A WOMAN who relied on handouts from friends when her dog needed an operation has received charity donations for more treatment.

Sue Thomas, of Holly Grove, is unable to work and receives benefits so she did not have enough money to treat her five-year-old crossbreed Twiggy’s mammary tumours in October.

The RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital in Salford told her she was outside its catchment area so she had to pay Ark Veterinary Surgery in Mobberley Road instead.

Now, because Twiggy has more lumps, she needs another operation costing £350 - but this time the PDSA and Blue Cross are covering the cost.

“If it hadn’t have been for them I wouldn’t have been able to afford to do anything for her,” said Miss Thomas, 44.

“I’m putting some things up for auction soon and I do want to give something back to them.”

Miss Thomas takes medication for chronic abdominal pain and she believes animal charities should provide support for poorer people, even in affluent areas such as Knutsford.

“Not everybody’s wealthy here,” she said.

She hopes Twiggy fully recovers, but does not want to prolong her life if it means she must suffer.

“I wouldn’t want to put her through a lot of operations,” said Miss Thomas.

“But Dave the vet said if it was his dog he would have no hesitation doing it this time.”