Topic: Make it FREE

[Derek]

PETITION FOR FREE VETERINARY CONSULTATIONS FOR ALL WILD ANIMALS


Some of you may remember discussions here on the Hedgehog Forums a few months ago about pursuing Free Veterinary Consultations for all Wild Animals (see previous topic http://www.hedgehoghelp.co.uk/index.php/topic,932.0.html)

From this discussion, a campaign and petition has been launched aimed for the attention of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), asking that legislation and veterinary practice standards be changed to make FREE consultations for all wild animals COMPULSORY in the UK.

At present, Vets are not required to treat a wild animal for free, and are permitted to charge whatever necessary for both consultation and treatment of a wild animal brought to their surgery.
It is also important to note that not all Vets charge fees for the treatment of wild animals, even though this is not required of them – The matter of treating a wild animal for FREE is purely left to the discretion of the Veterinary Surgeon at all times

So why make the 'change'?

- The change would enable ANYONE to visit a Vet with a wild animal without being faced with a potentially large, expensive bill for the cost of a consultation (The average consultation in the UK is £17.50)

- Response times for treatment of injured/sick wild animals will be reduced without the animal having to wait to see a Vet who may or may not charge for a consultation

- Wildlife Carers/Rehabilitator's costs will be reduced when patients have to regularly visit Vets

- More people will be encouraged to rescue wild animals when in need of care, instead of having to deny a wildlife casualty veterinary treatment because of the financial implications (as seen in the past)

- People (being Members of the General Public) will not have to spend valuable time searching their local area for a Vet who is willing to examine and provide emergency care to an injured/sick wild animal. All animals in need of care will be dealt with sooner, increasing the chances of survival

- Nobody has the ownership of a wild animal, therefore a member of the public should NOT have to pay for the treatment of the wild animal


Please take 2 mins to visit the campaign website below. You can view current signatures for the petition, add your own name to the petition, access promotional resources and even send special postcards to your friends to help spread the message!

Please visit : makeitfree.blythwildliferescue.co.uk for more information

If you wish to sign the petition immediately, please visit :

makeitfree.blythwildliferescue.co.uk/sign_petition.php

Please, please sign your name to the petition. Remember, this affects all of us caring, wildlife lovers NATIONWIDE.

The actual motto and aim of the campaign is to :

"Help People Help the Animals" - please help make this happen!

Thankyou to all the people who have already signed the petition for their continued support.