Navigating the Rising Costs of Veterinary Care: A Call to Action for Animal Welfare Organizations

Exploring Solutions to Ensure Affordable and Accessible Care for All Pets Amidst a Transforming Industry

In recent years, the landscape of veterinary care has undergone a remarkable transformation, mirroring the advancements seen in human healthcare.  A recent New York Times article by Katie Thomas, The Costs of Caring for Pets, provides a thorough examination of these changes, highlighting both the benefits and the challenges that come with them. 

While these advancements offer unprecedented options for pet owners, they also bring significant concerns, particularly regarding the rising costs and the ethical dilemmas that now pervade the industry, such as having to decide between expensive treatments and euthanasia; over-treatment vs. quality of life; corporate influence on care decisions; accessibility of care; and balancing business interests with animal welfare.

This evolving landscape presents a critical challenge for animal welfare organizations to step up and ensure that all pets receive the care they need without imposing undue financial burdens on their owners.

In this article, I will outline several strategies that animal welfare organizations can consider to help alleviate these challenges and support pet owners in affording and keeping their ailing pets.

A New Era in Veterinary Medicine

In the past, veterinary care was relatively basic, with veterinarians typically owning their own clinics and having limited options for treating sick or injured pets. Today, however, animal hospitals are equipped with advanced technology, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, round-the-clock critical care units, and teams of specialists in fields like oncology, cardiology, and neurology. These advancements are undoubtedly beneficial, offering pet owners more options and better outcomes for their beloved animals.

The Rising Cost of Care

However, as veterinary care has advanced, it has also become more expensive. The cost of veterinary care has soared by more than 60 percent over the past decade, outpacing inflation. This increase is partly due to the rising cost of drugs, vaccines, and other supplies, as well as higher salaries in a tight labor market. Additionally, the influence of private equity firms and corporate ownership of veterinary clinics has introduced new pressures. Veterinarians are often incentivized to order more tests and treatments, which can drive up costs and potentially compromise the quality of care.

Ethical and Financial Dilemmas

The article by Katie Thomas poignantly describes the ethical and financial dilemmas faced by pet owners and veterinarians. Pet owners are often forced to make heartbreaking decisions about whether they can afford the care their pets need. While pet insurance is available, only a small percentage of pet owners have it, meaning most must pay out of pocket. This can lead to significant debt or the difficult choice of euthanasia to relieve a pet's suffering.

The Role of Animal Welfare Organizations

As someone deeply involved in animal welfare, I see an opportunity for both national and local organizations to advocate for more affordable and accessible veterinary care. Here are several recommendations to help pet owners cope with these rising costs:

• Promoting Pet Insurance: One of the most effective ways to mitigate the high costs of veterinary care is through pet insurance. Animal welfare organizations can play a pivotal role in educating pet owners about the benefits of pet insurance and guiding them on how to choose the right plan. By partnering with insurance providers, these organizations can also negotiate discounted rates for their members or the communities they serve.

• Financial Assistance Programs: Organizations can establish or expand financial assistance programs to help pet owners cover the cost of veterinary care. This can include direct grants, subsidies, or low-interest loans. For example, the Humane Society of the United States has provided nearly $50 million worth of veterinary services at no cost to families, demonstrating the impact such programs can have. Additionally, platforms like Waggle offer crowdfunding solutions that channel funds directly to veterinarians for a pet’s care.

• Legislative Advocacy: Advocating for legislative changes is another powerful tool. Animal welfare organizations can support bills that provide tax credits for veterinary expenses, as seen in New York and Kansas, where proposed legislation offers significant tax benefits to pet owners. For instance:

• New York State Senate Bill S5978: Establishes a tax credit for the adoption of a dog or cat, providing a $100 credit per pet, up to three pets per year.

• New York bill, Senate Bill S8191: Proposes a tax credit of up to $250 per pet adopted from an animal shelter.

• Kansas House Bill 2419: Introduces a nonrefundable income tax credit of up to $500 for expenses incurred for the care of cats and dogs. 

  These efforts can help make veterinary care more affordable and accessible on a broader scale.

• Community Outreach and Education: Programs like the Humane Society’s Pets for Life, which provides veterinary care, supplies, and services at no cost through door-to-door outreach, are essential in underserved areas. These initiatives build trust and ensure that even those in poverty or remote locations can access necessary care. Educational campaigns can also inform pet owners about preventive care, which can reduce long-term costs by preventing serious health issues.

• Partnerships with Veterinary Clinics: Building partnerships with veterinary clinics to offer discounted services or payment plans can significantly alleviate financial burdens on pet owners. Organizations can work with clinics to develop cost-effective treatment plans and ensure that pricing is transparent. For instance, negotiating payment plans or deferred payments can help pet owners manage expenses more effectively.

• Utilizing Telemedicine: The use of telemedicine in veterinary care can reduce costs and increase accessibility. By allowing veterinarians to establish virtual veterinary-client-patient relationships, pet owners can receive timely advice and care without the need for expensive in-person visits. Legislative support for telehealth services can further enhance this approach.

• Resource Directories and Referral Networks: Creating and maintaining comprehensive directories of financial assistance resources, such as the Pet Help Finder, can connect pet owners with local and national programs that offer support. Referral networks for low-cost spay/neuter services, like SpayUSA, also play a crucial role in reducing the overall cost of pet care.

• Supporting Veterinary Workforce Development: Addressing the shortage of veterinarians and veterinary staff is essential for controlling costs. Animal welfare organizations can advocate for policies that support veterinary education and training, provide incentives for working in underserved areas, and promote the use of veterinary technicians to extend the reach of veterinary services.

• Encouraging Community Support: Community-based support systems, such as local fundraising efforts and volunteer programs, can provide essential resources for pet owners in need. Organizations can facilitate these efforts by offering platforms for community engagement and support. For example, donation and grant-funded Safety Net programs can help pets and their families stay together during financial difficulties, dislocations, hospitalizations, and evictions. These programs can provide temporary foster placement, veterinary help, counseling, and other remedies to prevent pets from losing their homes and families due to temporary crises. Additionally, donation and grant-funded spay/neuter programs, like The Big Fix, can help offset the cost of spay/neuter surgery for pets belonging to low-income families.

Call to Action

By implementing these strategies, animal welfare organizations can significantly impact the accessibility and affordability of veterinary care. Ensuring that pets receive the care they need without causing financial hardship for their owners requires a multifaceted approach, combining education, advocacy, financial assistance, and community support.

In light of the escalating costs of pet care, it is imperative that we work together to drive these initiatives forward, creating a more equitable and compassionate system for all pet owners. By fostering collaboration among stakeholders—veterinary professionals, policymakers, insurance providers, and the community—we can strive to ensure that every pet receives the care they deserve.

This collective effort will enable pet owners to provide for their beloved companions without undue financial strain, strengthening the bond between people and their pets and enhancing the overall well-being of our communities.

Ed Boks is a former Executive Director of the New York City, Los Angeles, and Maricopa County Animal Care & Control Departments. He is available for consultations. His work has been published in the LA Times, New York Times, Newsweek, Real Clear Policy, Sentient Media, and now on Animal Politics with Ed Boks.