9 Ways to Pay for Emergency Veterinary Bills When You’re Broke

If you’re anything like me, your pets are family and over half of pet owners in the US agree according to a Pew Research survey. On top of greeting us excitedly at the door when we arrive home from work, pets provide us with numerous health benefits, from lowering our blood pressure and cholesterol levels to creating positive opportunities for socialization.

But caring for pets is expensive. The average annual cost to care for a dog is $1,000-$5,225, and an emergency vet visit can cost $150-$5,000.

While those numbers can be scary, those pets are a big part of your life (I have four myself), so I’m glad there are financial tools that can help make affording emergency vet bills much easier.

9 ways to get help with vet bills

If you’re strapped for cash and facing a pet emergency, don’t panic. There are several options for navigating emergency medical expenses when you’re out of money.

1. Discuss payment options with your vet

It never hurts to ask for help when you need it, especially in an emergency. Your vet clinic may offer payment plans or other options to reduce the funds needed immediately.

Consider asking if you can:

• Make a deposit and pay the rest off monthly
• Pay half of the bill now and the other half by a certain date
• Make a deposit while your pet is under care and work on other financing options in the meantime

2. Consider financial assistance programs

There are a number of nonprofit organizations that help with emergency medical care for pets when their owners are experiencing financial hardships. Some work with specific breeds, while others provide assistance for certain conditions or for those with specific financial needs.

Some breed-specific programs include:

• CorgiAid
• Labmed
• Pyramedic Trust
• Special Needs Dobermans
• WestieMed

Some general programs include:

• RedRover
• Best Friends Animal Society
• The Pet Fund
• The Banfield Foundation

You can also browse local organizations with the Humane Society’s state-by-state listings.

3. Utilize CareCredit

Many veterinary clinics accept CareCredit, a credit card specifically designed for health-care costs not covered by insurance. This card includes some financing options not typically available with a regular credit card. For example, if you meet the minimum monthly payments on a purchase of $200 or more, you may be eligible for promotional financing options.

4. Use a credit card with 0% intro APR

Applying for one of the best credit cards can be a smart way to deal with an emergency expense, so long as you have a plan to pay it off. I suggest looking for a credit card with a long 0% intro APR term so you have 12 months or longer to pay the amount off without interest.

One of my favorites is the Chase Freedom Unlimited^®, which offers 0% intro APR for the first 15 months (then 20.49% - 29.24% Variable). Plus, you can earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — add that to the 1.5% earned on all other purchases, and it’s a nice head start toward paying down your credit card balance.

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card comes with an even more generous welcome offer — new cardholders can earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. This might be a good option for expensive veterinary care, especially since it comes with a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases (then 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)).

5. Ask about Scratchpay

Scratchpay is a relatively new pay-over-time service that you may be able to use to pay for emergency vet services for your furry friend.

I like this option because you can apply from your own phone or computer; you don’t have to deal with others during a time you’re likely panicked.

The length of your repayment plan and whether or not you will pay interest charges depend on the terms you qualify for and choose. Term lengths range from 5 months to 2 years and Scratchpay only does a soft credit check so your credit score won't be negatively impacted.

6. Take out a personal loan

If you are not ready to open a new credit card or need more time to get current with payments than an introductory APR period provides, consider borrowing a personal loan. Personal loans can have interest rates that are a fraction of what you’d pay with the average credit card, making them useful for expensive emergencies. For more details, check out the how to get a loan guide.

6. Use your emergency fund

If you’ve been setting aside money in an emergency fund, you might already be well-prepared for an emergency visit to the vet. Veterinary care definitely calls for dipping into your emergency savings, and doing so can help you avoid paying interest charges on a credit card or loan. Just make sure you have a plan in place to build up your emergency fund again so you can be prepared for whatever else life throws at you.

7. Ask family or friends for financial help

I know, admitting you’re in need and turning to friends and family for help can be difficult. But think of it this way: If you borrow money and can’t keep up with paying interest, you may need even more help down the road. Getting a loan from a friend or family member may be the cheapest way to borrow — and the quickest means of getting out of debt. You might be pleasantly surprised at how willing people are to pitch in if they know the money will keep your pet healthy.

8. Fundraise

Crowdfunding can be a great way to ask for help without putting too much pressure on any one individual. You can create a fundraiser page for your pet on a platform such as GoFundMe or Waggle, and then utilize your social media to get the word out. You might get help from total strangers this way, but you should also share your page with your network to help reach your fundraising goal.

9. Consider pet insurance for future expenses

I know the thought of another monthly expense can be daunting, but pet insurance may save you in the long run, especially in emergencies. Just like medical insurance for humans, there are many options, so I suggest shopping around to find the best pet insurance premiums, deductibles and coverage.

FAQs

Bottom line

Veterinary care can be extremely costly, but just like for your human family members, you’d likely do anything to help them. To reduce your emergency costs, I suggest investing in preventative care for your pet to help avoid sudden health problems. For future emergencies, consider pet insurance, setting up an emergency fund or high-yield savings account, and doing some budgeting to plan for your pet’s needs.

If you still need help covering the cost of an emergency vet bill, consider taking out one of the best personal loans. Here’s to many more healthy, happy years with your best friend by your side.