6 tips to plan for a pet emergency

by RedRover Relief Case Manager Laurel Meleski

As pet owners, we naturally want to care for our four-legged friends, but what happens when an unexpected illness or accident happens and the cost to care for your pet is more than you can afford?

According to a report published every five years by by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the average veterinary expenditure per U.S. household was $375 in 2011. When there is a veterinary emergency, costs can easily soar, exceeding what we expect to spend by hundreds, or even thousands of dollars. Here are some tips to help you cope with the cost of unexpected veterinary care:

1. Create a veterinary fund for your pet(s). Setting aside $25 each month will allow you to save $300 a year.
2. Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion. General veterinary practices, emergency veterinary hospitals, and veterinary specialty and referral hospitals all offer a range of services at different price points. If the treatment that your pet needs does not require an emergency vet or a specialist, finding a second opinion at general veterinary practice can be a good way to find lower cost care. For a directory of veterinary clinics, visit Veterinarians.com.
3. Prescriptions can be expensive, whether they’re for a one-time cost, like antibiotics, or an ongoing cost, like insulin or anti-seizure medication. If there is a human version of any drug your pet has been prescribed, you can often get the generic medications at a lower cost through a human pharmacy (Walmart, Costco, etc.) or compounding pharmacy. You may also want to check into getting prescriptions filled through a prescription discount program like FreeRXPlus, or talk to your veterinarian about using an online pharmacy, like Valley Vet Supply or Doctors Foster and Smith.
4. Use the power of social media to fundraise for for the cost of your pet’s care. You can set up fundraisers through sites like YouCaring (which has no surcharge for use), Give Forward, and Go Fund Me. Sharing your fundraiser through Facebook, and asking your friends and family to do the same, is a great way to spread the word that you and your pet need help.
5. Apply for grants to help with the cost of emergency veterinary care. Check our list of financial assistance programs, the most comprehensive list of its kind, at RedRover.org/help, and be sure to apply for as many grants as your situation qualifies for.
6. If you can afford to make monthly payments and need money in a hurry, consider applying for a personal loan through CareCredit, a credit card specifically intended for health expenses, including veterinary care. Read the terms of this card carefully to make sure obtaining one will not add to your financial difficulties. iCare is an alternative service credit card with 0% interest that your veterinarian must apply for.

Having a sick pet can be frightening, but taking the time to plan for an emergency before something unexpected happens can help you be better prepared. Read more tips about preparing funds for a veterinary emergency