Cost of vet treatment petition for animal NHS

[Speakeasy]

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.

How is it to be funded? Is there a limit on the number and type of pets that will be allowed? Or can everyone just pretend that their entire menagerie is actually owned by the little old lady at no.83?

It's a complete non starter. Like it or not, pets are a luxury, a privilege, not a right.

There’s a petitions board for this purpose. But thanks for the laugh, utterly batshit idea. No.

For those saying if you can't afford a pet don't get a pet, nobody intends to become ill or lose their job or have a partner die. If we all did nothing because something unexpected might happen then who would dare to consider buying a house? Having children? If you read the petitions the Animal NHS is intended for a limited class of recipients and for emergencies. There are far too many cases of vets turning people away with an injured or sick animal because they can't pay until next pay day.

If you can't afford medical care for your pet you shouldn't have a pet - sorry but they are a luxury. The pdsa offers some help to eligible people anyway.

We need to treat the humans first

if you read the petitions the Animal NHS is intended for a limited class of recipients and for emergencies.

Yes and you are wanting the tax payers to pay for this service, again for something they won't get if their pet becomes ill!

Sorry I don't support but I think there should be a lot more awareness of how much an animal can cost to keep. I think a lot of people go into it pretty naive to how expensive vet bills are and the way that insurance premiums go up every year as your pet ages. I would love another cat but can't afford insurance or to cover a major illness.

There are far too many cases of vets turning people away with an injured or sick animal because they can't pay until next pay day.

Total bullshit. No veterinary surgeon would refuse to provide emergency treatment because the owner can’t pay on the day. If they did, they would be acting unethically and would put themselves at risk of being struck off.

The Dogs Trust had a campaign recently asking for temporary freeze on VAT on vets bills which seems more achievable and fair than asking for an NHS for pets.

20% off bills would make a significant difference to people and the rescues left picking up the pieces. Even if have pet insurance you still need the means to pay the excess and if older it's often 20% of the bill.

Pet insurance causes some of the problems as it's more complex than most insurance to buy. Insurers can just price you out when risk gets higher which unlike other types of insurance where can just switch on renewal, once your pet has anything on its vets notes it will be classed as a pre-existing condition and will be excluded so end up over a barrel. My vet friend spends a significant amount of time writing letters to insurers for clients as they are trying to wriggle out of paying.

It definitely makes you more aware of health costs and not want to move to a human insurance based health system in UK.

@Speakeasy

Good vets do not turn pets in an emergency away, our cat was cared for, they didn't mention money until they had a chance to assess her, unfortunately there was nothing they could do,

Nope

Children are rightly entitled to state support in those circumstances, not that I have any children. Re. buying houses - I have mortgage insurance against job loss or critical illness.

I am not against supporting pet owners but it has to be on a voluntary, charitable basis. You cannot place yet another burden on taxpayers who are struggling to get healthcare for themselves on the NHS.

Also, people are going without food to pay for their pet food. How can they afford insurance?

I’m sorry, but if you can’t afford to feed your pet, you can’t afford a pet.

This, this and this

yabu (I know I know)

keeping pets is a choice and any pet owner should cost up any costs and insurance requirements before taking on an animal.

I am really sorry because I do understand the issue. But no I won't agree to this. It isn't reasonable to put animals before humans, and we simply can't afford this as a society. I have service dog. I love him dearly. I also have to insure him. And I make provision for his care if I die. This is my responsibility. I understand that people's circumstances may change, and we need some flexibility with "back up" care for those people whose circumstances change. But I know too many people with 4+ dogs, little control, no consideration, and no routine pet care.

And the majority of people have some
form of insurance to cover their mortgage in the event of illness, loss of earnings etc.

@BarelyLiterate it's true. There are vets doing this. A local rescue here stepped in for cat that got run over because the vets refused to treat without money upfront. You're deluded if you don't think it's happening. Not all vets are good.

If we all did nothing because something unexpected might happen then who would dare to consider buying a house?

Should the government pay our mortgages too then?

If we want to use tax-payer money to help animals, environmental conservation for wildlife would be much more cost effective. Or we could ban shops selling meat products, that wouldn't cost anything.

I don't value your pet more highly than a robin, a pig or a seal.

Not only have vets refused to treat animals but they have reported their own clients to the RSPCA who then deemed that the animal is signed over so that they can treat it and then sell it on (for a minimum donation).

🦇💩

Absolutely not. I pay for my animals care. If i couldn't afford them i wouldn't get a pet.

Sounds like a great, really well thought out, idea. Can’t see any drawbacks to this. While we are at it why not subsidy everyone to have a solid gold Range Rover and NHS holidays to the Caribbean twice a year.

At one time if you lost your job you got the interest paid on mortgages. Don't know about now.

The vets are worried about the situation too.

we-can-step-up-for-owners-ex-bva-president-tells-debate