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Free Or Cheap Vet Care For Piggy

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guineapig-al

guineapig-al

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This is a list of UK free or very low cost vet clinics and money assistance for private vets:
1. RSPCA: two mobile units and multiple hospitals and free money for private vet
2. People's Dispensary for Sick Animals ( PDSA) very low cost or free vet clinics
3. The Blue Cross has a charity for sick pets
4.Dogs Trust
5. Catchat.org Caring for Animals in London, their phone is 020-7983-4000
6.Royal College of Vet Surgeons
 
Wish we had all that here in OZ. I must check with our RSPCA if they are similar here. I wouldn't need this sort of help at the moment, but there are certainly Aussies who would, & my fortunes could change in the future.
 
Hi, Lilly, so sorry my list didn't include OZ. I didn't know. I will put together a list for you and fellow Ozians. Maybe Dorothy, the ruby slippers, and her three buddies will show up?
Thanks,
Alexis
 
Hi, Lilly, you're right, the RSPCA is the best possibility, but there's a couple more that I included, which are also pretty good.
1. www.rspca.org.au
2.Murdoch Univ Vet Hospital: small animal clinic,
Phone 08 9360 6454
3.Univ. Queensland: small animal hospital
Phone 61 75460 1788
4. Intervention Australia Animal Health
91-105 Harpin Street
Bendigo East, VIC 3550

There's also a comprehensive animal health website that includes piggies, it's: mvop.com.au
 
guineapig-al said:
This is a list of UK free or very low cost vet clinics and money assistance for private vets:
1. RSPCA: two mobile units and multiple hospitals and free money for private vet
2. People's Dispensary for Sick Animals ( PDSA) very low cost or free vet clinics
3. The Blue Cross has a charity for sick pets
4.Dogs Trust
5. Catchat.org Caring for Animals in London, their phone is 020-7983-4000
6.Royal College of Vet Surgeons
Click to expand...

Just to add some more info....
1. RSPCA - not free treatment, but heavily subsidised and therefore reduced cost treatment. Owners will have their income and outgoings assessed and treatment will be provided if deemed eligible on grounds of low income. Free money for private vets only applies for the emergency first aid treatment of a stray animal and the maximum allowance is about £80 + VAT, so for example that would literally provide maybe some pain relief and a basic X-ray for a cat that had been hit by a car to assess injuries and make it comfortable until it can be transferred to the RSPCA clinic.
2. PDSA - will treat pets belonging to people in receipt of certain benefits, namely housing and council tax benefit, for a donation. Pets must be registered in advance, and proof of benefits required. There is a limit on the number of pedigree animals that you can have registered.
3. Blue cross - similar requirements to the RSPCA re: eligibility
4. Dogs Trust -similar to RSPCA
6. RCVS -not a vet surgery? This is the body that governs all veterinary surgeons in the uk

That being said, you shouldn't take on any animal if You cannot afford veterinary fees. The above services are in place In case of changes in circumstances etc. Guinea pigs are just as expensive as a cat or a dog, more so in my case! One of mine has had £5,000 worth of treatment over 3 years.

More info here re: vet fees http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/veterinary-fees-some-important-information.91847/
 
Hi, Amanda, I will not add my name to your opinion that people with no money shouldn't have a guinea pig. We are a support forum not a grand jury. We aim to prevent cruelty not to judge. Raising a piggy has multiple benefits for people at any age, and we are here to provide support and guidance so that even low income people can keep a happy and healthy piggy. I think your logic is appalling, if you're poor, then you can't have a piggy, well then if you're poor, you shouldn't have children, well then, if you're poor, we can exterminate you. No, it doesn't work that way. Or at least it shouldn't. I have no right whatsoever to ask you to reconsider or even reflect. I do have the right to voice my opinion, and it's a very clear "no, I don't agree with you"
 
Sorry but I agree with Amanda. If you can't afford the vet, you can't afford the pet. You just expect other people to subsidise you? Having a pet isn't some intrinsic right, nor is having children! People do not work hard so they can pay for OTHER people to have children and pets.

Where do you think the money comes from to treat the animals? It's not free for the PDSA, they have to pay for equipment, drugs etc just the same.
 
I definitely agree with Amanda1801 & Shrap. When taking on any animal you should be prepared for medical requirements so if you can't afford a vet you shouldn't have a pet otherwise this could lead to the animal suffering which is not what we want.
 
