![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IP6CW7YY65BSBM4FVTADYJSNQQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=f72e2fccd14464265352de7a5cb0f1136ca99c1d324d3e4d9be87d3b921a60a8&width=400&height=225)
Lucky, a three-legged rescue cat adopted by Ms Champion
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/L3YHGM4K4VFDNKIHYUKZCZKLBA.jpg?smart=true&auth=5cba5b1d539a6aa600779e675cf04c7e05554732a10eacfa5c08e29015f316a0&width=400&height=225)
The high cost of some pet drugs is a challenge for owners of animals such as Daisy, an 11-year-old bulldog, in Dubai. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NILUB4DHSRGN3JNAVHQQY6FT4Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=a9c117761e355b73d566338e4389c64e5d3876035007011f68c2b86dc98e495f&width=400&height=225)
Toby is a golden retriever taken in by Claire Champion and her family
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/77ERTVBBZ5H43P4R2YCPNWE7WU.jpg?smart=true&auth=194f7377e60c3b3279b0ce744164b1a100876deb233819d2010933220c6727a3&width=400&height=225)
Ms Champion with the dogs she has adopted: schnauzer cross Reggie, golden retriever Toby and Daisy the bulldog. 'The vet bills are difficult to deal with,' she says
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AKG3J5F5Z5HXHFE7MJ4F5E2XJU.jpg?smart=true&auth=061b9104253e32fcf5ccf956ee035816ff4ad741dfbf44f1913001a1d01a6b3f&width=400&height=225)
Reggie enjoys a scratch from Ms Champion
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GJFS3VEHWBFZ5FADS7ACQUDU7E.jpg?smart=true&auth=bda2a52486f75c7e820df14f4129f64c1d4c5301e6330efc7ecce45fcda51ed5&width=400&height=225)
Pippin, one of two rescue cats Ms Champion cares for. Some pet owners are saving money by treating their animals with cheaper human drugs
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IP6CW7YY65BSBM4FVTADYJSNQQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=f72e2fccd14464265352de7a5cb0f1136ca99c1d324d3e4d9be87d3b921a60a8&width=400&height=225)
Lucky, a three-legged rescue cat adopted by Ms Champion
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/L3YHGM4K4VFDNKIHYUKZCZKLBA.jpg?smart=true&auth=5cba5b1d539a6aa600779e675cf04c7e05554732a10eacfa5c08e29015f316a0&width=400&height=225)
The high cost of some pet drugs is a challenge for owners of animals such as Daisy, an 11-year-old bulldog, in Dubai. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NILUB4DHSRGN3JNAVHQQY6FT4Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=a9c117761e355b73d566338e4389c64e5d3876035007011f68c2b86dc98e495f&width=400&height=225)
Toby is a golden retriever taken in by Claire Champion and her family
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/77ERTVBBZ5H43P4R2YCPNWE7WU.jpg?smart=true&auth=194f7377e60c3b3279b0ce744164b1a100876deb233819d2010933220c6727a3&width=400&height=225)
Ms Champion with the dogs she has adopted: schnauzer cross Reggie, golden retriever Toby and Daisy the bulldog. 'The vet bills are difficult to deal with,' she says
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AKG3J5F5Z5HXHFE7MJ4F5E2XJU.jpg?smart=true&auth=061b9104253e32fcf5ccf956ee035816ff4ad741dfbf44f1913001a1d01a6b3f&width=400&height=225)
Reggie enjoys a scratch from Ms Champion
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GJFS3VEHWBFZ5FADS7ACQUDU7E.jpg?smart=true&auth=bda2a52486f75c7e820df14f4129f64c1d4c5301e6330efc7ecce45fcda51ed5&width=400&height=225)
Pippin, one of two rescue cats Ms Champion cares for. Some pet owners are saving money by treating their animals with cheaper human drugs
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IP6CW7YY65BSBM4FVTADYJSNQQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=f72e2fccd14464265352de7a5cb0f1136ca99c1d324d3e4d9be87d3b921a60a8&width=400&height=225)
Lucky, a three-legged rescue cat adopted by Ms Champion
Pet owners trying to keep vet bills down turn to cheaper human drugs
Warning that some medication is not licensed or safe for all pets
![Nick Webster](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F9cfba7f3-8cc8-4789-bcec-97bd0007d9ef.png?smart=true&auth=96a9a5766af20e4704e52306e74ecd02669a7e0ffd084d4151d31e0039a945d3&width=70&height=70)
Nick Webster
17 January, 2024
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