More pets being put down due to rising vet bills as corporate buyout of practices increase (UK)

Описание: Pet owners are increasingly having their sick animals put down or they are delaying taking them for treatment to avoid spiralling vet bills, vets and animal charities have warned. 24/June/2025

Some animal lovers are giving up pets to rehoming centres, while others have decided not to own any more in the future due to high costs, the BBC has been told.

Many veterinary surgeons and nurses say treatment prices have been pushed up after big corporations have bought up practices.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) said the cost of care had increased for a variety of reasons and fees reflected the prices businesses needed to charge to remain financially viable and open.

Hundreds of pet owners have contacted Your Voice, Your BBC News, with concerns over vet bills.

Avril told us about her dog Dougie after File on 4 Investigates revealed the "constant pressure" some vets felt to generate income.

The 12-year-old Cavachon has a heart condition, but Avril says she has had to cut back on vet appointments as prices have risen every year.

Now Dougie has gone deaf and Avril worries his condition may have got worse because she cut back on follow-up appointments due to the cost.

She said she's gone through "a lot of soul searching", adding that at times she worries not taking him is to blame.

"At least I'm still hanging in there and get to keep him," she said, but added she felt "desperately sorry for those people who have given up their pet".

Caroline also got in touch after paying more than £4,500 to treat her 19-year-old cat Ozzie when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

The bill was so high she could not afford to cremate Ozzie after the cat died - so instead she brought her home and buried her in the back garden.

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#costofpets

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