Many people are struggling with the cost of living crisis. the Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home are working hard to support those that need it.
Animal charities have seen a huge increase in animals being abandoned and we wanted to let you know how we can help support the community and pets in need.
There are different options that we offer to help keep pets in loving homes this Christmas by providing support to those struggling.
We offer a low-cost veterinary clinic for individuals in receipt of a means tested benefit within our Gloucestershire and South Cotswolds community. We offer weekly 15 minute appointments at our centre clinic in Cam, Dursley to help with minor conditions.
As well as our clinics, we also offer support through neutering and help voucher schemes. For more information about our Low Cost Vet Clinic, click the button below.
So far this year (up to 31st October 2022) we have already held 692 clinic appointments ranging from helping animals with skin conditions, to helping beloved animals cross the rainbow bridge. We ask for a small donation towards the vet appointment and charge medication and prescriptions at cost price.
Since the cost of living crisis, we have seen many more people turning to us for help. With the rise in demand, the increasing costs to the centre and the difficulties with fundraising, we need your help now more than ever to continue to run this lifeline for so many people and their animals.
This year the Low Cost Vet Clinic has cost on average almost £2,500 per month, which is 31% more than the average monthly cost last year. This is due to the higher demand we are seeing of people needing our help.
When someone is living in financial difficulty, sometimes paying for their beloved animal can be a struggle. It’s really upsetting to see just how difficult it is for people whose animal is their priority and sometimes, their whole life, but due to the increasing costs of household bills, they just can’t afford the basic care every animal deserves and needs.
We caught up with Kirstie, who visits our Low Cost Vet Clinic with her lovely French Bulldog, Zina.
‘I am on benefits at the moment and at this very difficult time, I am struggling to pay for vet bills and medication for my female French Bulldog, Zina. She has very bad allergies which is unknown to us what she is allergic to. She chews her paws and it bleeds from the itchiness and its agonising to watch.’
‘If it wasn’t for the most incredible help and support from the Cotswolds Cats and Dogs Home in Cambridge…her and I would be in dire straits. Zina’s medication bill and vet bill to see the vet has more than halved!! Zina is on the right medication now and she is so content happy and itch free.’
‘The staff are amazing. True, honest care for our animals. They love and support each and every animal! The staff are so friendly and I feel so grateful for their service.’
‘Thank you so much CCDH for helping Zina with her awful problem but also helping me with her and knowing we have a long term solution to Zinas problem…which I can now afford!’
‘I now have somewhere where people help animals for the love of them and not for profit! Many many thanks!!’
We want to ensure all animals, no matter what the situation is, have access to the basic medical requirements they need.
Veterinary Surgeon, Mo Fry, shared what the clinic meant to her and how it makes her feel to treat so many animals;
‘I feel very lucky to be involved with our welfare clinic at CDCH – I meet so many lovely animals and dedicated owners. It can be very worrying and daunting if your animal is sick, especially when you are on a low income.’
‘Our clinic is a vital source of help for people – from regular parasite treatments and neutering vouchers, to ongoing medications and low cost vet appointments. It is so rewarding seeing animals benefit from our service, and getting to know them and our clients.’
‘The hardest part of the job is saying goodbye to beloved pets when their time has come to cross the rainbow bridge. It is heartbreaking, but we are here to guide owners during this difficult time, and be there for them and their animals at the end.’
‘I think our welfare clinic is going to become even more important over the coming months, and I hope we can reach out to all those eligible for our service.’
The CDCH Pet Retreat Scheme is a pet fostering service for individuals fleeing domestic abuse or facing other life-changing events by providing support and care to their pets while they are temporarily unable to. Our project offers a solution to a vulnerable situation and enables an individual to flee to safety or undergo lifesaving urgent treatment.
One of our clients that has used the Pet Retreat Scheme shared how the scheme helped her.
“I placed my puppy into the care of the team at the Cotswold Dogs & Cats home when I had to flee my home to enter a women’s refuge. They were really accommodating and got my dog into foster care within a couple of days.”
“I was reassured her care needs would be met, and one weight was lifted from my shoulders instantly. It was a completely smooth process and I am now looking forward to getting my dog back, knowing she has had the best possible care.”
“I cannot thank the team and the foster carers enough for helping me at my greatest time of need. “I owe the team so much, and without them, I would not have been able to get to safety as quickly as I did.”
New to 2023, we are proposing to run a small number of ‘Pet Welfare Outreach Days’ which aim to reach pets within different communities free of charge.
We also plan to distribute some of our donated food which we cannot use at these sessions. We estimate helping approximately 20 pet owners in each session once the scheme becomes established.
The main objectives of the scheme are to:
Now more than ever, we need your support. Any donation, big or small, will really help.
Wether you want to donate to help us continue our support to families in crisis, or help us battle the cost of living and increasing running costs for animals in our care.
To report cruelty or an animal in distress call 0300 1234 999
RSPCA Cotswolds, Gloucester & District Branch
