A local nongovernmental organisation, The Big Fix Uganda, which advocates for animal rights has set a multi- million pet hospital- the first of its kind in Gulu district.
The pet facility which has been built on a four acre land in Pece Acoyo in Gulu Municipality is expected to open its doors to pet owners by May this year.
The ultra-modern pet health facility will also house veterinary doctors, an animal welfare education centre and a boarding facility of dogs and cats.
Remmy Mukulu, the Animal Welfare Educator for The Big Fix Uganda said on Tuesday that work on the building is almost complete.
Veterinary services in Gulu range from 1,000- 200,000 shillings in Gulu district.
Mukulu says his veterinary staff will offer services such as general surgery, emergency care, treatment, animal welfare education and boarding facilities to dog owners.
Mukulu revealed that some of the services will be free of charge.
He also said that the facility will bring relief to pets as dozens of them suffer due to lack of treatment centers in the region. Like humans, Mukulu said, animals need good treatment to keep healthy.
According to the animal activist, pets have been subjected to cruel treatment.
Geoffrey Cameron, a dog owner and a resident of Pece Vanguard in Gulu town welcomed the development and said his dog Simba has suffered a lot especially during the mating season.
Cameron explained that his pet on several occasions has suffered injuries as a result of fights with other male dogs. Cameron said he has been finding difficulty getting a veterinary facility to treat his dog.
Since 2012, The Big Fix Uganda has been devoted to improving the lives of people and animals in northern Uganda.
The organisation believes that because animals and people live in close proximity, diseases such as rabies and conditions such as parasite infestation affect both animals and humans.