Why We Don't Offer Health Plans :
Pet health plans give practices a steady, predictable income. They can help you spread costs, but you may end up paying for products and services your pet doesn't need.
The Competition and Markets Authority is currently pushing for big changes in the veterinary profession, including clearer information about what health plans actually include. We welcome that, but we're not convinced it will give owners the full picture.
One size does not fit all
Most plans treat every dog or cat the same way: the same parasite treatment at the same intervals, and the same booster vaccination every year. We don't think that's good medicine. The profession now recognises this and is promoting "contextualised care", which means basing treatment on each animal's own needs.
At Jaffa's we have worked this way for decades. For example, we don't usually recommend flea treatment or vaccination for an indoor cat unless it's going into a cattery or has some other specific risk. We assess every patient on their own risks.
Are the discounts real?
Plans often list extras like microchipping, which is a one-off procedure anyway. A discount also means very little if the standard fee has been raised to pay for it. A 10% discount on a price that's been put up by 10% saves you nothing.
Our approach
We keep things simple and clear from the start. We work out what your pet needs, and what it doesn't, and charge only for that.
