NHS for Pets?
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Should the Government create an ‘NHS’ for pets?
Vet bills can run up into the thousands and either that's coming straight from your pocket or from the insurance companies.
No. People shouldn’t keep pets unless they can afford their upkeep. If you find yourself in a difficult financial position then theres The Blue Cross.
Pjran Important to note that with things like The Blue Cross and PDSA, you need to be on certain benefits AND in their catchment area. If someone has fallen on hard times all of a sudden, they may not be eligible/in receipt of benefits yet buy their pet needs the vet and they have no money in the bank to take them.
SamGoodship I agree with you Sam. Although I can see Pyrans point, and it can be too easy for some people to take advantage of and abuse the service. But as Sam says no one knows what is around the corner and most pets do live a long time.
Especially the ways things are at the moment people are finding themselves homeless and cannot afford to even feed their families and I doubt any of them expected to ever find themselves in that situation. It would be good if there was some where that people could go to though when they really needed the help.
LHP118 Important to note that with things like The Blue Cross and PDSA, you need to be on certain benefits AND in their catchment area. If someone has fallen on hard times all of a sudden, they may not be eligible/in receipt of benefits yet but their pet needs the vet and they have no money in the bank to take them.
No no no, don't have them if you can't afford them, I have a cat, she is now 20 years old, I got her when she was a kitten full knowing full well that is was a long term commitment, I have never had insurance for her, but have always had a little cat savings pot that i put into wen I have extra/spare money and I use this for her vet bill, did the same for her son and daughter who both died at the age of 17 last year.
slightfoot What about those who are in a financial position to look after their pets then fall on hard times due to things like losing employment/divorce/death or a partner?
SamGoodship yep I have had the same myself, currently only got one wage coming in and no benefits, all things to consider before getting a pet to start with xx
No, as others have said you shouldn't get a pet and then expect others to pay for it.
For those who genuinely fall on hard times the PDSA will always help.
blacklabrador Important to note that with things like The Blue Cross and PDSA, you need to be on certain benefits AND in their catchment area. If someone has fallen on hard times all of a sudden, they may not be eligible/in receipt of benefits yet buy their pet needs the vet and they have no money in the bank to take them.
SamGoodship Ah, I didn't realise that, I presumed anyone who was struggling financially could ask them for help.
blacklabrador no you have to be on certain benefit. I was stupid enough to pay into a small pension. That money puts me just over the amount for pension credit. If I could claim pension credit I would be more better off than my small pension. Without pension credit you cannot ask the PDSA for help.
bickerstaffamy Sadly this seems to be the way, you try and do a little better for yourself and end up struggling.
The Government are failing badly enough at running the NHS for humans so no they shouldnt for pets.
Yeah I agree with others the NHS needs improving and funding first, pet owners are responsible for their own pets and should seek help from pet charities if bills are a struggle
wonderingsoul Pet charities will only help if you are on certain benefits and in their catchment area.
I can't believe that anyone would think that taxpayers should pay for the country's pets! If you want a pet you have to take care of it and pay for it out of your own pocket.
I have always had pets and always paid my vet bills. The issue I have is the cost. They used to charge £25 for a consultation fee when you knew what was wrong with your pet and you just needed a prescription. What is needed is some kind of pet chemist so you can get antibiotics etc when needed and prescribed by a vet.
Vet bills was a major factor in not getting a second dog, vet bills are outrageous and PDSA ect.. you have to be on certain benefits
NHS can’t even look after the humans let alone adding pets to the waiting lists. Stupid suggestion.
There's not enough money in the people NHS so definitely no money for a pet NHS. I love my cats and have spent thousands on their vet bills but there isn't an endless pot of money. People have to be realistic about what their budget is and either get pet insurance or save for a possible big bill. If they can't afford the cost of keeping their pet healthy they should seriously think about if it's fair to the animal.
Yes, absolutely, but only for non-exotic pets, such as dog, cats, rabbits and birds. Snakes and lizards to be excluded. Let's face it, the UK are chucking millions in the direction of France for no reason whatsoever.
NHS for pets and abolish free medical treatment for people that have just arrived here by boat!
I think it would be a great idea if it was funded in such a way that the owners contribute somehow, it would stop a lot of animals being dumped or taken to shelters, this is kinder and more caring as animals can be part of the family to most people and to some the only company they may have and it is very distressing when your animal is poorly and you cannot afford to pay for treatment, not everyone gets a pet thinking one day they may not be able to pay for them, just take the cost of living crisis Did anyone see that one coming before they got a pet, Nope don;t think so.
Those saying don't have pets unless you can afford their upkeep etc, could also apply the same logic with children, who are entitled to "free" NHS treatment before they are even born. There is people who are having children, even though they can't even afford to look after themselves.
Carlton1512 that's what l wanted to say but l always say ' Think it, don't say it' Well done for saying what l couldn't 
My opinion is. NO. But each to their own. If it did ever happen the country would well and truly be on their arse
Definitely, regardless of the person's financial situation pets should be treated for free.
Instead of having nhs for pets, the government should check how much vets charge, I had to pay £75 for 6 tablets for my dog, I do have him insured at £32 a month so if he needs anything major, but they charge silly money sometimes, even when we had a cat I had him insured too he lived till he was 18 only went to vets for jabs & neutered, & when the time came when he did get ill, it was kinder to put him down (vets words ) & that cost £100 & we took him home to bury him, so vet bills need to be looked at, but yes having pets are expensive to have 
No. Our pets are our responsibility as soon as we make the commitment. True times are getting harder for everyone as others have said. How ever the NHS is under a tremendous amount of pressure to the human patient care already. Sad but true..
Absolutely not, if people want pets then they need to be able to afford and related costs. The NHS is in such a mess as it is.
Our NHS is failing and people won't use it sensibly, what makes anyone think that an NHS for pets would be any better. Abuse of anything that is given away freely to some will not stop. Yes I am a pet owner and I have struggled in the past, I have also worked in the NHS neither make me a specialist. I must agree with others though the Blue Cross and PDSA only tend to be in towns and city's and won't see anyone outside of their catchment areas, which leaves people in villages with no hope. That said I wouldn't be without any of my animals and they'd always be fed, Evan at the cost of myself.
I don't agree there should be an nhs for pets but as a pet owner and a responsible pet owner (have insurance for all my pets, take them to the vet etc) I would like to see the pet insurance industry more highly regulated and simplified. It's a cowboy industry currently.
It would be a lovely idea but we just couldn't afford it as a country what with the NHS but at least there are charities and rescue centres working tirelessly to aid any animal in need
No. Our taxes are high enough!!!! Working people should not be put under more pressure because someone is irresponsible and does not consider the cost of keeping a animal. Our priority should be focused on keeping our own NHS going.
It's a tricky one as people are struggling when they never used to struggle. People are giving up pets because they can no longer afford them. This means charities are at breaking point. There needs to be some sort of in-between while in this crisis
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