Cats Health Costs

Increasing cats health costs and a down economy are bad news for many cat parents. According to the American Pet Products Association, the average cost of veterinary services paid by per feline by cat parents in the U.S. is about $650, an increase of nearly 50% compared to 10 years ago. One of the most popular ways of controlling cats health expenditures is with pet insurance. According to Sarah Meehan, reporting in USA Today News, more and more pet owners are buying insurance, although cat policies only account for about one fourth of the number of dog insurance policies. The increase in the number of policies is thought to be due to a combination of rising veterinary costs and shifts in attitude toward viewing our pets as part of our families, and we are taking our responsibility for their health even more to heart.

Here?s an excerpt from Sarah Meehan?s article posted on TucsonCitizen.com.

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?More owners buying pet insurance,
by Sarah Meehan on Mar. 06, 2012, under USA Today News

As veterinary expenses continue to mount, more pet insurance companies have emerged to help ?pet parents? budget for unexpected emergencies ? such as Charlie?s surgery ? as well as routine care. Between regular check-ups and surgeries, most dog or cat owners racked up about $650 in vet bills last year, according to a survey by the American Pet Products Association.

A boom in pet insurance

Pet insurance providers have grown tenfold during the last decade to combat these costly visits. Today, 11 companies ? including Pets Best Insurance, the Hartville Group and Embrace Pet Insurance ? insure dogs, cats and sometimes exotic pets in the U.S. From 1982 until 1997, Veterinary Pet Insurance was the country?s only pet insurance agency . . .

The majority of providers offer different levels of coverage. The most basic plans protect against accidents and illnesses. Policyholders can purchase more benefits or add wellness coverage to pay for regular expenses such as annual exams, blood work and vaccines. Monthly premiums range from around $15 for a basic plan to about $75 for the most comprehensive coverage, and most policies will reimburse 80% or 90% of a claim . . .?

Original article here -

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Although statistically more pet parents are buying insurance, there are many in these difficult economic times who simply can?t afford insurance. And if it comes down to paying the mortgage, putting food on the table, or paying for an elective surgery for their cat, the cat more often than not suffers the consequences. There are alternatives however. There are a number of organizations that will cover veterinary treatments for cats for cat parents in financial straits. FelineDiabetes.com has posted an article on their site, listing information about organizations that can help with vet bills, and not just for diabetes. Here?s an excerpt from that resource.

?? ?Organizations that can help with vet bills
. . .This is a list of USA organizations that help owners that cannot afford vet care. There is also a listing for a link to possible UK assistance organizations. Some of these links are to commerical enterprises, some to non-profit organizations. Their listing here is a courtesy. FelineDiabetes.com is an educational service and does not provide financial assistance for vet bills.

Feline Outreach [www.felineoutreaach.org]
?Feline Outreach is a charitable organization formed to promote the routine and medical care of companion animals, particularly cats.? (Note: Feline Outreach was founded by people who have diabetic cats.)

IMOM [www.imom.org]
?Mission Statement: Helping people help pets. To better the lives of sick, injured and abused companion animals. We are dedicated to insure that no companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker is financially challenged.?

American Animal Hospital Association [www.aahahelpingpets.org]
?. . .Through the AAHA Helping Pets Fund, veterinary care is possible for sick or injured pets even if they have been abandoned or if their owner is experiencing financial hardship.?

Angels 4 Animals [www.angels4animals.org]
?Angels4Animals, a non-profit organization and a program of Inner Voice Community Services, has a mission to serve as the guardian angel of animals whose caretakers find themselves in difficult financial situations . . .?

Care Credit [www.carecredit.com]
?. . . we offer a plan and a low monthly payment to fit comfortably into almost every budget.?

Cats in Crisis [www.catsincrisis.org]
?Cats in Crisis Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals and humane organizations care for cats with chronic or emergency medical conditions through financial and fundraising assistance.?

Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance (FVEAP) [www.fveap.org]
The Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization that provides financial assistance to cat and kitten guardians who are unable to afford veterinary services to save their companions when life-threatening illness or injury strikes.

Help-A-Pet [www.help-a-pet.org]
?Our efforts focus on serving the elderly, the disabled, and the working poor. For lonely seniors, physically/mentally challenged individuals and children of working parents, pets represent much more than a diversion.?

Shakespeare Animal Fund [www.shakespeareanimalfund.com]
?Anyone can apply for funds, but SAF offers assistance primarily to those on fixed incomes or with annual incomes below $35,000. Exceptions are made depending on circumstances. It is always a one-time grant?

The Pet Fund [thepetfund.com]
?The Pet Fund is a registered 501(c) 3 nonprofit association that provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need urgent veterinary care . . .?

UK Assistance with Veterinary Bills [www.petloversonline.co.uk]?

Original article here -

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If you?re still concerned about your cats health costs, just remember that it?s nearly always cheaper to pay for preventive care than for surgery, rehabilitation and medicinal cures after the fact. For more ideas about controlling cats health costs, we recommend Jeffrey Barnes and Kristen Levine?s book.

Source: http://upscalecats.com/cats/

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