Financial Help for Vet Bills: What You Need to Know
Anyone who owns a pet can agree that they’re truly like family. If your beloved pet gets in an accident, falls ill, or receives a scary diagnosis, you’ll do everything you can to make sure they get the best care possible. Then, once your furry friend recovers, you sigh in relief until the veterinary bill arrives. Sound familiar?
Vet care costs can be expensive and are often unexpected. We understand how worrying it can be not knowing if you can cover your pet’s vet bills. Fortunately, you don’t have to tackle these costs alone, as there are organizations that help with vet bills.
How to get help with veterinary bills
The average vet visit cost ranges from $45 to $55, while other vet visits like dental cleaning can cost as much as $400, according to Pet Care Rx. If you need help paying vet bills, there are actions you can take.
Talk to your vet about payment options
The first step in getting help with veterinary bills is talking to your vet about options for reducing your bill. Some veterinary offices can help by creating payment plans to spread out your expenses. Your vet might also offer cash discounts.
Use crowdfunding to get help paying vet bills
Many pet owners have started crowdfunding to raise money for their pet’s medical expenses. Let animal fundraising lend financial help for vet bills so you can get them the medical attention they need. We’ve seen many success stories with people using a donation website for their pet’s needs and sharing on their TikTok, Instagram, and other social media to fund their goal.
Look into getting pet insurance
Pet insurance covers most accidents and illnesses. While the average cost of pet insurance can be pricey, having it allows you to be reimbursed for certain medical expenses. Read up on the types of pet insurance plans and what they cover to see if this is a good option for you.
You may still need additional vet bill assistance even after taking these steps. Here’s a list of charities for help with vet bills so your furry friend can recover quickly:
Charities that help pay vet bills
1. Paws 4 A Cure
This organization helps cats and dogs regardless of breed, age, or diagnosis. Pet parents with a limited ability to pay for care may qualify for assistance with vet bills.
2. The Pet Fund
This nonprofit organization aims to help pet owners pay for non-basic, non-urgent care for chronic conditions, heart disease, and cancer. If your pet needs such care, you can receive vet bill assistance.
3. Bow Wow Buddies Foundation
For sick and injured dogs that need urgent medical care or help with vet bills for life-threatening conditions, Bow Wow Buddies Foundation is here to help. This nonprofit provides grants up to $2,500. The grants do not cover things like dental work, ongoing treatments, or end-of-life care. Visit their website for more eligibility information.
4. Brown Dog Foundation
If your pet is diagnosed with an illness and is likely to respond well to treatment, but you don’t have the funds available to cover the vet bill, turn to the Brown Dog Foundation. It was created to help pets whose families aren’t able to do so themselves.
5. Help-A-Pet
Help-A-Pet’s mission is to provide financial support across the US for pet owners who can’t afford their pet’s medical care. In order to qualify, your annual income must be under $20,000 if you’re an individual household. For a family household, the annual income must be less than $40,000. Since funding is limited, this nonprofit can only provide financial help once per pet.
6. Joshua Louis Animal Cancer Foundation
This nonprofit organization focuses on raising awareness and funds for animals with cancer. When pet owners are unable to cover treatment themselves, the foundation can help with financial support.
7. Diabetic Cats in Need
This organization offers financial aid for insulin, helps find new homes for unwanted cats with diabetes, and starts local rescue programs to help diabetic cats get adopted.
8. Magic Bullet Fund
For those financially unprepared to pay for their dog’s cancer treatment, this nonprofit aims to close the gap. It is important to note that Magic Bullet Fund doesn’t offer grants, but raises donations to cover medical care. Since this is an ongoing process over the course of several weeks, this fund is not ideal for help with immediate treatments.
9. The Mosby Foundation
Since 2003, this organization has been working to help neglected, sick, and abused dogs. Dog owners can apply to have procedures and treatments covered. However, the foundation cannot help with vet bills you’ve already incurred.
10. Handicapped Pets Foundation
This organization’s mission is simple: to provide disabled, injured, and elderly pets with wheelchairs. Its gift of mobility helps these pets stay active.
11. The Onyx & Breezy Foundation
This nonprofit organization was born out of the memory of two beloved dogs, Onyx and Breezy. Their memory lives on, helping other dogs live happy lives through funding for spay and neuter programs, rescuing animals from kill shelters, support for cancer research, and much more.
12. Frankie’s Friends
Frankie’s Friends Charitable Pet Foundation issues grants to help with the costs of emergency care for pet owners who can’t pay the full amount of treatment. Applications for financial assistance for vet bills will be reviewed if a vet has determined your pet has a good chance of recovering with treatment, among other criteria.
13. RedRover Relief Urgent Care Grants
In the event of an emergency, this organization offers immediate financial assistance for veterinary care, with grants usually around $250. RedRover responds to applications within two business days.
14. Friends & Vets Helping Pets
This nonprofit organization’s purpose is to cover the costs of a pet’s life-saving vet care for families with financial restraints. Grants are available for families facing extreme financial circumstances or families who might only require a small amount of help to pay for vet expenses. Anyone who applies must show proof of financial need.
15. Pet Assistance, Inc.
Pet Assistance, Inc. offers financial aid for longtime pet owners who can’t pay for emergency treatment. This nonprofit can’t offer financial assistance for new pets, but they can provide advice, guidance, and referrals that have helped pet owners save money on vet care. The grants are issued based on financial need, urgency, and prognosis.
Organizations that help with vet bills
1. LendingUSA Pet Loans
Pet financing through LendingUSA offers pet loans to cover expenses such as vet bills, emergency care, cancer treatment, and surgeries, just to name a few. Since pet financing may have lower rates than credit cards, this can be a good option for pet owners who want more flexibility and control over monthly expenses.
2. United States Department of Veterans Affairs
If you’re a veteran with a service dog, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs will cover the cost of veterinary care, along with any equipment related to the service that dog provides. Veterans Affairs doesn’t cover unrelated costs such as over-the-counter medications or flea treatments.
3. GoFundMe
Consider turning to crowdfunding when you need financial assistance for vet bills. Every day we see people successfully raise money on our platform to adopt an emotional support animal, raise money for pet surgery, get help with dog expenses and cat costs, and more. We provide online fundraising so that you can get help with veterinary bills.
In addition to crowdfunding for help paying vet bills, GoFundMe is dedicated to supporting animal rescue. There are tons of animals in need of shelter, food, and safety. Use GoFundMe to pay it forward and give back to rescue animals and animal shelters. Your donation will make a big difference in a furry friend’s life and help the organizations that protect them.
4. CareCredit credit card
This healthcare credit card gives you the flexibility to pay for pet medical bills ranging from routine appointments to emergency surgeries. CareCredit differs from traditional pet financing and vet payment plans in that you’re able to use your card multiple times for your pet’s care.
5. Scratchpay
You can apply for a payment plan and Scratchpay will pay your vet immediately. Unlike CareCredit which is a credit card, Scratchpay is a temporary loan. In addition to their 12-month and 24-month payment plans, they also have a Take 5 plan which allows you to split your vet bill up into five payments.
Financial help for vet bills is within reach
Don’t wait another day to get help with veterinary bills. No matter your financial situation, your pet deserves medical care to return to its happy and healthy self. Beyond turning to these generous organizations that help pay vet bills, we encourage you to consider using our online crowdfunding site.
Read our pet fundraising guide for tips and inspiration to get started. Easily launch a fundraiser and let those who love your pet lend a hand.