Jobs under threat at Shropshire-based charity PDSA

Staff at PDSA in Priorslee have been told about a number of potential redundancies and a consultation has now been launched with workers.

The charity, which provides free veterinary care to the sick and injured pets of people in need, has confirmed that 29 roles are currently under review and it could lead to 17 job losses from admin or office-based roles.

About 200 staff are based at the charity's HQ in Telford.

One worker, who did not want to be named, said staff were told the announcement had been made because the charity was coming under increasing financial pressures.

He said: "We have been told that 29 jobs are at risk. They are middle level jobs.

"There were whispers that something like this would happen. I don't think it came as a surprise to anybody.

"They are starting the consultation process now.

"People are not feeling very secure and don't know what will happen."

The charity said it would be working closely with those affected and stressed the potential redundancies were only a proposal at this stage.

PDSA spokesman Deryck Wilson said: "We can confirm that we have entered into a period of formal consultation regarding some proposed changes which may affect a small number of support roles.

"We must stress that these are proposals at this stage.

"Regrettably, if the proposals do go ahead this may result in a small number of redundancies, but we are committed to working closely with those affected."

The charity said it receives no government funding and relies on the generosity of its supporters to fund the veterinary service.

This year it will cost the charity over £60 million to carry out 2.7 million treatments on more than 470,000 pets.

The charity employs more than 2,000 people across the UK.

It was founded in 1917 by animal welfare pioneer Maria Dickin and is the UK's leading veterinary charity, operating through a UK-wide network of 51 pet hospitals and 380 pet practices.