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Petcare Credit

Check out our great list of resources to pay for your veterinarian bills from various companies and non-profit organizations.
Understanding Pet Care Credit and Non-Profit Alternatives: A Guide to Managing Veterinary Costs in Tough Times

In 2021, Americans really splurged, spending a whopping $123.6 billion on their furry family member! Taking your pet to the vet and dealing with their medical expenses can really put a dent in your wallet and tug at your heartstrings. If you’re struggling, looking into pet care credit options and pet insurance could be a savvy move.

When we welcomed our chocolate Labrador, Riley, into the family, we knew he was destined for a lifetime of potential hip-hop dancing and leg-day workouts. Despite his lineage showing no signs of trouble, I still splurged on pet insurance– a whopping $800, mind you – and threw in an extra $300 for a “paw-some” rehabilitation package. Gotta keep those tail wags and zoomies insured! 🐾

When I was younger, I had a black lab and a shepherd/collie mix. I was living on the edge without any insurance. Let me tell you, those furry troublemakers cost me a fortune in vet bills. I mean, we’re talking about thousands of dollars a year… back in the 90s, mind you!

To put it into perspective, $1000 back then is $2000 today. If I had insurance, my lab would have lived the life of luxury, and who knows, maybe I would have upgraded from my old hunk of junk car too! Before I even dipped my toes into the world of pet care credit, I embarked on a wild journey of comparing policies and prices. It was like hunting for the holy grail of four-legged financial security!

My Petcare Credit Story
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Petcare Math

Did you know that the average American in 2020 was raking in a mighty $67,000? Talk about living the dream! But hey, that average is probably taking a dip in 2024, unfortunately.

1/9th of your 67k yearly income, gone in a flash, just to take care of your dog, your furry friend.

You probably already know that’s a hefty sum for most people. To put it into another perspective, it’s roughly 30% of the price of a brand-spanking-new car. That’s a whole lot of cash!

Brace yourself for additional costs, because who doesn’t love a good plot twist in their budget?

Don’t forget those follow-up visits.

Gotta keep up with those vaccine updates.

Heartguard will cost you around $120 a year.

Bravecto at Tractor Supply adds up to $284 a year.

What about if you want to get doggy daycare or when you take a trip?

And then there’s the Apoquel we 16mg allergy medication. Let me tell you, Apoquel has made a world of difference for my little one. It’s like splurging on a bucket of chicken wings on a Friday night! But man, that medication will set you back about $1200 a year! Plus, there are incidentals like bandages, braces, and any other health-related stuff…

Let's Crunch Some Numbers

First cost is the insurance itself. We bought an $800 insurance plan and then added extras for an additional $300. The total $1100.

Then, there is a $500 deductible.

So, we need to have $1600 for pet medical needs every year to use the insurance.

If this sounds like too much for you, please don't get a pet! $1600 is what is paid before the pet health insurance begins to cover some costs. There may be additional costs as well thoughout the year, like vaccines, food, bedding doggy daycare.

Our dog, Riley, had a visit to the vet this past February.

Here is an example. This is a rough average of our yearly costs for his front left leg and allergy medicine.

$100 for 1 vet visit
$1000 for an x-ray

$2000 year for PT ($80 a visit)

$960 for allergy medication a year. (We have now switched to an injectable allergy medication that he gets every 6-8 weeks. It is much safer on his liver, but is $1040 a year. )

$4060 for his leg assessment and treatment, and allergy medication.

After our initial cost of $1600, our insurance paid the whole bill minus %10. So we only payed $406 for all of that.

The insurance paid $3654. We have already "gotten back" our $1600.

If there is a next time, it will be a bargain because the subscription and $500 are already in the bank!

Thank goodness I bought insurance.

Hypothetically speaking, if Riley suddenly needed a whopping $50,000 in medical assistance, I’d only pay up a modest $5000. That’s about as much as I’d spend on a fancy vacation, but let’s not get carried away.

