Veterinary Bills

A responsible pet owner is prepared to handle routine costs incurred for spay or neuter surgery, yearly physical exams, fecal samples and worming medication, heart worm medicine and other preventative medicine, plus yearly vaccinations.   It is recommended by the American Animal Hospital Association that Pet owning families should also assess their financial situation and consider their ability to meet unexpected expenses that may be incurred for veterinary care.

The purchase of pet health care insurance is one way to prepare for unforeseen expenses. Some people are able to budget for these expenses or use credit card reserves. Others, confronted with the need for costly treatments will seek care for their pet at a veterinary school hospital, which may offer reduced rates so that their students have the opportunity to work with animals. Some veterinarians will also work with their clients who have a pet in need of costly treatments by setting up a payment plan.

If you are facing unforeseen expenses and meet certain low income requirements, there may be a financial assistance program available to help you with the cost associated with your pet’s treatment. 

• Local low cost spay neuter programs are listed on PETS 911.
• www.carecredit.com offers a revolving line of credit for veterinary expenses at participating veterinarians.
• The Helping Pets Fund is a program of the American Animal Hospital Association Foundation.
• Spay/USA offers a nation wide low cost spay and neuter program.
• IMOM.org provides information about financial help for life threatening emergencies.
• The Pet Fund is a nonprofit association that provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need veterinary care.
• CanineCancerAwareness.org will consider applications for financial assistance for those people struggling and in need assistance to provide their dog with cancer treatment.
• Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides financial assistance to cat and kitten guardians who are unable to afford veterinary services to save their companions when life-threatening illness or injury strikes.
• WestieMed, Inc. is an all-volunteer, IRS-recognized non-profit corporation created to distribute financial aid to injured or ill rescue Westies.
• HELP-A-PET is a nonprofit organization with a single purpose: to provide financial assistance nationwide for the medical care of pets whose owners are unable to afford the expense.
• United Animal Nations Lifeline Grants help Good Samaritans, animal rescuers and low-income families with the high cost of caring by providing grants to meet emergency veterinary expenses they otherwise couldn’t afford.
• Pit Bull Rescue Central has a program to help qualified people with a Pit Bull or Pit Bull mix in need.
• The Pet Samaritan Fund provides financial assistance to Utah Pet Owners who cannot afford medical care for their pets due to extreme financial hardship.
• Ashley’s Angel Fund offers a program for qualified North Carolina dog owners.
• NY Save is a program for qualifying residents of the five boroughs of New York City who are truly in need of financial assistance to be able to take their pet to any participating veterinary hospital for emergency veterinary care.
• The Mosby Foundation  is organized for charitable purposes, to assist in the care of sick, injured, abused, and neglected dogs through financial support and public education.  A priority for accepting an application for funding is a life-saving emergency confirmed by a licensed veterinarian either by fax or phone.
• Cats In Crisis assists individuals who have exhausted all other financial
  means to provide the necessary medical care their cat needs. Funding is based on medical urgency, available funding, eligibility and financial need.
• The Brown Dog Foundation program is for pet owners in temporary financial crisis whose pet faces a treatable life-threatening condition

For a list of state specific resources visit the Humane Society of the United States.