The cost of yearly pet care can be overwhelming for many pet owners. According to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 2021) annual pet costs are around $1,391 for a dog and $1,149 for a cat. It is important to understand your options and have a plan in place for any unexpected costs.
Things to consider:
- Does my veterinarian offer a payment plan or discounted services?
- Do I have friends or family who can assist with costs?
- Can I put aside some money each month specifically for pet care?
- How much am I willing/able to spend in an emergency situation?
Funding Options
CareCredit https://www.carecredit.com/vetmed/
Credit card for financing veterinary services
Waggle https://www.waggle.org/
Crowd funding for veterinary care (similar to GoFundMe, but specific to pets)
Grants
- The Pet Fund https://www.thepetfund.com/for-pet-owners
- Feline Rescue Society Veterinary Funding Assistance Program https://mrfrs.org/veterinary-funding-assistance-program/
- The Onyx & Breezy Foundation https://www.onyxandbreezy.org/grant-application.html
- For more grant opportunities visit https://mvmacharities.org/marlborough-ma-pet-owner-resources/
Low-Cost options (for those who qualify):
Angell at Essex
Danvers, MA https://www.mspca.org/angell_services/angell-at-essex/
Northeast Animal Shelter
Salem, MA https://www.northeastanimalshelter.org/outreach/
Spay/Neuter Voucher Program
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/spayneuter-voucher-program