Pet Guardians
Considerations When Asking for Help With Emergency Pet Services
For most of us, our pets are members of our family. So, should our furry companions ever need emergency care, we want to make sure they get the best possible treatment. That's where emergency pet services come in.
Emergency pet services are essential for the health and safety of our four-legged friends, but they can also be very costly. Below, we look at how to prepare for such emergencies, and what you should consider if you need support with unexpected medical expenses.
What are pet emergency services?
Emergency pet services are those veterinarian services considered essential in the event of a pet's medical crisis. Such services can include anything from 24-hour care to surgery and beyond. Emergency pet services are vital in ensuring that our four-legged family members get the care they need when they need it most.
Routine check-ups, vaccinations, spaying and neutering, and routine dental cleanings are not considered emergency pet services. If your pet is in need of any of these procedures, contact your veterinarian to schedule an appointment.
Preparing for a pet emergency
Here are a few things you can do to help improve the outcome for your pet in the event of an emergency, be it a sudden illness, injury, or even a natural disaster:
- Keep a list of emergency services handy, including your regular veterinarian as well as any local, 24-hour animal hospitals or clinics.
- Keep a copy of your pet's medical records on hand.
- Familiarize yourself with the signs and symptoms of common pet emergencies so you can act quickly, if necessary.
Fundraising and temporary credit
If you are facing a financial emergency and are unable to afford vet care for your pet, there are many resources available to help you out. First, talk to your veterinary clinic. Many animal hospitals offer payment plans or sliding scale fees based on income that can help make the cost of treatment more manageable. If you're unable to pay the full amount up front, ask your veterinarian if this is an option.
You might also consider taking out a loan or using credit cards to cover the cost of emergency pet services. If this is the case, be sure to shop around for the best interest rates and terms so you can keep the cost of repayment as low as possible. There are a number of resources available online that can help you compare offers and find the right one for your situation.
If taking on debt is not an option, you may be able to raise the funds needed to cover the cost of care. There are a number of ways to do this, from applying for assistance from nonprofit organizations to asking for donations from friends and family. A number of organizations provide financial assistance for pet owners in need. Some offer grants or interest-free loans that can help you pay off your vet bill. Take a look at the options we've listed below.
Assistance by breed
You may be eligible for help with veterinary expenses through nonprofit organizations that award grants for particular breeds of pets or health concerns. These grants can be extremely helpful, but most are small and won’t cover the entire cost of treatment, so you may need to apply for aid from multiple sources.
Below are some resources to look into based on specific breeds of dogs:
- https://apbf.dog/ - Pitbulls
- https://pitbulladvocates.org/ - Pitbulls
- https://corgiaid.org/ - Corgies
- https://www.greysave.org/ - Greyhounds
- https://doberman911.org/ - Doberman Pinschers
- http://westiemed.org/ - West Highland White Terriers
If you're ever in need of emergency pet care and can't afford the cost, don't hesitate to reach out to one of these organizations for assistance. With their help, you can ensure that your beloved pet gets necessary, life-saving care, and these grants can often mean the difference between keeping your furry BFF and having to give your pet up for adoption.
National and state-level assistance
There are also community, national and state-level organizations that offer financial assistance for emergency pet services. This aid can come in the form of grants, low-cost loans, or even financial counseling.
The Humane Society of the United States lists a number of programs on its website that help low-income pet guardians with the cost of emergency care and also with free or low-cost spay/neuter services, vaccinations, and pet food assistance.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has an Emergency Medical Fund that provides financial assistance for vet care in cases of unforeseen illness or injury.
Many local animal shelters and rescue groups also offer low-cost or free spay/neuter services, vaccinations, and microchipping. Some offer emergency boarding or foster care for desperate pet parents, as well.
Fundraising through crowdfunding
Other options for help with the cost of emergency pet services include crowdfunding platforms and donation-based websites like Waggle.org that can connect you with people willing to help pay for your pet's care.
Waggle is a pet-dedicated crowdfunding site that seeks to safeguard pets, ensuring their lives are not cut short because the families or shelters caring for them lack the funds to pay for vital medical treatment. We have helped thousands of pet guardians cover the costs of emergency pet services when they’ve lacked the financial means.
A fundraising campaign on Waggle can be a lifeline. Easy-to-follow directions on our sign-up page guide you through the process of creating a campaign. Once you’re done, we make your campaign available for public viewing on the Waggle website. You then share a link to your online campaign with friends and colleagues in your own community, and via social media.
All of the funds raised for your pet will go directly to the treating veterinary hospital for your pet's care. That’s one of the things that makes Waggle different. We never hand funds over to the individual running the campaign, so your supporters can give with full confidence in our transparency – as can you.
If you happen to be in a position to give, please consider supporting Waggle's mission by giving to an individual campaign or pledging a monthly gift to our FurEver Fund, which helps countless animals in need of medical attention. By donating money for emergency pet services, you can help ensure that devoted pet parents like you have the resources they need to cover their costs in the event of an emergency. If, however, you’re in a position to need with respect to your pet’s emergency care, please consider Waggle and the many other resources shared here.