A nationwide online petition to have VAT removed from vet bills is gathering momentum and it comes from a pet owner in the West.

At the moment the 20% tax is automatically added to all bills and prescriptions. It can be reclaimed only if the animal's owner is VAT registered, and only for certain working animals and those reared for food. That excludes all domestic pets and smallholders' stock.

The petition was started by Annabel Claridge who lives in Frome and has had pets for thirty-five years. "It's surprising how many people don't realise they're paying this VAT and it's a big hike. 'Purchase Tax' was originally levied according to an item's perceived luxury.

Now it's VAT (introduced in 1974, when the UK joined the Common Market) and pretty much a flat rate on everything not deemed a necessity. But pets are a necessity to many, as was proved during lockdown.

"I have friends who would not have got through those weeks in 2020, had it not been for their animals. Our pets are family, sometimes our only family. They bring comfort, calm and companionship, especially to those who have health issues, live alone, are elderly. And this is not just about pets.

"Most small scale farmers are not registered for VAT. These are the people saving our rare and native breeds. They should be supported, not clobbered 20% every time they see a vet. The same thing's happening with rescue centres. They're all overflowing, partly because dog walking was one of the few things allowed during lockdown.

"Naturally enough, everyone suddenly wanted a dog but many didn't consider the long term cost and responsibility. The puppy farms flourished and now the rescues are paying VAT on vet treatment for surrendered or abandoned animals, some of which are badly bred and very sick. This petition is not about vets or politics.

"It's about a tax on pet and livestock ownership which I consider to be unjust at best and which has countless inhumane repercussions. If you agree, please sign the petition and share it in any way you can - through social media, school, work, clubs - anything you can think of, even if it's not directly animal related.

We all know someone whose animal is not a luxury but a necessity. "  www.change.org/noVATonVETbills