Where to find help for your pet in Scotland this winter

*Please note that these services are not offered by Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home so please check eligibility and accessibility with the service providers themselves and any terms and conditions that are applicable.   

From unexpected vet bills to increasing food costs, pet care can be prohibitively expensive. When you’re hit with an emergency, it can be hard to know what to do. Here are some places where you can access extra support this winter.  

Pet food bank locations  

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home support over 80 pet food banks across Edinburgh and the Lothians. These are places where you can access wet and dry dog and cat food as well as treats and other pet essential items.  

Emergency Food Packs containing two weeks’ worth of cat or dog food can be picked up directly from our offices if you give us a call.  

You can find more information including where to find these food banks here.  

Support with vet care  

Free vet care can be difficult to find, but there are some charities who can help provide support when needed. 

• The PDSA offers free or low-cost veterinary care to anyone who lives within their catchment zones and accesses certain benefits. If you’re outside of their catchment zones you may still be eligible for support via their Pet Care Scheme. Check out their website to find out more.
• The Dogs Trust offers support with vet care costs if you’re in the UK and experiencing homelessness. They can cover all the costs of preventative vet care such as microchipping, flea treatments and neutering. And they may be able to help with emergencies costs as well. Find out if you’re eligible here. 
• For advice, non-emergency vet support and signposting to other services, check out All4Paws run by the Dick Vet in Edinburgh. They provide basic veterinary care and advice to homeless and vulnerably housed people and their animals. 

Pet fostering support  

When illness, injury or other emergencies strike and you are unable to look after your pet, there are emergency fostering services which can provide temporary support.  

• Pet Fostering Services Scotland (PFSS) offer short term care for pets, when their owner is unable to do so through illness, homelessness or domestic abuse and cannot arrange any alternative care. Find more details about accessing their support here.
• The Cinnamon Trust are a charity that offer day-to-day support with pet care as well as temporary and longer term solutions for older people who are unable to care for their pets as required. Find out more about accessing their support here.
• The Cat’s Protection host a specialist cat fostering service called Access Lifeline which supports survivors with cats to find freedom from domestic abuse.
• The Dog’s Trust Freedom Project offers fostering for dog owners finding freedom from domestic abuse.  

We hope these resources can provide support and comfort during difficult times. Our helplines are also available during opening hours for advice and further signposting.