A RIGHT royal hare and a lot of Haslemere goodwill has enabled the town’s Crofts Vets to donate more than £1,000 to an animal welfare charity.

The practice sponsored Haslemere Hare – Prince Hare-y – in aid of StreetVet and it was designed by local artist Barbara Caswell to celebrate the May 19 nuptials of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle.

Prince Hare-y was displayed by Crofts Vets at their stall at Haslemere Charter Fair and the practice also invited residents to drop in at the surgery and sign a guest book, which was sent to the royal couple with a photo.

Chris Gray from Crofts Vets, said: “We would like to extend a huge thank you to all those who helped to raise the money, and also to those who gifted food, toys and accessories all for StreetVet, which is the chosen charity of Crofts Vets Christmas appeal.

“With funds raised by Prince Hare-y and other donations, we raised £1,100 and a massive hamper of goodies, which was presented to one of StreetVet’s representatives, Nick Bacon.

“The work of StreetVet recognises the many roles pets play in the lives of the homeless community – providing unconditional, non-judgemental love, and a sense of responsibility. The welfare of the pets is intrinsically linked to the wellbeing of their bonded human.

“These benefits of pet ownership are very apparent to all of us who share our lives with them. For many of us, this journey started when we were children.”

Crofts Vets are extending an invitation to local schools in the run up to Valentine’s Day 2019 to ask their pupils to write an essay on the subject of why they love their pet or pets and to choose the best entry and submit it to Crofts by February 8.

The practice will ask its clients to choose their favourite entry and Chris will visit the winning school to talk to the children about what life is like as a vet and to describe to them how his childhood, when he grew up surrounded by animals on a sheep farm, influenced his career path.