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What will vet reforms mean for pet owners? Credit: canva.
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Ever felt “ripped off” at the vet? Big Issue vendor and dog dad Ian Duff certainly has.
“Especially with my older dog Boycie, he was diagnosed with arthritis, and they put him through scans,” the Bath Big Issue seller said. “They were all pointless, because he had arthritis, and we knew that, but they charged me thousands of pounds for that, and it was hard. It was hard on him too.”
Duff is not alone. According to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), average prices across the sector jumped 63% between 2016 and 2023. But consumers often didn’t know how much they’d be charged: the watchdog found 84% of UK vet practice websites contained no pricing information at all.
These problems in the sector could cost consumers up to £1 billion over five years, the CMA found.
Under plans announced by the government on Wednesday (28 January), that is set to change. Vets will be required to publish prices and reveal whether they are part of a chain.
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Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Every vet practice will also need an official operating licence, similar to those required by primary care health clinics and care homes.
The reforms are subject to an eight‑week government consultation before they are finalised – but they have the potential to ease costs for pet owners, claimed animal welfare minister Baroness Hayman.
“Pets are part of the family, and owners deserve clear information, fair treatment and confidence in the care their animals receive,” she said.
The UK chief veterinary officer, Dr Christine Middlemiss, said that the changes would help support vets.
“This consultation gives pet owners and professionals the chance to help shape a system that works better for everyone,” Dr Middlemiss said.
But Duff thinks that the plans don’t go far enough.
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“It’s good you’ll get a clear indication of what you pay before you get the service done,” he said. “But it’ll still be expensive and you get sort of pressurised into doing it – you know, you have to do it this way.”
Many Big Issue vendors have four-legged companions – but Duff’s pets are among the most famous.
The Bath vendor has sold the magazine for 16 years, and for most of that time his beloved dog Boycie was by his side. Sadly, Boycie died on Christmas Day in 2021, leaving Duff “heartbroken”. But his new dogs, Marlene and Trigger, are “lovely, a bit naughty”. Marlene even appeared on the Big Issue’s front cover over Christmas 2024.
Bath vendor Ian Duff with dogs Marlene and Trigger. Credit Big Issue
Duff would do anything for his dogs – but vet costs are high, and competition is limited.
“I think nearly every vet in Bath is owned by the same company,” he said. “That’s why they push the prices up, because they can charge what they want, because there is no regulation.”
This reflects the national picture: from just 10% in 2013, almost 60% of veterinary practices are now owned by six large companies.
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Worse still, he adds, is pet insurance.
“Pet insurance is criminally insane,” added Duff. “I was paying for one dog at one stage, £50 a month. It’s a lot of money per year. You know, £600 a year for one dog. I’ve found somewhere now that is much cheaper, thankfully… I’ve got insurance on my two. I can barely afford to do that, but I do it because if something seriously goes wrong, I know I’m covered.”
But rising costs can force owners to delay care. According to a 2023 British Veterinary Association survey, around one in five owners put off veterinary treatment because of the cost-of-living crisis.
Hopefully, these reforms bring down prices. Dogs Trust – who have worked with Big Issue to support homeless pet owners – welcomed the reforms.
“We recognise that clear information, transparent pricing and high professional standards are essential to protecting animal welfare,” said Karen Reed, veterinary and welfare director. “Pets are family members, and owners need confidence that they can make informed decisions about their care.”
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Buy from your local Big Issue vendor every week – and always take the magazine. It’s how vendors earn with dignity and how we fund our work to end poverty.
