Shared responsibilities
Safeguarding the health and welfare of your pets can only be achieved through a good working partnership with your vet practice. For this to happen, it's essential everyone involved has a clear understanding of what to expect from each other.
On this page:
What to expect from your vet team
Vets and vet nurses abide by the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct, which requires them to:
- Make animal health and welfare their first consideration, and provide appropriate and adequate veterinary care.
- Prescribe*, supply and administer medicines responsibly, and only prescribe medicines for animals when they have enough information to do so.
- Provide you with appropriate and transparent information about the costs of services and medicines and, whenever possible, seek your consent for treatments or procedures.
- Offer 24-hour emergency first aid and pain relief, either personally or through another provider, and supply full details of this service.
- Keep information about you and your animal(s) confidential, unless animal welfare or the public interest may be compromised, or you give them permission to share.
- Respond promptly, fully and courteously to any concerns you have.
(*generally, only vets can prescribe veterinary medicines)
Your responsibilities as a pet owner
Under UK animal health and welfare legislation, you must take positive steps to protect your pet(s) from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
In addition, you should:
- Act promptly if you have any concerns about your pet’s health - if in doubt, always contact your veterinary practice for advice.
- Listen to the advice given by your veterinary team and ask for more information if you need it.
- Be open and transparent so your vet team can provide you with the best advice.
- Give medicine as directed, for as long as directed.
- Familiarise yourself with your practice’s out-of-hours arrangements and plan how you would transport your pet(s) in an emergency.
- Make sure you have the means to pay for the medical care of your animal(s) promptly (including insurance or charitable support).
- Register all of your pets with appropriate veterinary practices.