A BRENT Knoll animal centre has launched an urgent appeal to raise £1,500 to pay for emergency surgery to help a ten-month-old puppy to walk again.

Ambo arrived at the RSPCA Brent Knoll Animal Centre earlier this year when her owners could no longer provide her with the care she needed.

The Labrador was in a lot of pain and discomfort, and appeared lame when she arrived in the care of the team so staff set about trying to find out what was causing her problems.

Nikki Tutton, centre manager of RSPCA Brent Knoll Animal Centre, said: “At 10 months old she is a bouncy bundle of fun, but the ongoing obvious pain she is in required further investigation.

“Ambo has been x-rayed and her right hip requires surgery. Ideally this would mean a hip replacement, but at a cost of multiple thousands of pounds, this is not financially viable.

"What the vet can do is to perform a procedure called an excision arthroplasty, which will give Ambo a slightly shorter leg yet allow her to lead the essential pain free life she deserves.

“She’s a young dog with a long life ahead of her so it’s really important that we get her on the mend as quickly as possible so she can live the rest of her days to the full.”

Staff at the centre are now trying to raise funds to cover the cost of Ambo's operation which is due to take place on July 19.

Nikki added: “We’d like to raise £1,500 to pay for the operation as well as some rehabilitative work post-surgery.

"If we are lucky enough to raise more than the target, any surplus will go towards her post-operative rehabilitation care and the general monthly veterinary costs incurred caring for all the animals at RSPCA Brent Knoll Animal Centre.

“As a charity, we are reliant on the kindness and generosity of supporters to enable us to do vital work rescuing, rehabilitate and rehome animals who have come to us in the most desperate need.

"£1,500 is a huge amount of money and would take a huge chunk out of the funds needed to help as many sick, neglected and abused animals as we can, which is why we’re trying to fundraise especially to cover the cost of helping Ambo separately.”

To make a donation towards Ambo’s surgery search for RSPCA North Somerset Branch on Facebook.

The RSPCA said Ambo is also looking for a foster home to take care of her in a home environment with the direct support of the animal centre and their consulting veterinary practice.

For details email enquiries@rspcanorthsomerset.org.uk or telephone 01278 782671.