UK to undertake voluntary work there to help provide veterinary care for animals, which is desperately needed.

On becoming Patron of Animal Protection Trust, Emma said:
"I am extremely flattered to be asked to become a Patron. Even in a prosperous country like ours there is still a massive number of animals in need and, organisations like Animal Protection Trust are desperately needed. I hope that giving my support to the charity I can, in some small way, help APT continue to do the invaluable work it does."

Jacqueline Ward-Reel, Chairman and Co-ordinator added:
"We are thrilled to have Emma as a Patron. Her support will help Animal Protection Trust raise awareness of animal welfare issues in our annual, national awareness campaigns, which highlight important topics in responsible pet ownership, such as having pets neutered, micro-chipped and vaccinated."

Photo of Emma Milne, by Paul Ostrer, from front cover of 'The Truth About Cats and Dogs.'

March 2008