Thousands of Edinburgh pet owners, including families, pensioners, disabled people and those on low incomes, could be missing out on low cost treatment for their pets, PDSA has warned.
The UK’s leading veterinary charity recently introduced low cost vet care services in its pet hospitals across the country, including Edinburgh. However, thousands of eligible pet owners are still unaware of the new service and could miss out.
Andrew Hogg, Senior Vet at Edinburgh PDSA Pet Hospital on Hutchinson Crossway, Gorgie, said: “We’re aware that there are many pet owners who are struggling to afford veterinary care for their animals but have no idea they could be eligible to access our veterinary services.”
To qualify for help pet owners must be in receipt of Working Tax Credits, Child Tax Credits, Universal credit (without housing element), Pension Credits, Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance, Disability Living Allowance/Personal Independence Payment, or pensioners living in a Council Tax Band A-D property, and live within the postcode catchment area.
Senior Vet Andrew added: “We believe that no pets or owners should suffer as a result of economic hardship, so our low cost service is designed to help more people who find themselves in financial difficulty.
“We can provide low cost care for your pets from vaccinations and neutering through to life-saving operations. We also offer free pet health checks to help keep Edinburgh’s pets healthy and happy. I would urge anyone who thinks they might be eligible to get in touch and see if we can help.”
Pet owners in the city can check if they are able to receive the new service by visiting www.pdsa.org.uk/eligibility or by calling 0800 731 2502.
PDSA has been helping pet owners in Edinburgh since 1949 when it opened premises on Lauriston Place. For many years, it operated from George IV Bridge before the current purpose-built pet hospital opened in 1996.
Today, PDSA’s site at 28 Hutchinson Crossway provides around 70,000 treatments a year, and can see over 175 pets in a single day. It costs around £1million annually to run, all funded by generous public support.
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