In communities too small to justify a PDSA PetAid hospital PDSA has arranged for over 302 local private practices to provide free treatment on its behalf to those who qualify for PDSA help. PDSA PetAid practices offer a full range of medical and surgical services for sick and injured pets and are staffed by fully qualified veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses. There are PDSA PetAid practices in 125 such communities in Britain.
Treatment is free of charge, but only for those pet owners that are in receipt of Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit and who pre-register for PetAid, before their pet falls sick or is injured. However, because PDSA PetAid services are funded entirely by donations from the public, all owners are encouraged to make a contribution towards the cost of their pet's treatment.
Each PDSA PetAid practice has a catchment area that is defined by postcodes. Pet owners living outside these areas may be able to register with a PDSA PetAid hospital, or apply for a grant from the PDSA Special Request Scheme.
The PDSA veterinary service is restricted to companion animals kept in the home or in a hutch.
Only one pet per eligible household can be registered at a PDSA PetAid practice, and this pet must be pre-registered before it becomes ill or injured. Otherwise pet owners will have to pay for treatment.
The following types of treatment are not covered
by PDSA PetAid practices:
Vaccinations
Routine neutering
Flea and worming preventive treatments
Advanced medical and surgical treatments that
would normally be referred to a specialist
Supply of prescription pet food
Laboratory tests not essential for diagnosis
Post-mortem examinations
Health checks
Pregnancy diagnosis
House calls
Where necessary, and appropriate, PDSA PetAid
practices will refer for specialist treatment but this is beyond the resources
of PDSA and will by agreement with the owner and at their expense.
Attendance fees are payable for treatments provided
outside normal hours.
Telephone 0800 731 2502 to ask if your postcode falls within their designated catchment area and obtain the contact details of the relevant PetAid practices.
The application form is only available from the PetAid practice. On contacting the PetAid practice you will be asked to complete the form, then it will be signed by the vet and sent to the PDSA Administration Centre in Sunderland. The application form must be accompanied by:
A £3 postal order to assist with administrative
costs
A photocopy of documents proving that you are
in receipt of Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit. (Please do not send
originals.)
If you cannot find the required documents there
is a section on the form that can be used to obtain proof from your Housing
Office that you receive Housing or Council Tax benefit.
If your application is accepted, you will be
sent a PetAid certificate that is valid for a fixed period but only at
your chosen practice and only for the pet you nominate. The certificate
must be produced each time you take your pet for treatment, other wise
free treatment cannot be offered.