Oh, and by the way, your next trip to the vet won’t need a deductible or yearly subscription. So, what’s it gonna be – $5000 or the big $50,000?

Common Pets and Their Average Yearly Costs

The costs of taking care of a pet can be a real roller coaster! Dogs might as well have a platinum bone subscription, while cats appear to have a more budget-friendly approach. Meanwhile, birds, reptiles, and fish are just chilling, keeping things low-key in the cost department. It’s a real pet-eat-pet world out there!

Dogs

Doggos rule the roost as the most paw-pular and wallet-sapping pets in the good ol’ U.S. of A. Keeping a pupper in the lap of luxury racks up to a bone-chilling $1,391 per year, with around $300 going to chow and $225 for the doc.

Bringing home a furrific companion will set you back an extra $1,030, covering $300 for the snip-snip and another $300 for checkups and shots. Don’t fur-get to fetch some extra bones for toys, treats, a comfy doggy bed, a cozy crate, and some schooling s-~mutts~ stuff.

Cats

A cat is like the affordable diva of the pet world. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), owning a cat costs around $1,149 per year. This includes splurging $225 on gourmet cat food, throwing in $160 for their extravagant medical care, and investing $140 in their exclusive preventative medications.

And when you glamorously adopt a cat, you might end up with a bill of around $455. This includes a hefty $150 for the spaying or neutering operation, $175 for their diva-like medical visits, and $40 for a designer cat carrier.

Birds

The average annual bill for pampering your fabulous pet bird comes in at a cool $185! This includes $75 for gourmet birdie cuisine, $25 to keep your feathered friend entertained and $85 for any unexpected winged emergencies. And let’s not forget about the stylish bird cage, which usually sets you back around $70, plus a little extra splurging on cozy bedding, chic perches, and the latest bird gadgets.

Now, when it comes to adopting a bird, the prices are as diverse as their enchanting plumage! You might snag a deal on a quirky parakeet or a charming finch for just $10, while the more exotic and extravagant cockatoos and macaws could demand a princely sum of $5,000 or more! Ah, the high-flying life of a bird owner!

Reptiles

Reptiles, the high-maintenance divas of the pet world, will really make your wallet sweat with their extravagant preferences. The low-profile lizards keep it thrifty, costing around $190 a year, while the posh iguanas flaunt their expensive habits, coming in at a cool $350 annually. And then there are the pet snakes, the true high-rollers at up to $450 per year. From luxurious tanks to gourmet meals, these expenses cover it all – vet care, food, cages, tanks, heat lamps, and other lavish supplies for our scaly companions. It’s like they’re living in a reptilian paradise! 🦎🐍

Fish

The world of fish-keeping is a real financial rollercoaster! If you’re thinking of starting small with a simple bowl, you can expect to splash out around $10 to $20 for the setup, and $3 to $12 for the fish themselves. But if you’re ready to dive into the deep end with a fish tank, be prepared to fish out $200 or more! And let’s not even get started on saltwater tanks – those beauties will have your wallet swimming upstream! According to Kiplinger, the grand lifetime total for keeping fish is somewhere in the net of $270 to $410. So, if you’re ready to take the plunge, make sure your pockets are well-anchored! 🐠

Service Dogs

You’re all set to splurge your pet care credit on anything related to your furry friends, from vet bills to surgery – it’s all covered!

Thinking of getting a top-notch service dog? Prepare to shell out anywhere between $15,000 and $30,000. And don’t forget the visit to the therapist for your therapy pet – hope the pet insurance companies have got your back on this one!

Getting Pet Care Credit

Pet care credit can help your to get loans, like having a personal assistant for your furry friend’s finances. You can borrow the cash you need to pamper your pet like the royalty they are, and then pay it back when you regain possession of your wallet (or get reimbursed, whatever comes first). The best part? No need to pawn off your priceless heirlooms as collateral. With top-notch insurance and pet care credit, you can treat your pet like the VIP they are without breaking the bank. Plus, with fixed interest rates and manageable monthly payments, it’s almost like your pet is chipping in for their own treats.

