This National Pet Day, Friday 11 April, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) is asking vets and vet nurses to highlight and share a brand new online resource to help pet owners do their best for their pets by building a good understanding of how vet teams and practices work.
The new help and advice section on the RCVS website has been designed to highlight the shared responsibilities of animal owners and their vet teams in ensuring the health and welfare of the animal, and to support practice teams by providing this information for pet owners in a clear and easy-to-read way.
It contains information for pet owners about what they can expect from their vet team, as well as what is expected of them, throughout the different stages of pet ownership. It also explains the professional obligations that shape how vets and vet nurses work, provides valuable tips to help create a successful partnership between pet owners and vet teams, and addresses key questions, such as:
- How do I know if this is the right practice for me and my pet?
- Who is responsible for what in the veterinary practice setting?
- How do I decide on treatment options?
- How do I find out more about vet fees?
- How should I plan for an emergency?
Covering a wide range of topics, the help and advice resource is split into ten sections:
- Shared responsibilities
- Choosing a veterinary practice
- I’ve found a practice I like – what next?
- Who’s who in your veterinary practice
- Treatment and care
- Prescription medication
- Fees and pricing
- Emergency and out-of-hours care
- When things go right
- If things go wrong
The creation of the resource was informed by the views of the RCVS’s Public Advisory Group (PAG), whose members comprise owners/keepers of companion animals, equine and production animals, as well as other users of veterinary services.
Established in 2023, the PAG helps the RCVS gain insight into animal owner views and opinions, supporting it in effectively upholding its role as a regulator working in the public interest.
Veterinary surgeon and Chair of the RCVS PAG, Louise Allum MRCVS, said: “The PAG has performed an essential role in helping to inform the content creation for our animal owner help and advice resource, highlighting the need for greater transparency and support, particularly around veterinary fees, treatment options, and what to expect from vet practices.
“Veterinary professionals work tirelessly to provide the most appropriate care for their patients, and we want to support this by ensuring pet owners have access to clear, accessible information about their rights, responsibilities, and the role of veterinary teams to ensure that expectations are managed.
“As a nation of pet lovers, this National Pet Day we are calling upon veterinary professionals to share this resource with clients far and wide, to help owners understand more about veterinary practice and how they can build a successful partnership with their vet team, ultimately leading to better outcomes for pets, their owners and veterinary professionals alike.”
The RCVS will be expanding its help and advice section to include further information for equine and livestock owners in due course. To access the new resource, visit: www.rcvs.org.uk/owner-advice.
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