When a pet isn't home for Christmas, you feel their absence everywhere
Christmas is a time for being together. For muddy paw prints by the door, familiar footsteps around the house and your pet curled up beside you.
When one of those familiar faces is suddenly missing, the difference can be felt in every moment of the day. No muddy paw prints by the door, no familiar footsteps around the house, no furry friend beside you as you settle down for the evening.
That is what Shannon experienced when her beloved cat Hammy suddenly became unwell. He had stopped acting like his usual playful self and was struggling to pass urine. At PDSA, vets discovered he had a painful and life-threatening blocked bladder, which needed emergency treatment.
After three worrying nights in hospital, Hammy was finally able to go home to Shannon, where he belonged.
With your kindness, we can help more pets get the veterinary care they desperately need - and help keep them with the people who love them.
Help us keep people and pets together with a monthly donation today
Help us keep people and pets together with a one-off donation today
Be there for poorly pets in need
For the people who love them, having their pet home is everything
Pets are much more than companions. They're part of our everyday lives - there to greet us at the door, keep us company and bring comfort when we need it most.
For Georgina, Lola is her "little princess". When Lola was hit by a car twice, she was left shaking in pain and unable to put any weight on her back leg. Georgina rushed her to PDSA, fearing her family might lose the pet who means so much to them.
Lola's injuries were serious. Our veterinary team discovered that her right thigh bone was broken in multiple places, and surgery to amputate her badly injured leg was needed. Thankfully, the operation went well, and Lola was eventually able to return home.
When a pet becomes seriously sick or injured, it's not just the animal who feels the impact. The people who love them are left waiting, worrying and hoping they'll be together again.
Video found at youtu.be/s_1gr_nGjU0
Give a pet the chance to make it home for Christmas
Your support can help bring more pets home for Christmas
Hammy and Lola are just two of the pets who have needed PDSA's help when they became sick or injured.
Thanks to urgent veterinary care they both made it home to the people who love them. Hammy is now back to his usual playful self, while Lola is happily adapting to life on three legs.
But many more pets will rely on PDSA this Christmas. Between 24 December 2026 and 2 January 2027, we expect to see over 27,800 pets, including more than 2,400 pets with emergency conditions.
Your donation could help provide the care a sick or injured pet needs, while supporting the people who are waiting and hoping to have their precious companion home again.
So, together we can help more pets get the care they need and more people experience the joy of having their beloved pet safely home for Christmas.
Meet more pets who have received life-saving care from PDSA
Meet Cookie
Cookie needed urgent care after a frightening incident left her seriously injured.
Meet Teddy
Teddy needed urgent veterinary care after becoming seriously unwell.
You can help pets like Lola, Hammy, Cookie and Teddy
Festive Survival Guide
Christmas is a special time to be together with the pets we love. But with plenty of food, decorations, visitors and changes to their usual routine, the festive season can also bring unexpected risks for our pets.
From Christmas treats and twinkling lights to presents, plants and busy households, there are lots of things that could leave a curious pet needing emergency care.
Our Festive Survival Guide is here to help you spot some of the most common Christmas hazards and the simple steps you can take to keep your pet safe, happy and well throughout the festivities.
Because the best Christmas gift is having your pet right there beside you.
Give a pet the chance to come home
Every donation can make a big difference
With a gift today, you can help a pet in need this Christmas.
Over 422,000 pets treated in 2025
In 2025, our Pet Hospitals treated over 422,000 pets.
We treat 11 pets every minute
Across our Pet Hospitals we treat 11 pets every minute. That is one pet every 5 seconds.
Over 89,000 emergency cases every year
Every year we see over 89,000 pets with emergency conditions, on average 246 pets per day.