From time to time, unexpected circumstances may occur and you may have veterinary costs that exceed your ability to pay them. Taking care of a sick pet may be a difficult task if you are low on money. This is something that can happen to anyone. If you are in this situation, here are a few suggestions to help you pay that vet bill.
Work With Your Veterinarian
The first thing for you to do is to negotiate a payment plan with your veterinarian. They may be able to work you into a weekly or monthly payment plan, so that you won’t have to come up with the entire cost for the procedure up front.
The Humane Society of the United States recommends that you offer to help them out in their office if you can’t afford to pay for care. You could clean kennels or answer phones for them, for example.
They also recommend getting a second opinion when it comes to healing your pet. The other veterinarian may be able to recommend a less expensive mode of treatment. Try to find a veterinarian that is in a less expensive area, such as in a small town.
It may be worth your while to look into local veterinary schools. Many of them run clinics that offer discounted prices for clients with a low income. Visit the website of The American Veterinary Medical Association in order to gain a listing of schools in your state.
Apply for Credit
If you have a credit card, you could ask for an increase on your limit. Find out if your veterinarian accepts Care Credit. This credit card is designed to help pay for medical expenses of both humans and pets. If your veterinarian doesn’t accept this, the Care Credit website allows you to search their database for vets who do accept it.
Fundraising
You can raise your own funds to help take care of your pet on the Give Forward website. You create a fundraiser by telling your pet’s story and uploading a photo. The company gets a small percentage of the funds raised for your pet.
You can also try getting help from the non-profit organization known as For the Love of Alex. This organization collects donations for general veterinary emergencies, for families who cannot afford the medical costs. You can contact them by emailing them.
You may also want to try contacting your local animal shelter. Some shelters offer low-cost veterinary services or have a discount program established with local veterinarians.