Pet Financial Assistance in the UK – Help with Vet Bills & Pet Food

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UK Pet Financial Assistance (57)

Pet owners in the UK who are having a challenging time due to the increasing cost of living have a number of national and local organisations they can reach out to for temporary assistance. Financial support is typically offered through the following means:

Veterinary bill support

Charities may offer subsidies for veterinary bills. The level of support will differ per charity. Some may only cover neutering procedures, while others may cover a wider range of treatments.

Free pet food donations

Animal shelters and local food banks may distribute pet food for free. It’s not something you should continue to rely on, however, as the supply of pet food and supplies is never guaranteed since it’s usually dependent on donations.

Support from national organisations

Here is a list of national organisations and charities that may offer financial assistance to pet owners in the UK.

PDSA

People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) offers low-cost vet care (free in some cases) for people in need. You could be eligible for support if you meet their location and benefit requirements.

Cat’s Protection

For cat owners, you may want to reach out directly to Cat’s Protection, which offers a variety of schemes including low-cost neutering procedure.

Dog’s Trust

Dog’s Trust may cover 100% of preventative vet treatments for UK-based pet owners who are experiencing homelessness.

RSPCA

RSPCA clinics and hospitals may offer low-cost veterinary care. Contact your local clinic to see if you are eligible.

Money saving tips for UK pet owners

In addition to reaching out to veterinary clinics and animal charities, here are some tips that may help you save money on pet care without sacrificing the quality of your pet’s life.

1. Use services like BorrowMyDoggy

Dog sitting and dog walking services are expensive. BorrowMyDoggy is a service that helps you connect with local dog borrowers at a low-cost. It’s a great solution for dog owners who have days when they can’t spend much time with their pets. Regular exercise is one of the best ways to maintain a pet’s long-term health.

2. Buy pet food in bulk

Stores like Pets at Home, Costco, and Zooplus have sections on their website where you can shop for bulk deals. You pay more upfront but save on the long run by buying pet supplies and pet foods in bulk.

3. Don’t cheap out on pet food

Switching your pet’s diet to low-quality pet food will only increase the risk of your pet developing health problems. Certain types of cheap pet food may also ‘deceive’ customers with its appearance. Cheap kibbles, for example, may look bigger but that’s only because they either have a lot of fillers or many air pockets. Eating such foods won’t make your pet feel as satisfied.

4. Prevention is key

There are many ways you can reduce the chances of your pet getting sick. Eating foreign objects, for example, is one of the most common ways pets fall sick and suffer from life-threatening condition like bloat. You can prevent this from happening by storing away any inedible objects (small enough for the pet to swallow) and keeping them out of your pet’s reach. You can also do some research and find out what is or isn’t safe for dogs to eat.

5. Loan options

There could be other financial options available for those who need urgent assistance. If your financial burden is temporary, interest-free loans might be an appropriate option as long as you can pay it back in the required timeframe. CareFreeCredit is one place worth checking out. It’s also worth reaching out to your vet as they may offer interest-free financing. Other options include Boutell Loans & Omacl Loans, or debt charities such as StepChange.

6. Regular vet visits

Vet visits are expensive but it’s cheaper in the long-run to catch potential health issues early on. Ideally, you should have your pet assessed by the vet at least once a year. Ask around in your local pet community to see who they trust.

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