11 Ways to Get Free or Cheap Vet Care Near Me! - MoneyPantry (2024)

When your pet gets sick you want to do everything you can to care for them and restore their health.

But vet care can be very costly, and if you’re unemployed, living on a low income, or just going through a tough phase financially, affording it can be difficult, if not impossible.

Sure, there are ways you can save money on vet bills, but there are also many wonderful organizations and charities that offer low cost and even no-cost veterinary services for dogs, cats and other pets.

Getting completely free veterinary care for your pet can be tough, but there are a few organizations out there that offer financial assistance, including:

PAWS is an organization that helps people to pay for vet care.

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It also offers a variety of no-cost veterinary services, like vaccinations and microchipping. PAWS offers this free veterinary care to pet owners that are living on a low income.

If you want to get help from PAWs, visit the link below.

2. AVMF’s Veterinary Care Charitable Fund

The American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) offers a program called the Veterinary Care Charitable Fund.

It helps veterinarians to provide low cost and free veterinary care for low-income pet owners, disabled veterans, and victims of domestic violence.

You can learn more about the fund on their site.

The program is open to current clients of AVMA member veterinarians who are enrolled with the AVMF.

Ask your personal veterinarian if they are enrolled. If not, your veterinarian can contact AVMF for more information on participating in the program.

3. Prince Chunk Emergency Veterinary Care Assistance Program

The Prince Chunk Emergency Veterinary Care Assistance Program provides free emergency vet care to pet owners that are struggling financially.

What’s great about this program is that you can pre-apply for it. So, even if your pet is healthy now, you can apply for funding for future emergency care, should your pet need it.

Then, if an emergency does occur, the program will pre-approve your application and keep it on file, and then your pet can get care as quickly as possible.

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So, whether you’re living on a low income or are looking for free vet care for unemployed pet owners, you should definitely take a look at the Emergency Veterinary Care Assistance Program

You can find out if you are eligible for the program, by reading the “Maximum Family Income Eligibility” Document. All the documents you need, contact numbers and more information about the program can all be found on the page below.

4. First Coast No More Homeless Pets (FCNMHP)

FCNMHP is an organization that offers free, discounted and low-cost veterinary services. It offers free services in certain areas, like spaying/neutering. If you want to learn about which free vet services are available, then visit the “Free, Discounted, and Low-Cost Veterinary Services” (link below) page of the FCNMHP website.

The organization also provides a plethora of low-cost vet services. Since 2009, the FCNMHP has provided more than 60,000 pets with state-of-the-art medical care at 40 percent less than the cost of most veterinary clinics.

5. Local clinics near you

A lot of local clinics offer free veterinary care. At these clinics, you can get treatments and medical care for your pet.

These clinics generally provide free or low-cost spaying/neutering, but sometimes they offer other basic services.

If you’re wondering how can I find free vet clinics near me?”, then you should check out the links below.

On the pages linked below, you can search for clinics in your area:

How to Find Low Cost Vet Care Near Me!

Unfortunately, there aren’t that many organizations and animal hospitals out there that provide completely free veterinary care, but there are many that offer low-cost vet care.

This can be really helpful if you’re struggling financially.

Here are a few organizations and resources you should check out.

6. SpayUSA

The aim of SpayUSA is to provide low-cost spaying and neutering services to pet owners. It acts as a referral service that connects pet owners in need of financial assistance to over 1,500 low-cost clinics and sterilization programs.

For more information on the program, visit SpayUSA.org.

7. Shakespeare Animal Fund

The Shakespeare Animal Fund provides financial assistance to pet owners who can’t afford to pay for veterinary care.

It assists pet owners who have a fixed income or earn below $35,000 per year. The organization offers one-time grants.

You can learn more about eligibility requirements and how the organization can help you by visiting ShakespeareAnimalFund.org.

8. Visit a veterinary school or college near you

Many veterinary schools offer the same services that veterinary clinics do, but at a much lower cost.

All of the procedures and treatments performed by students are supervised by a vet too.

If you want to find an accredited veterinary college near you, then check out the Accredited Veterinary Colleges list from the American Veterinary Medical Association.

9. Local animal welfare groups and charities

A lot of local animal shelters, animal welfare organizations and rescue groups provide low cost vet care. They usually offer routine care and services like spaying/neutering.

If you want to find a welfare group, charity or organization in your area, then check out this list from Petfinder.com or this list from The Humane Society.

