PDSA (The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals)

PDSA, charitable veterinary care for pets in the UK

PDSA (The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals) is a veterinary charity based in the United Kingdom that works to keep people and their pets together. Its work focuses on providing veterinary care to sick or injured animals whose owners cannot afford the full cost of treatment. The organisation states it has been carrying out this work for over a hundred years and, according to its own figures, cares for an average of 4,700 pets every working day across its Pet Hospitals.

Veterinary services and support programmes

The core of its work is its Pet Hospitals, from which free or low-cost veterinary care is provided. The organisation structures its work around three areas: preventing disease and suffering among pet owners in the UK, educating the public about animal welfare, and treating sick or injured animals whose owners cannot afford treatment. It also offers an advice service through the Pet Health Hub, with information on symptoms, conditions and medications, and has its own pet insurance, PDSA Pet Insurance, whose income helps fund treatment for more animals.

Loyalty programmes and access to care

The organisation runs the PDSA Pet Care programme, aimed at clients who already participate or wish to join. Registered users can book an appointment, order repeat prescriptions via a form and renew their registration through an online eligibility checker. For people who use British Sign Language (BSL), PDSA offers interpreting support when they contact the organisation or visit a Pet Hospital.

Education, outreach and recognition

Beyond clinical care, PDSA teams work in schools and communities to raise awareness of issues affecting the UK's pet population. The organisation presents itself as an authority on animal health and runs the PDSA Animal Awards Programme, which recognises the contributions animals make to people's lives. It also publishes reports such as the PAW Report and the Pet Health Inequality Report, and maintains a network of charity shops (PDSA charity shops).

Funding and ways to support

PDSA states it receives no government funding and relies on its supporters to sustain its work. Among the ways to support it details are monthly and one-off donations, gifts in Wills, sponsoring its Trauma Care programme, donations in memory, goods donation, philanthropy, Payroll Giving and other options. It also offers corporate partnerships, volunteering, taking part in fundraising events and the PDSA Weekly Lottery, whose prize can reach £1,000. The PDSA Pet Store online shop sells pet care products and gifts, including the PDSA Vet Care range developed by its vets.

Structure and governance

The organisation is registered as a charity with numbers 208217 and SC037585, and its full legal name is The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals. It publishes information about its board of Trustees, its governance, its gender pay gap and its annual reports and reviews.