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Prepare and Prevent Medical Emergencies
Non-routine veterinary care is almost always an unexpected expense and a financial burden. Though not all situations are preventable, there are a few simple things pet owners can do to minimize risk of finding oneself in the desperate situation of being unable to pay for emergency care.
- Spay and neuter all animals. Many health problems are prevented by spay or neuter.
- Keep cats indoors. Keep dogs on leash when not in a secure area. Use caution when leaving animals unattended, and only leave them unattended in a secure area.
- Practice good routine care. Give necessary vaccinations, heartworm and flea prevention where needed, feed a good quality diet, and provide ample fresh water.
- Contribute to a special savings account for veterinary care. Even $5 per month can add up to a significant amount.
- Keep the number of animals you are responsible for within your means.
- Research the benefits of purchasing a pet health insurance policy.
General Information and Advice on Fundraising
When a loved animal member of your family is sick and the treatment is difficult to afford, the situation can seem helpless. Financial assistance programs are few and far between, and a situation can rarely be paid for entirely by grants.
Below are some suggestions from previous LifeLine applicants. If you have a successful fundraising strategy to share, please e-mail us.
- Be upfront with your veterinarian about your financial restrictions.
- Discuss with your veterinarian the minimum treatment to save your animal's life. For example, amputation can be a more financially attainable option than reconstructive surgery or purchasing a wheelchair can be more attainable than a full hip replacement. Your veterinarian can help you evaluate what is most realistic for your situation, keeping your animal's quality of life in mind.
- Ask other vet clinics how much they normally charge for a similar treatment on a similar animal. Costs can vary widely from clinic to clinic.
- Find a quick way to earn money, such as having a bake sale, yard sale or car wash.
- Apply for Care Credit, a credit card specifically for health expenses.
- Create a funding page using your social network site or other funding tool, like ChipIn or GiveForward.
- Contact local animal shelters and rescue organizations for leads to low-cost clinics and/or help with fundraising. For a comprehensive list of rescue organizations nationwide, visit Petfinder.com and click on “Shelters” at the top of the page.
- Post fliers or collection jars with a description of the situation and a picture of the animal at local dog parks, vet clinics, pet stores and other community gathering places.
- Contact church or community organizations and explain your situation. They may be willing to help you fundraise or raise awareness.
- Local restaurants may offer a fundraising opportunity in which a portion of a day's sales is donated to an organization.
- Offer to wash floors or do other labor at the veterinary clinic in exchange for lowering the treatment cost.
- Ask for loans from your family and friends.
- Ask family and friends to help spread the word about your situation.
- If the animal is a purebred, contact that breed's enthusiast club in your area.
- Explain the situation to your landlord or mortgage company and try to arrange a payment option to free up rent money for veterinary treatment.
- Get more ideas from The Humane Society of the United States.
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