People's Dispensary for Sick Animals

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People's Dispensary for Sick Animals
Founded1917;107 years ago (1917)
Founder Maria Dickin CBE
FocusAnimal welfare
Area served
United Kingdom
Website pdsa.org.uk

The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) is a veterinary charity in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1917 by Maria Dickin to provide care for sick and injured animals of the poor. It is the UK's leading veterinary charity, carrying out more than one million free veterinary consultations a year, and was until 2009 the largest private employer of fully qualified veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses in the UK; only those living within the PDSA's catchment areas can use their services.

Contents

Foundation and development

During World War I, animal-welfare pioneer Maria Dickin worked to improve the dreadful state of animal health in the Whitechapel area of London. She wanted to open a clinic where East Enders living in poverty could receive free treatment for their sick and injured animals. Despite widespread scepticism, she opened her free "dispensary" in a Whitechapel basement on 17 November 1917. She put out a sign that read: "Bring your sick animals! Do not let them suffer! All animals treated. All treatment free". [1]

On its first day of opening, the dispensary only attracted four patients. However, among these patients was the owner of a limping donkey, who was amazed at the PDSA's free services for him. While trekking along many miles for his work, the donkey owner served as a publicity agent for the clinic and told everyone he met, what the PDSA had done for him, emphasising its free services. It soon became a success, and Dickin was soon forced to find larger premises. The clinic upgraded from a clergyman's cellar into a shop and four rooms, opposite the People's Palace. [2]

By 1922 the PDSA had opened seven clinics across London, treating up to 70,000 animals a year. [3]

Within six years, Maria Dickin had designed and equipped her first horse-drawn clinic, and soon, a fleet of mobile dispensaries was established.

Further success allowed the PDSA to open their first clinic outside London in Salford in 1923. Following this, the PDSA Sanatorium was established in Ilford in 1928, with Dickin's passion to train more PDSA practitioners. [2] By 1926–27, the PDSA was operating 57 clinics and three travelling caravans, and had treated almost 410,000 patients in a year at a cost of £43,085 at its various premises across Britain. [1]

In 1931, an annual Christmas Market of the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals was held at the Royal Albert Hall on 24 and 25 November. A 10-ton Christmas pudding, the largest ever created up until that time, was featured. The recipe became known as the "Prince of Wales' Empire Christmas Pudding". The Times newspaper noted "The Lord Mayor of London has promised to give the pudding its first 'stir'. He will be followed by the High Commissioners of the Dominions, and afterwards the general public will have the chance of stirring it". The Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) was then a patron of the charity. [4] In 1973, Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy, became the charity's patron. [5]

By 1935, the PDSA had 11 motor caravan clinics travelling around the country. [6] When the Second World War started, the PDSA had five animal hospitals, 71 dispensaries and the 11 mobile caravan dispensaries. Their rescue squads helped more than 250,000 pets injured or buried in rubble caused by the Blitz. [3]

People's Dispensary for Sick Animals Act 1949
Act of Parliament
Coat of arms of the United Kingdom (1901-1952).svg
Parliament of the United Kingdom
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
Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (variant 1, 1952-2022).svg
Parliament of the United Kingdom
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

Eventually, PDSA's role was defined by two Acts of Parliament, in 1949 (12, 13 & 14 Geo. 6. c. xv) and 1956 (4 & 5 Eliz. 2. c. lxvii), that continue to govern its activities today.

Awards

Maria Dickin instituted the Dickin Medal in 1943 to acknowledge outstanding acts of bravery by animals serving with the Armed Forces or Civil Defence units. It has become recognised as the animals' Victoria Cross, and is administered by PDSA.

The PDSA created a second animal bravery award, the PDSA Gold Medal, in 2002, which is now recognised as the animal equivalent of the George Cross.

In 2014, the PDSA Order of Merit was instituted to recognise outstanding examples of animal devotion to their owners or society; it is the animal equivalent of the OBE. As of 19 February 2021, it has been awarded to 12 horses, the first being police horse Grace, and 20 dogs, the latest being Springer Spaniel Max, the first pet to receive the award. [7] [8]

Eligibility requirements

Today, treatment is only available to the pets of those in receipt of Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit, and who live in one of the charity's 'catchment areas'. For those eligible, treatment for sick and injured animals is free of charge. Recently, the PDSA started providing eligible pet owners with preventive services such as neutering, vaccinations and microchipping. These services are the only treatments that are not free, but are offered at cost.

Although free for all treatments except for those of a preventive nature, PDSA asks clients to make a donation of whatever they can afford towards the treatment of their animals.

As of 2005, the PDSA was able to offer its services to 75% of eligible people, and planned to increase this to 80% over the following year. [9]

In May 2009, the PDSA began requesting a donation on checking in an animal for treatment.

