The BVA is a membership organisation that exists primarily for its members and the profession. Much of the information requested by the public is best obtained by organisations that deal specifically with those issues, and not the BVA. However, here we have produced some information that you may find useful, together with links to other organisations who may be better placed to help you.
If you can't find what you require on these pages then please try our links page, which has a comprehensive selection of links to other websites.
FAQ
- I am unhappy with my vet's performance or about the fees. What can I do?
- How do I find a vet for my pet or choose a practice?
- I can't afford to get my pet treated. What can I do?
- Where can I find information on caring for my pet?
- Where can I get help overcoming the loss of a pet?
- Where can I get advice on travelling abroad with my pet?
- Can you advise me on pet insurance?
- Can the BVA help me with second degree or post-graduate funding?
- What's the difference between the BVA and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)?
- I am interested in using the BVA for a meeting. Where can I get more information?
- I am interested in becoming a vet. Do you have more information?
I am unhappy with my vets' performance or the fees. What can I do?
If you are unhappy with some aspect of the way either you or your pet have been treated, your first step should always be to discuss your concerns frankly with your veterinary surgeon. Write to, or telephone your veterinary surgeon as soon as you can.
Many problems arise because of a misunderstanding or lack of communication and can often be easily dealt with at this first point of contact.
If you are still dissatisfied, ask to speak to a partner, the senior partner, if a practice has one. If you concern has still not been addressed, you should contact the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. They are the governing body for the profession and deal with complaints.
The BVA is unable to deal with complaints relating to individual veterinary surgeons.
Fees
The question of fees can be a concern for many pet owners. Unfortunately there is no national health service for pets. A veterinary practice has to run like a business. Staff salaries, the cost of equipment, medicines, syringes, needles, dressings and the overheads of running the premises and vehicles account for the bulk of the fee you pay. VAT must also be added to charges.
Practices make considerable ongoing investment into staff education, training, publications and new technology - sometimes in the form of costly equipment. Veterinary medicine advances in the same way as human medicine. The range of diagnostic techniques and treatments now available can save and restore to health animals who not long ago could only have been put to sleep. This type of treatment, however, invariably comes at a cost.
Any good practice will be willing to give you an estimate of costs before progressing with treatment. Ask for an estimate in advance but remember that in some cases it may be difficult for your veterinary surgeon to anticipate the full nature and extent of treatment before initial tests are carried out. Similarly, unforeseen complications can arise. Every animal is unique and can sometimes react differently to procedures and treatment.
Many people ask why there are no standard fees within the veterinary profession. As every practice is different, none of them will have the same overheads for all the reasons outlined above. The area of the country will also have an effect. It is acceptable for you to compare prices among practices if you wish to, although a close relationship with your usual practice will ensure that your pet is cared for by veterinary surgeons who are fully aware of your pet's medical history.
Should your pet suffer an accident or serious illness, your vet's bill may be an unforseen expense. For this reason you may consider insurance. See our insurance section for more details.
How do I find a vet for my pet or choose a practice?
There are several sites on the internet dedicated to finding you a vet in your area. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has one called FindAVet that allows you to search for a surgeon, a practice or even a veterinary nurse.
Choosing a practice
When choosing a practice, what you can expect and what you should look for include obvious signs like clean well maintained premises with adequate consulting and waiting areas. All staff should be friendly, approachable, neat and efficient.
The practice is a business and should appear well organised with consultation times clearly displayed. Some practices have opted to follow the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme and practices displaying a sticker are certified as achieving certain standards to ensure quality.
It is sensible for you to have a look round any veterinary practice you may want to use before registering your pet. Your practice should be happy to help in this respect, at a mutually convenient time.
Treatment areas should be clean. While you might not be allowed into a sterile operating theatre, you may be able to see through the door. Where available, wards for inpatients should be warm and comfortable.
Your vet should be happy to discuss any of the above factors with you. At the end of the day you must ask yourself whether the practice team will give your pet the best of care.
Practices come in all shapes and sizes and with all kinds of names (such as animal hospitals, clinics, centres or groups). However, to call itself a Veterinary Hospital the practice must have reached a minimum set of standards stipulated by the RCVS.
