{"id":16376,"date":"2021-09-08T06:58:45","date_gmt":"2021-09-08T12:58:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/outwardhound.com\/furtropolis\/?p=16376"},"modified":"2022-03-25T09:16:58","modified_gmt":"2022-03-25T15:16:58","slug":"help-with-vet-bills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/outwardhound.com\/furtropolis\/health-wellness\/help-with-vet-bills","title":{"rendered":"Pet Financial Assistance Programs & Help With Vet Bills"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It’s no secret that health care in the United States is unreasonably expensive. We pay more for health care<\/a> services than any other advanced economy on the planet. Veterinary care in the U.S. isn’t exactly affordable, either — and we’re spending more on it each year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Americans spent nearly $30 billion<\/a> on veterinary care and vet-related products in 2019 alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We could all use help with vet bills. Our furbaby’s medical care is a major expense of being a pet parent, and it’s a responsibility we knowingly take on when we bring home a new four-legged family member. Depending on the service, such as surgery or cancer treatment, it can be quite a financial hardship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luckily there are options available for financial assistance when it comes to veterinary care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your local or state government may provide vet care, spay and neuter clinics, or vaccination<\/a> clinics for a low fee or even free of charge. There’s also health insurance to consider (if you can swing the monthly payment for a pet insurance policy), crowdfunding campaigns, and various financial aid programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter your family’s income or tax bracket, there are resources out there that can help keep your pet’s health care from being a financial burden. In these trying times, it’s especially prudent to prepare for the worst as many pet owners may have lost jobs due to COVID-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animal shelter programs & aid from nonprofit organizations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"veterinarians<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Many animal shelters nationwide provide low-cost veterinary services from microchipping<\/a> to vaccinations and other preventative care. Check your local shelter’s website to see if they have any of these services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you aren’t sure where to look, the Humane Society of the United States has a list of\u00a0state-by-state<\/a>\u00a0shelters and non-profits with low-cost veterinary clinics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several nonprofits, like The Mosby Foundation<\/a>, Paws 4 a Cure<\/a>, and The Onyx & Breezy Foundation<\/a>, offer financial aid to those who are eligible. For a list of pet financial aid organizations, scroll to the bottom of this post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spay\/neuter clinics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are several free or low-cost spay and neuter clinics across the country. Your local animal shelter or rescue organization will have a list of resources where you can find a clinic near you. The Stand Up for Pits Foundation, for example, funds hundreds of these procedures during Spay & Neuter Angel Day<\/a> in several cities throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Financial aid for emergency veterinary care<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Several national non-profit organizations like\u00a0RedRover Relief<\/a>\u00a0provide urgent care grants to eligible pet parents in need of emergency vet care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check your local area for pet emergency care help that is specific to your region as well. The\u00a0Shakespeare Animal Fund<\/a>, for example, provides funds for life-saving emergency pet\u00a0care costs and vet visits for Nevada residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shop around<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"a<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to high-cost, non-basic veterinary care and medical treatments like TPLO surgery<\/a> for a torn knee ligament or removal of a throat tumor, always get a second opinion. Call several veterinary surgeons to get a quote for such invasive and costly procedures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be willing to travel to another smaller city or town. Veterinary care in less expensive zip codes will usually cost much less than one closer to you or in a major city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See if your local college has a veterinary school as well. Many local veterinary schools have low-cost clinics for low-income pet owners. You can find a list of accredited veterinary colleges<\/a> on the American Veterinary Medical Association’s website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Payment plans, fundraising, and Care Credit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many veterinarians are willing to work with you to negotiate a payment plan. There are credits cards that can help with vet bills, too. Ask if your animal hospital accepts Care Credit<\/a>, a credit card specifically for medical expenses for you and your furry best friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many pet parents have success crowdsourcing financial help through websites like GoFundMe or Waggle. Waggle is a crowdsourcing website<\/a> specifically for veterinary care. It’s arguably more secure as they pay your animal hospital directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assistance programs for pet food<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"dog<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

No pet should go hungry. That’s why Feeding Pets of the Homeless provides an interactive map<\/a> where you can locate food banks, pet food pantries, and more in your local area. If you can’t find a designated Pet Food Provider on the map, contact your local pet shelter, SPCA, or Humane Society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you wish to donate to any of these pet food banks, the map includes the donation center locations as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other resources for help with vet bills<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"help<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Don’t let large veterinary bills get in the way of your pet’s needs and wellness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Friends Animal Society (BFAS)\u00a0has a webpage<\/a>\u00a0filled with videos, webinars, PDFs, and more on how to apply for grants, find foundations, and fundraising campaign strategies for those in financial need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BFAS also has a\u00a0list of tips and limitations<\/a>\u00a0for cat and dog owners to be aware of when hunting for pet financial aid. Particularly helpful tips of note from BFAS include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n