SOME pet owners in Peeblesshire are relying on foodbank support because of hefty veterinary bills.

Last week the Peeblesshire News published a letter from PDSA, the UK’s leading veterinary charity, in which the organisation appealed for help with its fundraising campaign.

But now the charity has been criticised by some readers, who point out that PDSA refuses to provide free pet care in the Borders.

A source told the Peeblesshire News that the Peebles Citizens Advice Bureau has been forced to make foodbank referrals for cash-strapped pet owners.

The manager of Peebles CAB, Gill Westwood, has since confirmed this, adding that pet owners from the Borders have been turned down for help by PDSA when giving an EH postcode.

Ms Westwood said: “I had one pensioner who came to me as we make referrals for the foodbank.

“I asked her why she needed help and she told me she had used all her pension to pay for a vet bill as the charity couldn’t help her.

“People who are financially struggling need help from this charity and they are simply not getting it.

“I know of other families who have been in a similar situation and had no choice but to ask for help from the foodbank.”

Ms Westwood said she has written to PDSA’s chief executive, but to no avail.

One local source, who does not want to be named, accused PDSA of being “unethical” by asking people to fundraise in an area where the charity does not offer a free service.

The woman said: “I was upset last week to see the letter from PDSA asking local folk to fundraise for them as they refuse to provide a service in the Borders.

“I know that some people have had to go to foodbanks as they can’t afford vet fees on their benefits.

“PDSA have a charity shop in Galashiels and I think local people think they are helping their fellow Borderers with their vet bills whereas, in fact, even if you go up to Edinburgh, if you give a Borders postcode they’ll turn you away.

“I think the charity needs to think carefully about where they raise funds and where they provide services.”

The Peeblesshire News contacted PDSA, which said it provides “low cost” treatment schemes in the Borders.

A PDSA spokesperson said: “We would dearly love to help every pet owner who needs support.

“But sadly, as a charity with limited funding, it’s simply not always possible.

“In order to have the biggest possible impact on pet wellbeing, we build and run Pet Hospitals in towns and cities where the need is greatest.

“Currently there are 48 such hospitals in the UK, from Aberdeen to Plymouth. In many smaller communities we work with private vet practices to help provide low cost vet treatment through our PDSA Pet Care scheme.

“There are several practices in the Scottish Borders (postcodes TD1-TD15) signed up to this scheme, which includes cover in Galashiels.

“PDSA receives no government funding, and our services cost more than £60 million a year to run, helping 1.7 million people and providing over 2.5 million treatments.

“We currently operate 120 charity shops across the UK to help pay for these vital services. So we are enormously grateful to our supporters and clients, who help to fund our services.”