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We may earn money from links on this page, but commission does not influence what we write or the products we recommend. AOL upholds a rigorous editorial process to ensure what we publish is fair, accurate and trustworthy.
Your pet needs emergency surgery. You don't have the $5,000. Now what?
Cassidy HortonOctober 17, 2025 at 6:04 AM
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Your pet needs emergency surgery. You can't afford it. Now what? (kozorog via Getty Images)
Your dog swallows something weird. Your cat suddenly can't pee. You rush them to the emergency vet — only to find out the surgery they need costs $5,000. And you have about $300 in your checking account.
You're not alone.
Pet healthcare costs are rising fast, and more owners are being forced to make gut-wrenching decisions. A recent Gallup study found that 52% of pet owners have skipped recommended treatments, with 71% of those people declining treatment due to cost.
One woman told the Los Angeles Times she spent $30,000 on her English bulldog in 2022. It isn't just happening in the U.S., either. The BBC reports that more pets are being euthanized because their humans can't afford the care.
Here's how to stay calm and make smart, compassionate choices when your pet needs emergency surgery — including real ways to get help, find funding and avoid going into debt.
First things first: Ask the right questions
The first quote you get from an emergency vet isn't always the only option. Before you assume it's out of reach, ask these three key questions:
"Can you walk me through the cost breakdown?" Some items might not be urgent or could be optional — like extra imaging or overnights.
"Is there a lower-cost alternative treatment or stabilization plan?" Sometimes your vet can stabilize your pet temporarily while you explore other care options or figure out finances.
"Can we wait a few hours or a day for surgery?" Not every emergency is immediate. A short delay might buy you time to look at other clinics, apply for financing or call around.
Start calling for help — fast
If the first quote sent you into sticker shock, take a breath … and start calling around. Prices for the same procedure can vary wildly between clinics, especially in major metro areas.
Here's where to look:
Emergency vets in nearby cities or suburbs. Even driving an hour could save you hundreds or more. Ask for a quote by phone and explain the situation up front.
Veterinary colleges or teaching hospitals. Many teaching facilities offer discounted services provided by students under supervision. These can take longer to schedule but are worth checking out.
Nonprofits or low-cost animal hospitals. Some areas have SPCA clinics, humane societies or mobile vet units that offer emergency services at reduced prices.
If your pet is stable enough to wait a few hours, those calls could make a huge difference. Be up front that you're trying to find a lower price — many offices will tell you whether they're flexible or refer you to clinics that might have more affordable rates.
And if your pet needs care right now? Ask the current clinic if they price-match or have a sliding scale. You won't know unless you ask.
My personal story: How calling around helped my cat — and my walletSitting down to write this article feels very timely because I just took my cat to urgent care this weekend. (He stopped eating and seemed to be in pain out of the blue.) The vet got him stabilized and started on pain meds, then gave me a great tip: Call around to three nearby clinics recommended for follow-up testing, because their prices were much lower than the urgent care's. My cat wasn't at risk for surgery, but he needed to be seen again soon — and just making those extra calls ended up saving me a couple hundred dollars.
🔍 Read more: 5 common pet insurance myths: The truth about cost, coverage and exclusions
Explore every payment option (yes, even weird ones)
Emergency surgery isn't cheap, but you may have more payment options than you think. Some are traditional; some are a little unconventional. All could be worth considering when your pet's life is on the line.
See if your vet offers payment plans
Some vet offices offer in-house financing or will let you split your bill over a few months. It's not super common — many clinics run on tight overhead — but it does happen. Even if there's no sign on the front desk, it's always worth asking.
Look into third-party financing
If in-house options aren't available, third-party tools can step in:
CareCredit — a healthcare credit card for humans and pets that sometimes offers 6 to 24 months of no interest charges if you pay it off on time.
Scratchpay — offers fixed-rate installment plans over 12 to 36 months, even if your credit isn't perfect, with APRs ranging from 0% to 36%, depending on your credit.
Not all vets accept these payment plans. Yet even if yours doesn't advertise it, ask at the counter.
