By Clare Yates
4 min read
Pet owners in the UK are increasingly facing a heartbreaking dilemma. The cost of veterinary care is rising so sharply that some are delaying treatment, surrendering pets to shelters, or even having to consider putting them down, according to vets and animal charities.
According to vets, the takeover of practices by larger corporations is one factor pushing up treatment costs. The BBC report that six large veterinary groups control 60% of the UK pet care market. A decade ago, the figure was just 10%.
But the British Veterinary Association (BVA) says fees reflect what clinics need to charge to remain financially viable and stay open.
Why vet bills have risen so sharply
Behind the scenes, some vets say the structure of the industry itself is adding to the problem. In interviews with BBC Panorama during the 12 January 2026 episode ‘Why Are Vets Bills So High’, veterinary professionals described growing pressure to meet financial targets from large corporate groups.
Gov.uk reported that prices charged by UK vets rose by around 63% between 2016 and 2023, far greater than general inflation. It also revealed data that, on average, treatment at large corporate vet groups costs around 16.6% more than at independent practices. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has since questioned whether the pet care market, as it currently operates, is delivering good value for customers.
The scale of the issue is significant. More than half of UK households are said to own a pet, and spending on veterinary and pet care services reached £6.3 billion in 2024, according to the CMA. That works out at just over £365 per pet-owning household in a single year.
Shelters under pressure as numbers soar
As costs rise, animal rescue centres are seeing the fallout first-hand. According to the BBC, 2025 was the hardest year yet for them. Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard, Somerset, said demand for help has surged.
Emma Purnell, the charity's CEO, told the BBC: "We've seen a sharp rise in the number of animals looking to be rehomed and we've seen an increase in the number of people having to surrender because they can't afford to look after their pets anymore."
The sanctuary is almost always at capacity. Nikki Haddock, the charity's animal care manager, said: "We currently have a waiting list for every species we hold, 107 dogs on our waiting list, 72 cats, 43 horses, and we've only got so much space and so much resources."
Other rescues are reporting the same pressures. Tracey Bryant, owner of Little Paws in Clevedon, North Somerset, said: "Every year is getting harder and harder and harder. The numbers are a lot higher and the cost for each [animal] is a lot higher. There's a misconception that vet treatment is free for rescues."
Tracey added: "We're also seeing a large increase in cats not being neutered and vet bills that are going up very quickly, which means more cost for us."
How owners can avoid impossible financial choices
With most UK pet owners still uninsured, charities and vets say better awareness of pet insurance could make a meaningful difference. The right insurance helps owners access treatment sooner, potentially reducing the number of animals being surrendered simply because care is too expensive.
Rising vet bills are a real concern, but pet insurance can help protect owners from being forced into impossible choices. A policy can help pay for emergency treatment, medication, unexpected procedures and even ongoing conditions and dental bills depending on the policy type you select. It effectively spreads the cost over time rather than landing owners with a sudden, unaffordable bill.
For many pet owners, having the right cover in place could mean the difference between getting their pet the care it needs and facing a decision no owner ever wants to make.