Pets can bring so much joy and companionship into our lives. In fact, in an adorable survey, 95% of Americans considered their pets to be family.1 So why, then, does financial anxiety creep in when your furry friend needs to visit the vet?
While veterinary care can be vital, it often comes with a steep price tag attached. If you’re short on funds, you may be wondering if you can still obtain emergency vet care with no money.
The short answer is yes. There are several ways to get your precious pet the care they need without breaking the bank.
Can I Take My Animal to The Vet if I Have No Money?
Some pet health issues require immediate attention. If your pet needs urgent medical care but you don’t have the money, you can still bring them to the vet.
While many veterinary expenses are charged upfront, your vet may be willing to work out a payment plan with you. If so, you can get your pet the urgent veterinary care it needs now and pay for it over time.
How to Pay For Emergency Vet Care With No Money
Whether or not your vet offers a payment plan, you can use the following methods to pay for emergency veterinary care with no money:
#1 Seek Financial Aid From a Nonprofit Organization
If you’re struggling to afford an upcoming vet bill, you’re not alone. Many Americans don’t have enough savings to pay for pet-related emergencies.
Luckily, many pet-loving nonprofit organizations such as the Cody Fund have set out to solve this animal welfare problem. These organizations may be able to offer you the financial assistance you need.
If you want to find a nonprofit in your area, just browse through the Humane Society of the United States website. It features a database of national and local nonprofit organizations that offer veterinary financial aid.
#2 Organize a Crowdfunding Initiative
Nothing pulls on people’s heartstrings like a pet in need. If you’re comfortable asking others for support, you’ll most likely find that many people are more than happy to donate to a pet parent’s emergency fund. You can give them the opportunity by setting up a crowdfunding initiative online.
Websites, like GoFundMe and Waggle, make this quick and easy. Simply set up your fundraising goal and share the link on social media to reach other pet owners. You can ask your close friends and family to do the same.
While you may not reach your goal with crowdfunding alone, it can be a helpful way to ease your financial burden.
#3 Charge the Bill on Your Credit Card
Credit cards come in handy when you need to pay for a big expense on the spot. Unfortunately, they can also increase the total cost of your pet’s care due to their costly interest fees. One way to avoid paying interest is by applying for a credit card with a 0% APR introductory rate.
Here’s how these credit cards work:
- You enjoy an interest-free introductory period that can last six to 18 months
- During this time, your credit card balance won’t incur any interest
- If you can pay your balance off during this period, you can avoid interest fees altogether
- Once the introductory period is over, a new interest rate will take effect
Just keep in mind that applying for a new credit card can temporarily decrease your credit score by a few points.2 However, if you’re strapped for cash in the immediate sense, this allows you to pay for the veterinary assistance now, and incur the costs later.
#4 Apply For a Personal Loan
Another pet emergency financing option you can consider is a personal loan. Compared to credit cards, personal loans often have lower interest rates. Additionally, personal loans have loan terms ranging from one to five years, giving you plenty of time to repay them. Better yet, their interest rates and loan terms are fixed, so you’ll know exactly how much you’ll owe each month.
The primary downside to personal loans is that they can have strict eligibility requirements. For instance, you may need:3
- High credit score (typically of 600 or above)
- Steady income and employment history (though it is possible to get a personal loan with no income verification
- Low debt-to-income ratio (learn how to get a personal loan with high debt-to-income ratio if yours is high)
- Collateral (if you apply for a secured personal loan)
While these requirements are rather cut and dry, there are other options for learning how to get out of debt with no money due to high medical expenses.
Key Takeaways
Veterinary care can be expensive, but there are ways to obtain emergency vet care with no money:
- If you’re short on funds, your vet may be willing to work out a payment plan with you.
- Nonprofit organizations like the Cody Fund offer financial assistance for pet owners who can’t afford vet bills.
- Crowdfunding can be a helpful way to ease your financial burden if you’re comfortable asking others for support.
- Applying for a credit card with a 0% APR introductory rate or a personal loan are also options to consider for paying for emergency veterinary care with little to no money.
It’s important to explore all available options before making a decision, and to prioritize your pet’s health and quality of life.
Sources:
- Good News For Pets. New Research Confirms the Strong Bond Between People and Pets is a Global Phenomenon, 95% Worldwide Say Pets Are Family .https://goodnewsforpets.com/new-research-confirms-the-strong-bond-between-people-and-pets-is-a-global-phenomenon-95-worldwide-say-pets-are-family/
- NerdWallet. Does Applying for or Opening a New Credit Card Hurt Your Credit? https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/will-new-credit-card-hurt-credit-score
- Forbes. 5 Personal Loan Requirements To Know Before Applying. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/personal-loans/personal-loan-requirements/