Vets help care through volunteering

As part of this year’s Volunteers’ Week from June 1 to 12, the British Veterinary Association is shining a spotlight on the majority of veterinary surgeons in Scotland who give their time and veterinary expertise at a reduced rate.

More than two in five work unpaid with animal charities and rehoming centres to treat thousands of abandoned, mistreated or injured animals each year.

The charitable contributions that vets make to assist animals are highlighted today with the release of results from the Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey by the British Veterinary Association (BVA), which asked vets about the arrangements they have with charities. The results show that in Scotland: 66 per cent have formal arrangements with charities to provide veterinary services at a reduced fee with the figure rising to 75 per cent when including less formal set-ups.

45 per cent of vets do unpaid work for animal charities or other animal welfare organisations

Charitable activities vary from practice to practice and vets often work with local animal shelters and national animal charities to provide a range of pro bono or reduced fee services, such as health checking, medicating and treating, neutering and vaccinating.

Many veterinary practices provide veterinary advice to homeless people and those in housing crisis, and care for their dogs as part of the Dogs Trust Hope Project.

Vets also support other projects, such as the Freedom Project, which temporarily fosters animals belonging to families fleeing domestic violence.

Over 300 veterinary practices undertake work for the charity PDSA, providing treatment to animals of owners on means-tested benefits.

The scheme ensures some of the most disadvantaged people in society can access veterinary treatment to keep their pets healthy.