More than £75,000 worth of veterinary treatment has already been provided to owners in need thanks to an innovative partnership between the RSPCA and a pet care company. Purine.
The charity’s frontline inspection and Purine have teamed up to help homeowners in difficulty through the cost of living crisis.
The ‘Better Together Fund’ – which was officially launched in October last year – allows RSPCA officers to issue pet care vouchers to members of the public for veterinary and pet care treatments specific urgent company needs, thanks to generous funding from Purine.
People who receive vouchers are identified by RSPCA officers when responding to welfare concerns and complaints.
The cost of living crisis is one of the biggest challenges to animal welfare today – but the RSPCA believes its work with Purine “helps keep pets in loving homes.”
The vouchers are provided directly to pet owners by RSPCA officers, helping them pay for urgent veterinary care and other treatments which they might not otherwise be able to afford or which, in some cases, could lead to having to possibly rehouse the animal.
Purina continued support for pet owners who need it most comes under new RSPCA project Animal Kindness Index reveals widespread concern among pet owners amid continued economic uncertainty.
The index found that 81% of pet owners say it has become more expensive to care for their pets, while almost a third (30%) of owners worry about being able to care for them properly of their animals in a context of high costs of living.
The vouchers funded by the Better Together Fund have been offered by the charity’s inspection groups to pet owners across England and Wales – those in South Wales, Devon and Cornwall, as well as West Mercia, having received the most funding and support so far.
Top ten regions receiving the most voucher funding from the program:
South Wales: £7,313.47
Sussex: £4,220.08
West Mercia: £4,220.04
Devon and Cornwall: £4,148.07
Merseyside and Cheshire: £3,981.85
Leicestershire and Northants: £3,884.37
Kent: £3,109.27
Thames Valley: £2,875.86
Manchester: £2,799.79
Gloucestershire and Warwickshire: £2,746.05
Dermot Murphy, RSPCA Inspection Commissionersaid: “We want to keep as many pets in loving homes as possible.
“But the cost of living crisis is one of the biggest challenges for pet owners right now – as our Animal Kindness Index proves.
“That’s why our partnership with Purina has been so valuable in keeping pets with their owners and has provided a lifeline to hundreds of pet owners during this terrible cost of living crisis.”
“Our agents can offer struggling owners vital support with vet and pet sitting fees on the doorstep through this partnership with Purine. Very often, the work of our relief teams is to offer advice, education and support – and the Better Together Fund is now an integral part of this; making a real difference to communities across England and Wales. »
Support from Purine is set to continue – with the pet food company having committed almost £150,000 in total to the scheme so far, meaning hundreds more animals are expected to benefit.
Funding provided by Purine has already helped 868 pets, including 562 dogs and 306 cats.
Treatments delivered to pets using these vouchers include emergency procedures, work for persistent conditions, and support for acute and chronic conditions.
Calum Macrae, Managing Director of Purine UKadded: “We are delighted to be able to continue our support of the RSPCA by taking the Better Together Fund into its second year.
“We know how valuable the human bond between pets can be and want to help keep as many pets as possible happy, healthy and with their loving owners, even during these incredibly difficult times.”
“It’s heartwarming to hear how the vouchers are helping RSPCA officers make such an immediate and tangible difference to households across the country. »
Pets helped by the program include a badly matted dog with long claws seen by RSPCA inspector Hannah Nixon in Hampshire.
The dog’s owners were elderly and vulnerable and experiencing financial difficulties. They knew their pet would need sedation to be treated, which they could not afford – which meant they were “burying their heads in the sand” and putting the dog’s well-being at risk. ‘pay the price.
Fortunately, with the help of PurineThanks to the funded vouchers, the dog was put to sleep by a local veterinarian, clipped that same afternoon and returned to his owners.
Hannah Nixon, RSPCA inspector said: “We know times are tough right now – and we are seeing first-hand the impact this is having on many beloved pets.
“Sometimes, as problems worsen, owners feel powerless to act, especially when they know the cost of treatment will be out of their reach.
“I could see that the owners had had difficulty with this poor dog. Things had quickly escalated and they were worried about the growing financial costs of caring for their pet. They ended up burying their heads in the sand.
“Thanks to these vouchers, we were able to provide the dog with much-needed treatment and get the owners back on their feet. It was a real relief for everyone, and all thanks to Purina kind support so dogs like this can be kept in loving homes.
The partnership with the RSPCA is one of many measures Purine was set up to help homeowners who may be struggling during the cost of living crisis. In addition to Better Together FundThis support includes regular monthly donations of at least two pallets of pet food to food banks and community support centers through Fare sharing. Pet owners can also visit a dedicated area Owner Support Center on our website for expert advice on many topics from behavior and nutrition to how to minimize unexpected vet bills, plus daily tips and tricks for keeping pets as healthy and happy as possible.
Owners in difficulty are also encouraged to visit the RSPCA’s dedicated website. Cost of life web pages to find out what help and support is available in their area.