Clinic FAQs

Clinic FAQs

Can my pet use the clinic?

If you are on an income related or means tested benefit, have a Wigan postcode and own a dog or cat, you may be eligible to use our low cost welfare vet clinic, mainly offering:

🐶 neutering* (* We are currently unable to offer bitch spays)

🐱 vaccinations

🐶 flea and worming

🐱 microchipping 

🐶 dentals

🐱 minor operations

Postcodes we cover: All WN postcodes, plus WA3 3; WA3 2; WA3 1; M29 7; M29 8; M46 9, and M46 0.

How do I access the clinic?

• Our welfare vet clinic is strictly by appointment only. We do not have a vet on site every day.

• If you have not attended our clinic before you need to ring and register your pet

• You must bring proof of address and proof of benefits to your appointment

• We will regularly ask to see proof of benefits, in order to keep our records up to date

• Please ring us on ☎️ 01942 824165 - we are a very small team so if we are unable to answer the phone please leave us a brief message and a contact number - we will get back to you at the earliest opportunity

• A £10 deposit will be taken to secure your pets appointment -   this deposit will be deducted from the cost of your treatment (Deposits will not be refunded if you do not attend or cancel less than 24hrs before your appointment) 

What pets can I register?

• Dogs and cats only

• A maximum of 4 pets  per client

• We do not treat animals used for breeding or litters of kittens or puppies

What Are The Charges? (subject to change)

• General Consultation - £15 (medications extra)

• Vaccinations: 1st vaccination  £30,  2nd vaccination £20, Booster £30

• Microchipping £15 (free with cat neutering)

• Other charges on request

Neutering and spaying

It is a condition of using the clinic that animals are neutered within 12 months of registration unless there are underlying reasons such as age or medical conditions.  A vet will discuss this with you. 

Dependant on size and breed we are able to neuter male dogs and male and female cats* - please ring us on  ☎️ 01942 824165 to discuss. (* We are currently unable to offer bitch spays)

We are working in partnership with the Cats Protection charity to offer a £10 cat neutering scheme, including microchipping - for more information please ring us on  ☎️ 01942 824165

What if I don’t wish to have my animal neutered?

It is an owners personal choice as to whether to neuter or not, but you must be aware that we will not be able to register any of your pets if you do not comply with the conditions. You will need to see a private vet.  As an animal welfare charity the RSPCA deals with the fall out from breeding of cats and dogs, whether intentional or accidental.  There are also very valid health reasons for neutering.  You should also consider if you can afford the cost of expensive treatment at a private vet, for breeding related issues.  Please feel free to discuss the matter with our vet.

Microchipping

It is the law in England that all dogs are fitted with a microchip by they are 8 weeks old. You can be fined up to £500 if your dog is not microchipped. All cats will be legally required to be microchipped before 20 weeks of age from 10 June 2024. From this date you can be fined up to £500 if your cat is not microchipped.

Repeat Prescriptions

Regular medication may be available on a repeat prescription, so you wont have to bring your pet to see the vet every time you need medication. Please ring us on  ☎️ 01942 824165 to order your medication.  Sometimes the vet may need to decline your request and ask you to attend clinic with your pet - we will share the reasons for this so don’t get cross with us!

To ensure your pet does not run short of medication please ring us at least a week before you will run out, as we do not have a vet on site everyday to prescribe.

What if we can’t help?

Please note that we are a small charity and our clinic does not have the staffing levels or facilities of a private vet, including no x-ray or ultrasound scan equipment. We currently only have a vet on site once or twice a week.  We are therefore limited in the procedures we are able to carry out and for treatment outside of our scope you may be signposted to visit a private vet at your own cost. 

To find your nearest private vet go to https://findavet.rcvs.org.uk/home/

Please note we are unable to contribute towards private vet fees.

Emergency and out of hours arrangements

In an emergency evenings and weekends our registered clients can contact Animal Trust Bolton ☎️ 01204 527474. 

Please be aware they are a private vets and you will need to meet the full cost of emergency care at the time of treatment

Contacting us

Please ring us on ☎️ 01942 824165 - we are a very small team so if we are unable to answer the phone please leave us a brief message and a contact number - we will get back to you at the earliest opportunity

The clinic has a zero tolerance policy and aggressive, intimidating or unreasonable language and behaviour,  will not be tolerated and we will decline to register your pet or remove you from our practice list

Concern about an animals welfare, cruelty or wildlife

If you have a concern about an animals welfare, cruelty or wildlife please ring the RSPCA Emergency helpline on ☎️ 0300 1234 999. Please do not call our Branch as we do not have any inspectors based at our site.