NOT-for-profit veterinary group Animal Trust welcomed 2,000 clients through the doors of its new Bolton hospital in August — its first month of operation.

The hi-spec hospital in Bridgeman Place, which has the capacity to treat more than 50,000 pets a year, is the biggest centre of its kind in the North West and is staffed by a growing team of vets and nurses.

Bosses say despite the costs of providing state-of-the-art care, the hospital still keeps its commitment to offering free consultations and subsidised treatment to all pet owners, regardless of means.

Group director Owen Monie said: “So many people have come to us through recommendations from their friends and sharing on social media such as Facebook.”

“It’s very much the community reaching out to help other pet owners. Because we’re committed to providing affordable pet care to everyone, we rely on this word-of-mouth.

“It helps us get enough people through our doors to be able to sustain our business model as a not-for-profit company.

“We really believe in what we’re doing here, and the Bolton community seems to be fully behind us.”

Animal Trust Veterinary Surgeons — animaltrust.

org.uk — opened its first branch in Bolton in 2012, quickly growing to care for pets around the Manchester area.

The clinic relocated from Castle Street, Bolton, in July to a purpose-built hospital servicing the North West and capable of treating more than 50,000 patients per year.

Animal Trust opened its Failsworth branch in January and its third clinic is about to open in Blackburn.