How to Get Emergency Help With Vet Bills: Resources and Actions

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| 5 min read Financial Assistance

Anyone who owns a pet can agree that they’re truly a member of the family. If your beloved pet gets in an accident, falls ill, or receives a scary diagnosis, you’ll do everything you can to make sure they get the best care possible because the house just isn’t the same when your pet is unwell. Then, once your furry friend is in recovery, you breathe a sigh of relief — until the bill arrives. Sound familiar?

Vet care costs can be gigantic and are oftentimes unexpected. We understand how worrying it can be not knowing if you’ll be able to cover your pet’s vet bills. Fortunately, there is an option where you don’t have to tackle these costs on your own. Financial support is out there with GoFundMe, and our team has gathered ways you can get help with vet bills to make sure no one worries about whether or not they will be able to give their pet the help it deserves.

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How to get help with veterinary bills

The average vet visit cost ranges from €49 to €65 while other vet visits like neutering can cost as much as €275, according to Urban Vets. If you need help paying vet bills, there are actions you can take.

1. Talk to your vet about payment options

The first step in getting help for veterinary bills is talking to your vet about options for reducing your bill. Some veterinary offices can help by creating payment plans to spread out your expenses. Your vet might also offer cash discounts. With information, you can make decisions. Do not always take the first price you hear, a simple discussion with your veterinary office can be enough to reduce your stress, and maybe reduce the price.

2. Use crowdfunding to get help paying vet bills

Many pet owners have started crowdfunding to raise money for their pet’s medical expenses. Keep providing love and care for your fluffier counterparts, and let pet fundraising lend financial help for vet bills so you can get them the medical attention they need. We’ve seen lots of success stories with people using a donation website for their pets’ needs.

3. Look into getting pet insurance

Pet insurance covers most accidents and illnesses. While the cost of pet insurance can be pricey, having it allows you to be reimbursed for certain medical expenses. It can also be important to just get rid of the fear that you could be hit with an unexpected vet cost on the horizon because you know you are insured against this. Read up on the types of pet insurance plans and what they cover to see if this is a good option for you.

Even after taking these steps, you may still need additional vet bill assistance. You can consider turning to crowdfunding when you need financial assistance for vet bills. Every day on GoFundMe we see people successfully raise money on our platform to adopt an emotional support animal, offset their pet’s surgery costs, cover dog expenses and cat costs, and more. We provide online fundraising so that you can use your donations on what matters most. Read honest GoFundMe reviews to see what others say about online fundraising for help with these bills.

Along with these organizations that help pay vet bills, you can also turn to charities for help with vet bills.

Charities that help pay vet bills

rish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA)
The ISPCA provides aid to pet owners who can not afford vet bills by offering financial help for treatments. They support a wide range of animals, from cats and dogs to exotics, and also run rescue operations and advocate for animal welfare across Ireland.
The Irish Blue Cross
This charity provides inexpensive veterinary care for pets with chronic conditions, surgeries, or emergency treatments. They assist pet owners struggling financially to ensure their animals get the medical care they need to survive and thrive.

Dogs Trust Ireland
Dogs Trust offers financial support to pet owners who need help with vet bills. They also focus on rehoming abandoned dogs, giving them a fresh start while ensuring medical care is available when needed.

My Lovely Horse Rescue
My Lovely Horse Rescue helps neglected and abused animals, providing funding for emergency vet care and rehabilitation. They focus on horses, dogs, and cats, working to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome animals in need.

Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA)
The DSPCA offers affordable vet services for pet owners struggling with the costs of care. They also operate a shelter for abandoned animals and advocate for animal rights and welfare across Ireland.

The Haven Rescue
The Haven Rescue provides financial help for urgent vet bills for abandoned or neglected animals. They also focus on rescuing pets, rehabilitating them, and finding them loving homes. 

Financial help for vet bills is within reach

Don’t wait another day to get help with veterinary bills. No matter what your financial situation is, your pet is deserving of medical care to get back to their happy and healthy self. Beyond turning to these generous organizations that help pay vet bills, we encourage you to consider using our online fundraising site. Read our pet fundraising guide for tips and inspiration to get started. Easily launch a fundraiser and let those who love your pet lend a hand.

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