Areas of operation

A PDSA charity shop in Birmingham, England, seen in April 2019 Mothers, Erdington, Birmingham, England - 2019-04-27 - Andy Mabbett - 17 (cropped).jpg
A PDSA charity shop in Birmingham, England, seen in April 2019

PDSA operates throughout Great Britain through animal hospitals and practices; a vast network of charity shops supports the organisation. It has one animal hospital in Northern Ireland, the catchment area of which covers much of the area east of the Bann. Although further hospitals are not currently planned for that region, some services through private clinics may be offered, and a charity shop was due to open in March 2007 in Lisburn. The charity's head office is based in Telford, Shropshire.

In 1937, a branch of the PDSA was founded in District Six, South Africa, which at the time was a poverty-stricken area of Cape Town. In 1988, the organization became autonomous, but maintains a strong link with the mother society in the United Kingdom and a great deal of information is exchanged between them. [10]

In October 1938, the PDSA held a Twenty-First Birthday Dinner at the Holborn Restaurant in London, attended by Mrs Dickin. There were words from abroad from France (Mr Horne), Dutch East Indies (Mr Cronin), Romania (Mr Smith), and Greece (Mr Hurle).

Celebrity ambassadors

Roobarb and Custard partnership

In 2012, Bulldog Licensing, the brand licensing agency for Roobarb and Custard, pledged a long-term link with PDSA to help raise £1M. The characters have already appeared on a range of PDSA T-shirts, modelled and supported by singer and TV presenter Alesha Dixon.

Pet Fit Club

In 2005, the PDSA launched its Pet Fit Club competition, to help battle the problem of pet obesity. The annual contest has a group of overweight dogs, cats, and rabbits embark on a strict, six-month diet and exercise programme, specially tailored by PDSA vets and nurses. [11] At the end of the programme, the best-performing pet is crowned slimmer of the year. In 2015, small furry pets such as guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, and mice were allowed to take part in the competition for the first time. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dickin Medal</span> Award for animals in wartime

The PDSA Dickin Medal was instituted in 1943 in the United Kingdom by Maria Dickin to honour the work of animals in World War II. It is a bronze medallion, bearing the words "For Gallantry" and "We Also Serve" within a laurel wreath, carried on a ribbon of striped green, dark brown, and pale blue. It is awarded to animals that have displayed "conspicuous gallantry or devotion to duty while serving or associated with any branch of the Armed Forces or Civil Defence Units". The award is commonly referred to as "the animals' Victoria Cross".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PDSA Gold Medal</span> Bravery award to animals

The PDSA Gold Medal is an animal bravery award that acknowledges the bravery and devotion to duty of animals. It was created by the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) in 2001, and is now recognised as the animal equivalent of the George Cross. The Gold Medal is considered as the civilian equivalent to PDSA's Dickin Medal for military animals. An animal can be awarded the PDSA Gold Medal if it assists in saving human or non-human life when its own life is in danger or through exceptional devotion to duty. The medal can also be awarded to animals in public service, such as police or rescue dogs, if the animal dies or suffers serious injury while carrying out its official duties in the face of armed and violent opposition.

Sadie, (1996-2019), a black Labrador Retriever, was a recipient of the Dickin Medal, the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross. She was awarded for detecting an explosive device outside the United Nations headquarters in Kabul in November 2005, and was awarded by Princess Alexandra on 6 February 2007. Her handler at the time of the action which resulted in the award was Lance Corporal Karen Yardley.

Apollo was a search and rescue dog who served with the K-9 unit of the New York Police Department. He was awarded the Dickin Medal, the animals' equivalent of the Victoria Cross, in recognition of the work done by all search and rescue dogs following the September 11 attacks. Apollo and his handler were working at the World Trade Center site soon after the attacks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam (army dog)</span> Army dog

Sam was an army dog who served with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps Dog Unit. While serving in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s, Sam helped to apprehend an armed man and also to hold back an armed mob besieging a compound where Serbs were taking refuge. He received the Dickin Medal, the animals' equivalent of the Victoria Cross, in 2003 for these acts of bravery.

Maria Elisabeth Dickin CBE was a social reformer and an animal welfare pioneer who founded the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) in 1917. The Dickin Medal is named for her.

Gander was a Newfoundland dog who served as the mascot of the Royal Rifles of Canada during World War II. He was killed in action during the Battle of Hong Kong in 1941, and was posthumously awarded the Dickin Medal, the "animals' Victoria Cross", in 2000 for his deeds in the course of that battle. It was the first such award in over 50 years.

