Unknown when Harmsworth Memorial will be back open as it undergoes ‘deep clean’

One of Islington’s main animal hospitals closed on Friday, after being ridden by cat flu and other contagious diseases.

Harmsworth Memorial, in Sonderburg Road, Holloway, is undergoing an “urgent period of deep cleaning”.

Staff are providing continued care for its pet patients, but it is not known when the RSPCA hospital will be back open to the public.

Animals are being diverted to the charity’s Putney hospital, 10 miles away.

An RSPCA spokesman said: “We have decided to temporarily restrict the hospital to registered clients and genuine emergencies so we can completely get rid of disease and make the clinic non-contagious in the near future.

“Due to the types of cases we see, this practice is not uncommon in animal establishments.”

Service users were confused after a statement on the Putney website said that it is unable to take on any new clients.

But the spokesman clarified that Harmsworth patients will still have access to Putney: “Both hospitals are prioritising existing clients and emergency cases.

“Putney will continue to see clients previously registered at either site, but will not be taking on new clients at the present time.”