Rejected petition Regulate veterinary costs and require fair pricing and payment options across Wales.
Veterinary costs are leaving many responsible pet owners in financial hardship, debt and, in some cases, feeling they have no option but to decline life-saving treatment. During emergencies there is little opportunity to compare prices or seek alternatives. No family should have to choose between financial ruin and the life of a beloved pet. Stronger regulation is needed to ensure veterinary care is fair, transparent and accessible across Wales.
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I started this petition because I experienced first-hand the impossible position many pet owners face. When my dog, Ted, suddenly developed a suspected slipped disc, I was faced with expensive emergency veterinary treatment. Because of the costs involved, euthanasia was presented as an option if I couldn’t afford further treatment.
Thankfully, I chose crate rest and pain relief at home. Within two days, Ted had made an incredible recovery and continues to improve. Had I based my decision on my finances alone, I could have lost a young, otherwise healthy dog with a good chance of recovery.
Veterinary costs are becoming unaffordable for many families across Wales. Emergency treatment can cost hundreds or even thousands of pounds, leaving responsible owners facing debt, financial hardship or refusing treatment.
Pets are family members, not possessions. I am calling on the Welsh Government to strengthen regulation of veterinary costs, improve pricing transparency and require fair payment options so that no owner is forced to make a decision based solely on what they can afford.
Why was this petition rejected?
It’s about something that the Senedd or Welsh Government is not responsible for.
The Government of Wales Act 2006 establishes the extent of the Senedd’s power to make new laws and amend existing law (also known as legislative competence). Schedules 7A and 7B of the 2006 Act set out the issues which are ‘restricted’ or ‘reserved’ - i.e. areas where the UK Parliament, not the Senedd, can legislate.
The regulation of the veterinary profession is reserved. As a result, it is not possible for the Senedd to take the action called for by your petition.
Further information about the powers and responsibilities of the Senedd can be found here: https://senedd.wales/how-we-work/our-role/powers/
You may wish to consider petitioning the UK Parliament about this issue instead: https://petition.parliament.uk/
For awareness, in case it is of interest, the Competition and Markets Authority has recently concluded an investigation into the veterinary sector. Price transparency (or the lack thereof) was a major theme of this investigation (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-concludes-market-investigation-with-major-reforms-to-veterinary-sector).
This investigation has fed into a UK Government White Paper on wider reforms to the veterinary sector (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/our-vision-for-a-thriving-veterinary-sector/our-vision-for-a-thriving-veterinary-sector#support-for-consumers). This White Paper notes the UK Government's intention to legislate on a new regulatory framework for the veterinary profession.
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