Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My dog needs surgery. How can I get financial help for vet bills?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Hi Doc, my dog needs cataract surgery and I cannot afford it. They don't do payment plan either. I don't know what to do. I don't want him to go blind

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Debi Matlack

Veterinary Technician

Published on March 16th, 2015

If you are in financial difficulty, there are ways of still getting your pet treated by a veterinarian. Ask if they take Care Credit and apply online. This is a credit card that is used specifically for medical, dental, and veterinary expenses. GiveForward is a crowd funding website that helps you raise money to help take care of your pets Call your local animal shelter and ask if they have or can direct you to a low-cost pet clinic that works with people with limited incomes. If there is a college of veterinary medicine in your area, call and ask them about a low- or no-cost veterinary care program. Many run low-cost clinics for limited income clients. The Humane Society website has a lot of links to other organizations that help with veterinary expenses. Some are for working/service animals, some are breed-specific, some are by start or location. Hopefully there is something available in your area.

Vote icon

180Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Other Answers

  • Image profile

    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on September 8th, 2019

    Unfortunately I cannot give you an exact quote for these, as costs vary between clinics and areas in the US. I can give you some financial resources if that helps. You can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Care Credit online. There is also an organization called Red Rover that give grants for treatment of sick animals, and you can see if you qualify for one of their grants. Best Friends also has a list of resources that offer financial assistance on their website. http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html?credit=web_id91754962 https://www.redrover.org https://www.carecredit.com http://bestfriends.org/resources/financial-aid-pets http://lessonsfromaparalyzeddog.com/when-pet-owners-cant-afford-veterinary-bills/ http://www.dogheirs.com/resources-affordable-veterinary-care/

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Image profile

    Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on October 27th, 2018

    Dogs are very good at adapting to blindness. If you do not change your furniture around and everything stays the same Bailey should have no problems adapting to not seeing. You can try to get some financial help with veterinary fees here: There are quite a few ways to get financial help with vet bills: https://www.youcaring.com/blog/2016/need-help-with-vet-bills https://www.avma.org/public/YourVet/Pages/Financial-assistance-for-veterinary-care-costs.aspx https://bestfriends.org/resources/financial-aid-pets https://www.paws.org/cats-and-dogs/other-services/help-with-veterinary-bills/ http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_veterinary_care.html?credit=web_id98635957 American Animal Hospital Association  http://www.aahahelpingpets.org/ "Through the AAHA Helping Pets Fund, veterinary care is possible for sick or  injured pets even if they have been abandoned or if their owner is experiencing  financial hardship." Angels 4 Animals  http://www.angels4animals.org/  "Our services range from financial aid to complete treatment  to those pets and pet owners in need." Care Credit  http://www.carecredit.com/  A credit card company for health care, including veterinary care.  "With a comprehensive range of plan options, for  treatment or procedure fees from $1 to over $25,000, we offer a plan  and a low monthly payment to fit comfortably into almost every  budget." Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance (FVEAP)  http://www.fveap.org/sys-tmpl/door/  "Seniors, People with disabilities, People who  have lost their job, Good Samaritans who rescue a cat or kitten - any of these  folks may need financial assistance to save a beloved companion." The Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program is a nonprofit 501  (c)(3) organization that provides financial assistance to cat and  kitten guardians who are unable to afford veterinary services to save  their companions when life-threatening illness or injury strikes. God's Creatures Ministry  http://www.all-creatures.org/gcm/help-cf.html  "This fund helps pay for veterinarian bills for those who need help." Help-A-Pet  http://www.help-a-pet.org/home.html  "Our efforts focus on serving the elderly, the disabled, and the  working poor." IMOM  http://www.imom.org/  "We are dedicated to insure that no  companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker  is financially challenged." The Pet Fund  http://thepetfund.com/  "The Pet Fund is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit association that  provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need  urgent veterinary care." United Animal Nations  http://www.uan.org/lifeline/index.html  "The mission of LifeLine is to help homeless or recently rescued  animals suffering from life-threatening conditions that require  specific and immediate emergency veterinary care. We strive to serve  Good Samaritans and rescue groups who take in sick or injured  animals. In certain cases, LifeLine can also assist senior citizens  and low-income families pay for immediate emergency veterinary care."

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Image profile

    Answered By Debi Matlack

    Veterinary Technician

    Published on May 17th, 2021

    You will need to call a local veterinarian and ask about funding, as this website is not associated with a single pet hospital. That is a nasty would and needs veterinary attention badly. If you are in financial difficulty, there are ways of still getting your pet treated by a veterinarian. Ask if they take Care Credit and apply online. This is a credit card specifically for medical, dental, and veterinary expenses. Call a local animal shelter or college of veterinary medicine in your area and ask if they have a low- or no-cost veterinary care program. GiveForward and Youcaring.com are crowd funding websites that help you raise money to help take care of your pets Harley’s Hope Foundation is an organization that ensures low income pet parents and their companion or service animals remain together when issues arise. Many breed rescues and groups have specials funds available for owners who need financial assistance, such as the Special Needs Dobermans, Labrador Lifeline, and Pitbull Rescue Central. Banfield Pet Hospital has its own programs for owners that can’t afford their pet’s care. God's Creatures Ministry helps pay for veterinarian bills for those who need help. IMOM is dedicated to insure that no companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker is financially challenged. The Onyx & Breezy Foundation has many programs including helping people with medical bills. They are a good resource for information. Brown Dog Foundation provides funding to families with a sick pet that would likely respond to treatment, but due to circumstances, there is not enough money immediately available to pay. Some groups help with specific disease, such as Canine Cancer Awareness, The Magic Bullet Fund, Helping Harley Fund, and Muffin Diabetes Fund. The Pet Fund and Redrover.org are great sources for help to care for your pet. The Humane Society website has many links to other organizations that help with veterinary expenses.

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Why is my mouse's eye swollen, cloudy, and has pus?
Is your mouse's eye swollen, cloudy, and pussy? Dr. Melanie, a certified vet, discusses severe eye issues like infection or abscess, urging an immediate visit.
Updated on December 04, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Can I use human contact lens solution as eye drops for my mouse?
Can you use contact lens saline for your mouse's eye drops? A certified vet discusses ingredients like boric acid and potassium chloride. Find safe solutions for your pet!
Updated on December 04, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
What fish dog food helps dry skin if my dog eats Science Diet?
Is your dog's dry skin a concern? A certified vet offers expert advice on finding the best fish-based dog food alternatives to Science Diet for essential oils.
Updated on February 04, 2026
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dwarf hamster has a shut eye and is limping. What should I do?
Is your dwarf hamster struggling with eye issues or limping? A trusted vet offers expert guidance on symptoms and crucial next steps for comfort and care.
Updated on December 04, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My guinea pig has a growing lump on its neck. Can it heal itself?
Guinea pig has a growing, hard neck lump? Worried about vet costs? A certified veterinarian advises on crucial steps for diagnosis and your pet's well-being.
Updated on December 04, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My pet's eye looks strange but doesn't seem to hurt. What's wrong?
Is your pet's eye issue painless? A DVM explains potential corneal trauma or scratch. Immediate vet care is crucial to save their eye. Get expert advice now!
Updated on December 04, 2025
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored