She wanted a clinic where East Enders living in poverty could receive free treatment for their sick and injured animals.

[1] In 1931, an annual Christmas Market of the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals was being held at the Royal Albert Hall on 24-25 November.

Recently, the PDSA started providing eligible pet owners with preventive services such as neutering, vaccinations and microchipping.

[9] PDSA operates throughout Great Britain through animal hospitals and practices; a vast network of charity shops supports the organisation.

Although further hospitals are not currently planned for that region, some services through private clinics may be offered, and a charity shop was due to open in March 2007 in Lisburn.

In 1937, a branch of the PDSA was founded in District Six, South Africa, which at the time was a poverty-stricken area of Cape Town.

In 1988, the organization became autonomous, but maintains a strong link with the mother society in the United Kingdom and a great deal of information is exchanged between them.

[10] In October 1938, the PDSA held a Twenty-First Birthday Dinner at the Holborn Restaurant in London, attended by Mrs Dickin.

The characters have already appeared on a range of PDSA T-shirts, modelled and supported by singer and TV presenter Alesha Dixon.

The annual contest has a group of overweight dogs, cats, and rabbits embark on a strict, six-month diet and exercise programme, specially tailored by PDSA vets and nurses.

In 2015, small furry pets such as guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, and mice were allowed to take part in the competition for the first time.