The Care Fund provided to every vet at IVC Evidensia has been used 2,276 times in 2023, helping support more clients and their pets than ever before.
The fund was launched by IVC Evidensia in 2021 and provides every vet across its network with an annual allowance to use in cases where a pet needs life-saving treatment but the owner has exhausted their means of paying for it.
Increasing the Care Fund
Following these record-breaking figures, the decision has been made to increase the fund by 25%, meaning that every vet in the IVC Evidensia network can now draw on £1,250 every year.
The fund is flexible, allowing vets to use the whole budget for one patient’s care, to split it between multiple cases, or even pool their allowance with other vets where more complex treatment is necessary.
Allen's Care Fund story
One pet that was saved due to a life-saving contribution from the Care Fund was Allen, a much-loved family cat who had been blocked and unblocked, then unfortunately reblocked within days.
Frances Cummins and Jessica Stirling of
Highfield Vets offered the family further hope by using the Care Fund to provide life-saving surgery, allowing an adored pet to return home to live a normal life. They received a trophy for their use of the Care Fund at IVC Evidensia’s
Brilliant People Awards 2023.
Frances said: “When I saw Allen’s owners, they had brought him in thinking that euthanasia was their only option and had already said goodbye. As this was a life-or-death situation, I used my Care Fund and we were able to perform a perineal urethostomy.
“Using the Care Fund in this case was so fulfilling for us as a practice, as we could save Allen’s life and the clients were so grateful, including their 2 daughters who drew us thank you pictures that are now up in our staff room. Without the Care Fund, Allen would no longer be here and the clients would have lost their much loved pet.”
Supported by the Welfare Team
The Care Fund is managed by IVC Evidensia’s
Welfare Team, which is led by David Martin, Group Head of Animal Welfare. He said: “As vets we always want to do our best for every pet and it can be devastating for both us and the owner when financial constraints mean we have to say goodbye too soon. The Care Fund provides a lifeline where we know we can provide treatment and return the pet to a happy and healthy life with their owners.
“We’re pleased that so many of our vets are using the fund and we are way ahead of the target that we set ourselves initially. The welfare team reviews all applications for the Care Fund and it’s a privilege to hear about all of the animals that it has helped.”
More information about
IVC Evidensia’s Care Fund is available here.