10. Compare prices for prescriptions

Pet medication can be pricey. And as far as I know, there aren’t any prescription discount cards or programs like there are for humans, for animal prescriptions. That said, if you do a little research, you might be able to find it at a lower cost.

Take the time to compare the prices of medication from places like:

You might find that the prices at your vet’s are cheaper or more expensive, but it’s always good to do a bit of comparison shopping.

Always be careful when you’re buying medications for your pet. Only buy from reputable, well-reviewed sites. You don’t want to put your pet’s health at risk.

There’s a useful guide from the USFDA that offers advice and safety tips for buying pet meds online. Check it out here.

11. Check out our list of organizations that help with vet bills

We recently published an in-depth post that lists more than20 organizations that help with vet bills.

You should definitely check it out for more resources.

How to Save Money on Veterinary Bills (Without Compromising Your Pet’s Health)

If you’re wondering how to save money on vet bills, check out our handy guide. It will help you to lessen the financial impact of being a pet owner.

1. Keep your pet at a healthy weight

If you want to lower vet bills, then make sure to maintain a healthy lifestyle for your pet. Many of the health problems that affect pets, like cats and dogs, are caused by them being overweight or even obese.

Dogs, cats, and other pets that are on the heavier side are at a higher risk of issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, and arthritis.

So, make sure that you don’t overfeed your pet and that they get plenty of exercise – this will not only save you money on vet bills, but also on food!

Ask your vet for advice on how much your pet should be eating.

You can also find a lot of info online about how much to feed certain pets.

Here are a few great resources:

2. Take your pet for checkups regularly

While it might seem pricey up front to take your pet for regular checkups, it can actually save you money in the long run.

When you take your pet for a physical examination, the vet can detect issues early on, before they turn into a more complicated and expensive problem – essentially, you can save yourself a ton on medical bills just by taking your pet for checkups.

Dogs and cats, depending on their age and breed, require a checkup once to twice per year – ask your vet how often your pet requires a checkup.

3. Use the right supplements

Using nutritional supplements can have a really positive impact on your furry friends’ health.

Many of them can help boost your pet’s immune system, and improve their overall health. But, be careful not to get caught up in the marketing hype when choosing supplements – many supplements are unnecessary.

Instead, ask your vet about which ones your pet would actually benefit from.

When you give your pet supplements, itkeeps them healthy and prevents future trips to the vet.

Here are a few resources for you to check out:

4. Look around for the best deal

Did you know that fees for treatments and procedures can vary significantly from one vet to the next?

Really!

One vet might charge significantly less than another for checkups.

Or you might find that one facility charges much more for an ultrasound than another one does.

So, take the time to shop around for services and call to get a few quotes – when you do this, you can often save yourself a lot of money on vet bills.

5. Consider veterinary colleges

Veterinary colleges are one of the best places to find cheap pet care services.

At vet colleges, students looking for practical experience offer services like checkups and vaccinations. Some also offer basic procedures too.

And, most of these services and procedures are overseen by an experienced vet.

So, if you’re really struggling, then it’s definitely worth contacting a local vet college.

Check out this page to find accredited veterinary colleges.

6. Pick up medications and treatments elsewhere

Some vets markup treatments and medications they prescribe, meaning you can end up paying more than you really need to.

So, if your pet is prescribed a particular medication, then don’t automatically buy it from your vet.

Instead, ask for a written prescription and then call and ask around for the price of that medication at other vet facilities – you might find that you can get the prescription filled for less elsewhere or you’ll find that your vet does, in fact, offer the best price.

7. Stay up to date with vaccinations and treatments

Staying up to date with vaccinations and treatments can save you a lot of money on vet bills in the long run.

When you stay up to date with your pet’s treatments and vaccinations, it prevents them from developing health issues that are more expensive to treat.

For example, treating heartworms is much more expensive, than simply preventing them.

So, ask your vet for advice on what vaccines and treatments your pet needs.

8. Reach out to organizations that help with vet bills

There are many organizations out there, like the ASPCA and The Humane Society, that want to ensure that low-cost pet care is available to everyone. So, these organizations often provide discounted services.

They often hold events throughout the year where they provide vaccinations, spay/neuter procedures and other treatments and services. So, contact them and ask about any discounted services and other resources in your area.

Also, if you’re really struggling, as your pet needs a treatment that you can’t afford, then consider contacting an animal welfare charity.

Take a look at this page for animal charities.

9. Ask about a payment plan

Did you know that some vets give you the option to set up a payment plan, rather than paying for treatments and procedures upfront?

If there’s a particularly expensive treatment or procedure that your pet needs, then ask your vet if you can set up a payment plan and pay it off slowly over time.

