Blue Cross- major neutering campaign. Help towards the costs

Katiehound

I have searched and nothing came up about the new neutering campaign by Blue Cross. There is some financial help for people on benefit.
Here are the details:
Blue Cross neuter grant scheme is available throughout the country for anyone in receipt of means tested benefits as follows: -

Income Support

Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance

Income based Employment and Support Allowance

Housing Benefit

Council tax benefit

Pension credit

Working tax credit


Vouchers can be issued for dogs, cats and rabbits towards the cost of neutering at a private vet although the pet owner must check that the vet that they choose is happy to accept one of these vouchers as part payment
Male dog: £50

Female dog: £75

Male cat: £20

Female cat: £30

Male rabbit: £20

Female rabbit: £30








To issue a voucher, recent proof of benefit and recent proof of address needs to be provided. The pet owner is asked to send this in and once Katie has this and provided that it is sufficient, she will then issue the voucher and send it back.



Contact Katie Fitzgibbon on 01993 825542 .People can phone this number to speak to her about applying for a voucher if they think that they may be eligible.

ps I'm not the same Katie!!

moggymutt

I'm all for anything to push neutering (as in my sig), but there are problems with only helping people on benefits-
people in work can be struggling to make ends meet,
who is responsible for neutering a cat that several neighbours may be feeding,
what about cats that people go to feed at carprks at night,
farm cats etc.

I know it comes down to cost and how much money charities have, but we survive on a total shoestring and offer free/donation only neutering to all- we do not means test at all. We may it as simple as possible. because people do not like having to apply for vouchers etc, all they do is ring one of our listed vets and book the cats in.

Yes, doubtless we have paid for spaying cats when owners could have afforded it themselves, but that is true even if you only help people on benefit.- when some swan up to the vets in their large people carriers I could despair. BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY ALL I AM INTERESTED IN IS GETTING CATS NEUTERED.

I hope that people support the blue Cross in this, and encourage eligible people to send off their relevant details. Even offer to help transport a neighbour's cat to the vets if the owner(s) cant be bothered.

I wish when people left legacies to large charities they stipulated it being used for something like neutering, so it doesn't end up paying rather high salaries for staff in Head Offices.

Helping a charity to neuter cats and dogs is probably the most effective way of donating money for cats and dogs (sadly not possible for horses)

Fire_Fox

moggymutt wrote: »

I'm all for anything to push neutering (as in my sig), but there are problems with only helping people on benefits-
people in work can be struggling to make ends meet,
who is responsible for neutering a cat that several neighbours may be feeding,
what about cats that people go to feed at carprks at night,
farm cats etc.

To be fair I don't read that as discriminating against people in work because working tax credits are listed. It discriminates against singletons in work, because we are known to be oh so rich and not at all in fuel poverty. This and the new PDSA policy are helping to discourage people on benefits from accidentally or deliberately breeding from animals they cannot afford - there are too many selling kittens and puppies for a tax free income which I suspect those in work are less inclined to do.

The reality is nobody who is struggling to make ends meet should be taking on a pet that needs neutering, yes I know there are a small number who end up with a stray but most are irresponsible people getting a puppy or kitten.

spartacusthe1st

Out of that list I have working tax credits-so will I be able to get this done??

Katiehound

spartacusthe1st wrote: »

Out of that list I have working tax credits-so will I be able to get this done??

I am an education volunteer for the charity so have no idea- If you are interested then you will need to phone the phone number posted. All the info came from the person dealing with the campaign.
The idea, of course, is that people will not breed pets for profit or just let their pets breed, so anything that prevents all the unwanted pets being presented to rescue centres is a bonus.

As far as I am aware this is the first time that Blue Cross has had a major neutering campaign.

UnluckyT

i found a phone number a few years ago for the rspca free nuetering. passed it onto someone i know who needed it for a cat or two that needed to be spayed.
i dont know the specifics if you needed to be on benefits or if its still available but it worth a try. if not ask celia hammond.
hope this helps