High costs are leading a lot of folks to make some hard decisions about spending, including on their pets.
A poll from Gallup and PetSmart charities found more than half of pet owners skipped needed veterinary care. Most said they did so because it was too expensive.
But that can lead to other problems for families and communities.
“When people start to skip these appointments, what can happen is that a small problem starts to escalate,” said Cathy Rosenthal, director of public outreach for the Spay Neuter Network.
When a problem becomes too severe, Rosenthal says people sometimes surrender their pets to a shelter in hopes they can get the care they need.
To avoid those and other problems (some vaccinations are required by law!), here are her tips for keeping vet care more affordable.
1. Don’t skip the annual appointment
It can seem unnecessary, especially when a pet seems healthy. But this again comes down to the idea that catching something early is going to keep costs down in the long-term.
2. Don’t be afraid to ask for a better price
Rosenthal says some veterinarians might be able to work with you to find affordable care. Other times, you may need to call around. But, again, being on top of things early will help.
“Don’t wait till the problem gets worse or it’s in a crisis situation because then you’re having to make quick decisions and you can’t take the time you need to look around for more affordable care,” Rosenthal said.
3. Seek out spay/neuter and vaccination clinics
The Spay Neuter Network was founded in Kaufman County in 2004 and has expanded to operate clinics across the DFW area, in San Antonio and a mobile clinic. Rosenthal says if you’re out of their service area, it’s likely there’s another option near you.
“You can call animal care services, and you can call animal shelters — like nonprofit animal shelters. They should be able to tell you what low-cost services are available,” Rosenthal said. “Almost every community will have low-cost vaccinations. Most communities will have some sort of low-cost spay/neuter resource.”
She acknowledges it can be harder to find these resources in some rural parts of Texas.
4. It’s OK to ask for help, even if you’re a higher earner
According to the PetSmart Charities-Gallup poll, higher earners were also skipping vet care because they “could not afford the cost” or the “care was not worth the cost.”
While those in the lower income brackets are the primary service targets of low-cost clinics such as the Spay Neuter Network, Rosenthal says most people are feeling the bite of higher veterinary costs. She says higher earners might be able to pay a lower premium for services that would be free for others.
