Quick Ways to Raise Money For Your Pet’s Surgery
Few things blindside us more than the news that a beloved pet suddenly needs serious veterinary care or surgery. In an ideal world, there would be no consideration of cost, but the high price of veterinary care and surgery can be just out of reach for many of us.
The good news is that people successfully raise money for pet surgery and other veterinary care on GoFundMe every day with pet fundraising. Our community is more than 50 million strong and our site has a section dedicated to pet care fundraising and animal welfare, including fundraising fundraisers for not-for-profit organisations serving pets and other animals.
Your fundraiser will be welcomed
The best part of crowdfunding is not just the financial support you receive, but the emotional support offered by friends and family as you face this challenge. Over the years, your pet’s given so much to you and others emotionally (especially if your pet is an official emotional support animal). A fundraiser helps provide much-needed care for your pet and it can offer friends and family a welcome opportunity to give back, showing gratitude for years of love and comfort.
How much are we talking?
The cost of pet surgery varies by clinic and condition, but it averages £2,000 to £3,000. Often, however, those most dependent on pets are least prepared to cover the cost of an expensive surgical procedure. Setting up a fundraiser to cover the cost is something we often see people do for their friends and family, especially the elderly.
GoFundMe has a 0% platform fee. Our community has raised more than £8 billion to help those facing some of life’s biggest challenges.
Take advantage of our free guides and resources
GoFundMe offers a wide range of free resources to help you run the most effective fundraiser possible. We’ll help you learn how to tell your story, use creative fundraising ideas, share your fundraiser on social media and more.
Share, update and spread the word
The best way to kickstart your fundraising journey, especially when you need funds urgently, is to share your fundraiser in any way you can – on social media, by text, on email and by word of mouth.
When you’re starting your fundraiser, it’s important to set a goal on how much you’d like to raise. This can be raised at a later date if appropriate, too. If you’re fundraising for help for a beloved pet, it could also help to put as much information about them on the fundraiser story. Who is your pet, why do they need urgent treatment and any other information which might help to hit home about why this is so important and urgent. If you’ve got any nice pictures of your furry friend or video this can help to tell the story too.
Now that the fundraiser is online post on all your social media channels. Send around a round-robin email to your contacts book, share in family messaging groups. If you can share your fundraiser in a physical way, print off QR codes and ask to put them up in local shops, on windows, on notice boards in your place of work. Having a pet that needs urgent vet treatment is a common experience for many people and plenty will have empathy on how painful it is and want to lend a hand.
When you start getting donations, share thanks on social media too. You can thank people on the fundraiser, but a post expressing gratitude on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter would also often be appreciated. Send personalised thank you texts too.
And also, keep donors updated on your journey. Let them know how your furry friend is doing.
Add a fundraising event
Along with raising funds online, think about hosting a fundraising event for your pet. One proven idea: a dog wash. Have friends and family bring dogs by your home and share the news of your dog wash with their social networks. Set up a kiddie pool full of water, and have some dog shampoo or biodegradable soap on hand. Ask patrons to donate to your GoFundMe fundraiser in lieu of payment. Take a look at our fundraising event ideas for more inspiration.
Fundraisers
We see plenty of fundraisers for pet care on GoFundMe. Here are some examples of people fundraising to help their pets.
Naevia the husky
Marie started her GoFundMe for husky Naevia after she was attacked on Redcar beach by two other dogs. Naevia was so badly injured that she was taken to intensive care and Marie quoted £20,000 for her treatment. The insurance limit was only £3,000, so Marie turned to crowdfunding. Overall, £42,000 was raised which helped to pay for nine other vet bills too. Marie said Naevia wouldn’t be standing here today without the kindness of donors.
CT scan for Charlie Feathers
Lucinda started a GoFundMe for her beloved Peking duck Charlie Feathers. Charlie suddenly lost the ability to walk. A course of antibiotics didn’t help and he needed a CT scan. Lucinda couldn’t afford it by herself, but also couldn’t bear to lose Charlie Feathers who had provided emotional support after she lost her mum. Thanks to generous donors, Charlie will be able to get his CT scan and make moves to getting better.
Spinal IVDD surgery & heart stent operations for Dexter
Dexter the French Bulldog woke up paralysed from the neck down. His concerned owner Louis took him to the vets, where he was diagnosed with IVDD – a painful spinal condition. Because Dexter already had a heart murmur, Louis was unable to get him insured and the surgery for IVDD costs £6000. He started this GoFundMe to help.
Help me get Rosie the Border Terrier Better
Jennifer noticed her Border Terrier Rosie was ‘stumbling’ one day – so took her to the vets where she was diagnosed with having a slipped disc. The cost of Rosie’s surgery was £7500 in total, but her insurance would only cover up to £600, so Jennifer started this GoFundMe to help. She wrote: “The thought of losing Rosie, my little terror and the light of my life, is unbearable.I feel like I am failing her. Having to ask for help makes me feel like I have somehow let her down, and it breaks my heart to be in this position. But I know I can’t give up on her without trying everything I possibly can.”
Ready to get help funding your pet’s recovery?
If you or someone you know has an animal who needs help with surgery or veterinary bills, you can start a fundraiser to raise money for pet surgery or any other veterinary care your animal companion needs. It’s easy to set up an animal fundraiser on GoFundMe—launch yours today.