The Rt Hon Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Defence and MP for Ilford North, visited PDSA’s Ilford Pet Clinic on 23rd October to see for himself how the UKs leading veterinary charity is supporting thousands of local people during the cost of living crisis by providing access to essential veterinary care for their much-loved pets.
PDSA provides veterinary care to pets whose owners can’t afford the full cost of their veterinary treatment. With household budgets under continued pressure, the rising cost of pet ownership has left some families facing difficult decisions when their pets become unwell. PDSA’s clinics and hospitals across the UK, help ease that burden, ensuring pets can receive valuable and often life-saving treatment, helping owners keep their beloved pets by their side; last year alone, Ilford clinic conducted over 14,000 pet consultations.
PDSA’s 2026 Pet Health Inequality Report* highlighted the scale of the challenge, with many pet owners worried about meeting unexpected veterinary costs and some delaying care because of financial pressures. The findings found that 2 in 3 UK pet owners are unable to cover an unexpected vet surgery and that 1 in 10 owners (11%) have delayed getting vet attention for their pet because of the cost of pet ownership. This underlines the importance of accessible veterinary services in preventing animal suffering and protecting the bond between people and their pets.
During the visit, Wes Streeting met members of the veterinary team and was given a tour of specialist treatment rooms, learning more about the veterinary services provided to eligible pet owners who would otherwise struggle to afford veterinary care.
Wes Streeting MP said: “It was a pleasure to visit PDSA’s Ilford Pet Hospital and see first-hand the fantastic work being done to support local people and their much-loved pets.
“Pets are part of the family, providing companionship and making a real difference to our health and wellbeing. For many local people facing financial pressures, PDSA provides a vital lifeline, ensuring their pets can access the veterinary care they need.
“I was particularly impressed by the expertise, professionalism and compassion of the veterinary team. They are highly skilled professionals who make a real difference to the lives of pets and their owners every day. Ilford is fortunate to have such a dedicated team serving the local community.”
Jan McLoughlin, PDSA Director General, said: “The bond people share with their pets is incredibly powerful. They help people feel less alone and can make a real difference to our mental and emotional wellbeing. But rising living costs mean too many pet owners are worried about how they will afford the veterinary care their pets need.
“During his visit to our Ilford clinic, Wes Streeting met the dedicated veterinary team who work every day to help pets in our community. Our teams see just how much these animals mean to the people who care for them, and how distressing it can be when financial pressures put treatment out of reach.
“PDSA exists to help prevent that choice between household essentials and a pet’s health. With demand for our services continuing to put pressure on our resources, public support is vital to help us care for the pets who need us and keep people and their beloved pets together.”
PDSA relies on charitable donations to fund its veterinary services and help pets in need with vital treatment and with pet health education and free advice for pet owners. In the last year alone, the charity has supported more than 339,000 people and treated over 422,000 pets across its network of over 40 Pet Hospitals and clinics in the UK.
