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Cost of vet treatment petition for animal NHS

290 replies

Speakeasy · 19/04/2023 17:55

Everyone is suffering from the cost of living crisis and it is hitting pet owners too, especially with the cost of vet treatment rising rapidly. There are two petitions running asking for an Animal NHS, one on the UK government site and one of the Welsh government site. People in Wales can sign both but everyone else can only sign the UK one.

Please consider signing and sharing the petitions because it might just help people to keep the pets they consider to be their family.

The UK petition is at https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/635352
and reads:

Create an Animal NHS for pensioners, those on low incomes, and for emergenciesIntroduce an Animal NHS for the animals of pensioners, those on means tested benefits and for animals who present with emergencies. Creating a national service to meet the needs of these animals would allow veterinary charities to help a new range of clients who are struggling to make ends meet.
More details
No animal owner could be unaware of soaring veterinary costs. One of the most common reasons that the SHG sees for animal welfare prosecutions that is failure to seek veterinary advice, either at all, or quickly enough, even if the animal is booked in for when the next pay cheque arrives.
A recent survey found that nearly all UK vets that responded have seen animals during the last 12 months that should have been presented earlier. Financial problems were given as the main reason in 91% of cases.
We can and must do better.

The Welsh petition is at https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/245403
and reads:

Create an Animal NHSIntroduce an Animal NHS, if only for the animals of pensioners, those on means tested benefits and for animals who present with emergencies. 
If private vets could access general government funding it would allow the veterinary charities to help a new range of clients who are struggling to make ends meet.
More details
No animal owner could be unaware of soaring veterinary costs. One of the most prolific reasons for animal welfare prosecutions that come into The SHG is failure to seek veterinary advice, either at all, or quickly enough, even when the animal is booked in for when the next pay cheque arrives. Nearly all vets have seen animals during the last 12 months that should have been presented earlier.
www.vettimes.co.uk/news/report-shows-growing-number-of-clients-delaying-treatment-for-their-pets/
Financial problems were given as the main reason in 91% of cases. 
Times are hard and there are many calls on government finances but the proven benefits of animal companionship means that an Animal NHS would pay for itself many times over, if only by reducing demands on the courts and legal aid.
Wales can and must do better.

Petition: Create an Animal NHS for pensioners, those on low incomes, and for emergencies

Introduce an Animal NHS for the animals of pensioners, those on means tested benefits and for animals who present with emergencies. Creating a national service to meet the needs of these animals would allow veterinary charities to help a new range of c...

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/635352

OP posts:
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3WildOnes · 19/04/2023 17:57

We don't even have a functioning NHS for humans I definitely wouldn't support spending tax payers money on an animal NHS. Pets are a luxury and if you can't afford the upkeep don't get one. There are already charities that provide low cost care.

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1984Winston · 19/04/2023 17:59

How about compulsory pet insurance instead? Having pets is a privilege not a right. The PDSA does something similar and from what I've heard is in a right mess and is massively abused

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PollyPeptide · 19/04/2023 18:00

If someone is on benefits, they can access the PDSA for free or low-cost treatment.

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Dingus · 19/04/2023 18:01

I'm sorry, I also have issues with this, so I won't sign it.

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PussBilledDuckyPlait · 19/04/2023 18:02

Does the PDSA not already perform this function?

In a Utopian version of the UK, an animal NHS would be marvellous, but unfortunately we can't even manage an efficient human NHS, so I think we need to fix this before we consider an animal version.

How is this to be funded? People who don't have animals aren't going to be keen on an animal NHS NI contribution.

Ultimately, animal ownership is a choice and the cost of caring for the animal - insurance or savings to cover vet bills - needs to be factored in before you take an animal on. Of course I understand 1. this doesn't happen in the real world and 2. people's circumstances can change. But the answer isn't an animal NHS. For 1. we need more checks on would-be animal owners and for 2. I think a charitable solution would be most appropriate (as provided already by the PDSA).

For those reasons, I'm not going to sign.

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violetskypurple · 19/04/2023 18:02

PollyPeptide · 19/04/2023 18:00

If someone is on benefits, they can access the PDSA for free or low-cost treatment.

That's true but only if you live within the catchment area of one of their hospitals/surgeries

I'm eligible for free emergency treatment but the nearest PDSA hospital is in the next city so my postcode means I can't use them

It's what I use insurance for though!

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DrMarciaFieldstone · 19/04/2023 18:04

Absolutely not, sorry.

Far too many other things to be prioritised first

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timetorefresh · 19/04/2023 18:04

Schools, the NHS etc are falling apart from underfunding. Pets are not necessary, if people can't afford them, sadly they shouldn't have them. Taxes can't be spent on a luxury some people choose to have

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TheFlis12345 · 19/04/2023 18:06

As a dog owner, I think this is a ridiculous idea.

