Pet owners struggling to cover their vet bill are being urged to ask their vet for payment plans as many abandon their animals on the streets to avoid the extra costs. The RSPCA has revealed four animals are being abandoned every hour in the UK - and this is only expected to increase as the cost of living crisis worsens this winter.
The charity received 3,644 calls last year categorised as ‘help with vet bills’ - a growth of 12 per cent on the year before when 3,241 calls were received. The RSPCA’s chief vet Caroline Allen said: "Times are tough for so many people at the moment, the cost of living is spiralling and many people may face difficult financial decisions over the coming months.
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"It may be tempting to bury your head in the sand if your pet seems unwell and you are worried about costs but this can lead to increased problems later down the line.
"The first step towards helping your pet is contacting a vet.
"Although it can feel awkward to talk about money, it is good to speak honestly with your vet about what you can afford as there may be alternative options.
"These may not be the best option that exists to treat your pet’s illness, but they may still help your pet to feel better.
"Depending on your circumstances or where you live there may also be charities who can help."
To help minimise the likelihood of a a large unexpected bill, the RSPCA is urging owners to register their animal with a vet, follow their vet's advice on preventative care - such as flea and worming - and get their pet insured.
The RSPCA is also becoming increasingly concerned about reports of people trying to treat their pets at home, which usually only leads to greater problems for their pet.
Caroline added: "Whilst we understand people believe they are trying to help their animals by seeking to treat them at home, what can work for a human is often unsuitable for pets and may even be toxic. Your pet may then end up needing more costly treatment.
"There is help and guidance available from the RSPCA website on common ailments seen in pets but your first contact if you have a concern should always be your vet - explain your situation and in many cases they should be able to give you a range of options.
"It is important to remember that there is no NHS for pets and that vet practices do have to charge for their services and treatments in order to stay open.
"Although facing up to vet bills can be distressing and emotional it is important not to take this out on the vet or their team.
"Like some NHS staff, vet practices are experiencing an increasing amount of abuse, which is clearly unacceptable and is only going to worsen the current vet shortages."
Echoing their message, Alison Thomas, head of veterinary services at national pet charity Blue Cross, said: "If you’re struggling with the cost of treatment then it’s always worth speaking with your vet to see if they can offer a payment plan.
"You should also ask your vet if there are alternative routes of treatment which may be less expensive and discuss the risks and benefits of such an approach, but your pet’s welfare must always be priority.
"If your pet is being treated for multiple conditions and/or with multiple medications, ask your vet which are the most important treatments, prioritising those that have the biggest impact on improving welfare (for example painkillers for arthritis).
"You can also check to see if you’re eligible to receive help from a charity which offers low-cost veterinary care like Blue Cross.
"Pet insurance can really help to cover costs, but this will have needed to have been taken out before illness and you should check the terms and conditions of the policy beforehand to see if it meets your pet’s needs."
Are you worried about your pet's vet bills? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com.