Agree. If you cant afford a vet, dont get a pet. Admittedly noone takes on a gp expecting to pay thousands in vets bills but you should be able to afford standard visits and occasional emergencies
 
My point is that a member that has exhausted resources caring for multiple sick piggies should be able to find some help, a low income person with love in their heart for an animal should get some assistance and guidance. I am not fostering irresponsible behavior. I am reflecting on the middle ground, and the compassionate approach for both piggies and humans. I have seen homeless people lovingly caring for their pets, and have read articles on how training dogs for the blind have helped hardened, violent criminals turn their lives around while in prison. I think this forum is a great source of information and everything should be put out there without judgment
 
Well, whilst I do support charities that would help those who have genuinely fallen on hard times (or are pensioners, or disabled and unable to work) to assist with vet fees such as the PDSA (in the same way that I believe in and support the welfare state) I do not think anyone should take on an animal without thinking very hard about how they would afford vet fees.

Insurance is there for the unexpected vet bills that run into thousands, and if you cant afford the monthly insurance premiums (or have a back up plan or a system of self insurance) then you should not take on an animal. The same logic applies to having childen in my opinion!
 
I feel I have to say something. It looks like you will all be against me having my animals then as I use RSPCA and blue cross. I am unable to work due to having mental health conditions. The only way I can afford vet fees is through those wonderful organisations. Without my animals I would have commuted suicide a long time ago. They are the only things that keep me going and all I live for. They mean the world to me. It really saddens me to read of these judgemental posts as I cannot see any other way to live my life yet now I feel sick reading what people think of people like me who have animals yet use such organisations.
 
It is good to read about the support when veterinary treatment is required. At present I am able to pay for the treatment. My guinea pigs are very important in my life and quite therapeutic. If in future I am unable to pay for veterinary treatment I would immediately seek help from one of the prementioned organisations. At present I do donate to charities who help animals. In my opinion the irresponsibe owners are those who fail to take care of the animal in their charge and do not take them for any veterinary treatment either paid unpaid. At the end of the day it's the animals welfare that is important, and the fact they provide fulfilment and enjoyment is a wonderful bonus.
 
piggyfan said:
I feel I have to say something. It looks like you will all be against me having my animals then as I use RSPCA and blue cross. I am unable to work due to having mental health conditions. The only way I can afford vet fees is through those wonderful organisations. Without my animals I would have commuted suicide a long time ago. They are the only things that keep me going and all I live for. They mean the world to me. It really saddens me to read of these judgemental posts as I cannot see any other way to live my life yet now I feel sick reading what people think of people like me who have animals yet use such organisations.
Click to expand...
It is those people who take on an animal without thinking about the commitment that I think we are talking about here. I am currently unemployed and have suffered with mental health problems for years so I understand what you are saying. I wouldn't take on more animals than I could afford though. You're right; those organisations are wonderful but they are also very stretched and rely on the generous donations of the public to keep them going.
 
Also at the moment i can afford to take my animals to the vets and also have savings and i do support animal charities.

These organizations are set up to help people with low income in these circumstances so therefor it doesn't matter who uses them as long as they honestly can't afford it and aren't taking advantage, as i would rather the animals get treatment than suffer.

I think unless your in that person shoes you cannot judge... peoples situations can change very quickly and sometimes they have no control over it.

Also people who cannot work due to disability normally rely on their pets to keep them happy and need them in their life.

This if where the government should do more to support charities like this rather then spending money on rubbish... I also so think millionaires should pay a lump sum each year to support them.
 
guineapig-al said:
Hi, Amanda, I will not add my name to your opinion that people with no money shouldn't have a guinea pig. We are a support forum not a grand jury. We aim to prevent cruelty not to judge. Raising a piggy has multiple benefits for people at any age, and we are here to provide support and guidance so that even low income people can keep a happy and healthy piggy. I think your logic is appalling, if you're poor, then you can't have a piggy, well then if you're poor, you shouldn't have children, well then, if you're poor, we can exterminate you. No, it doesn't work that way. Or at least it shouldn't. I have no right whatsoever to ask you to reconsider or even reflect. I do have the right to voice my opinion, and it's a very clear "no, I don't agree with you"
Click to expand...

That's fine, you're entitled to your opinion just as I'm entitled to mine.