Remember, you don’t need a special “paw card” for your furry friend’s expenses! Feel free to swipe that personal credit card for more than just treats and toys. After all, who knew your pet could have such expensive taste?Write your text here...

Applying for Petcare Credit

So, before you dive into the thrilling world of pet care credit, take a peek at your credit score and give that credit report a good ol’ review. The stronger your credit game, the sweeter the rate you could snag for taking care of your furry friends.

  • Ah, credit in the United States – it’s like a mysterious beast, isn’t it? No one really knows how it works, and rumor has it that checking it a couple of times can make it throw a fit. But fear not! There are some lenders who let you sneak a peek online without any impact on your precious credit score. It’s like a credit sneak-peek party – you might wanna check that out too.

  • Get ready for the roller coaster ride of personal loan calculations! Strap in as the personal loan calculator reveals the thrilling world of monthly payments and long-term costs. But hey, before you hop on that loan ride, make sure you can handle those monthly payments! And don’t forget your good ol’ insurance buddy, it’s the superhero that ensures those bills get paid.

  • Drum roll, please! Once you’ve submitted your info and jumped through all the credit hoops, the moment of truth arrives. If your application is approved, prepare for the grand entrance of funds – they’ll prance right into your bank account or even swoop in on a credit card. It’s like a magical money parade!

You’re probably going to start shelling out the cash right off the bat. Then it’s to embrace the auto-pay life to avoid any “I totally forgot to pay that” moments. If you’ve got pet care insurance, you can expect some sweet discounts and maybe even some credit score brownie points for keeping those payments in check. That doesn’t sound too bad.

What if You Have Bad Credit?

And what’s the deal with bad credit, huh? Trying to get pet care credit with not-so-great credit can be a real hassle, but hey, it’s not like trying to teach a cat to fetch – impossible! Some lenders are a bit more easygoing, so it’s like hunting for the perfect chew toy – it’s worth sniffing around to see if you can find one that’ll work with you.

But listen, if your credit’s not top-notch, you might end up with lower loan amounts and interest rates as high as a squirrel on caffeine, unlike those lucky folks with solid credit. What about… And get this – some vet clinics offer pet financing options? Yeah, you heard that right! You can spread out payments over time, and some of them won’t even bother with checking your credit. It’s like getting a treat without having to do any tricks!

Be cautious. If you stumble upon other no-credit-check loans offered by online lenders, brace yourself for a wild ride. These are probably payday loans with interest rates and fees reaching for the stars. While you may get your hands on some cash, you might find yourself caught in a vortex of debt that’s harder to escape than a spider web in a hurricane.

Where to get Petcare Credit to pay the Vet bills

Here are 10 banks and companies that offer loans or credit options specifically for paying veterinary bills:

1. CareCredit

- Type: Credit Card

- Details: CareCredit is one of the most well-known healthcare financing options, including for veterinary care. It offers a credit card that can be used to pay for various veterinary services, with promotional financing options like deferred interest for 6, 12, 18, or 24 months on qualifying purchases.

2. Scratchpay

- Type: Payment Plan

- Details: Scratchpay provides simple payment plans for veterinary bills. They offer three types of plans: Pay Later, Take 5, and Monthly, which cater to different financial needs and schedules.

3. Wells Fargo Health Advantage

- Type: Credit Card

- Details: Wells Fargo offers a health-focused credit card that can be used for veterinary expenses. It provides special financing offers similar to those of CareCredit, including deferred interest plans.

4. LendingClub Patient Solutions

- Type: Loan

- Details: LendingClub offers personal loans that can be used for veterinary care. These loans are flexible with fixed rates and terms, allowing pet owners to spread the cost of their pet's care over time.

