We all know how much vet bills can cost, especially if it is an emergency or happens out of hours. Whilst we all like to be prepared for the unexpected, sometimes they catch us off guard and we can find ourselves in a sticky situation in terms of vet bills. No matter what, we never want to let our pets down or feel as though we have failed them.
We understand the stress and worry this can bring to an owner, so we are here to bring you advice and ways you can seek support and help with any unexpected vet bills.
In This Blog
Speak to your Vet
The first avenue to for you to go down is speaking with your veterinary team. Whilst our vets are unable to lower the costs of treatments, they offer due to the ever-growing costs of medication, they may be able to accept monthly instalments at an agreed price each month until you have paid the total amount off.
However, don’t be disheartened or upset if your veterinary practice doesn’t accept this form of payment. Some vets don’t accept this due to the costs of the treatments and everything else involved.
They may offer you an alternative treatment instead which can help reduce the cost. But be aware that the success rates of the cheaper treatment may not be as effective as the original plan they first suggested. This could result in you and your pet being back at square one later down the line. Not an ideal solution.
RSPCA
RSPCA’s main aim is to treat neglected or homeless animals and most of their funding goes to these animals’ everyday expenditure. Therefore, the RSPCA don’t have the capability to support struggling pet owners with their vet bills.
But, within the charity, they do have certain branches which may be willing to help with highly specific circumstances and you will usually have to be receiving certain benefits or income assistance.
RSPCA do, however, offer support and free basic treatments which include:
- Microchipping
- Neutuering
- Vaccines
If your local branch doesn’t offer this, they will provide you with support to get this done.
Check your local branch to see if they can offer you any level of support.
Blue Cross
Blue Cross is an exceptional charity who have the animal’s best interest at heart and will try and help both your pet and you out as much as they can.
There are many hospitals dotted around the UK which can help you with your veterinary treatment. Whether this is at a reduced cost or completely free of charge. The Blue Cross team will be there to offer you support.
Due to the vast number of sick and injured patients they deal with on a year-to-year basis, their funding is stretched. This means that you must be receiving one of their means-tested benefits as well as living in a catchment area of one of their practices for you to receive reduced vet treatment.
If you are to receive free vet treatment, you need to be living within the catchment areas as well as receiving certain benefits like Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or Jobseeker’s Allowance.
They do ask for a voluntary donation if you do receive free Veterinary treatment. This will allow more sick and injured patients to receive the help they deserve.
If you want to see if you are in a catchment area and you meet their criteria, check the link here for all details and a map of their practices within the UK.
Animal Charities and Welfare Organisations
There are many independent charities out there which may be able to support you with your financial situation and provide your pet the treatment it needs.
If you are unsure of what charities you have around you, speak to your vet and they will be able to advise you on which ones are nearby. Alternatively, google *your pet* charities near me. For example, if you are needing veterinary support for your equine, simply google, “equine charities near me”.
The charity you get in touch with might not be able to offer you financial support, but they may be able to offer you advice on what you can do next within your pets’ best interest.
PDSA
The Peoples Dispensary for Sick Animals is a charity designed to help sick animals in need when their owners are struggling financially with vet bills.
If you live within the catchment areas of one of their practices and you are receiving certain benefits, you may be offered help with your vet bills. This may be at a reduced cost, or depending on your circumstances, the treatment can be offered for free.
At PDSA, their aim is to support sick and injured pets wherever possible. They also offer advice and try to educate the public in welfare and basic care in which our pets need to survive and thrive.
Whilst they would love to offer services and support to every pet out there, they are a charity. Which means they do not have unlimited funds, especially after the recent pandemic.
To find out if you are eligible for help, head over to their website and answer a few questions to help them choose the appropriate actions.
Pet Insurance
Our pets often choose to present us a vet bill when we are least prepared to deal with it. If you insure them as soon as they become yours, you will have that financial support in place from your insurance company.
There are many different insurance companies out there which all offer different benefit packages at different payments. It is always advised to look around, do your research and consider how much cover you would like for your pet and how much you are willing to pay.
You could simply use a comparison site such as GoCompare to help you get a better idea of how much it should cost you!
You will often be given the options to pay either in monthly instalments or annually. However, it is important to compare the two as you may be paying slightly more monthly as opposed to paying annually.
Here are a few different insurance companies you can choose from:
Never feel too scared and ashamed to ask for financial help. When it comes to our much-loved pets, we always want what is best for them. That is why there is support out there if you need it.
If it isn’t financial, these charities have help lines to offer any advice and support you need. There is always someone out there to offer you help, advice, or just an ear to listen too.
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