If we had the equivalent of the NHS for our pets, there would be so many animals stuck in rescue shelters etc?

Question

Do you think, if the vets had a service a bit like the NHS services, there would be so many unwanted, stray animals roamimg the streets?
I know that the PDSA, RSPCA and more organisations help pay vet bills if you claim benefits form the Department of Working Benefits, but usually you need to register with the charity before you need the vets, otherwise they wont help towards the cost of the bill. I had both my dogs insured, and after 5years of never using the insurance, i cancelled it....but a few months later my golden labrador had an emergency cesarean, costing £815 which i had to pay even though im a single parent but i hadnt applied to the pdsa 1st! i paid it weekly, which i dont mind cos i love my dogs.
Some people are given an animal, without considering how much it might end up costing, then if it needs the vet & there is no money to pay the bill, the animal suffers,or often dumped, tortured or just killed! If there was a free service would there be as many stray animals?

i'm not sure, but i dont think the blue cross help towards paying vets bills? i think they have there own medical centres which isnt bad if you live close to one, but if you have an emergency and you dont have insurance or you havent registered with pdsa etc is what i mean! the blue cross do a great job, but in rehoming the animals.

sarah c is making lots of sense! my youngest son has asthma, we are lucky that it isnt as severe as other people, i had all my floors done in laminate flooring, as that reduces a lot of trouble with people who suffer with asthma & pet hair, i know its not so simple with all levels of asthma.

look at how much money the national lottery spend each week, the money that they donate-revamping football stadiums etc...they could always put some money to wards something like this? I know not everyone loves animals, and accept their point that they shouldnt need to pay towards the health etc of someone elses animal, but i could use the same attitude as i play the national lottery but dont see why the money should be used revamping football stadiums as i dont watch football...surely the price of a ticket to watch football should cover the revamp?!! And the cheaper vet idea would help towards major procedures and any vet work, not pay of the bill completely.

Answer 1

It might reduce the numbers, but not as much as you think. The RSPCA alone put down about 2,000 dogs and 2,000 cats every week. There are about 60,000 registered veterinarians in the U.K., if each of them euthanases only 1 pet per month thats still 20,000 per week. Plus all the other animal welfare charities, plus the dogs that don't get counted because they are abandoned and run over, or killed.
A figure of 25,000 dogs per week is one guestimate.
The problem is that not so many animals are dumped because their owners don't pay vet bills; some of them just die.
Most dogs are dumped because they have behavioural problems, and the owners don't know how to sort it out.
A second cause is divorce or homelessness or hospitalisation/death of the owner. 75% of landlords don't allow tenents to keep a dog; if you and your family are made homeless, what do you do? If you keep the dog you are classed as "intentionally homeless" and not entitled to any assistance.
A third cause is allergies of the family, particilarly asthma, which is potentially fatal. A friend of mine died of an asthma attack brought on by animal hair, no-one who was there knew how to give mouth to mouth so she suffered a massive heart attack and brain damage. Nobody risks their kids life that way.
Only a minority of animals are dumped because the owners can't or won't pay the vets bill.
If you are on State Benefits, the PDSA or Blue Cross will help. You just provide proof of income. They are the pet equivalent of the NHS. It's expensive to train as a vet, and set up a practice. Who would pay for your idea? How would it be funded? Would it only cover the basics or could owners demand complicated procedures like a pacemaker?

The only way to cut the numbers is
1) Stop breeding unwanted pets
2) Teach animal care in school, and promote training.

There is a system in place for people to manage their vet bills but you have to use it! You can insure, or go to the local pdsa surgery, or register with some vets as using pdsa (the vet bills the pdsa). You just need to think ahead.
The problem is that you really need to take your animal to the vet to register as soon as you buy it, then for annual check ups and vaccines. If you establish a good relationship with your vet and have a good history of payment you DO get time to pay, and sometimes a discount.
But a big percentage of clients only go once, don't pay, then move on to another vet next time they need one! Thats why you're faced with a big bill and no time to pay, vets are often stiffed by people who just don't see why they should pay.
Setting up in practise is so expensive, by the time you've spent 7 years in further education, then you have to fit out a surgery and operating theatre; you start your career £500,000 in debt! That money has to be paid back with interest, plus there are the weekly running costs. Thats why vets bills are expensive, you are seeing the real cost of medical care provided by trained staff.

Answer 2

It would be nice, but i think it would be abused. And how would it be funded? The human NHS is already cash strapped.

The only way that the problem will be solved is if people stop buying/accepting the care of animals unless they can honestly say that can afford to keep them - and that includes paying for emergency treatment if necessary. Otherwise it's a selfish thing to do and the animal is the one to suffer. Sadly i'm sure this will never happen though.

Answer 3

i'm no wild and vicious or i would not be having this communication. i think of human beings have a bond with animals, surprisingly canines and different companion and young toddlers pets via fact they generally instruct devotion to the owner, the likes of which isn't seen via any random guy or woman you're able to be able to fulfill. yet to assert that each and every person human beings are wild and vicious is to assert all and sundry you have ever understand replaced into wild and vicious...

Answer 4

I think it is wonderful idea. Here we even have difficulty obtaining the low cost spay/neuter services. I know my sister is in serious debt because of her pets. She keeps chihuahuas and has more than one expensive surgery ,and her eldest dog has a heart condtion that requires expensive meds.

Answer 5

We have the blue cross.