Pets Refused Treatment as Owners Cannot Afford Fees

Recent research from Sainsbury Finance has highlighted that 2.62m people, in the last five years, have not been able to pay for vet fees for injured or ill pet dogs and cats.

The figure is supported by an astonishing 80 percent of vets who confirm that they have been requested to not treat an injured pet because of the resultant bill. 

Sainsbury Finances’ Neal Devine said "It is heartbreaking to think that so many cats and dogs are having to go without recommended treatment simply because their owners cannot afford the cost. Vet fees are rising and for those without pet insurance this could mean there's a good chance this scenario could be faced by many more owners and their pets. It's incredibly sad and frustrating as the simple solution to this is investing in a good pet insurance policy. 

"A key consideration for owners however is the type of policy they purchase, it's essential you do your homework and shop around for a good quality policy so that you are not left facing a shortfall. For example, we would not recommend any policy offering vet fees lower than £3,000."

Superquote.com Comment

Vet fees have been rising in recent years but the figures will shock many animal lovers in the UK. Why do people not see insurance for pet dogs, cats and other animals as important? 

Perhaps people are not aware of how far vet bills have risen in recent years.

Treatments for humans have become more readily available for animals. For example, transplant has become more feasible in pets, and this treatment is expensive. The equipment which vets have access to is significantly more advanced and the upshot of being able to use things like MRI scans can increase bills significantly. 

Clearly pet insurance is more important for dog and cat owners than ever, but have the general public cottoned on to it yet?