IT'S the most important emergency service in South Yorkshire - if you're a poorly pet.
Over the years South Yorkshire Pet Ambulance has transported hundreds of injured and poorly pets to vets and animal hospitals around the county.
In that time they've sprung into action by ambulance, medi-car and four-wheel drive, all-terrain vehicle.
But now they can go one better - thanks to boat which has been added to their fleet of rescue vehicles.
The boat comes courtesy of Rotherham hairdresser Julie Wright - to whom the rescue service once turned to for help.
Alan Webster, who operates SYPA with his wife Susan, said: "Julie, who is a diver, came out to help us rescue a duck at Lakeside in Doncaster.
"Some low-life had shot it with a crossbow - the bolt was sticking out of both sides of the bird.
"We eventually got to borrow the RSPCA's boat and crew and got the bird to Beechwood Clinic who removed the bolt and we understand it made a full recovery.
"After that Julie took it on board to raise funds for our own rescue boat."
Each year the ambul-ance struggles to remain operational, relying on people like Julie to pay membership fees in exchange for free use of the service if their pet falls ill or has an accident.
Alan said: "The income we earn from the pet owners for our services goes back into helping deal with injured wildlife and the many cats and dogs which are injured on the streets of South Yorkshire.
"During the floods we were working flat out moving horses, rescuing wildlife from flood water - we even recovered a local doctor who was stuck in his car.
"We also attend fires where dogs or cats have been injured. The list is endless."
Julie said she hatched the idea to raise cash for the boat following the duck rescue.
"I also remember the terrible floods of 2007, the rescue teams were carrying rabbit hutches, dogs, cats and various other pets, this got me thinking how much easier and faster would a boat make their job," she said.
Julie's staff, customers and friends arranged a number of events including car boots and doggy days to raise the cash.
She added: "People were extremely generous raising £3,240 which paid for the boat, engine, trailer, suits and buoyancy aids."
South Yorkshire Pet Ambulance is looking for animal owners to join its membership scheme.
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