Leading veterinary charity PDSA welcomed Labour MP for Edinburgh South West, Dr Scott Arthur, to its Edinburgh Pet Hospital last week.
During the visit, Dr Arthur met with PDSA Regional Manager John Faulkner and saw first-hand the vital veterinary care being provided to pets and owners across the local community. The Pet Hospital employs more than 30 people from the local area and last year alone treated more than 10,500 pets.
The visit included a tour of the Hospital, as well as the opportunity to meet the veterinary team and learn more about growing pressures on veterinary services, as well as the increasing challenges facing pet owners.
Discussions focused on the findings of PDSA’s Pet Health Inequality Report, including the impact of rising pet ownership costs and the wider cost-of-living pressures affecting owners’ ability to access veterinary care.
PDSA Regional Manager John Faulkner said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Dr Scott Arthur to our Edinburgh Pet Hospital and show him the work our dedicated team carries out every day to support pets and owners in the local community who need us most.”
PDSA’s mission is to keep people and pets together by providing support for owners who cannot afford the cost of treatment. In the last year, the charity treated over 422,000 pets and supported more than 339,000 clients across its network of over 40 Pet Hospitals.
The Edinburgh PDSA Pet Hospital provides fully funded and low-cost veterinary services to eligible people across central and coastal Edinburgh east to Musselburgh and Tranent, south to Penicuik and Gorebridge, west through the airport corridor to South Queensferry, Livingston, Bathgate and Bo’ness, covering almost the entire Edinburgh commuter belt.
Reflecting on the visit, Dr Scott Arthur MP said: “It was a privilege to visit the Edinburgh Pet Hospital and see first-hand the invaluable work the team does. PDSA really is an indispensable lifeline for vulnerable pet owners across Edinburgh, ensuring that financial hardship is never a barrier to accessing essential veterinary care.
“It was helpful to hear about the pressures facing both pet owners and veterinary professionals, particularly as the rising cost of living continues to affect households. Seeing how busy the hospital is and learning more about the charity’s work, including the support it provides to eligible pet owners, really highlighted the growing demand for these essential services.
“I was also pleased to hear about the ways PDSA helps improve pet wellbeing through resources such as the Pet Health Hub.
“I am grateful to the team for taking the time to share their experiences and for the essential service they provide to our community.”
John Faulkner added: “Pets are cherished members of the family, and no owner should have to choose between caring for themselves and caring for their pet.
“Visits like this are an important opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges facing pet owners, as well as the vital role PDSA plays in supporting communities across the UK.”
PICTURES L-R: Senior Veterinary Surgeon at PDSA Andrew Hogg, Labour MP for Edinburgh South West Dr Scott Arthur, PDSA Regional Manager John Faulkner and PDSA Education Lead Anna Baggott
