Get help with vet and pet bills.

Find resources, many of which are free, to get help with pet bills, including how to get grants and other assistance from the American Animal Hospital Association Helping Pets Fund. As most pet owners will eventually be faced with expensive, unexpected veterinary bills.

It is great that veterinary medicine has advanced to a very modern state. It gives caregivers new, and many times more expensive options for the care of their ailing pets. While the cost of veterinary care is very reasonable when you compare it with the much higher cost of human health care, an unexpected medical emergency or bill for your pet may very well present a major financial dilemma for an unprepared pet owner.

Pet owners have several options to get help with paying their vet bills.

• If you have a specific type or breed of dog, you can contact the National Club for that breed. In some cases, these clubs offer a veterinary financial assistance fund that you can use to help pay your vet bills. Additionally, the Human Society of the United States (HSUS) has a list of breed-specific assistance groups.
   
• An owner can purchase a pet health insurance policy. Pet insurance is very much like insurance for humans. It protects pets against illnesses and accidents. Some companies cover routine/wellness care as well as burial. Some pet insurance policies will also pay out if the pet dies.
   
• You can save 5-10% (or more) on medications and pet supplies by doing your shopping at online cash rebate sites. More.
   
• You need to ask your veterinarian if she or he will provide you with a payment plan. Many veterinarians are willing to work out a monthly or weekly payment plan to help you with paying your vet bills. These plans will give you the option of not having to pay the entire cost of your veterinary bill up front.
   
• Contact your local animal shelter. Some animal shelters will operate or know of veterinary assistance programs or local subsidized veterinary clinics. Your local yellow pages can help you find the name and number of the local shelter. It will typically be listed under "animal control," "animal shelter" or "humane society". Or you can always call Information. 
   
• The HSUS can provide additional help in the form of a list of organizations that provide assistance to ill, disabled, or senior pet owners.

• You can ask your veterinarian to complete and submit an assistance request to the American Animal Hospital Association's (AAHA) "Helping Pets Fund." In order to qualify for this fund, which can help with paying your pet bills, your animal hospital must be AAHA accredited. You can learn more about the program by visiting the AAHA web site.
   
• If you acquired your pet from a reputable breeder, you need to check your contract to see if there is a health guarantee that covers your pet's needs or sickness.
   
• Check with any veterinary schools in your area. Some schools offer discount services, or even free services, to the public. You can get a list of veterinary schools in the Education section of the American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) website.

Below is a list of organizations that can help provide financial assistance to any pet owners who are in need. Be sure to keep in mind that each of these organizations is independent in nature and they have their own set of guidelines and rules. Therefore you will need to investigate each one separately to determine if you qualify for assistance with your vet bills.

• Help-A-Pet,
• IMOM Inc.,
• The Pet Fund,
• Good Sam Fund,
• United Animal Nations LifeLine Fund
• Feline Outreach,
• Angels for Animals,
• Brown Dog Foundation,
• Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program,
• Canine Cancer Awareness
• Cats In Crisis
• The Perseus Foundation (Cancer specific),
• Orthodogs' Silver Lining Foundation (Orthopedic Cases and Service Dogs),
• Cody's Club (Radiation treatments)
• Diabetic Pets Fund
• The Mosby Foundation

Also, you need to remember that, depending on the extent of your pet's injury or illness, you could still lose your pet even after paying extensive bills and great expense. Discuss the treatment and prognosis options thoroughly with your vet. Sadly, there are even times in which treatment or surgery would just cause your pet discomfort without preserving a life of good quality.

The following are more general tips that can help with your vet bills, if none of the options above meet you needs.

• You can use your credit card, and ask for a higher credit limit or a cash advance.
• Feel free to call your bank. Ask about any options or programs they may have that can help, or ask for loan programs.
• Approach your employer for a salary advance.
• Alert friends and family and ask them each for a small loan, say $25 loan.