10. Consider Pet Insurance

Getting pet insurance can be a good option financially – particularly when it comes to expensive or unexpected treatments and procedures.

It can save you thousands on vet bills.

So, it’s definitely worth considering. Just make sure that you shop around to get the best deal.

To get a quick estimate on how much ensuring your pet will cost, use ASPCA’s Pet Insurance quote tool.

If you don’t want to get pet insurance, then consider setting up a savings account for your pet – each month you can deposit money into the account. Then, if your pet ever does need an expensive procedure, then you’ll have the money there.

The Bottom Line

Paying for your pet’s care can be tough when you’re already struggling financially. Whether you’re unemployed, living on a low income or are just going through a tough financial phase right now, these free and/or low cost vet care services can be tremendously helpful.

11 Ways to Get Free or Cheap Vet Care Near Me! - MoneyPantry (2024)

FAQs

What do I do if I can't afford vet bills? ›

Six places pet owners can go to get financial help with vet bills
  1. PDSA. ...
  2. RSPCA. ...
  3. Blue Cross. ...
  4. Dogs Trust. ...
  5. Cats Protection. ...
  6. Local charities and organisations.
26 Feb 2018

Will a vet see a dog without money? ›

Fortunately, there are dozens of free and low-cost options for veterinary care throughout the United States. Many charitable organizations offer reduced or free care for basic services and vaccinations. Additionally, it's always worth a shot to ask your local veterinary clinic about any promotions they're running.

Is the PDSA free? ›

PDSA offers free and low cost veterinary care to poorly pets in need. Find out what help is available.

Can I text a vet for free? ›

Any user can talk with an online vet 24/7 for free by either video or text through the Pawp app. This 7-day free trial includes instant and unlimited access to licensed vets and nurses with a wait time of under 1 minute.

Can I take my cat to the vet if I have no money? ›

If your pet needs services that are beyond your financial means and you have exhausted all options, speak with your veterinarian. They may have a pet fund available. Hospitals have created these funds to help owners experiencing financial difficulty.

Can I get help with vet bills on benefits? ›

Several animal charities offer help with vet bills to pet owners who receive benefits. Among the best known are PDSA and Blue Cross, which both run a number of pet hospitals around the country.

What is the first signs of parvo in a dog? ›

Some of the signs of parvovirus include lethargy; loss of appetite; abdominal pain and bloating; fever or low body temperature (hypothermia); vomiting; and severe, often bloody, diarrhea. Persistent vomiting and diarrhea can cause rapid dehydration, and damage to the intestines and immune system can cause septic shock.

What over the counter medicine will put a dog to sleep? ›

Melatonin is commonly used as a sleep aid, and is sometimes used to treat certain hair disorders, cognitive dysfunction and separation anxiety in dogs, as well as sleep cycle disorders in dogs and cats.

Why does my dog still have a sack after being neutered? ›

If the dog is immature at the time of neutering, the empty scrotum will flatten out as he grows. If he is mature at the time of neuter, the empty scrotum will remain as a flap of skin. Sometimes the incision is mildly bruised.

Can I just turn up at PDSA? ›

If you have recently registered with PDSA, please be aware you will need to wait 24 hours from initial registration to use our appointment request form. If you want to request an appointment before this please give our National Contact Centre a call on 0800 731 2502 (lines are open 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday).

What does the PDSA cover? ›

We offer free and low-cost veterinary care to owners in need across the UK. PDSA vets care for household pets like cats, dogs and rabbits. They can treat your pet, help prevent disease and illness, and give you advice on the best way to look after your pet.

Do Dogs Trust pay vet bills? ›

We'll cover 100% of the cost of preventative vet treatments, as well as any essential and emergency treatment your little pal may need.

Can you call a vet and ask questions for free? ›

There is no need to guess or worry about your pet's health and behavior when you have access to the FREE PetIQ Veterinary Helpline. Call 1-800-775-4519 to speak with a dedicated veterinary professional who will listen to your concerns and provide you with the best options for your pet's care.

Can chewy vets prescribe? ›

Pet parents purchase items through Chewy. A prescription approval request arrives in your clinic's Petscriptions platform. With just a few clicks, you can approve or deny the prescription, add refills, and provide usage instructions.

What do you need for PDSA? ›

What documents do I need to bring with me to register at PDSA? You will need to bring with you proof of your benefits (dated within last 12 months) and photo ID (passport, driving licence, bank card). Although we will always ask for proof of photo ID, if you don't have any let us know and we can arrange an alternative.

