PDSA

RSPCA’s Finsbury Park Animal Hospital

Updated information for RSPCA clients

What is happening?

On 4 March 2024 PDSA opened a new clinic – the Edmonton Green PDSA Pet Clinic. This is a former RSPCA site that has been refurbished and is now run by PDSA. This allows us to deliver our free and low-cost vet services to 11 new postcode areas in North London.

RSPCA are phasing out public-facing vet services at their Finsbury Park Animal Hospital. This will enable them to focus their expert veterinary services on treating more animals rescued from cruelty and neglect.

All postcodes currently or previously able to access RSPCA Finsbury Park will be able to register with PDSA. Unless your circumstances have changed (such as benefits, income or address), you will be able to access vet care at PDSA instead of RSPCA.

This is the latest stage of a partnership between PDSA and RPSCA, which allows both charities focus on what they do best and ensure pets and animals in need get the right help as quickly as possible.

Please read the table below for more information on when your services will change and where to go now.

How will this affect me?

If your pet has been ​seen at​​ ​RSPCA Finsbury Park Animal Hospital ​since September 1 2020 ​and you live in one of the postcodes below, you will be able to register with PDSA. The table below shows how and when your service will change.

Phase 1 Postcodes When your service at RSPCA Finsbury Park ends Your new PDSA service Contact number
EN1, EN2, EN3, N9, N14, N17, N18, N21, N22

31 March

 Edmonton Green PDSA Pet Clinic 020 8137 8544
N6, N8, W9, W10 31 March Hendon PDSA Pet Hospital 0208 203 2090
E4 31 March Ilford PDSA Pet Clinic 0208 550 6644

 

Phase 2 Postcodes When your service at RSPCA Finsbury Park ends Your new PDSA service Contact number
N4, N5, N15

31 July

 Edmonton Green PDSA Pet Clinic 020 8137 8544
N1, N1C, N16 31 July BOW PDSA Pet Hospital 0208 980 5011
N7, N19, NW1, NW5 31 July Hendon PDSA Pet Hospital 0208 203 2090

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What do I need to do now?

If your service ended on 31 March you are already able to register with PDSA.  If your service ends on 31 July you will be able to register with PDSA on or after Monday 15 July. 

Please take the following steps to do this: 

  • Simply fill in the online form, including your name, post code, a bit about your pet and benefits you receive. 
  • As an RSPCA client who’s been seen at RSPCA Finsbury Park Animal Hospital since 1 September 2020 you should be eligible for PDSA’s services, unless circumstances such as income, benefits or address have changed since you first registered with the RSPCA.  
  • You’ll receive an automated response confirming your eligibility and asking you to complete the online registration form. 
  • Simply click the registration button and provide details about you and your pet and upload your proof of eligibility documents, photo ID (passport, driving licence or bus pass) and a further recent clear photo 
  • You will receive an automated email, confirming receipt of your application, including a submission reference number. 
  • PDSA aims to process your application within two working days when you will receive an email confirming your registration. 

Who is PDSA?

PDSA is the vet charity for pets in need. We provide free and low cost vet care through our nationwide network of Pet Hospitals. We receive no government funding, so we rely entirely on our incredible supporters to help us run our vital services, caring for sick and injured pets in need.

Read more about PDSA and what we do

FAQs

What are PDSA’s eligibility criteria? Am I eligible for PDSA services?

RSPCA clients who have ​been seen​ at RSPCA Finsbury Park Animal Hospital ​since September 1 2020​​, ​will be eligible for PDSA’s services, unless circumstances such as income, benefits or address have changed since you first registered with the RSPCA.

Owners in receipt of means-tested Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support, or Universal Credit with Housing Element, will be able to receive free treatment for one pet. Additional pets can register for our low-cost service.  Clients who receive a wide range of other benefits will be able to access our low-cost service for their pets. See our webpage for more information – www.pdsa.org.uk/ourservices

Will I have to pay for PDSA services?

Owners in receipt of means-tested Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support, or Universal Credit with Housing Element, will be able to receive free treatment for one pet. Additional pets can register for our low-cost service.  Clients who receive a wide range of other benefits will be able to access our low-cost service for their pets.

For a list of which benefits qualify for which type of services, see our webpage www.pdsa.org.uk/ourservices

As a charity we don’t receive any government funding and rely on the generosity of animal lovers to fund our vital veterinary services, so we can continue to be here when you need us most. Whilst we are glad you are able to access our services for free or at low cost, if you can contribute what you can towards your pet’s treatment it would be greatly appreciated. It really does make a difference.

Will this affect the quality of the service my pet receives?

We aim to deliver the highest possible standards of care and service to all our clients. We’d like to reassure you that your pets’ health won’t be affected by this change.

How many pets will I be able to register with PDSA?