Some practices may have one member of staff and one veterinary surgeon operating on one site, others may have 15 or more veterinary surgeons operating out of several branches. Some branches may have fewer on-site facilities than others, but allow a vet to see your pet without travelling to the main branch.
Facilities do vary between practices. Some may have extensive dignostic equipment and facilities on site, while others contract this part of the service out to specialist firms or laboratories. Similarly veterinary surgeons may forward unusual of difficult cases to veterinary surgeons who specialise in that particular species or condition, to referral centres, or to university veterinary schools around the country.
Whatever the size of the practice premises vets have an ethical obligation to ensure an emergency twenty-four hour service is available for their clients. This can be done in several ways, for example, some practices get together locally to provide this service. You should always be able to contact a veterinary surgeon after normal working hours through your usual practice.
I can't afford to get my pet treated. What can I do?
Although there is no NHS for animals there are some charities that may be able to assist financially those owners who are on certain benefits. The Blue Cross, the RSPCA, the Dogs Trust and the PDSA all provide veterinary care for people on state benefits. There are other charities that provide certain services such as free neutering and low cost vaccination. Increasingly, veterinary practices are also offering low cost neutering and vaccination where possible and it may be worth shopping around.
Certain people can also try the Tailwaggers Club Trust, who may be able to help with veterinary bills for pensioners and those on certain benefits when ill health, a new domestic situation or financial hardship hit.
The BVA recommends pet insurance to deal with unexpected pet expense. Please see our insurance section for more information.
Where can I find information on caring for my pet?
The Best of Care is a guide to professional health care for your pet. It can also help you get the most out of your veterinary practice.
The RSCPA is also a good place to obtain information on caring for your pets.
Where can I get help overcoming the loss of a pet?
The Pet Bereavement Support Service run by the Blue Cross could help with coming to terms with the loss of a loved pet.
Where can I get advice on travelling abroad with my pet?
The Pet Travel Scheme gives advice on travelling abroad with your pet
Alternatively the BVA Animal Welfare Foundation have produced a handy leaflet entitled Taking Your Pet Abroad
Can you advise me on pet insurance?
Should your pet suffer an accident or serious illness, your vet's bill may be an unforeseen expense. Pet insurance is clearly a sensible approach to ensuring this does not become a concern. The BVA supports the principle of pet insurance but does not recommend any specific scheme. Your vet will be able to give you details of some of the schemes available to you.
Can the BVA help me with second degree or post-graduate funding?
Many people want to study to be a vet as a second degree, or if they are considering a career change. Others want to obtain funding for a post-graduate course.
We are very aware of the difficulties involved in sourcing funding for studies. Whilst the BVA does not have the funds available to help with financing, it may, however, be useful to try contacting some of the following:
- Charitable Trusts
Dowload a list of useful contacts to write to.
If possible try to get a contact name from the various organisations - remember that these charities receive hundreds of requests for funding, so those which are correctly addressed will obviously stand a better chance of being acknowledged.
Keep your standard letter as succinct and relevant as possible. Remember this letter is your sales pitch in the same way as if you were applying for a job.
- The Department for Education and Skills (DfES)
The Department for Education and Skills offers Career Development Loans
- Your course tutor or Registrar
Approach your course tutor or Registrar at your existing college or at the institution you have received an offer from - they be able to advise you further.
We wish you every succes in your search for funding.
What's the difference between the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)?
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) is the national representative body for the veterinary profession with over 11,000 members. In promoting and supporting the interests of our members, and the animals under their care, the BVA is committed to developing and maintaining channels of communication not least with government, parliamentarians and the media.
The RCVS is the statutory body set up to administer the Veterinary Surgeons Act and is responsible for the registration, education and discipline of the profession. A person must be a member of the RCVS before they can practise veterinary surgery and medicine in the UK.
I am interested in using the BVA for a meeting. Where can I get more information?
The BVA offers some conference and meeting facilities. We have a full time catering department and would be happy to discuss your requirements. Further details
I am interested in becoming a vet. Do you have more information?
The BVA has produced a PowerPoint presentation which gives you some pointers to becoming a vet. The slides show what being a vet involves, what skills you need to become one and what salary you might expect to start with.
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