As PDSA celebrates its 90th anniversary, we take a look back at the key people and events that shaped the UK’s leading veterinary charity.
In November 1917, Maria Dickin CBE opened her first People's Dispensary for Sick Animals of the Poor. Her aim to bring life-saving treatments and medicines to those animals whose owners were unable to afford the services of a private vet.
Ninety years on, her vision still underpins today’s PDSA, the UK's leading veterinary charity with 47 PetAid hospitals and branches UK - wide, staffed by veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses. A charity, moreover, that makes a unique and irreplaceable contribution to animal welfare in the UK.
Of course, the challenges facing PDSA are as great now as at any time in the charity’s history. There are more pets that need PDSA care for than ever before; and there are constant advances in veterinary medicine that need to be kept pace with.
But, inspired by Maria Dickin’s vision and supported by the kindness and generosity of all those animal-lovers who contribute to our funds, PDSA will continue to care for sick and injured pets with the same dedication and devotion as we always have.
Read more about the history of PDSA on our new timeline pages and watch archive footage of PDSA in the early 1900's.
