PDSA vet celebrates 40 years of saving pets’ lives

15 July 2026

A PDSA vet from Birmingham who joined the charity as a newly qualified graduate has reached an incredible 40-year milestone, after dedicating his career to helping pets and their owners. 

Senior Veterinary Surgeon (SVS) Ian Fleming joined PDSA in July 1986 and is still working at the charity today, caring for pets at Birmingham (Oldbury) PDSA Pet Hospital - where he has held his current role for 25 years. 

Over four decades, Ian has seen huge changes in veterinary medicine, from handwritten clinical records to the introduction of digital systems that allow teams to share expertise instantly across the organisation. 

“When I first joined PDSA, we didn’t have any computers. All records were handwritten - or should I say ‘vet-scrawled’ - on cards,” said Ian. 

“Looking back, the introduction of computers, digital x-rays and computerised clinical records has been one of the biggest changes. It allows us to work together more effectively and access expertise across PDSA to benefit pets and their owners. 

”While veterinary medicine has transformed during his time at PDSA, Ian says the charity’s purpose remains what makes the job so rewarding. 

“The unique thing we do is help people who genuinely cannot afford vet fees, but who value the companionship of their pet,” said Ian. 

“For some pet owners, the hospital staff can be the only people they speak to all week, and that’s what makes this job so worthwhile.” 

Leading vet charity PDSA has over 40 Pet Hospitals across the UK. But Ian’s connection with the charity began way before he became an employee. As a child, Ian was a ‘PDSA Busy Bee’, a movement set up by the charity’s founder Maria Dickin to help teach children to care for animals.  

Reflecting on his career, Ian credits the people around him for making his four decades at PDSA so memorable, including veterinary colleagues, nurses, reception teams, fundraising staff and shop teams. 

“It’s a genuinely amazing place to work,” he said. “The enthusiasm and knowledge of the next generation never fail to inspire the older generation.”