Saving pets

PDSA is the UK's leading veterinary charity and provides free and low cost services for people on low incomes. The charity wants to achieve a lifetime of wellbeing for every pet. Every day, vets in 48 Pet Hospitals care for sick and injured pets - saving lives, and keeping pets happy and healthy.

Pets shouldn't suffer because of financial difficulties experienced by their owners. But PDSA can help and do, with support from players. Players have raised more than £13 Million for PDSA which has allowed their care and expertise to touch the lives of many more animals.

One example of the wonderful work which PDSA does is the case of Rosie the cat. Rosie was left seriously injured after a road accident and suffered multiple injuries including a fractured pelvis. 

Rosie's worried owner Laura was a student nurse with limited income. Laura was worried about how she would afford the complex care that Rosie needed to recover.

Laura turned to PDSA, who immediately admitted Rosie to their Thamesmead Pet Hospital. Several X-rays revealed the full extent of Rosie's injuries. There was bad and good news - Rosie had luckily escaped any injuries to her internal organs, so if her pelvis could heal she had a chance at surviving.

PDSA Vet Jo Milne said: "Complex pelvic fractures often require a surgical repair with a vet who specialises in such cases, but some will heal given enough time and strict rest. In Rosie's case, her owner couldn't afford a costly referral so the next 48 hours were crucial. We needed to ensure Rosie's injuries would heal without an operation and that she did not have serious nerve damage that could cause her long-term problems."

Laura had to prepare herself and her seven-year-old daughter Sophia for the possibility they might have to say goodbye to their beloved cat. So when Rosie was examined again and vets said there was a good chance she would recover, they were over the moon.

Rosie would need several weeks of nursing care at home, with strict cage rest and pain relief while her injured bones healed, and regular visits to PDSA. Thanks to support from players of People's Postcode Lottery, the cost of Rosie's pain relief was covered. In 2021, player support provided pain relief to over 100,000 poorly pets like Rosie.

Gradually Rosie regained strength in her back legs, and within a few weeks, she was eager to start walking around again. It was six weeks until Rosie's pelvis was healed enough to allow her to start increasing her levels of activity, but she's since made a full recovery and loves exploring her garden again, under Laura's watchful eye.

Laura said: "I honestly can't thank PDSA and players of People's Postcode Lottery enough - Rosie's recovery is incredible. I'm so grateful for all their help and support and for putting 100% into Rosie's care. Without PDSA's help Rosie wouldn't be here today."