There’s no limit to the number of pets you can register with PDSA. Owners in receipt of means-tested Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support, or Universal Credit with Housing Element, will be able to receive free treatment for one pet. Additional pets can register for our low-cost service.

Clients who receive a wide range of other benefits (full list at www.pdsa.org.uk/ourservices) will be able to register as many pets as they like for our low-cost service. Pets can be registered with PDSA whenever they need treatment.

What sort of pets does PDSA treat? Are there any pets PDSA won’t treat?

We offer treatment for a variety of small pets. Our vets care for household pets like cats, dogs, rabbits and other ‘small furries’. We aren’t able to provide care for exotic or specialist species, such as reptiles or wildlife.

What types of treatment does PDSA offer? Can I get the same treatments as I get at RSPCA?

We provide a wide range of treatments at PDSA, including emergency care, diagnostic tests, repeat prescriptions and preventive care (such as vaccinations, flea/worming and neutering).

However, we are a charity and have to ensure our limited funds are used to help as many pets as possible. Therefore, we don’t cover some types of treatment, including prosthetics, and care related to breeding of pets.

For further information on what we can and can’t treat, visit here www.pdsa.org.uk/treat

​​Some of our Pet Hospitals can sometimes be affected by the ongoing vet shortages, so may be unable to offer preventive treatments at certain times. When you register, your local PDSA service will be able to advise you on their current levels of service.

Why am I being asked to access PDSA services instead of being treated at Finsbury Park Animal Hospital?

This is the latest stage of an exciting partnership between PDSA and RSPCA, which will help both pet owners and animals most in need. The collaboration safeguards affordable vet care for thousands of pet owners in need and ensures pets and animals can get the right help as quickly as possible.

The partnership allows both charities to focus on what they do best. The RSPCA will focus their expert veterinary services on supporting their frontline officers and treating more animals rescued from cruelty and neglect. As the vet charity for pets in need, for PDSA this means providing free and low cost veterinary care to hundreds of thousands of pet owners every year, who are struggling to afford vital treatment for much-loved members of their family.

Does PDSA require my pet to be neutered and/or vaccinated?

PDSA doesn’t require pets to be neutered or vaccinated to receive veterinary care at any of our Pet Hospitals. We do highly recommend that pets are neutered as it prevents unwanted litters and can also prevent some quite serious health conditions. We also recommend pets are vaccinated as this helps to protect them against life threatening illnesses.

What if my pet has an emergency out of hours?  

Both the RSPCA and PDSA have out-of-hours care arrangements in place. If your pet has an emergency, call RSPCA Finsbury Park Animal Hospital as usual for now.  Once you're registered with PDSA (after 15 July) emergency out of hours care can be accessed through your nearest Pet Hospital. If you need to access PDSA services out of hours it's important you: 

  • Call first: 
    • Hendon PDSA Pet Hospital on 020 8203 2090 
    • Ilford PDSA Pet Clinic on 020 8550 6644 
    • Edmonton Green PDSA Pet Clinic on 020 8137 8544 
    • Bow PDSA Pet Hospital on 0208 980 5011
  • Follow the message for emergencies. 
  • PDSA will ask you some quick emergency questions about your pet’s condition 
  • You’ll then be advised on the best option for your pet and what happens next 

 

Things to remember: 

  • Your pet’s welfare is always our top priority, so in an emergency always call first. 
  • If it’s out-of-hours, you may be asked to take your pet to a different location than your usual vet 
  • To receive on-going treatment you will need a full registration and proof of eligibility. 

Will PDSA continue to treat XL Bullies?

PDSA treats all breeds at our Pet Hospitals. To read more on the recent ban and ​​what this means, visit here.

How is my personal information being used by PDSA?

As part of these changes to service, PDSA has entered into a formal data sharing agreement with RSPCA for the purpose of maintaining a charitable veterinary service for affected clients. This data sharing agreement only relates to registered clients at the Finsbury Park Animal Hospital. The information includes basic contact information and associated clinical histories of registered pets. Both PDSA and RSPCA have a legitimate interest in entering into this data sharing agreement.

RSPCA will be transferring your personal information and your pet’s clinical history to PDSA, to ensure we can continue to provide a high standard of care for you and your pets. For more information on how PDSA will use your data, please read our www.pdsa.org.uk/privacypolicy or contact us directly.

I’m a client at RSPCA Finsbury Park but I’ve moved and am now in a different postcode. Can I be seen by PDSA too?

To find out if you are eligible for PDSA help, please call ​us ​on 0800 731 2502.

More information

If you have any further questions please visit the webpage www.pdsa.org.uk/finsburypark or contact either charity using the details below.

I have more questions, who can I contact?

If you have any further questions, contact either charity using the details below.