I have nothing against people using charitable help for veterinary fees - they all have their own eligibility criteria and won't see people who don't meet that criteria. What I don't agree with, is people getting animals and not considering the financial implications of getting them. If you're registered and eligible for charitable assistance and they're happy to see additional animals that you take on (some have very specific rules eg. A limit on the number of pedigree animals, or that you cannot have an animal registered for 12 months after the previous animal dies etc.) and you're not fiddling the system (it's quite common for people to register their animal in a friends name because the friend meets the criteria and they don't etc.), then I consider that as having considered the financial implications.

Sadly, my rather biased opinion is formed largely through working in veterinary medicine, where I've seen countless incidents where people have gone and spent hundreds of pounds on a pedigree puppy, then cannot afford the £30 consultation fee when the puppy gets dropped and breaks it's leg two days later. Or when people breed their dog to make a few quid and it ends up needing an emergency c-section that they cannot afford. I've seen people have to resort to euthanasia on many occasions because they cannot afford treatment and aren't eligible for charitable assistance.

I'm not rich, far from it, but my animals are my priority. I work in excess of 40 hours a week for little less than minimum wage, but the first thing that goes out of my account every month is the pet insurance (around £2500 a year!)
 
@piggyfan no no, you misunderstood me :( I fully support the welfare state and its there for people like you who have fallen on hard times or cannot work through disability or ill health or mental health problems. And by extension of my belief in the welfare state I support the Blue Cross and PDSA through regular giving, as I believe that people in your situation (and pensioners etc) gain so much through keeping their pets. I'm really glad your animals help you. (((hugs)))

A civilised society needs a "safety net" for the vulnerable and those who are hit by the genuinly unexpected change in circumstances. And their dependants. That includes their pets.

Its just people who go into pet ownership not having thought anything through, not having made back up plans etc, or get too many animals that they cant afford or are just thoughtless or think they are owed something by society that pee me off :(

I just took on a small pony who has been passed on 3 times in one year given away free via facebook and he has repeatedly been passed on because people couldnt afford his dental treatment. It makes me so angry. Hes been suffering with his teeth due to people not thinking things through when they took him on :( Hes being sorted out now, already had one course of treatment with my vet and hopefully I will get him sorted before long.
 
Hi, "Piggyfan" I am touched to the point of near tears by your post. You are the voice of the many piggy fans who see these wonderful creatures as a source of healing and comfort. You have real friends here and you're not alone.
 
Hi, "Kaycdee" your posts show how lovingly you care for your piggies and the utmost concern you have. I wish more people would share your passion for these animals. If you ever need to research information on programs or benefits or whatever is out there in your community to help you, just let me know. I will be more than happy to help. No judgments.
 
As @piggyfan is saying, I am also suffering some health issues and some mental health problems. I am glad that the charities exist so that I know I can get some help if needed. Thankfully I have never had to use them but I would not feel ashamed about it. I volunteered at a PDSA charity shop for 9 years as a teenager but due to the problems above I am unable to do so at the moment. I still go in and buy stuff like fleece and bits and pieces. My whole house has been furnished from there!
But like everything there are always people who will take advantage. :(
I do not want to be classified as not good enough to take care of animals just because of the 'class system'.
 
Hi, "Piggyfan", thank you for the "like". I just posted a new thread "guinea pigs as therapy pets", and I invite you to share with us your experiences with these wonderful creatures.
 
Hi, "Theoretikos", I posted a new thread "Guinea pigs as therapy pets" and I'm inviting you to share with us your experiences with these wonderful creatures.
 
Hi, "Worried Val of York" I posted a new thread "Guinea pigs as therapy pets" and I'm inviting you to share with us your experiences with these wonderful creatures.
 
guineapig-al said:
Hi, "Worried Val of York" I posted a new thread "Guinea pigs as therapy pets" and I'm inviting you to share with us your experiences with these wonderful creatures.
Click to expand...
When you want to talk to a member you should tag them so they get an alert. You do this by putting @ then writing their name.
 
Hi, "Kaycdee", I posted a new thread, "Guinea pigs as therapy pets", and I'm inviting you to share with us your experiences with us
 
@kaycdee, I posted a new thread, "Guinea pigs as therapy pets" and I'm inviting you to share with us your experiences with these wonderful creatures
 
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