5. United Medical Credit

- Type: Loan

- Details: United Medical Credit offers loans that can be used for a variety of medical needs, including veterinary care. They work with multiple lenders to offer competitive rates and flexible payment options.

6. Here are five additional options for financing veterinary bills:

### 1. Petal Credit Card

- Type: Credit Card

- Details: Petal offers a general-purpose credit card with no fees and a cashback feature. While not specifically designed for pet care, it can be a good option for covering unexpected veterinary costs, especially for those who are looking for a credit card without traditional banking fees.

7. LightStream

- Type: Loan

- Details: LightStream, a division of SunTrust Bank, offers personal loans with competitive rates and flexible terms. These loans can be used for any purpose, including paying for veterinary care, and they offer same-day funding in many cases.

8. Alphaeon Credit

- Type: Credit Card

- Details: Alphaeon Credit provides a credit card specifically for healthcare, including veterinary services. It offers various payment plans with no interest options for short-term financing.

9. Wagmo Wellness

- Type: Pet Insurance/Subscription Plan

- Details: Wagmo is not a traditional loan or credit card, but rather a pet wellness subscription service that helps cover routine care. They offer reimbursement for a variety of services, which can ease the financial burden of ongoing veterinary costs.

10. CareCap

- Type: Payment Plan

- Details: CareCap partners with veterinarians to offer customized payment plans for their clients. Pet owners can set up a plan that fits their budget, and the service is interest-free with a small monthly service fee.

Don't Give Up!
What if Everything Else Fails?

DON’T GIVE UP !! — Incredible organizations to turn to when all else fails


Here are some website addresses for the non-profit organizations that may be able to assist in paying for veterinary bills:

1. American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF)

2. Magic Bullet Fund

3. Bow Wow Buddies Foundation

4. The Waggle Foundation

5. RedRover Relief

- RedRover Relief provides financial assistance to pet owners and rescuers when animals are in life-threatening situations.

6. The Pet Fund

- The Pet Fund provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need veterinary care.

7. Brown Dog Foundation

- Brown Dog Foundation helps families with limited income to afford life-saving veterinary care.

8. Paws 4 A Cure

- Paws 4 A Cure provides financial assistance to pet owners who cannot afford veterinary care.

9. Frankie’s Friends

- Frankie’s Friends helps fund emergency and specialty care for pets with life-threatening conditions.

10. Handicapped Pets Foundation

- This foundation provides wheelchairs and mobility aids for pets in need.

11. Check with your local city pound. They may be able to direct you to a local organization in your area. Our city has an organization that assists with things like vaccines and smaller medical needs

Creative Ideas

Some "Out of the box" ideas to pay for your pet's medical costs. They may or may not work, but it is worth it to try

  1. Stop in, send an email, and call local veterinarians in your area. Ask them if they have work to help pay for your pet's bills.

    • Work that you can offer could be cutting grass, cleaning garbage around the office, cleaning windows, bathrooms, floors... plus more. Heck, you could even wash the vet's car. Personally, I would do any work to help get my pet back to health.

  2. Have a raffle / lottery at work, party, or anywhere else you have permission.

    • Ask your colleagues to bring a small gift worth no more than $10 (wine and alcohol are common gifts). Fridays during lunch is a great time. Many get a paycheck on Fridays.

    • Have local businesses donate a small gift to your raffle (make sure you thank them)

    • Sell tickets to the raffle, put them into a hat or bowl, and have the ticket buyers pick out the winning tickets.

    • It doesn't hurt to have cute pictures of your pet for people to see.

    • Many use GoFundMe . If you have a large presence on social media, and others willing to support you in sharing the donation page, then this is a great idea. GoFundMe can send you the money donated every week if you want. This removes much of the stress you would feel if you had to wait to get the money all at once.

    • Contact your local veterinarians and ask if they do any volunteer work that could help your financial situation

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