Veterinary expenses can weigh heavily on the family budget, especially when unforeseen circumstances arise. In Portugal, there is a support mechanism that allows access to veterinary care at no direct cost for some families, but its existence still goes unnoticed by many.
Routine consultations cost, on average, around 30 euros, but procedures such as sterilizations, vaccines or emergency treatments can easily exceed much higher prices. It is in this context that the so-called Veterinary Check emerges, a program that seeks to guarantee access to basic care for companion animals belonging to households in vulnerable situations.
According to , a portal specializing in personal finance and consumption, this measure has been gaining expression through partnerships with city halls.
Created in 2017 by the Order of Veterinary Doctors, the Veterinary Check works through protocols established with municipalities. Its application is not uniform throughout the territory, as it depends on the adherence of each municipal council and the conditions it defines.
The program covers different realities. It includes stray animals collected by Official Collection Centers, cat colonies under municipal management and also animals belonging to families with economic difficulties. The support network is based on participating veterinary centers, where basic care is provided.
Among the services provided are mandatory and recommended vaccinations, deworming, routine consultations and, in some cases, surgeries such as sterilization. Urgent care is also provided. As a general rule, support can reach 150 euros per animal and per year, with a limit of two animals per household, although these amounts may vary from municipality to municipality.
Instead of direct payment by the beneficiaries, the amount is borne by the municipality, which settles the service with the clinics after validating the check.
Who can benefit
Access to the Veterinary Check is not automatic. It is up to each municipality to identify and validate eligible households, according to its own criteria, although there are common guidelines.
Normally, proof of income is required, such as an income tax return and respective assessment note, or a document proving the absence of income. Residency in the municipality is another mandatory requirement, as is electronic identification of the animal, using a microchip. In the case of dogs, registration and licensing with the parish council is also required.
Situations of abandonment or mistreatment automatically exclude access to the program. On the other hand, beneficiaries of social benefits, such as the RSI or the solidarity supplement for the elderly, tend to have priority in the analysis of applications.
How to submit the request
The registration process begins, as a rule, with the Municipal Veterinary Office or equivalent services, which may vary in designation depending on the city hall.
The first step is to collect the necessary documentation. In addition to proof of income and residence, identification documents for the owner and animal are usually requested, as well as the health report, if available.
The request is then submitted to the competent municipal services, by filling out a specific form. After analysis, which may take a few weeks, the decision is communicated.
If approved, the beneficiary receives the check, which must be used within the established period, often around 45 days, at a clinic affiliated with the network. The document is presented at the time of the consultation, allowing access to the planned care without immediate payment.
Other options available
For those who do not meet the conditions for access or live in municipalities that have not joined the program, there are alternatives. Some animal protection associations promote sterilization campaigns at reduced costs or free of charge, upon registration.
University teaching hospitals with Veterinary Medicine courses also provide consultations at more affordable prices. On certain occasions, private clinics and institutional campaigns offer free vaccination, especially in the context of anti-rabies vaccination.
The same source highlights that prevention continues to be a determining factor in cost reduction. Regular primary care practices help to avoid more complex and costly clinical situations, which can reach high values over time.
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