Treo was a black Labrador Retriever-English Springer Spaniel crossbreed and a retired Arms and Explosives Search dog with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps. He was awarded the Dickin Medal in February 2010. The military nominated Treo for the award in recognition of his help uncovering a number of improvised explosive devices (IED) during his time serving in Helmand Province, an insurgency hot spot, in 2008. Treo was the medal's 63rd recipient.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rob (dog)</span> Collie dog, Dickin medal recipient

Rob was a Collie dog who in February 1945 was awarded the Dickin Medal, considered to be the animals' Victoria Cross. He was alleged to have made over 20 parachute descents during the North African Campaign, serving with the SAS. However, in 2006, his actions were revealed as being a possible hoax perpetrated by members of his regiment in order to prevent Rob leaving after his original owners requested his return.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rip (dog)</span> Search-and-rescue dog known for rescuing victims of the Blitz

Rip, a mixed-breed terrier, was a Second World War search and rescue dog who was awarded the Dickin Medal for bravery in 1945. He was found in Poplar, London, in 1940 by an Air Raid warden, and became the service's first search and rescue dog. He is credited with saving the lives of over 100 people. He was the first of twelve Dickin Medal winners to be buried in the PDSA's cemetery in Ilford, Essex.

Beauty, a wirehaired terrier, was a Second World War search and rescue dog considered to be the first rescue dog, who was awarded the Dickin Medal for bravery in 1945. She is among a number of Dickin Medal winners who are buried in Ilford Animal Cemetery.

Bob was a dog who received the Dickin Medal in 1944 from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals for bravery in service during the Second World War.

Sheila was a dog who received the Dickin Medal in 1945 from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals for bravery in service during the Second World War. She is the first non-military dog to have received the medal, which was later sold at auction alongside the medals of her owner, John Dagg, for £25,300 by Sotheby's.

Punch and Judy were a pair of dogs that received the Dickin Medal from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals for bravery in service in Israel in 1946. The commendation notes: "saved the lives of two British Officers... [by warning them of and] attacking an armed terrorist who was stealing upon them unawares." Both dogs were severely wounded.

Ricky was a dog who received the Dickin Medal in 1947 from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals for bravery in service during the Second World War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bing (dog)</span> Dog receiver of the Dickin Medal

Bing was a dog who received the Dickin Medal in 1947 from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals for bravery in service during the Second World War.

Rex was a dog who received the Dickin Medal in April, 1945 from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals for bravery in service during the Second World War in England. This MAP Civil Defence rescue dog performed "outstanding good work" finding casualties in burning buildings. Rex intrepidly worked in a harsh environment of "smouldering debris, thick smoke, intense heat and jets of water" using a rare combination of determination and intelligence to follow scents to those who were trapped.

Lucky was a dog who received the Dickin Medal in 2007 from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals for bravery in service during the Malayan Emergency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucca (dog)</span> War dog

Lucca was a German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois service dog who was employed by the United States Marine Corps for 6 years. She was trained to detect explosives. She was deployed twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan. In her over 400 missions, no human fatalities occurred under her watch. In 2012, while on patrol in Afghanistan, she was injured by an IED blast, necessitating the amputation of her left leg. After recovering at Camp Pendleton, Lucca officially retired in 2012 and was adopted by her original handler, Gunnery Sergeant Chris Willingham.

Max was an English Springer Spaniel pet dog who in February 2021 became the first ever pet to receive the PDSA Order of Merit, an award which is considered the animal equivalent on the OBE and is normally reserved for dogs such as Police dogs or Service dogs. He died on 6 April 2022.

References

  1. 1 2 Gardiner, Andrew (August 2014). "The 'Dangerous' Women of Animal Welfare: How British Veterinary Medicine Went to the Dogs". Social History of Medicine. 27 (3): 466–487. doi:10.1093/shm/hkt101. PMC   4109695 . PMID   25067889. 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
  2. 1 2 Elidemir, Gulistan (20 February 2022). "History of the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals". Whitechapel LDN. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  3. 1 2 Moore, James (2 November 2017). "PDSA 100 year anniversary: How Maria Dickin set up the 'animal NHS'". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  4. ↑ Griffin, Matt (10 December 2013). "From the archives: Making a record-breaking Christmas pudding at the Royal Albert Hall, 1931". www.royalalberthall.com. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  5. ↑ "Our Patron". PDSA. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  6. ↑ "Free dog 'MOTs' for the Highlands". www.highland.gov.uk. 23 August 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  7. ↑ "PDSA Order of Merit". PDSA. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  8. ↑ "Keswick's Max the Miracle Dog gets PDSA Order of Merit". BBC News. 19 February 2021.
  9. ↑ "Annual Report, 2005" (PDF). PDSA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 October 2008. Retrieved 4 April 2007.
  10. ↑ PDSA South Africa
  11. ↑ "Pet Fit Club". PDSA. Archived from the original on 13 January 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
  12. ↑ "The PDSA's Pet Fit Club kicks off!". Dial2Donate. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
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