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Original poster

Neutering help scheme

70 replies

SparklyGlitter95 · 15/12/2020 08:20

Hello everyone, I thought I would start this thread so people are aware that the dogs trust currently helps with the cost of neutering your pet if you are receiving certain benefits, and your dog is on their list of eligible breeds. However, they are stopping this scheme altogether after January 1st 2021. So if you qualify, your dog is of neutering/spaying age and you are wanting to use the dogs trust for help with neutering costs, do so before the end of January or you will have to pay full price.

On another note does anyone know why they are scrapping this? Surely it means more people will not get their pets neutered as they can't afford it, and will have more dogs end up in shelters etc in the long run? Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
SparklyGlitter95 · 15/12/2020 08:21

They are scrapping it after January 31st that should say

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Anotherlovelybitofsquirrel · 15/12/2020 08:25

Unpopular opinion but if people can't afford it then they shouldn't expect others to fund it. If they can't afford that they are unlikely to be able to afford other medical expenses, insurance etc. Having a pet is not a right.

Original poster
SparklyGlitter95 · 15/12/2020 08:34

What about people who are financially stable when they get a pet and then their circumstances change along the line due to redundancy, illness etc? You can't put everyone in the same box. Do you think people in these scenarios should rehome their dogs immediately?

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Original poster
SparklyGlitter95 · 15/12/2020 08:36

Anyway I didn't start this for a debate, I started it so people could be aware there is currently help available ( for a short space of time) if they need it.

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drinkingwineoutofamug · 15/12/2020 08:39

Thank you for making people aware @SparklyGlitter95 .
I've had my dog spayed and it wasn't too hard on the pocket but times have changed for a lot of folk. £200 for them is rent , food, bills and having their pet spayed can be last thing on the list.
Is not being a unreasonable owner , it's the waiting for the 2 seasons to be over/ dog getting older . Then circumstances change. This will help many families

Lougle · 15/12/2020 08:46

Friends of the Animals do neutering discount vouchers, too.

Leonberger · 15/12/2020 09:46

They are scrapping it as they can’t afford it. The scheme isn’t able to support itself any more as it’s abused by people.

If people used it for the purposes intended then I bet they would have been able to continue. Instead people lie and say it’s their pet when it’s actually owned by someone else but there’s no way of policing it. They lie about the breed, if there’s a way around it try will try it.
People who can afford to buy a dog should make sure they can afford to neuter it. If they can’t they shouldn’t have bought it in the first place.

People who fall onto hard times are a tiny tiny percentage of the dogs we have neutered on vouchers. Most of them are young dogs bought by people already on benefits.

Personally I think the PDSA will be the next thing at risk. I’ve actually met people with puppies who say it’s okay my vet is the pdsa I don’t pay for treatment Hmm
Its intended to help people who have fallen into a bad situation temporarily not to fund people who can’t afford pet and knew this before they got it to have one Confused

Anyway...rant over!

Stellaris22 · 15/12/2020 11:11

That's sad that it's now unaffordable due to people abusing the system and lying.

I always thought it was a great thing for those in genuine financial difficulty. By scrapping it I do worry that more people will choose to breed as a way of making money.

Anotherlovelybitofsquirrel · 15/12/2020 11:12

What about people who are financially stable when they get a pet and then their circumstances change along the line due to redundancy, illness etc?

As PP said, it's not those people that take the piss.

Stellaris22 · 15/12/2020 11:25

Genuine and sudden financial difficulty is hugely understandable as it can affect anyone, no matter how much you plan and prepare. So I am very sad this is being scrapped.

But it is terrible when people buy a dog and have no preparations for the financial costs of insurance, medicine, vet bills, day care if needed. If you can't afford insurance then you definitely can't afford vet bills.

Veterinari · 15/12/2020 11:31

@SparklyGlitter95

What about people who are financially stable when they get a pet and then their circumstances change along the line due to redundancy, illness etc? You can't put everyone in the same box. Do you think people in these scenarios should rehome their dogs immediately?
Neutering isn't an emergency service. If you can't afford it don't get a dog. If you get a puppy and your circumstances change drastically then you probably need to think about rehoming to ensure your dog has access to veterinary care, or putting money aside for emergencies rather than neutering. It's perfectly possible to avoid breeding entire dogs by supervising them.

There are very few people in the situation you describe. In general we need to encourage people to take responsibility for their pets, including financial responsibility.

I expect dogs trust have stopped the scheme because it isn't a good use of their funding.

Original poster
SparklyGlitter95 · 15/12/2020 12:17

But surely it's like saying 'if you can't afford to have children without relying on benefits don't have them'?

Yes, in an ideal world nobody would have children or pets if they couldn't afford them. But that's not the world we live in.

@Veterinari There are very few people in the situation you describe. In general we need to encourage people to take responsibility for their pets, including financial responsibility.

