What can I do if my dog needs surgery and I can’t afford it? Essential Tips

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Financial and natural disaster assistance

Sometimes, your dog is hurt or sick because of no fault of your own — maybe an accident happened or your home was hit by a hurricane or tornado. Maybe you or someone in your family are simply too old to care for the dog. The following organizations specialize in working with pet parents in crisis.

  • Brown Dog Foundation is dedicated to helping families who find themselves in a temporary financial crisis at the same time their pet requires life-saving treatment or life-sustaining medications. They are designed as a one-time benefit. They are committed to maintaining and strengthening the bond between pets and their families during times of unexpected financial crisis.
  • The Onyx & Breezy Foundation provides funding for families experiencing financial hardship. Their foundation offers many initiatives, including dog food and supplies.

    • A cancer diagnosis is heartbreaking, but very common in dogs. Approximately 1 in 4 dogs will be diagnosed with some form of cancer in their lifetime with the risk of cancer increasing as a dog ages.10 Reach out to one of these organizations for treatment if you’ve recently been told your dog has cancer.

  • Joshua Louis Animal Cancer Foundation was created to assist owners and families of pets who are in need of cancer treatment and provides grants for pets under the care of a board-certified veterinary oncologist.
  • Magic Bullet Fund helps people who have made room in their homes and hearts for a canine companion but do not have the financial resources to provide cancer treatment.

    • A homeless person sitting on the ground with a dog in their lap.

    Should I Put My Dog Down at Home if I Can’t Afford a Vet Bill?

    Get advice from your vet first

    The first step towards helping your pet is contacting your local vet. Although it can feel awkward to talk about money, its good to speak honestly with your vet about what you can afford as there may be alternative options.

    Your vet should be able to give advice on how best to help your pet but if unable to, there are other options to consider depending on your circumstance and location. Options can sometimes be offered at a reduced cost, free through some pet insurance providers and your vet may provide treatment directly.

    Short on funds, but have a sick pet? Here’s what to do if you can’t afford a vet:

    If you don’t have the funds to pay for your dog’s medical bills, consider requesting a payment plan from your veterinarian. A payment plan will allow you to pay for medical care through small, incremental payments spread out over several weeks or months. This is often easier on the wallet than paying for care all at once. Your veterinarian may also be able to work with a credit counselor or loan officer to help you secure a loan if necessary. What’s most important is that you’re upfront with your vet about your financial situation.Â

    My Dog is Unwell But I Have No Money For The Vet – What Can I Do? – Dog Health Vet Advice

    What can pet owners do when they’re short on funds for veterinary care? Animalia explores some of the many options for struggling dog lovers.

    Most pet owners are aware of the importance of preventive and routine vaccinations to ensure their dogs, cats, and other pets stay healthy. But what about less common medical or surgical procedures? Many emergency vet procedures are costly. Pet owners are often forced to make impossible decisions to provide for their dog’s care.

    Do you have a sizeable sum of money set aside to afford these vet treatments for your pet? While that’s one of the safest ways to ensure you’re always prepared for pet health emergencies, there have never been more options. Thanks to advances in technology and more personalized insurance policies, many pet owners can now access high-quality veterinary care without having to pay out of pocket.