Pet medical care can be expensive. The organizations listed here provide assistance to people facing financial hardship to help cover the cost of their pet’s medical care.
Vet bills can be scary. As a pet owner, I know the feeling of shock and stress when you get handed a huge vet bill that you weren’t expecting. Unfortunately, pets can have accidents or get sick at any time, and vet care is expensive. What do you do when you simply can’t afford that astronomical vet bill?
The good news is that there are options. In this article, I’ll break down some of the main ways pet owners who are struggling financially can get help paying vet bills. My goal is to explain the different types of assistance available in easy-to-understand terms, so you’ll know where to look if you ever find yourself in a bind.
Payment Plans From Your Vet
The first thing to try is talking to your vet directly. Many vet offices understand that money can be tight and are willing to work with clients on payment plans or deferred payments. This allows you to pay off the bill in installments over time rather than all at once.
When discussing a payment plan with your vet, be upfront about your financial situation. Provide details on how much you can afford to pay each month. Your vet may be able to adjust the payment plan terms to fit your budget.
Payment plans do require trust between you and your vet. You’ll need to follow through on the agreed-upon payments. However, a payment plan can make a seemingly insurmountable vet bill much more manageable.
Credit Lines For Medical Expenses
Another option is a medical credit line from a company like CareCredit These credit lines are designed specifically to help cover health care costs, including vet bills.
The advantage of a medical credit line is you get approved for a set borrowing limit. You can then use this credit line to immediately pay your vet bill in full. You’ll pay back the credit line in installments to the lending company.
One key point – make sure you understand the terms! Many medical credit lines offer 0% interest IF you repay within a set timeframe like 6, 12 or 18 months. However, if you miss payments, the interest can be very high, often over 20%. So medical credit lines offer flexibility, but read the fine print to avoid hidden costs.
Nonprofit Organizations That Provide Assistance
Many nonprofit organizations provide financial assistance to pet owners who can’t afford vet care. These include both national organizations like the Humane Society and ASPCA, as well as local rescues or shelters in your community.
The process usually involves filling out an application explaining your situation and providing documents like vet estimates. If approved, the organization will pay part of your vet bill directly to your vet. The amount covered depends on the organization and circumstances.
I recommend looking for nonprofits focused on a specific illness if that applies. For example, there are groups that provide assistance specifically for dogs with cancer.
The key is researching groups that align with your needs and fully completing the application process. This can provide vital relief if you’re struggling with a large vet bill.
Crowdfunding Sites
Crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe allow you to share your pet’s story and request donations to cover vet bills. You’ll need to market your campaign through social media and your own network. But often friends, family and even strangers will contribute to help a sick pet.
I suggest being detailed in describing exactly what the vet expenses are for and how the funds will be used. Sharing lots of photos and videos that show
Financial Aid for Pets
Brown Dog Foundation: www.browndogfoundation.org
For those who have no money immediately available for the care of cats and dogs that are sick or injured and would respond to treatment.
Must be requested through your attending veterinarian for a life-threatening or critical injury or illness with a favorable outcome with care and the owner must be on a form of government aid.
Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Programs: www.fveap.org
This organization helps cats with Vaccine Associated Sarcoma (VAC).
Friends & Vets Helping Pets: http://friendsandvetshelpingpets.org (859) 309-2043
For applicants in financial need for their pet’s curable diseases such as tumors, broken bones, ambulatory care, expensive medication or post-surgical prosthetics. FVHP staff works with both the veterinarian and the family to provide pets with the necessary medical treatment.
The Magic Bullet Fund: www.themagicbulletfund.org
Cancer-specific help for families with dogs that have cancer, but can’t afford treatment.
The Mosby Fund: www.themosbyfoundation.org
For vet-confirmed critical situations that are non-basic and non-urgent.
Onyx and Breezy Fund: www.onyxandbreezy.org
Assistance with financial aid for medical treatment, medication, pet food, and spay and neuter surgeries with proof of low income/need.
Paws 4 a Cure: www.paws4acure.org
Helps dogs and cats with injuries and illnesses, grants tend to be small and do not exceed $500.
Pet Assistance Inc.: www.petassistanceinc.org
Helps long-time pet owners with financial aid for urgent or life-threatening emergencies only.
The Pet Fund: www.thepetfund.com
The Pet Fund works only on non-basic, non-urgent care such as cancer treatment, heart disease, chronic conditions, endocrine diseases, eye diseases, etc.
Pets of the Homeless: www.petsofthehomeless.org
A resource center for pet food assistance, wellness clinics, and emergency veterinary care. For emergency vet care, call 775-841-7463 to see if you qualify.