How much does it cost to take a cat to the vet? ›

Average Vet Pricing
Grooming$43-$73/visit 1
Cat Spay/Neuter$100-$4004
Cat or Dog Teeth Cleaning$300-$5002
Cat or Dog Vaccinations$605 to $1006
Routine Vet Checkup$50-$2507
7 more rows

What can I do for my sick dog? ›

The most important thing you can do for a sick dog is to take them to a veterinarian. A veterinarian can diagnose a dog's condition, prescribe medication if necessary, and tell you what you need to do to make your dog better. Make sure to let the veterinarian know all the symptoms you have noticed.

How fresh do stool samples need to be for the vet? ›

A stool specimen should be less than 24 hours old and be kept refrigerated (NOT FROZEN) until submitted. It is best to have at least a teaspoon of feces for submission to the lab. It does not matter if leaves, debris or litter is mixed in with the sample.

Can a vet refuse to treat an animal? ›

Veterinary surgeons should not unreasonably refuse to provide an animal with first aid and pain relief (Part 1C of the RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct), but may charge the client – the person presenting the animal – for that first aid and pain relief.

Can I register my dog with more than one vet? ›

Cons to registering at more than one practice

Yes, this is allowed, but there are cons to utilising different practices and switching between vets: If your pet is receiving treatment from different practices, this can make insurance claims even more complicated.

How do I speak to someone at PDSA? ›

Call us on 0333 234 0599. Our lines are open Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-2pm.

Can you smell parvo? ›

Some find that there is a distinct metallic smell to feces infected with parvovirus. If left untreated, parvo cases can escalate quickly and dehydrate the dog to the point of no return.

What color is parvo poop? ›

Dog poop with parvo is usually very dark and bloody. It can be brown with specks of blood mixed in, it can be completely bloody, or it can be dark black. It is also very water and sticky. It can sometimes have mucus that makes it appear thicker, or it can just look like common dog diarrhea.

What color is vomit when a dog has parvo? ›

Vomiting/Diarrhea

Your puppy will vomit and have diarrhea if canine parvovirus is present in their system. Vomit may be clear or a yellow or brown color, and diarrhea will often contain blood and be a light yellow or mustard colored hue.

How much Benadryl do I give a dog to put down? ›

According to this scientific paper, the lethal dose for diphenhydramine in dogs ranges between 24 to 30 mg per kilogram of body weight by IV administration. For a 40-pound dog, this would equate to about 430 to 540 mg, or 9-10 tablets (for tablets with 50mg diphenhydramine – note that some tablets are 25mg only).

What drugs are used to put dogs down? ›

We use phenobarbital as a euthanasia drug, a seizure medication. In a large dose through an intravenous catheter administration, the drug will render the pet unconscious and will shut down heart and brain functions within one or two minutes.

What to give dogs to calm them down? ›

Give them calming supplements.

Chamomile, pet-friendly CBD oils, and melatonin are all good options for helping lower your dog's heart rate. Check with your veterinarian before giving your dog any over-the-counter supplements to ensure you're giving your dog the correct dose.

What happens if my dog licks his balls after being neutered? ›

It is very important that your dog does not lick the wound site. Licking will slow healing and may cause the wound to open. Your dog will probably need to wear an Elizabethan collar for 6-8 days to prevent him interfering with the wound. These are available from Reception.

Why are my dogs balls black after being neutered? ›

Bruising – Occasionally pets will experience some bruising of the scrotal area after neutering. This is thought to occur as a result of “seeping” of several microscopic blood vessels under the skin. This is more common in light colored pets, middle age and older pets and large breed dogs.

Are boy dogs more affectionate? ›

Male dogs are usually more affectionate than females, and some positively crave human attention. You'll find it's always you who brings the cuddling and fussing to an end – he could happily go on like this all day!

Do you have to pay for medication at PDSA? ›

Free Service - free treatments and medications.

Do vets offer payment plans UK? ›

Some vets offer payment plans through a credit company if you need help spreading the cost. Not every vet can offer this, but it's worth asking if this is an option. To decide if signing up for a payment plan is right for you, please contact: The Money Advice Service.

Can a vet refuse to put a dog down UK? ›

Owners may be encouraged to re-house an animal; however, if they will not take this option a vet should not be afraid to refuse to euthanase.

Does Universal Credit help with vet bills? ›

You are eligible for reduced cost vet care, where you are asked to pay towards your pet's treatment, if you live within our catchment area and receive any of the following means-tested benefits: Universal credit (if not maximum award) Working tax credit. Child tax credit.

