To be a bit annoyed that a friend is taking her new kitten to PDSA for jabs...

[StrawberryPavlovatheCat]

When her rich boyfriend has just moved in with her, has just bought an expensive fridge, and got us to collet a £100 swing from a shop with our car for her?

Please, some-one tell me they wont do it?

She is still currently on benefits, as he does not have a job yet (moved in two weeks ago) but the are not struggling for cash as he has money.

It has really annoyed me. There are something like 5000 volunteers working for PDSA who dont get paid a penny to look after sick animals for owners who cannot afford to pay for an injury/illness.

Yes, its annoying. Were absolutely skint, and have three cats and two chihuahuas, so you can imagine we send a lot of time at the vets. People always tell me to use the pdsa, but i know how much strain theyre under, and would rather they used their resources/money for people/animals that desperately need it.

That's the PDSA's problem though, isn't it? If she ticks the boxes to allow her free care, then that's all they're worried about.

How is he rich if he doesnt have a job?? I think it is disgusting actually - not only is she putting strain on the PDSA but she is being a benefit fraud! If he has money then he should be supporting them, there is a threshold for savings etc.

They might not do it actually because you have to register six weeks prior to treatment etc.

What is equally annoying is that she got the kitten in the knowledge that she couldnt actually afford medication for it, vaccinations can cost anything up to £80 in the first year. Then you have wormers, flea treatments and six months from now, neutering. The PDSA is a charity and shouldn't have to provide treatment for people on benefits who decide to get an animal because they know that they will get free treatment. Its bloody irresponsible and selfish.

I mis-red, he LIVES with her and she claims benefits too?? Its fraud!

He has moved in with her from abroad, where he had a good job. gave it up. He has a relatively wealthy family who have given him some cash to tide him over until he gets a job.

In his defense, until yesterday, I dont think he actually realised the implications on her benefits by him being there/consequences of her not stopping them. I dont think he actually considered it. He is a workaholic, and has no intention of not working to support the family. he is admirable if not a touch naive in his outlook. He has been living with her for two weeks.

My friends justification is that he is not working yet so she wont sign off, also on incapacity benefit and under the impression she can claim this anyway? She wants to wait until he is able to support them before signing off.

Whatever, even if this is legal, which I dont think it is, but even if it was, she can clearly afford the jabs, and if she now can't, she should take the swing back and use that money to pay for it.

I am just soo annoyed about it. In fact, to be honest, I feel quite upset.

His attitude seems quite admirable. He does not how the system works here. But my friend, her attitude is not admirable at all

The fact that she choose to get a kitten, and chose to use the PDSA for her medical care. I am quite ashamed of it tbh.

I am not sure she will take the kitten there, as DH talked to her boyfriend about it, explained that the pdsa is for people who cant afford treatment, and he agreed it was not appropriate as he an pay for it.

She's committing fraud because she's not declared a change in circumstances. She could get in MAJOR trouble; prison even in some cases.

Lewis - I know that. Not to mention that she has a vindictive ex-h who could get in her in trouble and would if it meant custody of their child.

I am going to talk to her today about it.

But to be honest, I think what has upset me is her attitude towards it all, like she would use a charity for something that she can afford, to save her some more money.

That is not what its for. Its not why people volunteer their time, and money for.

The PDSA is a charity for people on low incomes. So by you saying[lucyellensmum] people on benefits shouldnt have pets because they will get free treatment then ALL people on low incomes, no matter where there money comes from shouldnt have pets because they will get free treatment as well. Many people dont choose to be on benefits, many do, but they are entitled to have pets. Its a sad world when people like you make such irresponsible and selfish statements. We use the PDSA fairly often and they make you feel very guilty with there, costs and the contributions made by needy familys, posters all over the walls.

im sorry if i offended you salsmum but go and stick a fork in your bum. I am actually on benefits, my partner and i receive full tax credits. So i guess i would be entitled to free treatment for my little dog if i needed it. I wont be doing that though, if he needs treatment i'll pay (actually i get free treatment because i used to work at a vet, if i didnt have this we woulodnt have got the dog).

I do actually agree that if you are on a low income then you should not get a NEW pet. They are expensive to look after and alot of the larger expenses are not covered by the PDSA anyway. The PDSA are there because sometimes people fall on hard times and they already have pets, old people often find it hard. But im very sorry, if you can't afford to look after an animal without relying on a charity then it is YOU who is selfish and irresponsible.

People like me??? What are you on? You know nothing about me. I worked in a vets for a lot of years and i can tell you that actually, lots of people on benefits have pets and find the money for their care, they put it above their own needs for a night out or new clothes etc. They set up accounts and religeously come in with their money every week. They don't go running off to the PDSA because they feel "entitled" to it . So im sorry for your troubles, but i have limited sympathy.

If they make you feel guilty, perhaps you should take a look at why. Pets are not an entitlement, they are bloody hard work in the most part, and a RESPONSIBILITY of the OWNER.

Im not angry about your post, im quite frankly, puzzled.

I'm not defending anyone here, but Incapacity Benefit isn't means tested. I receive it myself. You have to have worked and paid N.I. contributions to be eligible for it.

You don't sign on, you are given sick notes from your doctor. Unless she gets some Income Support on top of it, which would entitle her to housing benefit etc. she is unlikely to get into trouble with the DWP for having someone living with her.

I honestly thought that low income on these forms meant you had to be getting Pension Credit, or be on Jobseeker's/Income Support though? Most places specify this. If your friend is able to pay for the vet, then it isn't on to abuse a charity.

you make some good points there deepbreath.