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Happygirl79 · 19/04/2023 18:08

3WildOnes · 19/04/2023 17:57

We don't even have a functioning NHS for humans I definitely wouldn't support spending tax payers money on an animal NHS. Pets are a luxury and if you can't afford the upkeep don't get one. There are already charities that provide low cost care.

I 100% agree with this person. It's a no from me. If people can't afford to buy pet insurance etc then they are irresponsible and should not have an animal. I would love to have a dog but as I have only a low income I accept that I cannot have one

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countvoncount · 19/04/2023 18:10

How about insurance in place before people buy pets?
A friend of mine works for PDSA, horrendous stories of animals having never seen a vet before, typical designer type dogs with typical breeding issues
And owners who often will put off going to the vet until the animal is at deaths door.

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loudbatperson · 19/04/2023 18:12

Absolutely not.

The solution to cost of living pressures isn't to increase the tax burden on everyone to subsidise people who choose to have a pet.

We are not currently funding our NHS properly, so the country is in mo shape for a pet NHS.

I would however be in favour proper licensing of all animals owners and compulsory insurance.

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Doyouthinktheyknow · 19/04/2023 18:12

No way am I signing that!

Pet ownership is expensive and we should be responsible for our pets. I pay for insurance, it’s relatively inexpensive compared to unexpected bills. We deliberated for ages before getting Dcat, partly because of costs involved.

Given the state of the nhs and social care, how can anyone think this is realistic🤷‍♀️

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Tygertiger · 19/04/2023 18:12

I have four pets and categorically do not support this. It’s ridiculous. Pets are not a right. We all benefit from free schools even if we don’t have children, as those children will be the future doctors and hairdressers and architects of the future. We all benefit from the NHS in some way. How do non-pet-owners benefit from an animal NHS, and why on Earth should they pay for it?

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Chewbecca · 19/04/2023 18:12

No, taxpayers money is stretched thinly enough as it is.

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pookiedoodlepuppy · 19/04/2023 18:13

Is this a joke ? I might start a petition to have my car repaired at tax payers expense . After all we all need our cars to get to work , an NHS for cars .

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Brendabigbaps · 19/04/2023 18:13

jesus no! If you can’t afford the treatment don’t get a pet that is likely to need vet care.

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Aylestone · 19/04/2023 18:13

That’s literally pet insurance op. You pay into a scheme to cover your pets illnesses. Like fuck should it be coming out of tax payers money though. I want my taxes to go to the actual nhs, not Sharon’s £6k xl bully that she couldn’t be bothered to insure.

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Speakeasy · 19/04/2023 18:13

Insurance simply doesn't work for lots of people. It turns off or becomes horrendously expensive when the animal gets older - just when it needs the insurance that has been paid for over the years. Also, people are going without food to pay for their pet food. How can they afford insurance?

The PDSA doesn't work everywhere. If you are not. in the right area it can't help you.

OP posts:
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StraightOuttaContext · 19/04/2023 18:16

What is paying for this?

This can't be real.

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JarByTheDoor · 19/04/2023 18:16

No.

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BiteyShark · 19/04/2023 18:18

As a dog owner I don't support this.

Insurance is there for people like me that have an animal but want reassurance that bills will be covered.

Insurance simply doesn't work for lots of people. It turns off or becomes horrendously expensive when the animal gets older - just when it needs the insurance that has been paid for over the years. Also, people are going without food to pay for their pet food. How can they afford insurance?

This needs to be factored in when you get a pet. Sorry but no we should not be paying for an animal NHS.

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DrMarciaFieldstone · 19/04/2023 18:19

Speakeasy · 19/04/2023 18:13

Insurance simply doesn't work for lots of people. It turns off or becomes horrendously expensive when the animal gets older - just when it needs the insurance that has been paid for over the years. Also, people are going without food to pay for their pet food. How can they afford insurance?

The PDSA doesn't work everywhere. If you are not. in the right area it can't help you.

Then you can’t afford to keep a pet.

It’s not for taxpayers to step in.

I think furlough sent some people insane; they think everything must be paid for by someone else.

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UpTheAnte · 19/04/2023 18:19

Speakeasy · 19/04/2023 18:13

Insurance simply doesn't work for lots of people. It turns off or becomes horrendously expensive when the animal gets older - just when it needs the insurance that has been paid for over the years. Also, people are going without food to pay for their pet food. How can they afford insurance?

The PDSA doesn't work everywhere. If you are not. in the right area it can't help you.

And that's exactly why NHS for animals wouldn't work. You're expecting it to fund the expensive things that an insurer, who has calculated the risk, has declined or priced very highly.

What animals would it cover? Hamsters, fish? Horses? And who pays into it??

My money would be going towards my family health long before it paid for someone's dog.

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Miajk · 19/04/2023 18:21

1984Winston · 19/04/2023 17:59

How about compulsory pet insurance instead? Having pets is a privilege not a right. The PDSA does something similar and from what I've heard is in a right mess and is massively abused

This.

Too many unfit idiots have pets already, making it financially easier and recurring the responsibility will just make it worse.

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