Taking care of dogs is extremely rewarding, but it can also be expensive. There are times when our dogs get into unforeseen accidents or get sick and require surgery, which can cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars, and can significantly affect your finances.
While it’s smart to budget for your dog’s medical emergencies, it’s difficult to predict how much you’ll need, and when. When faced with unexpected medical bills, many dog owners resort to using different financial aid resources to help pay for expensive surgeries. We’ll go over some options and practical next steps you can take if you’re facing challenges with paying for your dog’s surgical procedure.
The 7 Steps to Take if Your Dog Needs Surgery and You Can’t Afford It
Finding ways to pay for unexpected surgeries often requires creativity and trying out different things. Here are a few options to consider that may help you to pay for surgery and treatment costs for your dog.
1. Have Pet Insurance In Place
One of the first things you should do when bringing home a new pet is to get it insured. While it’s something you hope you’ll never need to use, it is well worth having when the unexpected occurs. Be sure to research policies carefully, as some will only pay out for certain conditions, limited amounts, or over limited time periods. If you don’t have pet insurance, you might consider one of the options below.
2. Discuss Payment Plan Options With Your Veterinarian
Because the rising costs of veterinary care services is becoming more and more of a prominent issue, many veterinarians offer payment plans. Payment plans enable people to pay for medical bills over an extended period of time rather than all at once. Some veterinarians may offer other financial assistance programs, so make sure to ask your veterinarian about any options or recommendations that may help you pay for your dog’s surgery.
As the need for this sort of service has become more common, many veterinary practices have adopted a more formal method of payment plan using credit agencies. This allows the owner to take out an affordable plan without depriving the practice of much-needed income.
You can also get a second opinion from another veterinarian to determine if surgery is necessary for your dog. You may be able to find more affordable treatments to help your dog.
3. Pet Care Credit Accounts
Some credit cards are specifically designed for pet owners. You can use them to pay for medical bills and then pay your balance over time. Some credit card plans don’t collect interest as long as you pay within the contracted time period.
However, these types of accounts can have high annual percentage rates (APR), so you must be confident that you can make monthly payments consistently to avoid getting swamped by interest rates and late fees.
4. Research Pet Charities
Certain pet charities will provide grants to people with sick pets. Most of these charities provide financial support for service dogs and working dogs that have gotten sick. However, you can find some that have less rigid requirements.
Here are some pet charities that offer help with paying for medical bills:
Some local animal charities offer financial assistance for owners with sick pets. So, make sure to research charities in your community to see if they offer aid for community residents.
5. Contact Veterinary Colleges
Sometimes, veterinary colleges will accept new patients and perform surgeries at a lower cost. This provides practical learning opportunities for veterinary students. So, it doesn’t hurt to contact a veterinary college near you to see if your dog would qualify for surgery at a lower cost.
6. Rearrange Your Pet Budget
It may not seem like it’ll make a significant difference, but reviewing your pet budget and rearranging spending avenues can help you save money and reallocate it to your dog’s surgery. Take a look at your dog’s food, toys, and general care supplies to see where you can cut costs. Consider using generic brands over name-brand products. You may also want to subscribe to member rewards programs or auto-shipment programs to receive discounts on products.
7. Consider Asking for Donations
This may be the least reliable way to pay for your dog’s surgery, but it is still an option you have. You could consider asking friends and family for donations, especially if your dog is well-loved. You could also consider starting a GoFundMe and sharing it on your social media to have people donate.
The Importance of Pet Insurance
Most pet insurance companies don’t cover pre-existing conditions, and have a waiting period of around 14 days, so they aren’t a lot of help if you sign up for a policy after finding out that your dog needs surgery. However, it’s still worth considering signing up for a pet insurance policy for any future emergencies your dog might need.
The cost of the policy can depend on several factors, including the company, coverage options, and deductible amounts. Also, many pet insurance companies will expect you to pay for the cost up front and they will reimburse you. However, there are some that pay vets directly, so it’s worth exploring your options or asking your vet for recommendations for pet insurance.
Some owners prefer to have a bank account or credit card allocated for vet bills rather than paying an insurance company. Just keep in mind that serious illnesses and complex surgeries can cost thousands of dollars, so it may be worth taking out pet insurance until you are confident that you have enough to cover any unexpected costs.
Talk to Your Vet
At the end of the day, your vet wants to help your pet get better, but there are also many expenses involved in making this happen, including:
- staff salaries
- staff training
- building and facilities
- diagnostic equipment
- medical equipment
- medications
- electricity and water
- hazardous waste disposal
- and much more
It might seem heartless that your vet is asking for payment when your pet is in need of treatment, but without that income, they cannot stay in business. Talk with your vet about the options before losing hope.
Conclusion
It’s best to explore all your options and to have no stone left unturned. Make sure to have a conversation with your veterinarian to see if you can agree on a payment plan. Reach out to various organizations and nonprofits to see if they offer any financial assistance for pet owners. Don’t forget to review your pet budget to see if there’s any wiggle room with costs. Exploring multiple avenues can help you develop a plan to pay for your dog’s surgery and help them get the treatment and care that they need.
The best way to avoid this situation completely is to set up good pet insurance, but make sure you do the research to make sure your pet is getting the best possible cover.
Featured Image Credit: Dragon Images, Shutterstock