'She is still currently on benefits, as he does not have a job yet (moved in two weeks ago) but the are not struggling for cash as he has money.'

I think her using PDSA is the tip of her iceberg.

If her partner has moved in with her, it matters not a jot whether or not he has a job yet.

If she has not reported the change in circumstance to the DWP, then she is a benefits fraud.

I wouldn't have a single problem grassing her, either.

I think the animal charities in the UK get an awful lot of help and donations, which is lovely, and the odd person using them when they may not be strictly entitled is probably not going to be too much of a problem, although it is very annoying.

If this person is used to life on benefits, the idea of paying ££ out of her own/boyfriend's pockets for vaccinations for a cat may not exactly be high on the agenda. If she doesn't get them free she may not bother getting them at all. Which is exactly what the PDSA is there for.

Also bizarre that people on low income should not be able to have pets. Many pensioners are on extremely low income, and are extremely isolated. Their cats and dogs are what keeps them going a lot of the time.

TBH it sounds like his background (rich) and her current situation (on benefits and unwilling to stop them) will make for an interesting time ahead.

Strawberry I think your DH will end up having a few more "words" before long.

Incapacity benefit isn't means tested, so you can claim it and the same amount when you live with someone.

Housing and council tax benefit, however, are means-tested.

So if you claim those, you must inform your council promptly of any change in circumstance, including a partner moving in.

By 'sign off', do you mean JSA? If she's on job-seeker's allowance she needs to inform the Job Centre that he's moved in asap.

Not sure how you can be on IC and JSA at the once, but I suppose it's possible.

Actually this makes me mad. I work in a vets too, and I see lots of lovely people who could technically use the pdsa, but feel that the money should be for those more needy. It's actually one of the reasons I wouldn't like to work at the pdsa- where I live the nearest pdsa carpark is full of 07 reg BMWs and other expensive cars. People claim that the animal is their mums/ aunties etc and use their details to get their treatment free, never mind that the pdsa is a charity with a finite amount of money.

I also think that, for the animals' benefit, people should really stop and think whether they can afford insurance/ vet's bills before getting one. Yeah, I know they love their animals etc, but if you'd ever had to put an animal to sleep just because someone couldn't afford basic treatment you would understand the frustration. They aren't toys, they are living things, and the pdsa is there as a safety net for people who fall on hard times, not for idiots who get animals and just expect to get treatment for nothing, whether they can afford it or not. I do have sympathy with old people, but tbh, I find they are the ones who will actually make the sacrifices to afford vet's bills, as their animal is so important to them.

To be eligible to use the pdsa, she will need to provide proof of council tax benefit or housing benefit in the form of a letter from her local council dated from the last 6 months, they do not accept any other benefits. If she has not got that she will not be allowed to register. She will also need to provide ID, and as long as the cat belongs to her she is not commiting any offence in the eyes of the PDSA. Very rarely do you see brand new cars in the car park (unless they are mobility cars supplied to those with a disibility), and the majority of people using the PDSA are genuinely in need. All clients are expected to make a contribution towards the treatment they receive and are given an envelope at every appointment to make said contribution, and the vast majority contribute at every visit.
Your friend is not getting her pet vaccinated for free, any "preventative" treatments such as spaying, vaccination and worming are all chargeable.
The people working in the pet hospitals are very well paid and work very hard, are not stupid and can spot a scammer a mile off.
If you feel she is claiming housing benefit or council tax benefit when she should not be, contact your local council instead of starting another inflammatory benefits thread, vaguely disguised under the guise of AIBU!
(Can you tell I work for the PDSA lol!)

I agree LEM, I got two cats when I was with my ex (I was training full time to be a vet nurse, and he worked full time, we COULD afford the cats). I got pg, me and ex split up, I kept the cats - i was single mum and on benefits.
I could quite easily have driven to the local pdsa and got them spayed/neutered, but I didnt. I paid the full amount. It isnt cheap, esp for females.
I seriously thing they should only be used in emergencies, where there isnt a single chance of anyone being able to help with the animals treatment.

Interesting post Mrsaek - very informative

Um, why is your friend on benefits in the first place? Is she sick? Unable to work? As a taxpayer, I hope that maybe her boyfriend's work ethic will rub off on her a bit. Here's hoping...

And, yes, she is abusing the charity. I think you know enough about her character from these two episodes. I would terminate the friendship if it were me...

chchcheerios is being too ill to work not having a work ethic I'm a bit confused by the comment. We don't know that she is claiming for something that isn't wrong with her so how can you question her work ethic? Unfortunately there are people, a lot of people, who genuinely aren't able to work long term. Doesn't mean they wouldn't if they could.

If she says she is registering at the pdsa she must be in receipt of housing or council tax benefit, and is therefore committing benefit fraud by not making her local council aware that her partner is living with her, and cotributing towards her living cost.
If she then registers with the PDSA and uses the services without being eligible (by using the fraudulently gained benefit letter) she is again committing fraud, which the PDSA will prosecute her for.
If you are really so annoyed by it, simply report her on the benefit fraud hotline 0800 854 440 =0) and contact your local PDSA and tell them she is claiming fraudulently.

Tinkerbellesmum, I think we are saying the same thing. I was asking if she was too ill to work, or if there was some other VALID reason that she was on benefits... implying that if she did not have a valid reason (like being ill), then it's fraudulent (in my opinion).

But it's not in question from what the OP said.