If your pet is suffering from an illness or injury, first talk to your veterinarian to see if you can work out a payment plan or if you can provide a service for him/or in trade for their service. Be creative and ask what are some of their needs that they currently can’t adequately address or cannot afford staffing to undertake. Ask if your veterinarian participates in Care Credit. Care Credit offers special financing and low monthly payment options, no up-front costs and no prepayment penalties. If they don’t participate you may want to find one that does.

 

Undertake an internet search for assistance – begin with breed specific help and or disease specific organizations. Other charities help pet owners with veterinary costs without regard to breed or disease. The AAHA Helping Pets Fund awards grants for pet owners who are going through a financial hardship. Cats in Crisis helps pet owners and cat caregivers pay for medical care for emergency conditions and chronic illnesses. Help-A-Pet assists physically and mentally handicapped pet owners, senior citizens and children of the working poor pay for medical expenses for their pets. Pigger's Pals, Rose's Fund for Animals and In Memory of Magic (IMOM) also provide financial assistance to needy pet owners to help cover medical and surgical fees.

Most of all – don’t forget to be creative

·         Exchange services with family, friends and neighbors in exchange for payment for veterinarian care.

·         Sell unused items at a garage sale or internet auction site

·         Evaluate your monthly budget and eliminate un-needed items – restaurant dining, cable T.V. etc.

·         Brain storm with friends ideas to raise $.