Veterinary Charges Attacked

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32077, 27 August 1969, Page 8

Veterinary Charges Attacked

“The much publicised advice, ‘Have your cat neutered or spayed. Better for you, better for your cat,' surely omits the. most import ant part, ‘Best for your veterinarian’,” writes “Robbed” in a letter to the editor of “The Press.” J ' . “Recently 1 had one

cat spayed and one cat neutered, the female taking perhaps five minutes and the male 10 seconds or so, for which 1 was charged SB. Surely this is out of all proportion to the service rendered. As a dairy farmer, my husband has to produce 321 b of butter to receive this amount.

“Is there any legal limit to what these people may charge or is it left to their own greed? Till these services are available at a reasonable price it is no wonder that people dump their unwanted kittens at farm gates or on the 5.P.C.A.," says the correspondent. Replying to "Robbed,” a spokesman for the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Veterinary Association says: “It should be made clear that whilst being fully aware of the advantages to pet owners of having their pets spayed or neutered, the branch has never advertised or canvassed in any way for these services, this being contrary to its ethics. “Your correspondent can

be assured that veterinary charges are governed by a scale of fees which have had only minor increases during the Istst decade,” says the spokesman.

“A veterinarian receives no Social Security assistance and he must meet the following expenses: an intense and costly university education for at least five years: heavy capital expenditure on a surgery and hospital once qualified; cars, purchase and upkeep; trained lay staff; telephone and other, office expenditure; and considerable write-off of bad debts. "Together with these factors one should include the surgery involved in spaying or neutering, the cost of materials and drugs (including the anaesthetic) used, and the time involved—which your correspondent grossly underestimates. These are all factors your correspondent fgils to appreciate. “Eight dollars, a fair charge, is within the Canterbury scale of fees, which is less than those in some other areas of New Zealand, and considerably less than those overseas. Your correspondent shomd bear in mind fees for persona! professional services and even trade charges,” says the spokesman.

NJ, Bowls.— The Bay or Plenty indoor bowling team retained the A. S. Paterson North Island trophy when It beat Wellington. 2P-27. In a challenge played at Tauranga.