Pet Medical Expense Help

When a medical crisis strikes your pet and you̵7;re faced with overwhelming veterinary expenses, it's easy to become heartbroken and hopeless. If you'll make an effort, though, you might find a solution through your vet or with the help of an aid organization or program in place to help ease such burdens.

  1. Work With Your Veterinarian

    • One of the quickest, easiest ways to gain assistance is through your veterinarian. If you̵7;re a client in good standing and have a good relationship with your vet, talk to her about a payment plan. Many vets are willing to negotiate payment so you̵7;re not faced with a huge bill to pay all at once but your buddy still gets the care he needs in a timely manner.

    Financial Hardship Programs

    • Many pet aid programs offer veterinary assistance to those with low incomes or sudden financial hardships. In many cases, owners who have recently lost their jobs, members of the homeless population and senior citizens on limited incomes can benefit from temporary pet food assistance, routine exams and procedures like spay/neuter, as well as emergency veterinary care. The Human Society of the United States' website has a comprehensive list of pet assistance programs by state to help you find an organization or program nearby.

    Breed-Specific Assistance Programs

    • Breed-specific medical expense programs exist to help owners of individual breeds tackle known genetic conditions. A labrador-specific organization may have a fund devoted to correcting hip dysplasia, while a Cavalier King Charles spaniel organization may focus on managing and treating mitral valve disease, the leading cause of heart disease and death within the breed.

    Animal Shelter Programs

    • If you adopted your buddy from a shelter, it̵7;s worthwhile to contact that shelter and inquire about medical expense help. An animal shelter̵7;s main goal is to place pets in appropriate, loving forever homes. If the financial burden is large enough that you̵7;re considering relinquishing your pet, some shelters step in to prevent this. Your specific shelter may have an emergency medical care fund for adopted pets. Additionally, shelter employees generally have strong working relationships with several veterinarians in the area and can attempt to find a veterinarian willing to work with you and provide discounted medical care.

    Pet Health Insurance

    • Acquiring health insurance in the midst of medical and financial crisis is unlikely to benefit, but having pet insurance ahead of the event can be a godsend. Insurance companies that cover pets offer a variety of plans and pricing from comprehensive to emergency care only, providing peace of mind for pet owners moving forward.