When I took my cat in for follow-up testing this week, I didn't see any payment plan signage. But when I tapped my credit card at the payment terminal, I noticed they accepted Scratchpay.
Buy time with a 0% APR credit card
If you can snag a card with a 0% intro APR credit card and a high enough limit, you can spread out your costs without paying interest — just make sure you have a plan to pay it off before that rate expires.
Most 0% intro APR credit cards require good to excellent credit to qualify for the longest intro periods and strongest terms, so they may not be the right fit for everyone.
💡 Expert tip: Applying for a 0% APR credit card at the vet's office? Check if you'll get an instant virtual card on approval. Certain issuers, like American Express and Capital One, provide these numbers after some approvals. That way, you can pay on the spot before you leave.
Consider a crowdfunding campaign
Platforms like Waggle or even GoFundMe let you raise money quickly, and many people are more than willing to pitch in for a pet in need.
Start with a clear story about your situation — diagnosis, needed treatments and costs — and include photos of your pet. You can then share the link to your campaign with friends and family or more widely through your local neighborhood groups.
If you go this route, keep your donors with progress notes and recovery photos. And be sure to thank your contributors along the way.
Search for pet assistance programs
If you don't have the cash and can't qualify for financing, don't give up. Some nonprofits and charities help cover emergency vet bills — especially for low- to middle-income pet owners.
Here are a few to check out:
RedRover Relief — offers an urgent care grant program if you're experiencing an economic hardship with average grant amounts around $285.
Brown Dog Foundation — helps bridge the gap between diagnosis and treatment when a pet is facing a life-threatening condition, with application and approval online.
Frankie's Friends — supports emergency and specialty care with grants of up to $2,000 for pets with good prognoses whose families earn below 250% of the federal poverty level.
Cast a wider net with these specialized and targeted options:
Vet-specific funds. For example, Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) is an urgent care center with dozens of locations in the U.S. It runs a nonprofit arm called VEG Cares to help pay for lifesaving pet care.
Breed-specific funds. Search for funds like Labrador Lifeline or Dachshund Rescue Foundation.
Local or regional funds through animal shelters, humane societies or SPCA chapters. Some local pet clinics have their own donor-supported funds to assist with financial hardships.
These funds often have eligibility requirements and application processes, so they're not always immediate. But you might get help covering bills after the fact.
Don't let panic lead you to costly mistakes
When you're desperate to save your pet, it's easy to panic and throw caution (and money) to the wind. But some choices can make a hard situation even harder.
Here's what to avoid if you can:
Don't drain your retirement or max out high-interest credit cards without a plan. It's heartbreaking to say, but putting yourself in long-term financial distress won't help your pet (or you) in the long run. Exhaust all other options first.
Don't skip care entirely hoping things will improve. Waiting too long can make treatable conditions worse or even fatal. At the very least, ask your vet if there's a way to stabilize your pet or manage pain while you figure things out.
Don't assume you're out of options after a "no." Some vets won't offer payment plans. Some nonprofits may turn you down. But keep going: The system isn't set up to be easy, but that doesn't mean help doesn't exist.
2 ways to avoid future pet bill shock
If this experience shook you financially or emotionally, you're not alone. And while not every emergency is preventable, there are steps you can take right now to make the next one less overwhelming.
Look into pet insurance
The best time to buy insurance is before your pet gets sick. Plans vary, but many cover emergencies, surgeries and even chronic conditions. Just be sure to read the fine print on waiting periods, exclusions and pre-existing conditions.
Start a pet emergency fund
I don't have pet insurance (my cat is 12 years old and has a long list of pre-existing conditions). But what I do have is a pet emergency fund set aside for him. It was hard to stomach losing $900, but having the money ready meant I could say "yes" to whatever would help him feel better without wondering how to pay for it.
Even putting away $10 to $20 a month into a top high-yield savings account can help.
🔍 Read more: How to build an emergency fund on any budget
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Small cost, big protection: Why renters insurance is worth it
Edited by Kelly Suzan Waggoner
📩 Have thoughts or comments about this story — or ideas on topics you'd like us to cover? Reach out to our team at [email protected].
Source: "AOL Money"
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