Here at the Drake Dog Cancer Foundation, one of the questions we hear most frequently is, “How can I afford my dog’s cancer treatment?” Hearing that your dog has cancer is already rough, and not knowing how to pay for it can be frustrating, especially if the vet or oncologist has a plan to extend your dog’s life.
Not everyone has a giant savings account to break into, and while using a credit card may work, it’s not usually enough to cover the bill. And if the balance is carried for a long time, the interest really adds up. Fortunately, there are other possibilities to look into that may help you move forward without going completely broke.
Look for Clinical Trials
Veterinary medical centers and universities with vet schools often do research to find new ways to treat cancer. They run clinical trials that need lots of dogs or cats to make sure their results are reliable. Sometimes, they offer treatments at a much lower cost or even for free to encourage people to sign up for their pets, although free treatment isn’t always available.
If you’re thinking about signing your pet up for a trial, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. Your pet has to fit the requirements of the study. Also, you’ll usually keep your pet at home during the trial, but you might need to take them in for check-ups often so the researchers can gather information. That’s why it’s good to find trials close to where you live.
Another possible benefit is that your pet could get a new treatment that works better than the ones we already have. That’s the goal of these trials—to find treatments that are as good as or better than what’s already out there. Sometimes, these discoveries can even help with human medicine.
Pet Insurance for Cancer in Dogs
The first thing to understand about pet insurance is that you usually need to have the policy in place before your pet is diagnosed with any condition. Also, remember that not all pet insurance plans are the same.
Some policies will cover all new medical issues for as long as you have your pet, while others might only cover new problems for the first year, and after that, you’re on your own. Often, you’ll need to pay the vet bills yourself first and then ask the insurance company to pay you back. It’s not common for the insurance company to pay the vet directly.
If you already have pet insurance and your pet is about to start cancer treatment, it can be a good idea to ask the insurance company to approve a certain amount of money for the treatment ahead of time.
Each insurance plan is different, so make sure you know what yours includes before you start cancer treatment. If you need to get this pre-approval, it’s wise to ask for more money than you think you’ll need because medical costs can be unpredictable.
Get Help Paying Vet Bills with CareCredit
CareCredit is a type of financing that works kind of like a credit card, but it’s a bit different and can be really helpful. You can use it to pay for your pet’s medical and veterinary expenses that aren’t covered by insurance. One great thing about CareCredit is that it has some payment options that other credit cards don’t offer.
For example, they have short-term financing plans where you don’t have to pay any interest, as long as you make the minimum payments each month and pay off the whole amount before the promotional period ends.
This can be a big relief when you’re dealing with unexpected pet expenses. Plus, over 250,000 places across the country accept CareCredit, so it’s widely recognized.
Charities That Help Pay Vet Bills
There are several charitable organizations that help dog owners with veterinary bills, particularly for dogs diagnosed with cancer. Here’s a list of some charities and foundations that offer such assistance:
- The Magic Bullet Fund: This fund specifically helps owners who can’t afford cancer treatment for their dogs. They provide financial assistance for both conventional and alternative cancer treatments.
- The Mosby Foundation: Dedicated to assisting in the care of sick, injured, abused, and neglected dogs through financial support and public education.
- Paws 4 A Cure: This charity provides assistance to families who cannot afford veterinary care for their dogs (and cats) with cancer and other serious medical conditions.
- The Pet Fund: While not specific to cancer, this fund provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need urgent veterinary care. Send an email with your dog’s vet care needs, and the staff will get back to you with a response.
- Frankie’s Friends: This organization provides financial assistance for pets in need of lifesaving emergency or specialty veterinary care, including cancer treatment.
- Brown Dog Foundation: This foundation offers financial help to pet owners in temporary financial crises, enabling them to afford needed care for their pets, including cancer treatment.
- RedRover Relief Grants: RedRover offers financial assistance grants for pet owners facing economic hardship, particularly for life-threatening conditions and emergencies, which can include cancer treatments.
- Scratch Pay: Scratchpay has a high approval rate with deferred interest and no prepayment penalty. It doesn’t hurt your credit score to look for payment options, so you don’t have to worry about a hit to your credit report.
- Poodle Angels: This organization is solely for poodles with cancer expenses. If you have a poodle and receive this financial aid, it’s paid directly to the vet, so there’s nothing added to your already full plate.
It’s important to note that each of these organizations has its own application process and criteria for assistance. Financial aid is often dependent on available funds, so it’s a good idea to apply to multiple organizations if possible.
Use a Combination of Ideas
Your best move might be to try a mix of the options we’ve talked about. It would be amazing if grants could cover a lot or all of the costs, but just in case they can’t, it’s a really good idea to look into things like CareCredit and see what your pet insurance can do for you. This way, you have a few different plans to help with the expenses.