PDSA to replace free veterinary treatment scheme
The new PDSA Pet Care Scheme will initially be available to existing Pet Practice clients only.
The PDSA is set to close its Pet Practice Service, which offers a free veterinary service to eligible pet owners who are on low incomes.
A monthly payment plan costing £4.50 will replace the current scheme as it is gradually phased out over the next 12 months. The new scheme will offer pet owners who live outside PDSA pet hospital areas a range of services, including discounted treatments and annual vaccinations.
The decision has been made following a service review and discussions with existing partners, which found the scheme was “no longer financially sustainable for the charity in its current form”.
Existing clients and practices that are registered with the Pet Practice service have been informed about the changes directly.
The charity’s director of veterinary services, Richard Hooker, said: “It was important to many practices and PDSA to identify how we can best continue to offer some help to pet owners who live outside the catchment area of our Pet Hospital network and who have a need for affordable veterinary care and advice.
“We are grateful to all those in the profession who contributed to the development of the new scheme. It provides a more sustainable way in which to support households on low incomes across the UK…
“We are mindful that any changes to our service can have an impact on some pet owners and our colleagues in the profession. This is why we have consulted on these moves and put measures in place to support those most affected.”
The new PDSA Pet Care Scheme will initially be available to existing Pet Practice clients only, through participating practices. However, the charity says it will review and develop the scheme, with the longer-term aim of supporting more clients in more locations.
Clients will be able to join the new scheme for £4.50 a month and will receive a card giving them access to a range of services, including a vet health consultation, one primary vaccination course or booster each year (including a health check), a discount off veterinary treatments, access to nurse-led 24-hour phone triage service and preferential rates for PDSA pet insurance.
Existing clients who have a pet with a lifelong chronic condition, will continue to receive some financial support in the form of PDSA-funded vouchers, which can be redeemed against veterinary costs for the pet.
The changes are part of a wider review by the PDSA this year. It has also reduced the number of eligible pets that owners can register for free treatment at its pet hospitals, from three to one. The PDSA Pet Treatment Fund has also been withdrawn.
Mr Hooker commented: “These important steps ensure that our available funds are targeted as effectively as possible, achieving our charitable aims of preventing illness, educating pet owners and treating sick animals.
“As a charity we receive no Government funding and rely on the generosity of our supporters and clients to run our services, which cost more than £60 million each year to fund.”
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
