Our Special Friends (OSF) received a referral for Kevin and his dog Poppy from the local Community Mental Health Team in April 2024. Due to severe anxiety and depression, Kevin struggles to leave his house and is unable to work. The Mental Health Care Co-ordinator told us that Kevin’s dogs were his only life line and opportunity to get outside. However, Poppy, a five-year-old Staffie cross Bull Mastiff needed veterinary attention but as Kevin is on a very low income through benefits, he could not afford the fees. He was outside of the catchment area for the PDSA, and Poppy’s increasing distress was significantly impacting Kevin’s mental health.
We contacted Kevin who explained that Poppy had severe diarrhoea, which had also happened the previous year when she started coming into season. She had also lost a lot of weight. It was therefore in Poppy’s best interests to be neutered, but Kevin could not afford the £450 fee. The immediate need was to treat her diarrhoea.
OSF gave Kevin the number of the relevant RSPCA branch, from whom he could obtain a voucher towards the costs of a consultation. The RSPCA agreed to cover the majority of the vet fees, and Kevin was able to get an appointment later that day. OSF agreed to pay the £15 remaining for the appointment, plus the £46.95 to cover the costs of diagnostic tests and medication which weren’t covered by the RSPCA. Through our links with another local charity’s hardship fund, we were also able to send Kevin supermarket vouchers to the value of £50 to provide a little financial breathing space. We also told Kevin about a local pet food bank who could help with supplies for Kevin’s dogs.
Poppy’s tests came back negative, and Kevin was very worried about the costs of further treatment. OSF reassured Kevin that, in addition to what the RSPCA would fund, we could pledge up to £200 in total towards Poppy’s treatment from our Animal Welfare Support Fund. Kevin then discussed this with the vet, and jointly they decided the best course of action was to try antibiotics and more probiotics, the cost of which OSF covered.
The treatment helped Poppy’s diarrhoea improve and Kevin felt that she had put on a little weight and seemed more like her old self. Kevin had spoken to the RSPCA who said neutering had to wait for three months’ after Poppy had come into season, but to give them a call at that time when they would pay for the neutering. He told us he felt happier as Poppy is so important to him: “my two dogs are my world, without them I wouldn’t have anything.”
We kept in touch with Kevin’s Care Co-ordinator, who fed back that Kevin had benefited by OSF “not only helping funding necessary treatment but enabling [his] recovery going forward … I could not [have] helped my client directly in this way, all other options … weren’t in area. I found the service helpful, supportive and with true care in what they offered. It was a quick response too.”
