Financial Support

If you do not qualify for help with your veterinary bills from a registered animal charity, speak to your vet because they may let you pay in instalments to spread the cost.

Whether you can do this will depend on your veterinary practice and the total cost of the treatment your pet needs.

While spreading the cost this way can give you more time to pay, you should check that there are no costs involved and that you're not paying any extra for the privilege.

If your vet doesn't allow you to pay in instalments then it is worth checking with other vets in your local area before giving the go-ahead for treatment.

Neutering can help prevent illnesses and some unwanted behaviours.

If you wish to get your pet neutered the best thing to do is speak to your vet. They will be able to advise you about the cost and the best time to neuter your pet, you do not need to let an animal have one litter first. More information on the benefits on neutering can be found in our 'neutering your pet' section.

Cats:

• We continue to support the London Cat Care & Control Consortium (C4 Scheme) which provides free neutering for those on lower income within the M25 area, further detail can be found here.

• Cats Protection run a means tested neutering programme, further details can be found here.

Dogs:

• Dogs Trust provide subsidised neutering for those receiving benefits, further details can be found here.

We have partnered with Newham food bank to provide dog and cat food. Please confirm opening times before attending (as there as a few foodbanks running in the area) at the below:

T: 0207 474 3060 (general enquiries and messages)

Email: admin@newham.foodbank.org.uk

Website: www.newham.foodbank.org.uk

In the interim we also recommend:

1. Reviewing your current pet food for cheaper alternatives and also portion control, many pets come into Vets with obesity issues. Hence, ensure you are giving the recommended portion in line with the advice on the pet food package for your size of animal.

2. Ask friends and family or look online, often people are looking to get rid of excess animal food and do not know how to dispose of it. This can be a good short-term solution.

3. Club together, buying in bulk will reduce the cost of your pet food, other friends may be struggling in the same way as you and this is a good way of reducing the overall average cost of pet food.