‘There’s no such thing as a bad dog’

Published: 2 April 2010
by PETER GRUNER

DALE Barter adores animals and his world is filled with them. As an Islington vet he treats pets at work, where there are four rescued cats. He also goes home to four cats and two dogs.

Australian-born Dale and his partner Margaret will be marking National Pet Month at their busy practice in Amwell Street by giving (human) clients plenty of information about why responsible ownership of animals is beneficial to health, happiness and wellbeing.

The couple have run the Amwell Veterinary Practice in Finsbury for 14 years and live close by.

The oddest pet they have treated in recent weeks was a giant land snail with a skin infection.

Born and brought up in Queensland, Australia, Dale remembers always having lots of pets around when he was a child. 

“It was an open house for animals, with 20 cats and chickens and a walaroo, which is a medium-sized kangaroo. I can’t imagine life without pets.”

Pets are good, says Dale, even in inner city Islington where space is limited.  

“I know all my pets individually. They all have different personalities. 

“And when Margaret and I get home after a long day at the practice there are pets to meet and greet us.”

Cats help you calm down and relax, says Dale, whereas dogs can be a passport to meeting similar animal-owning people. 

“The city can be a very lonely place, particularly if you are on your own. 

“So having a pet means you are not lonely. He added: “There is no such thing as a bad dog. There are just bad owners. 

“Keeping a pet means being responsible for training and stimulus, exercise and feeding. 

“But the rewards of a loving animal are enormous. Health insurance can be costly if you are unemployed. But there are charities which can help out.”

• Amwell Veterinary Practice is at 52 Amwell Street, EC1, 020 7833 1320 www.amwell.co.uk