Pets Cost Money: How to Navigate Vet Bills When You Can’t Afford Them
Pet parents often feel like their pet is a part of the family and that’s because they are. There are currently 29 million pets in Australia and 90% of households in the country have had a pet at some point. With many households having a pet or having more than one in some cases, this means they have additional expenses.
Pet owners often account for food, toys, and pet stays when they are out of town when it comes to finances. Not many proactively prepare for their pet getting hurt or getting sick.
Just like humans, our furry family members….can fall ill or hurt themselves just as easily if not more easily than we can. So, how much is the average vet bill? What do you do when you just can’t pay it? And, how do you prepare for the worst without breaking the bank?
The Average Vet Bill: This Is What It Could Cost You
Did you know that according to the Australian Veterinary Association, on average, dog owners are spending more than $25,000 on their pet during its life? This is just for veterinary care and doesn’t include other things that your pet may require or that you would just like for them to have. Generally speaking, in Australia, if you plan to take your dog in for a checkup, you could end up paying between $50 and $100 and vaccinations for puppies could cost up to $200 each. These are just standard things for general pet care.
For emergency vet bills, let’s say a snake bite, for example, you may pay up to $2,133 for treatment, and cancer treatments in dogs could cost over $3,500. These prices often leave pet owners wondering where they can seek relief.
How Can You Get Help With Vet Bills When You Need It?
There are a variety of resources that you can turn to for help if you can’t afford your vet bills. Here are just a few of the many options available to pet-loving Aussies;
- Perth Vet Bill Assistance
- Animal Diabetes Australia
- Pet insurance policies (this usually needs to be obtained before sickness or injury)
- Setting up an emergency pet fund
- RSPCA Australia
- Crowdfunding
All of these options are readily available to any pet owner however, for some programs you may need to be eligible for them or reside in a certain location. For example, to use the Vet Crisis Fund, you have to be located in South Australia, or work with one of their partnering locations. This makes certain opportunities for bill assistance only available to some and not all in some cases.
Can You Reduce the Chance of Your Pet Falling Ill or Getting Hurt?
While there is no definite way to keep pets from getting hurt or falling ill there are some things you can do to reduce the chance. You can;
- Restrict access to stairs
- Cover outlets and secure dangerous foods
- Provide surfaces with traction in areas like bathrooms or at the end of staircases
- Give them a specific diet without altering their eating habits too much
- Cut their nails frequently
- Keep them on a lead and do not let them eat random items while out walking
- Get pet insurance as soon as you can
