2009 BSAVA congress round-up

Found myself at the BSAVA (British Small Animal Veterinary Association) congress in Birmingham yesterday, the biggest vet related event in the country. All the big players were there: charities (The Blue Cross, Cats Protection, DogsTrust, RSPCA, PDSA, Pet Blood Bank), pet food manufacturers (Royal Canin, Hill’s, Iams, Purina), insurers (Petplan, AXA), microchipping companies (Virbac, Animalcare, Avid), veterinary practice management software providers and of course vet groups.

The economic crisis impact on charities

First of all I got to talk to the main charities. The Blue Cross expressed concerns with regards to the increase of pets being sheltered as a result of the downturn. They suggested that as more people are unable to meet their mortgage repayments, they move to rented accommodation, where often pets are not welcome. The Dogs Trust confirmed the trend as some pet owners struggle financially while others use the crunch as an excuse to abandon their pets to rescue centres. However, the dog charity also noticed an increase in dogs being rehomed as new owners go for shelter pets rather than expensive pedigrees. In any case, the trust shelters are full and there is a 3 months waiting list for any pet to be accepted there.

Despite a drop in donations confirmed by PDSA, The Blue Cross have increased their funds available to people will lower income should their pets need treatment to £1,000.

Finally, talked to the RSPCA. The man I talked to wasn’t so much concerned by the downturn but more by London youths who buy status dogs, like bull terriers or pitbulls, train them to fight and then abandon them when they realise they can’t afford to care for them. These dogs are then harder to rehome because of their aggressiveness. You can read more about it here.

Anything new in pet insurance?

Not so many insurers exhibited this year. Petplan had a massive stand, them being so involved with vets and all, as they relaunched their vet website: www.petplanvet.co.uk. Nothing too exciting really. More interesting was Axa’s Pet Health Plans. Marketed through vets, this allows pet owners to budget for vet treatment including preventative care like vaccination, flea and worm treatment, something insurers always exclude. Find out more about it here. Axa have already been offering 0% pet health loans as an alternative to non-insured customers.

What else? Innovative products and political correctness

Nothing else to mention really. I only had a delegate pass for the exhibition and failed to spot real novelty apart maybe from that small American company, Creative Pet Products, which produces really original products like Me-Ow and Bow-Ow, first aid kits for cats and dogs, or easy to use resuscitating kits.

What surprised me is that no one talked about this year’s most controversial programmes: BBC’s “Pedigree dogs exposed” or ITV”s “Pets Undercover“. These covered quite negative stories about the Kennel Club, breeders and vets, but no one mentioned a word. The Kennel Club, which has been at the centre of controversy, focused their communication on Microchipping Month rather than changes in breed standards. Same for the RSPCA, really quiet in their a tiny stand. The next big event will be the London Vet Show. I shall see you then.