Help paying vet bills: Payment plans, resources and more
If you cannot pay a veterinary bill upfront, you are not alone.
Many families do not have savings for emergencies. The Federal Reserve found that only 63% of U.S. adults could cover a $400 emergency expense with cash or its equivalent.
For pet families, the challenge can have heartbreaking consequences. A PetSmart Charities–Gallup study found that 65% of pet families could pay $1,000 or less for lifesaving veterinary care.
Some families also cannot qualify for credit. Others are approved for less than they need.
When a pet needs care, this can quickly become a crisis.
The good news is that new payment options are becoming available at veterinary hospitals but you need to know to look for them and find them.
Why do payment options matter?
Cost is part of the problem. But how you pay matters just as much.
Many families could afford care over time. But they are not offered that option. As reported in the PetSmart Charities – Gallup Survey:
- 64% of pet parents said they could provide twice as much lifesaving care if offered a 12-month payment plan
- Only 23% said they had ever been offered one
This is a real gap.
What happens when payment options are available?
Payment options can change outcomes.
A 2025 study found that 35.8% of pet families said they would have been very likely to lose their pet without the no-credit check payment option offered at the clinic.
This could mean giving up their pet or choosing euthanasia.
That is more than one in three families.
Payment options can make the difference between getting care and losing a pet.
How can you find payment options?
Start by asking your veterinarian if they offer expanded payment plans, such as ones without a credit check at all (such as Varidi® or VetBilling®) or with only a soft credit check (such as ScratchPay®, Cherr® or Sunbit®). It’s also important to ask if they have payment terms beyond 6 months for repayment as this may be needed depending on the size of the bill.
You can also search online.
Go to PetHelpFinder.org
- Enter your city or ZIP code to find help near you
- Select Veterinary Care
- Use the filter for Payment Options
This will show veterinary clinics near you that may offer:
- Soft credit payment plans
- No credit check options
- Other flexible ways to pay over time
What should you know before you go to the vet?
Payment options are not the same at every clinic.
Some clinics may:
- Offer plans only for emergency cases
- Offer options after credit denial
Call ahead to confirm what is available.
Where else can you find help paying vet bills and other assistance?
As of early 2026, PetHelpFinder lists more than 7,000 resources, including:
- Financially friendly veterinary providers
- Pet food pantries
- Financial assistance programs
- Community pet services such as crisis boarding
You can also search for low-cost clinics and grants on the site. Your local animal shelter is also a recommended place to contact for information on local resources.
What can you do next?
If you are struggling to pay for care:
- Search for help at PetHelpFinder.org
- Look for clinics that offer payment options
- Ask your veterinarian to add payment options
When clients ask, clinics listen.
You have options
A hard moment does not have to mean losing your pet.
With the right support, care can still be within reach. And your pet can stay where they belong- with you.
Sources:
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Economic WellBeing of U.S. Households in 2024 Washington: Board of Governors, 2025, https://www.federalreserve.gov/publications/files/2024-report-economic-well-being-us-households-202505.pdf. Accessed 1/8/26
PetSmart Charities-Gallup, State of Pet Care Study: Pet Parents’ Assessment of American Veterinary Care. 2025. http://www.gallup.com/analytics/659123/gallup-petsmart-charities.aspx. Accessed 1/11/26
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (December 2025). The Consumer Credit Card Market. Available at: https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_consumer-credit-card-market-report_2025.pdf. Accessed January 7, 2026
Cammisa HJ and Hill S (2025) A prospective observational study of how veterinary clinics and their clients utilized a no-credit-check, third-party managed installment financing option to increase access to veterinary care. Front. Vet. Sci. 12:1675999. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1675999 https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1675999/full
Access to Veterinary Care Coalition (AVCC) Program for Pet Health Equity, Barriers, Current Practices, and Public Policy, University of Tennessee, December 2018. https://trace.Tennessee.edu/utk_smalpubs/17/. Accessed 1/11/26
Pethelpfinder
Pethelpfinder.org
Pethelpfinder.org is a program of the non-profit Open Door Veterinary Collective, a 501(c)(3) charity with a mission to expand access to veterinary care and pet services.
Frequently asked questions
If you can't afford a veterinary bill upfront, you're not alone. Many families face unexpected pet care expenses. Start by talking with your veterinarian about payment options that may allow you to pay over time. You can also search for financial assistance programs, low-cost veterinary services and other pet support resources through PetHelpFinder.org.
Some veterinarians may offer payment plans directly or work with third-party billing services that allow clients to pay over time. Availability varies by clinic, so it's important to ask what options they offer and whether extended payment terms are available for larger veterinary expenses.
You can search PetHelpFinder.org for veterinary providers in your area. Enter your city or ZIP code, select Veterinary Care and use available filters to identify clinics that may offer flexible payment options or other financially friendly services. Always contact the clinic directly to confirm availability.
Be honest about your financial limitations and ask what options may be available. Your veterinarian may be able to discuss payment plans, alternative treatment options, referrals to lower-cost providers or other resources that can help make care more affordable.
If your pet needs emergency veterinary care, contact your veterinarian immediately and explain the situation. You can also ask nearby veterinary colleges, community clinics or animal shelters whether emergency assistance programs or lower-cost options are available.