What is happening?
From 9 December 2022, RSPCA will focus on treating more animals rescued from cruelty and neglect. As a result, RSPCA will stop providing subsidised public veterinary care at its Greater Manchester Animal Hospital and its sites in Birmingham and Merthyr Tydfil (South Wales).
In response, PDSA will offer support to pet owners registered at the three RSPCA animal hospitals. Where possible, we are expanding our catchment areas for our Manchester PDSA Pet Wellbeing Centre - we now cover postcodes in Stockport and Oldham. Initially, we will only be supporting currently registered RSPCA clients and pets in these areas but, in time, we will open up to new registrations too.
How does this affect me?
PDSA will be accepting any currently registered RSPCA clients that live within our new or existing catchment areas. All affected clients will have received a letter explaining if this is the case for them. As long as you meet our eligibility criteria you will be able to register for PDSA’s free and low-cost vet services. For more details on our eligibility criteria, please see Am I eligible for PDSA services?
What should I do?
If your pet in needs veterinary treatment or receives regular care for a long-term illness, you should register with PDSA now using our eligibility checker.
If your pet is healthy and doesn’t require any treatment or regular medication, you don’t need to do anything right now. If your pet needs treatment now or in the future, simply register with PDSA using our eligibility checker.
If you live in Stockport, Oldham or Warrington, you will need to call your local Pet Hospital directly to register – details are in your letter, and also below.
You will need proof of the benefits you receive to hand to register as we will ask you to upload this.
If you can’t use the eligibility checker, please call PDSA on 0300 3737 223 and they will be able to advise you and start the registration process. Alternatively, you can contact PDSA by email at veterinary.services.enquiries@pdsa.org.uk or through Sign Live or Relay UK.
Should you have any questions directly relating to your pet, or wish to make an appointment before 9 December 2022, please contact your pet’s RSPCA Hospital or clinic in the usual way.
Stockport, Oldham and Warrington postcodes
If you are in one of these postcodes (OL1, OL2, OL4, OL5, OL6, OL7, OL8, OL9, SK6, SK7, SK12, SK14, SK15, SK16) then please call our Manchester Pet Hospital directly on 0161 881 0222 and press option 2. Please let the receptionist know that you are an RSPCA client, so they can make sure you are registered correctly.
If you live in one of these postcodes (WA7, WA8, WA9, WA10, WA11) please call our Liverpool Huyton Pet Hospital directly on 0151 480 2288 and press option 2. Please let the receptionist know that you are an RSPCA client, so they can make sure you are registered correctly.
Who is PDSA?
PDSA is the vet charity for pets in need. Currently, we operate 48 Pet Hospitals nationwide. We receive no government funding, so we rely entirely on our incredible supporters to help us care for sick and injured pets.
- Why is PDSA getting involved?
- Am I eligible for PDSA services?
- How many pets will I be able to register?
- My pet has a chronic condition that needs ongoing care, can I get the same treatment at PDSA that I get at RSPCA?
- The eligibility checker says there is no PDSA service in my area, what should I do?
- How is my personal information being used by PDSA?
- I have more questions, who can I contact?
Why is PDSA getting involved?
We believe no pet should suffer because their owner can’t afford the full cost of vet care and so it’s the right thing for us to offer our help to as many owners and pets affected by these changes as possible.
Am I eligible for PDSA services?
We expect that most RSPCA clients currently registered at RSPCA Greater Manchester Animal Hospital will meet the eligibility criteria for PDSA’s services, unless their circumstances have changed.
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 (see here for the full list) will be able to access our low-cost service.
How many pets will I be able to register?
Owners who live in our existing Pet Hospital catchment area, if they are eligible for our free vet care, can register one pet as their ‘Free Pet’ and any additional pets can be registered for our low-cost care.
The free service, which gives you access to free treatment and medication, is only available for one pet per household, though additional pets registered for our low-cost care service will be able to receive veterinary care up to 30% cheaper than with private practices. For more information about our services go to https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/our-services
Pet owners in receipt of a wide range of other benefits can register their pets for our low-cost service. There is no upper limit to the number of pets you can register for our low-cost service.
In our new catchment areas of Stockport and Oldham, only pets that are already registered at Greater Manchester Animal Hospital will be accepted initially. Once we are able to open up to new registrations (expected in early 2023), you will be able to register any additional pets for our low-cost service – there is no maximum limit for this.
My pet has a chronic condition that needs ongoing care, can I get the same treatment at PDSA that I get at RSPCA?
If your pet has a life-long or chronic condition, or requires ongoing care of any kind, please register as soon as possible with PDSA. Once you are registered, please book an initial appointment with PDSA as soon as you can, so we can ensure your pet continues to get the care they need.
The eligibility checker says there is no PDSA service in my area, what should I do?
Certain postcodes are not currently available through our eligibility checker. Also, if you have moved recently, you may no longer be in a PDSA Pet Hospital catchment area. In this case, please call PDSA on 0300 3737 223 and we can advise you what to do next.
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 Birmingham, Greater Manchester and Merthyr Tydfil RSPCA Animal Hospitals. 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 privacy policy or contact us directly.
I have more questions, who can I contact?
If you still have questions or concerns about what’s happening, you can contact the following:
- For enquiries about your current RSPCA service and the planned changes – queries@rspca.org.uk
- For enquiries about PDSA services in your area – 0300 3737 223