BE PREPARED

I bet when you first looked at that cute puppy/kitten face you didn't think about how much money you were going to be investing into the care of this cute critter.  I bet you didn't think about the fact that this critter could live to be 15-20 years old and cost you an average of $1,000/year in pet food, pet toys, grooming, flea control, heart worm prevention and veterinary bills.  Yet, sometime after you took that cute 'free' kitten/puppy home, you found that owning a pet is not just about loving it and sharing your life with it.  At some point in time you discovered the responsibility of pet ownership included teaching it good social household manners, the need for it's physical and mental exercise, how much of your time it takes caring for it and that sometimes your baby gets sick and requires medical attention that exceeds your normal financial budget.

Precious, your furry feline, played in your knitting box and swallowed yarn, requiring surgery that cost $500.  Waldo, dashed out of the house and ran into the street, getting hit by a car, costing you $1,000.  Mitsy got into the trash and suffered from pancreatitis requiring i.v. fluids and a few days in the hospital at $500.  These are just a few examples that veterinarians see every day, and something pet owners should prepare themselves for.  Emergencies happen, pets get sick and good veterinary care comes with a price tag.

Sadly, just today, I again experienced what happens to a pet as a result of lack of planning for veterinary health care emergencies by a pet owner.  The pet arrives in very sad shape; dehydrated, vomiting for days, not eating and after a preliminary exam I suspect there is a foreign body (ball, bone, toy, underwear) lodged in it's bowel.  Cost for diagnostics  and treatment is estimated between $500-$1000.  The pet owner does not have the funds available to allow me to do what I do best.  The pet parents are faced with the wrenching decision to elect euthanasia.  Situations like this sadden me and my staff as well, when there is something wrong that we can fix, but we cannot fix them because of financial constraints.

How can you avoid this happening to you and your pet?  Be prepared.  With a little bit of financial preparation you can keep the above situation from happening to you.  How can you prepare?

• Be honest, realistic and responsible.  If you don't have the funds or time to devote to a family pet, then perhaps you (and the pet) would be better off by not having one.
• Apply for a CareCredit Card.  A healthcare credit card that is accepted by many veterinarians as well as dentists, eye doctors and chiropractors.  It offers you the opportunity to take care of your pet's medical needs and have up to 3 months to pay for it without interest fees.
• Start a Pet Care Savings Account.  I would recommend keeping a minimal balance of at least $1,000 that would cover most emergency situations (depending on the area where you live).  If you would like the account to also cubby hole funds for annual veterinary visits and medications, then you will need to be disciplined enough to set aside additional money on a monthly basis for these needs.  $20/week will give you a nice beginning nest egg for emergencies within one year.
• Pet insurance.  There are several companies out there that offer pet insurance.  Many offer you a variety of insurance packages.  My typical recommendation is to get a good policy that covers accidents, illnesses and other emergencies.  Most pet owners can financially handle the normal wellness care and elective procedure expenses.
• If you are afraid that you would get desperate and tap into that savings account that you have set up for your pet?  Here at our clinic we encourage you to prepay for non-emergency services.  You can come in and place money on your account for a rainy day or routine medical needs for your pet.  $10/week will leave you a credit balance of $520 that will be available for you to use for your pet's well being.

  I hate talking about money with my clients.  It makes me feel that my clients probably think that is all my staff and I are concerned about, when in fact that is far from the truth.  However, the cold hard fact is that in order to continue practicing medicine, have a hospital for you to bring your pet to, pay for the practice expenses (drugs, payroll, utilities, taxes, insurance, etc) we need to be paid for the work that we do.   We understand you truly love your pets and want the best for them.  We are asking your to be financially prepared to give them the best they deserve.