Prince Chunk Foundation: www.princechunkfoundation.org
Emergency Care for cats and dogs (possibly other pets in the future). Low-income individuals or those experiencing financial crisis are encouraged to pre-apply.
Red Rover: www.redrover.org
Provides grants around $200 for situations where urgent care is needed for a pet
The Reidel & Cody Fund: http://riedelcody.org
Support for pets suffering with cancer – funding for chemotherapy and radiation treatment
Rose’s Fund for Animals: www.rosesfund.com
For pets/found animal that have a life-threatening illness, injury or condition with a good prognosis to survive
The Shakespeare Animal Fund: www.shakespeareanimalfund.org (775) 342-7040
Small grants of between $50 and $100 typically to people on a fixed income or with annual incomes below the federal poverty guidelines
Voice for the Animals Foundation: www.vftafoundation.org (310) 392-5153
Their Helping Friends Program helps seniors, people with disabilities, terminal illnesses or fixed incomes take care of their pets.
Helpful Tips and Suggestions
- Try negotiating with your veterinary clinic for a better price or a payment plan to finance the cost of your pet’s medical care over time. Also, consider getting price comparisons from other vet clinics.
- Apply for CareCredit. CareCredit provides flexible financing for veterinary care and many of these organizations require proof that you have applied and been denied CareCredit.
- If possible, contact sources of financial aid before procedures are done. Few sources are willing to pay bills for care that has already been provided. Most require a diagnosis by a veterinarian.
- Most grants are small and will only cover a small portion expensive procedures. It is important to contact as many sources as possible. The grants may be very small, but they can add up if you get help from several sources.
- Few, if any, organizations will pay for ongoing medication that pets will need for extended periods of time.
- Most organizations require online applications only. If you arent computer-savvy, find a friend or relative who can help you.
- These organizations receive a lot of requests so please be patient, it may take a while to receive a response.
Each organization is independent and has their own set of rules and guidelines. The inclusion of a service, organization or program in this listing is NOT an endorsement, recommendation or guarantee of funds.
How to Get Help Paying Vet Bills: Friends & Vets Helping Pets Vet Bill Assistance Program
FAQ
What happens if you can’t afford to treat your pet?
Visit a vet in a less expensive area or look for a community or shelter clinic near you that charges less for services for animals owned by the public. Check out local veterinary colleges. Some operate low-cost clinics for limited income clients.
Do vets do a payment plan?
Your vets might offer their own payment plans, or they could work with a third party lender to do so. Paying for your pet’s care over time is possible with this, which works like a loan.
Can I use Affirm to pay a vet bill?
Health care: Affirm customers can also finance some health care services, such as eye care, dental care, and veterinary care.
Will a vet see my cat if I have no money?
LOOK FOR COMMUNITY VETS AS WELL. Call your local ASPCA and ask if they offer sliding-scale veterinary care or know of someone who does. It can be very cheap if you can show proof that you have a low income and fill out some forms.
How do pet owners pay veterinary bills?
As with a traditional credit card, pet owners will need to repay the funds they “borrowed. ” Crowdfunding. This means getting small donations from a lot of people over the Internet to pay for veterinary bills. 1. Paws 4 a Cure.
What if I Can’t Pay my Pet’s Bill?
There are some groups that might be able to help you pay your pet’s bill if you can’t make plans to do so. Your state veterinary medical association may also have a list of local organizations that can help.
Can you help a Kitty get a vet Bill?
Through crowdfunding, you can pay for all or part of your cat’s vet bill and get it home safely. Along with the pet funds listed, there are many different regional pet care funds available. These help pets in a small area and usually give you a small amount of money that you can use to help pay for emergency vet care.
Where can I get help if my Pet needs veterinary care?
Your state veterinary medical association may also have a list of local organizations that can help. Some veterinary medical schools also have programs that help pet owners who can show they need it by giving them money. The AVMA does not endorse any of these programs and cannot recommend one over another.
Can you pay a vet bill through crowdfunding?
Crowdfunding has helped many pet owners pay for unexpected bills. Through crowdfunding, you can pay for all or part of your cat’s vet bill and get it home safely. Along with the pet funds listed, there are many different regional pet care funds available.
Can a credit card pay for a veterinary bill?
Some companies offer healthcare credit cards specifically designed to help pay for costly medical treatments. As with a traditional credit card, pet owners will need to repay the funds they “borrowed. ” Crowdfunding. This means getting small donations from a lot of people over the Internet to pay for veterinary bills. 1.