How many pets can u have on PDSA? ›

How many pets can I register? As a client of the Pet Care scheme, you can only register one pet.

Do you have to pay vet bills up front UK? ›

Most vets expect full payment from the pet owner at the time of treatment. This is true even if there is a pet insurance policy in place to cover the vet bills. The exception would be if it has been agreed that pet insurance will be paying the vet directly and pre-approval has been sought and received from the insurer.

What can I do for a sick dog with no money? ›

How Can I Help My Sick Dog if I Have No Money?
  1. Ask for a payment plan. Talk with your vet frankly about your economic situation. ...
  2. Find a free or low-cost clinic. ...
  3. Look for a veterinary teaching college. ...
  4. Financial and natural disaster assistance. ...
  5. Cancer assistance.
27 Jul 2022

What do dogs trust do? ›

It's a free dog fostering service to help people and their dogs escape domestic abuse. 2006 We open our first rehoming centre in London – Dogs Trust West London in Harefield.

Do you need a dog Licence UK? ›

You don't need a licence for most common domestic pets. You must make sure your dog is microchipped.

What credit score is needed for Scratchpay? ›

Credit score: we encourage our applicants to have above a 580 credit score for best chance of approval! Your age: we love pet owners of all ages, but you must be at least 18 years old to apply.

Can I get help with vet bills UK? ›

You can contact the RSPCA or Blue Cross to see if they can offer help, or your local vet may be able to offer you an affordable payment plan. We would recommend getting insurance, as this can be a big help with unexpected veterinary bills.

How many pets can u have on PDSA? ›

Eligible owners can register one pet for our free veterinary services, any additional pets can be registered for our reduced cost service. There is no limit to the number of pets eligible owners can register for our reduced cost service.

Do pets at home take American Express? ›

We accept cash or card payments in store. The following credit and debit cards are accepted: Delta; Visa; MasterCard; Maestro, Electron, Amex and PayPal.

What credit score do you need for CareCredit for pets? ›

To ensure that you'll be accepted for a CareCredit card, pet parents should aim to have a credit score of at least 620 with all three major credit agencies. In some cases, approvals have been made with borrower scores as low as 600, but this is rare.

Does Scratchpay affect your credit? ›

Applying for Scratchpay plan will never impact your credit score. However, like any other financing provider, your credit score could be affected if you fail to make payments on time.

Can I use affirm at vet? ›

How It Works. Call our team at 833-372-3279 to discuss your pet's medical history and recommended services, so we can let you know exactly how much your pet's care will cost. Within 24 hours of your visit, apply with Affirm and get a decision in real-time. If approved, you will receive an authorization number.

Can I just turn up at PDSA? ›

If you have recently registered with PDSA, please be aware you will need to wait 24 hours from initial registration to use our appointment request form. If you want to request an appointment before this please give our National Contact Centre a call on 0800 731 2502 (lines are open 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday).

Do Dogs Trust pay vet bills? ›

We'll cover 100% of the cost of preventative vet treatments, as well as any essential and emergency treatment your little pal may need.

How much is a check up at the vet UK? ›

According to data company Statista, Brits forked out about £3.8 billion on veterinary fees in 2020. The majority of vets will charge a consultation fee, normally around £40-£60, just to see your pet.

What does the PDSA cover? ›

Our Pet Hospitals provide free and low cost veterinary treatments and medications for eligible pet owners. Our Pet Care Scheme practices offer eligible pet owners access to low-cost treatments.

How much does it cost to put a dog down UK 2022? ›

Euthanasia can be anywhere from £80 to £200 on average. The cost for this procedure depends on several factors such as: Dog's weight.

Can a vet refuse to put a dog down UK? ›

Owners may be encouraged to re-house an animal; however, if they will not take this option a vet should not be afraid to refuse to euthanase.

Do pets at home do monthly payments? ›

We'll take the first payment from your chosen method when you place your order. All monthly payments after this will then be taken three days before you receive your treatment. How do I start a subscription? Click the get started button to begin our simple sign-up process.

What payments does pets at home accept? ›

Payment Options

We offer various ways for you to pay for your order, including the following credit and debit cards: Delta; Visa; MasterCard; Maestro and Electron.

How do you pay for pets4home? ›

Once you and the seller are in agreement, you can place a deposit. Simply navigate to the advert page of the pet, and click the "Place Deposit" button shown below. You will then have to go through our payment flow. Note that we at this stage only accept Visa and Mastercard.

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