Low-cost clinic helps pet owners with vet bills
0 / 21
English
中文
Christine Gardner described support from the clinic as "amazing" A reduced-cost veterinary clinic has treated 160 pets in its first 11 days, according to the RSPCA.
（暂无翻译）
The animal charity's Medway West branch has launched to offer cut-price care for the pets of people on low incomes or receiving benefits.
（暂无翻译）
"Your pet would come first.
（暂无翻译）
You'd have a bit of toast yourself and pay out for your pet," said Chatham cat owner Christine Gardner. "Having somewhere like this is amazing." She told the BBC it was "just really good to have something nearby that I can get to" with her six cats.
（暂无翻译） （暂无翻译） （暂无翻译）
Angela Adams said her pets were her "babies", adding: "I would rather starve than they starve."
（暂无翻译）
She said she had eight cats, two rabbits, four guinea pigs, two African land snails and a tortoise, and that she did not know what she would do without the animals, as she was unable to work for health reasons.
（暂无翻译）
"It's very expensive.
（暂无翻译）
Seven of my cats were due for vaccine this month and you can imagine the cost of that," she told the BBC. "That's a lot of money." "I've had friends messaging me struggling, so this place is brilliant for people."
（暂无翻译） （暂无翻译） （暂无翻译）
The RSPCA's Imara Ó Niocail says some people can longer afford to care for their much-loved pets RSPCA branch account manager Imara Ó Niocail said that "a lot of people who were more than capable of affording to have these animals" were no longer able to care for them due to the cost of living or a change in circumstances.
（暂无翻译）
"We would like to keep the animals at home with the owners and treat them there," Ó Niocail told the BBC.
（暂无翻译）
The low cost clinic meant that pet owners in Medway could "seek the treatment that they need and then take the animals home", without having to pay the full vet costs, she added.
（暂无翻译）
Medway West branch manager Kevin Morton said the charity's centres were "full-to-bursting" with animals and some people "give their animals up because they can't afford to look after them".
（暂无翻译）
"Some people might think that if you can't afford to feed it, then don't have it, but if it's your only companion you have, they can keep people going," he said.
（暂无翻译）
The branch has supplied 18,909 food items, 1,294 treats and 919kg of biscuits so far in 2026 through its pet food bank.
（暂无翻译）
Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, external, on X, external, and on Instagram, external and listen to BBC Radio Kent on Sounds.
（暂无翻译）
Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk, external or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.
（暂无翻译）
Vet prescription fees capped under rule changes Vets under corporate pressure to increase revenue, BBC told
（暂无翻译）
仅供学习使用，如有侵权请联系删除 · 查看原文