How to get emergency help with vet bills: Resources and actions
Imagine your dog jumped your fence and ran into the road, getting hit by a car. Scary, right? It happens all too often, and it’s not the only pet emergency that can befall you. If your beloved pet gets in an accident, falls ill, or receives a scary diagnosis, you’ll do everything you can to make sure they get the best care possible. Then, once your furry friend is in recovery, you breathe a sigh of relief—until the bill arrives. Emergency care can be expensive, but if you need help with vet bills, you’re not alone.
Emergency vet costs in Canada can come as a shock; they can be incredibly high depending on the severity of the case and the type of treatment needed. There are financial assistance options available, though. You can explore options like government assistance, payment plans, loans and lines of credit, help from charities, and crowdfunding.
Startling facts about veterinary costs in Canada
- In 2023, Canadians spent more than $9.3 billion on veterinary care.
- A report by iFinance found that the cost of a dog in the first year of ownership ranges from $2000 to $4000.
- The average vet bill ranges from $55 to $85 for the examination fee alone, while emergency visits can cost much more. For example, 24 hours of hospitalization can start at between $500 and $1000 just for the stay, and sometimes more for emergency vet costs like surgeries, medication, and diagnostic exams.
Those numbers aren’t small by any means. Even if your pet has health insurance, it isn’t uncommon to find yourself needing financial help for vet bills.
Government assistance for pet owners in Canada
You may be surprised to learn that government help for low-income pet owners in Canada is indeed available. There aren’t any federal programs, but there are provincial assistance programs that can help.
The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), for example, offers financial assistance to disabled residents of Ontario to help with general living expenses as well as health expenses like prescriptions and eye care. While ODSP does not directly cover vet bills, recipients may be able to access support through partner organizations. Recipients with service or guide dogs, for example, may be eligible for a monthly pet care subsidy.
Other provincial programs providing vet bill assistance include the following:
- Quebec: The Mobility Assistance Dog Reimbursement Program provides reimbursement for the costs of veterinary care and other expenses related to owning a mobility assistance dog.
- Manitoba: The Winnipeg Humane Society One Health Program is funded by the province and offers mobile clinics and emergency care in underserved areas.
- New Brunswick: The New Brunswick Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NBSPCA) helps with vet bills through the provincially funded Happy Tails Fund, which provides subsidies for emergency pet care.
You may also be able to write off vet bills on your taxes no matter which province you live in. While vet bills are generally not considered tax-deductible, if you have a service animal, the cost of pet food and vet care can be deductible. Visit the Canada Revenue Agency for eligibility criteria.
Where to get help with veterinary bills
First, talk to your veterinarian about options for reducing your bill. Some veterinary offices can help by creating payment plans to spread out your expenses. Your vet might also offer cash discounts. Ask directly about payment plans and financing options to lower your bill.
Many pet owners have started crowdfunding to raise money for their pet’s medical expenses. So keep up the fight for your fluffier counterparts, and let pet fundraising help you get them the medical attention they need to be back to normal in no time.
If you’re still wondering how to pay for vet bills, check out the 11 organizations we’ve listed below that can help with vet bills so your furry friend can recover quickly.
Organizations that help with vet bills
1. GoFundMe
Consider turning to crowdfunding when you need help paying vet bills. Every day, we see people successfully raise money on our platform to adopt an emotional support animal, offset their pet’s surgery costs, and more. We provide fundraising so that you can put your donations to what matters most. Read honest GoFundMe reviews to see what others say about online fundraising for vet bills.
2. Petsecure
Petsecure provides insurance for pets in Canada. The insurance plan typically covers 80% of your pet’s bill if they get sick or have an accident. They offer multiple dog and cat insurance plans and serve all of Canada. You can apply for a quote and select a policy that works for you.
3. SPCA
Provincial SPCAs offer financial veterinary assistance for low-income people — each province has its own SPCA. Many local chapters provide assistance for those that need financial help to spay or neuter their pet. For example, Montreal’s SPCA offers pet food assistance and subsidized veterinary care for low-income families. Applications and eligibility criteria vary by branch.
4. Petcard
For immediate needs, Petcard offers a simple and affordable way to finance the treatment or product your pet needs and it allows you to get it without delay. Petcard is available throughout the country and the application and approval process only takes a few minutes.
Charities that help pay vet bills
5. The Farley Foundation
The Farley Foundation helps low-income pet owners in Ontario by subsidizing the cost of non-elective vet care for sick or injured pets. Since 2002, the organization has helped over 17,700 pets. To apply, you must belong to one of the groups they help (such as the ODSP) and meet certain other eligibility criteria. Your vet must submit the application on your behalf.
6. Tails of Help
This nonprofit organization provides assistance to Alberta pet owners who are facing financial hardship when their pets are ill or injured. The goal of the organization is to reduce the burden on animal shelters and humane societies. You must apply for help through your veterinarian and decisions are based on your financial need and the necessity of the medical treatment for your pet.
7. Animal Cancer Therapy Subsidization Society
This non-profit organization provides therapy and treatment options to veterinary cancer patients to make cancer therapy accessible and affordable for animals diagnosed with cancer in Alberta. You must reach out to the organization by email or phone to discuss your pet’s needs and provide documentation of diagnosis and treatment plans from your veterinarian.
8. Guide Dog Users of Canada (GDUC)
Guide Dog Users of Canada is a registered charity and they support guide dog handlers in financial need with vet expenses that are not routine. You can apply for help from this national charity by contacting the treasurer via email.
9. Community Veterinary Outreach
Community Veterinary Outreach (CVO) is a registered charity that aims to improve the health of homeless individuals and their pets by offering human health services and health education alongside preventative veterinary care, CVO seeks to improve access to veterinary and human health resources for an at-risk population. The organisation currently serves certain cities in Ontario, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, Yukon, and British Columbia. You must contact the charity through your social or case worker to apply for help.
10. The National Pet Care Fund
This organisation provides financial assistance to low-income Canadian families for non-elective veterinary care and procedures. They use the Statistics Canada Low-Income Cut-off tables to determine whether people qualify for assistance, and if you are eligible, you can find the application form on their site.
11. CNIB Foundation
The Guide Dog Assistance Fund provides support for extraordinary veterinary expenses for guide dogs. Emergency or unexpected expenses include emergency care, surgical procedures, treatment for infections and fractures, long-term medications, and special diets. You can apply for reimbursement after your dog has received treatment by submitting the application form online or by mail along with your veterinary receipts.
Financial help for vet bills is within reach
If you need help with vet bills, there are provincial government assistance programs available and charities that can help, and you can also explore payment plans like installments or lines of credit.
Beyond turning to these generous organizations that help pay vet bills, though, we encourage you to consider using our crowdfunding platform. Read our pet fundraising guide for tips and inspiration to get started. Launch a fundraiser and let those who love your pet lend a hand.