19 April 2018
BVA and RCVS are highlighting the many benefits of registering a pet with a vet
With figures suggesting that 85% of pet owners have registered their pet
with a vet but an estimated 3.1 million pet dogs, cats and rabbits in the UK are
still not registered*, British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the Royal College
of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) are urging all owners of unregistered pets to
sign up with a veterinary practice this National Pet Month (1 April to 7 May).
The joint Pets Need Vets campaign
shares 11 reasons (see Notes to Editors) why pet owners should register their
animals with a vet, including easier access to treatment during emergencies, regular
health checks to ensure their pet's wellbeing, and tailored nutritional advice,
and encourages them to visit www.findavet.org.uk
to find the right vet practice for them and their pet.
Figures released in the PDSA Animal
Wellbeing (PAW) Report in 2017 revealed that 85% of animal owners in the UK had
already registered their pets with a vet, so this campaign aims to raise
awareness amongst the remaining 15% of the value of doing the same.
To further highlight the value of veterinary care and the special bond
between a veterinary professional and the animals under their care, BVA is also
encouraging pet owners who are already signed up with a practice to share
pictures of their pets at the vets on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtags
#lovemyvet and #lovemyvetnurse.
Speaking
about the campaign, British Veterinary Association President John Fishwick
said:
“Vets' knowledge and skills mean they are well equipped to offer expert advice and care to help pet owners to best look after their pets' health and welfare needs, so it's concerning that a large number of owners haven't registered their animals with a practice. Registering with a vet offers a host of benefits, including easier access to treatment during emergencies, tailored advice and regular health checks.”
RCVS President Professor Stephen
May added:
“Owning an animal is a huge responsibility, which is why
access to professional veterinary advice is vital. Registering with a vet means
that owners can have more peace of mind – being regularly updated on their
animal's needs, and knowing help is at hand, whether facing a problem, even an
emergency, or just wanting reassurance that all is well. Our free, online Find
a Vet service makes it very easy for animal owners to find the practice that is
right for them – allowing searches by area, types of species treated and for
RCVS-recognised Advanced Practitioners and Specialists who work in a particular
field of veterinary practice.”
The Pets Need Vets campaign stems
from the aim of the joint BVA and RCVS Vet
Futures Action Plan to develop communications tools to assist the public's
understanding of veterinary costs and fees, and promote the value of veterinary
care.
More information on the campaign and shareable resources are
available at https://www.bva.co.uk/petsneedvets
and www.rcvs.org.uk/petsneedvets
*Based on findings of the PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report
2017
