5 Tips for Paying Veterinary Bills

Veterinary bills can be quite expensive, and finding a job that offers pet insurance as one of its employee benefits is rare. While you can easily budget for routine care such as vaccinations, you may need assistance paying or planning your payments for unexpected or emergency expenses. Here are five tips for paying veterinary bills.

1. Take Out a Veterinary Loan

If you need help with veterinary bills, one of your potential options is to take out a veterinary loan. Veterinary loans may include lines of credit, personal loans, and payday loans, among others. Depending on the amount of money you need and the urgency of that need, you may be able to take out same-day or next-day loans and loans that may take longer to get approved. You may also have the option to pay loans back in installments.

2. Seek Financial Aid Options

There are many organizations that will assist you in affording medical treatment for your pets. Some organizations are breed-specific, while others may work with you no matter what species or breed your pet is. You can also contact many regional, national, and international organizations dedicated to keeping pets safe and healthy. Depending on the organization, you may be afforded direct financial assistance or be provided with help to find financial aid such as loans and fundraising options.

3. Take Advantage of Your Veterinarian’s Financing Options

One of the first things you should do if you’re worried about paying for your pet’s veterinary care is to discuss this with your pet’s veterinarian. He or she can go over your options with you and talk you through what he or she thinks is best for your situation. Most veterinarians provide alternative arrangements for pet owners if they’re unable to pay their bills in full. You may be able to take advantage of a credit plan, payment deferral or payment plan, among other options.

4. Raise Money With Online Fundraising

Another option available to anyone is crowdsourcing or online fundraising. Platforms such as GoFundMe and IndieGoGo are popular for both veterinary expenses and other fundraising needs. There are also platforms designed specifically for raising money for veterinary bills and other pet-related expenses, such as Waggle. These options allow you to be more independent, avoiding debt and payment plans, but can be slower and less reliable than other options.

5. Consider Investing in Pet Insurance

Your employer may not offer pet insurance, but there are independent insurance options available for you to take advantage of. If your budget allows, it’s a good idea to invest in one of these insurance programs. Like all other types of insurance, you’ll be charged a monthly premium. However, doing so can ensure that the amount you pay out of pocket for emergency or other expensive medical services will be much smaller than it would be without coverage.

Depending on your financial situation and your pet or pets’ needs you may have more or fewer choices for assistance in paying veterinary bills. If you have concerns or questions about your veterinary bills, you should first speak with your veterinarian about potential options.