PDSA at a Glance

Leading veterinary charity, PDSA, provides free veterinary care to the sick and injured pets of people in need and promotes responsible pet ownership. The charity operates through a UK-wide network of 50 PetAid hospitals and nearly 380 PetAid practices (contracted private practices).

In 2011 PDSA PetAid hospitals provided more than 2.4 million PDSA-funded treatments and more than 420,000 preventive treatments. In addition, more than 40,000 pets are registered for PDSA-funded veterinary care through PetAid practices in over 180 locations across the UK.

PDSA PetAid hospitals also sell a range of preventive treatments for pets of eligible clients. These include neutering, vaccinations, microchipping, prescription diets, as well as flea and worm treatments.

PDSA employs some 286 veterinary surgeons and about 654 nursing team staff members.

In 2012 delivery of PDSA PetAid services will cost around £61 million. The charity’s veterinary work is funded entirely by public support; mainly through gifts in wills, donations and trading.

To access PDSA PetAid services, pet owners must be in receipt of either Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit.
Potential and existing clients can obtain more information on PDSA PetAid services by phoning 0800 731 2502 or by logging onto our Vet Care section of the PDSA website

In 2009 PDSA launched ‘Your Right Pet’ – www.your-right-pet.org.uk – an online tool designed to help prospective pet owners choose the right pet for their lifestyle.

In 2011 the landmark annual PDSA Animal Wellbeing Report was launched, which revealed that the health and welfare needs of ten million pets in the UK are not being properly met. A full copy of the Report is available at www.pdsa.org.uk/pawreport.

PDSA runs around 180 shops UK-wide, selling donated and new items.

Over 5,200 volunteers donate their valuable time, skills and experience to helping PDSA, and the organisation holds the ’Investing in Volunteers‘ quality standard.

The charity prefers to be known by its initials, PDSA (not the PDSA), in all editorial material, rather than by its legal name The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals.

PDSA and PetAid are registered trademarks of PDSA.
Founded in 1917 by animal welfare pioneer, Maria Dickin CBE, PDSA is the UK’s leading veterinary charity.

For further information, interviews or images please contact the PDSA Press Office by telephone 01952 204 792 or email pr@pdsa.org.uk