Emergency Vet Financial Assistance

Help! My Pet Needs Emergency Treatment, and I Can’t Afford It!

We’ve all been there: An unexpected emergency arises — and along with it a sizable bill. And when it involves a family member, even the four-legged furry kind, we can’t say no. Instead, we're left thinking "I need a vet but have no money for the unexpected expense. Where can I turn?!"

How Much Is Emergency Pet Care?

While it can vary greatly depending on the situation (condition, animal type, age, location, etc.), the cost of unexpected emergency veterinary care for dogs and cats can range from a few hundred to well over a thousand dollars. But what do you do if you don’t have pet insurance or a rainy-day fund set aside for emergencies? You wouldn’t be alone — only about 3% of dogs and cats in America are insured, and a recent survey by AARP found that 53% of Americans have no emergency savings account. If you find yourself in just such a situation, here are a few steps you can take to make your beloved pet’s care more affordable:

1. Talk to Your Veterinarian

If you are facing a pet-care crisis and don’t know how you’re going to pay for it, the first thing to do is have an honest conversation with your veterinarian. Be up front about your financial constraints. Knowing your limitations may help the veterinarian decide which diagnostic tests are most important and which treatments to try first. This is where a long-term relationship with a veterinary clinic is helpful. If they know you, and you have been faithful to pay your pet’s health care bills in the past, they may be able to offer a payment plan that fits your budget. Some clinics are willing to work with you to provide vet bill help that fits low income financial restraints. In addition, some clinics will offer a discount if you pay in cash, so it doesn’t hurt to ask, if that’s an option for you.

2. Seek a Second Opinion

If that’s not possible, or your veterinarian is unable offer a plan that works for your circumstances, you might look for another clinic that provides the same services at a lower cost. Unless your pet is in need of immediate treatment, it never hurts to get a second opinion, and many clinics are willing to refer you to another veterinarian who might charge less or offer an alternative, lower-cost treatment. However, be prepared to pay an additional exam fee to the veterinarian whom you are asking for a second opinion, and bring along your pet’s health records and test results so the same tests don’t need to be repeated.

3. Try Low-Cost Clinics or Veterinary Schools

When looking for affordable care for your four-legged friend, call around. Sometimes, simply driving to a town outside a major metropolitan area will yield significant savings in veterinary costs. Or contact a local veterinary school, where advanced students can often provide treatment under the supervision of licensed professionals. Moreover, some animal welfare organizations and rescue groups offer low-cost veterinary care or emergency vet financial assistance. The Humane Society of the United States offers a directory of such organizations by state, as well as other resources.

4. Apply for Pet-Specific Credit or Loans

Once you’ve found the best, most affordable care for your pet, you may still need help paying the bill. Rather than putting it on a regular credit card, it’s worthwhile looking into credit lines and short-term loans designed specifically for pet care expenses. Some companies offering specialized cards and loans include CareCredit, Scratchpay, Wells Fargo, PetLoans.com, and LendingUSA. Some offer interest-free terms if the loan is paid off within an allotted time. But do your homework, so you’re aware of all the fees and interest rates. For more detailed information about some of these options, check out this resource.

5. Set Up a Waggle Campaign

Crowdfunding is a way of raising money for your pet’s medical expenses by reaching out to friends and family, as well as other animal lovers, on social media. Waggle is a pioneering, not-for-profit crowdfunding platform dedicated to keeping pets and their families together. We offer a safety net for pet guardians who need help paying for crucial, life-saving care for their dog or cat. If you need help with a vet bill, and do not have the money to cover it, a Waggle campaign could help your pet get the treatment they need! Our site guides you through the process of creating a crowdfunding campaign to help pay veterinary bills. Once vetted and approved, your campaign is posted on the Waggle website for public viewing, and we encourage you to share it with friends and loved ones via email and on social media. Because of our strong relationships with other pet-dedicated foundations and sponsors, Waggle is able to kick-start many campaigns with an initial grant or provide matching funds to help you meet your goal faster. Most importantly, Waggle guarantees that all funds raised go directly to the veterinarian providing treatment, offering total transparency and security of donations for donors and pet guardians alike.

6. Look for Charitable Organizations

You may also be eligible for help with veterinary expenses through other nonprofit organizations that award grants for particular breeds or health concerns. Most of these grants are small and won’t cover the entire cost of treatment, so you may need to apply for aid from multiple sources. Also, most of these foundations require you to apply before your pet is treated, so again, if your furry friend needs care right away, applying for loans or credit cards while posting your campaign on Waggle might be a quicker option. You’ll find many helpful resources listed on the following websites:

The Animal Foundation
Dealspotr
DogTales
The Dogington Post
RedRover
Speaking for Spot
Veterinary Partner

Additional Resources for Help with Veterinary Expenses: