Dickin, Maria (1870–1951)

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Dickin, Maria (1870–1951)

English reformer and animal activist. Name variations: Marie Elizabeth Dickin. Born Marie Elizabeth Dickin, 1870, in London, England; died Mar 1, 1951; dau. of a Free Church minister; m. 1st cousin Arnold Dickin.

Became a social worker in London's East End (1898); founded People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA, Nov 1917) and hung a sign, "All animals treated, All treatment free" (it would become England's largest veterinary charity); traveled Britain in a caravan treating animals and setting up clinics (1923); opened PDSA Animals' Sanatorium in Ilford, the 1st of its kind in Europe; introduced the Busy Bees club (1934), to teach children respect for animals. Awarded OBE and CBE.

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Dickin, Maria (1870–1951)

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