Do you need help affording your pet? discover resources for healthy pets on zero budget

Pets come with a price tag, and it’s a reality every pet parent faces. Beyond the initial expenses like adoption fees, surgeries, vaccinations, and essentials, the ongoing cost of keeping our furry friends fed can strain our budgets. Unexpected financial challenges can hit any of us, especially with inflation squeezing our wallets tighter. The fear of not being able to provide for our beloved pets is distressing, but there are community resources available to help. No pet owner should have to watch their furry family member suffer due to financial constraints. Assistance is within reach!

Pet food and other necessities

• Visit Pet Help Finder, click on “Food Pantry and Supplies,” enter your city, state or zip code then click “Search.”
• Explore an interactive resource map provided by Feeding Pets of the Homeless; under “Get Help,” choose “Find Resources Near You” and enter your location.
• For help with housing, food, paying bills and more, visit findhelp.org or 211.org.

Veterinary care

• Visit Pet Help Finder, click on “Veterinary Services,” enter your city, state or zip code then click “Search.” This will bring up a listing of financially friendly providers of spay/neuter and other services.

Note: If your animal requires emergency veterinary care and you can’t afford treatment, contact nearby veterinary colleges to see if they have any emergency assistance programs.

If you are unsure what qualifies as emergency veterinary care, call your veterinarian and describe the symptoms. Some animal shelter and community clinics will also provide emergency care on a limited basis.

Ways to help cover veterinary expenses

• Negotiate a payment plan with your veterinarian. If you’re a client in good standing, they may be able to work out a weekly or monthly payment plan. Some veterinarians also work with third-party billing services, such as VetBilling, which allow you to pay over time.
• Get a second opinion. You may pay a consultation fee, but another veterinarian may have other ways to treat your pet that are less expensive but equally as effective.
• Use a veterinarian in a less expensive area or look for a community or shelter clinic in your area that offers discounted services for animals of the public.
• Check out local veterinary colleges. Some operate low-cost clinics for limited income clients.

Fundraising and temporary credit

• Ask if your veterinarian accepts Care Credit, a credit card specifically for health care expenses, including for pets. Note: Be sure you understand the repayment terms; often you can repay interest-free within a specific time period, but if you are late with a payment a high interest rate will be applied retroactively.
• Ask if your veterinarian accepts ScratchPay, a service similar to Care Credit.
• Some veterinarians accept donations from clients for a fund held in reserve to help other clients in need of financial assistance. Ask if your veterinarian has such a fund.
• Try a fundraising platform such as GoFundMe, which enables you to create a personal fundraising page.
• Consider Waggle, a pet-dedicated crowdfunding solution that channels funds directly to verified veterinarians for a pet’s care.
• Contact local rescue groups and shelters. Sometimes they have funds set up to help with veterinary medical care for families in their community.

More resources

• If you purchased your pet from a responsible breeder, check your contract to see if there is a health guarantee that covers your pet’s ailment.
• For help with future medical expenses, consider purchasing pet health insurance.

Recommended

• Businesses and Organisations That Help Seniors Pay Their Pet’s Vet Bills and Supplies
• Best Credit Cards for Seniors for Pet Supplies
• The Benefits of Pet Ownership for Seniors as a Therapy: Enhancing Health, Happiness, and Well-being

Assistance by breed

Breed-specific rescue groups may have information about additional help for particular breeds. Search for breeds online to see what resources may be available.