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| Founded | 1917; 108 years ago (1917) |
|---|---|
| Founder | Maria Dickin CBE |
| Focus | Animal welfare |
Area served | United Kingdom |
| Volunteers | 2,800+ |
| Website | pdsa |
ThePeople's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) is a Britishveterinarycharity that provides free veterinary services, carrying out over one million consultations annually. It was founded in 1917 byMaria Dickin to care for sick and injured animals belonging to people on low incomes. Until 2009, the PDSA was the largest private employer of fully qualifiedveterinary surgeons andveterinary nurses in the United Kingdom. Access to the charity's services is restricted to those living within its designatedcatchment areas.
During theFirst World War, animal welfare campaignerMaria Dickin opened a clinic inWhitechapel,London, to address the poor state of animal health in the area. She aimed to provide a facility where residents of theEast End living in poverty could receive free treatment for their sick and injured animals. Despite widespread scepticism, she opened the free "dispensary" in a basement on 17 November 1917. A sign outside read: "Bring your sick animals! Do not let them suffer! All animals treated. All treatment free."[1]
On its first day, the dispensary treated four animals, including a limping donkey. The donkey's owner, impressed by the free services, began promoting the clinic by telling others about his experience. Demand quickly increased, forcing Dickin to relocate the clinic from a clergyman's cellar to a shop with four rooms inMile End, opposite thePeople's Palace.[2]
By 1922, the PDSA had opened seven clinics across London, treating up to 70,000 animals annually.[3] Within six years of establishing the first clinic, Dickin had designed and equipped the organisation's firsthorse-drawn mobile clinic, followed by a fleet of mobile dispensaries.
In 1923, the PDSA opened its first clinic outside London, inSalford. This was followed in 1928 by the establishment of a sanatorium inIlford, used to train PDSA practitioners.[2] By 1926–27, the charity was operating 57 clinics and three travelling caravans, treating almost 410,000 animals annually at a cost of £43,085.[1]
In November 1931, the PDSA held its annual Christmas market at theRoyal Albert Hall. The event featured what was then the largest Christmas pudding ever made, weighing 10 tons. The recipe became known as the "Prince of Wales' Empire Christmas Pudding" after thePrince of Wales (later Edward VIII), who was a patron of the charity.[4] In 1973,Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy, became the charity's patron.[5]
By 1935, the organisation operated 11 motor caravan clinics nationwide.[6] At the outbreak of the Second World War, it ran five animal hospitals, 71 dispensaries, and 11 mobile caravan dispensaries. Its rescue squads assisted more than 250,000 pets injured or trapped during theBlitz.[3]
| People's Dispensary for Sick Animals Act 1949 | |
|---|---|
| Act of Parliament | |
 | |
| Long title | An Act to incorporate and confer powers upon the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals and for other purposes. |
| Citation | 12, 13 & 14 Geo. 6. c. xv |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 14 July 1949 |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| People's Dispensary for Sick Animals Act 1956 | |
|---|---|
| Act of Parliament | |
 | |
| Long title | An Act to amend the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals Act 1949 to confer further powers on the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals and for other purposes. |
| Citation | 4 & 5 Eliz. 2. c. lxvii |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 5 July 1956 |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
The role and powers of the PDSA were formally established through twoActs of Parliament: thePeople's Dispensary for Sick Animals Act 1949 (12, 13 & 14 Geo. 6. c. xv) and thePeople's Dispensary for Sick Animals Act 1956 (4 & 5 Eliz. 2. c. lxvii). These Acts continue to govern the organisation's activities.
In 1943, Maria Dickin established theDickin Medal to recognise acts of outstanding bravery by animals serving with the Armed Forces or Civil Defence units. The award, administered by the PDSA, is often referred to as the animals'Victoria Cross.
In 2002, the PDSA introduced a second bravery award, thePDSA Gold Medal, which is regarded as the animal equivalent of theGeorge Cross.
The PDSA Order of Merit was created in 2014 to honour notable examples of animal devotion to their owners or to society, and is considered the animal equivalent of theOrder of the British Empire. As of 19 February 2021[update], the award had been presented to 12 horses, the first beingpolice horse Grace, and 20 dogs, the most recent beingSpringer SpanielMax, the first pet to receive the honour.[7][8]
The PDSA provides eligible pet owners with preventive services such asneutering,vaccinations andmicrochipping. These services are not free of charge but are offered at cost.[citation needed]
Although treatment is provided free of charge, the PDSA requests that clients make a voluntary donation towards the cost of their animals' care. In 2009, the charity began requesting donations when an animal was checked in for treatment.[citation needed]
As of 2005[update], the PDSA was able to provide services to 75% of those eligible and planned to increase this to 80% or more in subsequent years.[9]
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The PDSA operates throughoutGreat Britain via a network of animal hospitals and practices, supported by a large number ofcharity shops. It has one animal hospital inNorthern Ireland, serving much of the area east of theRiver Bann. Although no further hospitals are currently planned for the region, some services may be offered through private clinics. A charity shop inLisburn was scheduled to open in March 2007. The charity's head office is located inTelford,Shropshire.
In 1937, a branch of the PDSA was established inDistrict Six,Cape Town, then a poverty-stricken area ofSouth Africa. The branch became autonomous in 1988 but maintains close links with the parent organisation in the United Kingdom, with a significant exchange of information between them.[10]
In October 1938, the PDSA held its Twenty-First Birthday Dinner at the Holborn Restaurant in London, attended by Maria Dickin. The event included messages from representatives inFrance (Mr Horne), theDutch East Indies (Mr Cronin),Romania (Mr Smith) andGreece (Mr Hurle).
In 2012, Bulldog Licensing, the brand licensing agency forRoobarb and Custard, announced a long-term partnership with the PDSA with the aim of raising £1 million.[11] The characters were featured on a range of PDSA T-shirts, promoted by singer and television presenterAlesha Dixon.
In 2005, the PDSA launched the Pet Fit Club competition to address the issue of petobesity. The annual contest involves overweight dogs, cats and rabbits following a six-month diet and exercise programme designed by PDSA veterinary staff.[12] At the conclusion of the programme, the best-performing participant is named "Slimmer of the Year". In 2015, the competition was opened to include small pets such as guinea pigs, hamsters, rats and mice.[13]
The lady [Maria Dickin] is dangerous and energetic; the RSPCA is timid and apathetic. Warwick Fowle MRCVS to the Secretary of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, 23 May 1931
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