Leading veterinary charity PDSA exists to care for the pets of people in need by providing free veterinary services to their sick and injured animals and promoting responsible pet ownership. We believe all pets should receive veterinary care and attention when they need it and should be protected from suffering, injury and disease.

Established by animal welfare pioneer, Maria Dickin CBE in 1917, PDSA now cares for more than 350,000 pet patients; animals treated at our 47 PetAid hospitals when they are sick, injured or in need of preventive care and animals registered for PDSA-funded treatment at more than 350 PetAid practices UK-wide.

Our website www.pdsa.org.uk provides details of our charitable services, access to veterinary advice, information on our animal bravery awards programme and, of course, suggestions as to the many ways you can fundraise for, or otherwise support our charity for pets in need of vets.

Our history

During the First World War, animal welfare pioneer Maria Dickin worked to improve the dreadful state of animal health in London.

Her dream to open a clinic where East Enders living in poverty could receive free treatment for their sick and injured animals. Despite the scepticism of the establishment, Maria Dickin opened her free 'dispensary' in a Whitechapel basement on Saturday 17th November 1917.

The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals of the Poor was born. It was an immediate success and Maria was soon forced to find larger premises.

Within six years this extraordinary woman had designed and equipped her first horse-drawn clinic and before long a fleet of mobile dispensaries was also established. Throughout the country PDSA animal treatment centres and vehicles became a comforting and familiar sight.

Eventually, two Acts of Parliament defined PDSA's role. These continue to govern its activities.

Today, PDSA PetAid hospitals are mostly purpose built. They are designed to specification based on practical experience of caring for sick and injured animal patients, accommodate the latest in diagnostic and surgical equipment and are staffed by fully qualified veterinary surgeons and nurses.

Maria's dream has become a reality.