I think you have rose tinted glasses on. I personally know 3 people who have been made redundant due to covid and would struggle with vet bills etc now. If a friend or loved one of yours was in that situation would you seriously look them in the eye and tell them its their fault for ever getting a pet in the first place, and encourage them to rehome?

I do agree if you are in financial difficulty to start with don't get a pet. But life really isn't so black and white and you never know what's round the corner.

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Leonberger · 15/12/2020 12:38

You can’t compare pets to children.

Pets are a luxury, not a right. If you can’t afford to take care of them then sadly you shouldn’t have them. Buying a pet and then relying on a charity is not fair to all of the people donating to help people genuinely in need.

Original poster
SparklyGlitter95 · 15/12/2020 12:41

Its true though, people are always saying you shouldn't have kids or pets if you cant afford it, but that will never happen. People do abuse the system. But also, alot of people don't. How can you paint everyone with the same brush? If someone falls on hard times and needs the help I don't think that person doesn't deserve a pet and should never have gotten one.

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Anotherlovelybitofsquirrel · 15/12/2020 12:42

Genuine and sudden financial difficulty is hugely understandable as it can affect anyone, no matter how much you plan and prepare. So I am very sad this is being scrapped

But it is terrible when people buy a dog and have no preparations for the financial costs of insurance, medicine, vet bills, day care if needed. If you can't afford insurance then you definitely can't afford vet bills

Exactly this.

But surely it's like saying 'if you can't afford to have children without relying on benefits don't have them'?

Yes. Why should people expect others to pay for children they can't afford to have?! Don't have them if you can't afford them!

@Veterinari would know more than most OP!

Original poster
SparklyGlitter95 · 15/12/2020 12:51

Yes in an ideal world but that's not the world we live in is it. I believe help should be there for those who genuinely need it. That's why I started this thread. For those in genuine need, and there are alot of those about, contrary to what people here think.

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PoleToPole · 15/12/2020 12:54

I`m not in the UK, but I also know a lot of people who have lost jobs and businesses to Covid, its just not the case anymore that very few people find themselves in such a situation, its becoming more and more common.

People can have an emergency pet fund and it can all be wiped out in an instant.
Recently, PoleCatSr needed lifesaving surgery after complications with an existing condition (which had been stable for the last five years condition) and which was not covered by our insurance anymore and that bill escalated into five figures fast as he then needed specialist surgery. He is fine now, thank God, but the specialist wasn`t sure if he would make it through.

We are extremely fortunate that we were in a position to be able to pay, but all it takes is one round of that and then its harder to pay for any subsequent issues until the emergency fund it built back up.

So thank you for posting SparklyGlitter I will pass it on to my friends in the UK in case they know anyone who needs the help.

PoleToPole · 15/12/2020 12:57

Veterinari would know more than most OP!

Then they could stand to be a whole lot less judgemental and a great deal more compassionate. There but for the grace of God go I.

PoleToPole · 15/12/2020 13:00

Aaaaaand another thing Wink. Typing with a huge dog head on my lap (thanks PoleDog) and a puppy playing lick which finger moves next (thanks PolePup) very distracting and pressed enter too soon.

OP wanted this is be info for all, not yet another holier than thou discussion on who deserves to have pets.

Original poster
SparklyGlitter95 · 15/12/2020 13:10

Thanks so much @PoleToPole

It always turns into holier than thou on here. I knew it was coming. Those people should count themselves lucky that they or their loved ones have not ever fallen into financial hardship through no fault of their own. They think everything is so black and white.

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PoleToPole · 15/12/2020 13:20

You`re welcome @SparklyGlitter95 yes, the self-righteousness is sickening sometimes, which is such a shame as it can obscure the posters who offer wonderful and compassionate advice.

I fostered for many years, and I spent a lot of years (pre DC) volunteering for the night soup kitchen. There are so many heartbreaking reasons people fall on hard times and have to rehome, or need help. There are so very many shades of grey.

PoleToPole · 15/12/2020 13:23

Our vets, and quite a lot here do a free clinic on Friday mornings, where people just pay what they can. My best friend in the UK says she`s never heard of private vets doing it there, expect charities/PDSA, so perhaps something vets could think about offering?

Original poster
SparklyGlitter95 · 15/12/2020 13:34

There are so many heartbreaking reasons people fall on hard times and have to rehome, or need help. There are so very many shades of grey.

Exactly!

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Derbee · 15/12/2020 14:50

Your post may be well intentioned, but I disagree with the fact that a fund that has been abused to the point that it can no longer afford to run, is being advertised on online forums for everyone to run down and take one last freebie before it inevitably stops as it’s gone bust.

Won’t get into the debate about who should or shouldn’t have pets, as everyone is entitled to their opinions

Original poster
SparklyGlitter95 · 15/12/2020 15:03

But not just anybody can take advantage, you need to fit the specific criteria and send proof of benefits etc? The only people who can 'take advantage' are the people this scheme is intended to help in the first place

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