Why do Vets Charge Fees?
Why is it vets will continue to charge people for
their pets when sometimes it is impossible to pay
for something expensive the animal needs such as a
dental cleaning? Also why charge when someone
brings in an animal that isn’t theirs but was found
badly beaten or starved?
Asia
Tennessee
It is definitely a sad situation when a pet needs medical care that is not affordable for the person caring for the animal. In an ideal world, all animals would receive the medical care they need and expense would not come into play.
Sadly, we don’t live in an ideal world. In fact, there are millions of people in the United States who aren’t able to afford the medical care that they need. Pets are not the only individuals who sometimes unwillingly go without medical care due to expense!
Several charitable organizations offer low-cost veterinary services to people with low incomes or disabilities. Many local SPCAs offer free services to stray animals brought to them by good samaritans. Sadly, these organizations have limited resources.
Meanwhile, most vets must charge fees for our work. We do this for the same reason that all productive members of society charge for their work: we need money to buy food and pay rent.
If you would like to see more low cost veterinary services made available, I recommend that you donate time or money to one of the many wonderful organizations that are working diligently to help the needy.
Photo Credit: Andrew Dunn. Photo license: CC.
You have questions. 
Duh!!! Vets have major overhead and expenses! They also have families that like to eat and have a home plus they, also, would like to have a few good things in life. They have staff to pay for the same reasons! What are YOU willing to go without in order to give an animal the “extras”. Charity begins at home..Your home!!!
That’s an interesting question, Asia. How about you spend about a hundred grand to go to veterinary school and then not charge for your services. Would you ask this question of a physician or a dentist? I am not a vet, I am a dog owner, who by the way has just been informed that my 8 y/o dog has a torn a crutiate ligament and will probably need surgery.
Alot of the vets have low cost clinics and do alot for nothing. It is impossible to do all services for nothing. Most will do what they can as these are animal loving people or they wouldn’t be doing what they do. They do care and do all they can, but like any profession there are some that only look at the almighty dollar so be selective and beleve me word of mouth is a great way to seek a loving and caring vet.
Caring for a pet is as big a responsibility as caring for children. Food, health care, training, everything costs money.
Vets must charge fees. They are running businesses, and these businesses must sustain lives; the patients’, the vets’, and their staff; as well as cover the many operating expenses like rent, utilities, equipment, etc.
I agree sometimes fees are high and seem excessive; and I feel some should be lowered (i.e. spay & neuter surgeries – life savers in disguise. Every litter prevented is a litter saved from the pounds, the streets and certain death).
The good news is, that many (perhaps most) vets will offer free services or greatly reduced fees for strays or ferals brought in by good samaritans. Many vets really care about the animal’s welfare and their caregivers, and will help provide the best care possible within their budgets. The real generosity of many vets often goes unnoticed because they perform services which they never put on the bill. I know my vet is a ’saint’ – when I was quoted 800-1200$ for surgery by other vets for a feral cat I rescued, he charged me 100$ !!! Not only did he save me lots of money, but he also did not go over board on the surgery, which meant much less stress and faster recovery for the cat.
Often shelters post dates and locations for free clinics or can direct a caller to free or low cost vets. Google ‘free or low cost veterinary’ for your city, it should return a long list. And, yes, there are many organizations that help with urgent medical expenses, and I agree, it will take time to research and sometimes qualify for the financial help. These organizations rely on people’s donations and sponsorships or grants from large companies. And the inquiries for help usually surmount the money available.
I think you all should learn reading comprehension before you comment so stupidly. First the question why charge for expensive procedures that that are not needed for live, like teeth cleaning. If I brought in a poor animal that I found and it needed emergency treatment to save its life. I would be willing to pay for that. But if a Vet charged me for cleaning its teeth along with the needed medical care, I would tell him he bumped his head. Many Vets charge for things that you did not ask them to do. Thats why I never ever leave my baby cat at the vets alone.
Mary, I have re-read Asia’s question and I do not see how it address “expensive procedures that are not needed for live [sic]“. I believe the other people commenting have interpreted the question accurately.
Also, in the future you may want to proofread your comments for grammatical and typographical errors before you call other people stupid.
Pet ownership is a responsibility. If you can’t afford a pet, don’t have one. It’s not fair to the pet if he can’t get proper care when it’s needed. You choose to have a pet. Make a good choice.
Hi there;
I know some vet clinics have funds set up for such things as this happening. Also the funds are generated by people who have lost their pets and give money to these funds in the name of their lost pet to help other people with pet’s .
This is just an idea and it would be nice if vets could do alot more to help animals regardless of the costs, if it was possilbe.
thanks
norma
owner of http://www.heavenpeturns.com we care about your loss.
Why would a Vet not charge? They went thru vet school,
set up practice, hired a staff and some are on call 24/7.
I think God for my Vet and the Specialists in Houston. We
have one cat, that was critically itt, but found a way to
have him healed. One person said if you cant afford an animal,
dont have one. You may be the lucky one that never has a
sick cat or dog or any animal, but when you do….who do you
call first.
[...] recent post on the fees that vets charge has garnered some interesting comments. One theme that has been mentioned goes like this: Owning a [...]
First, pets are a responsibility, just as a child. You should be prepared to give the animal the food, shelter and medical care that it needs BEFORE taking it in. If you cannot afford it, don’t have a pet!
Secondly, why would you assume that you would not be charged for a service? If you require services from a plumber, a mechanic, an electrician or a doctor you should expect to pay for their expertise. You obviously cannot clean your own animal’s teeth – so you must PAY an specialist to do the work.
This is how the world works where I live. Is everything else in Tennessee FREE??
I’m surprised that this question even has to be asked. Vets go to school, and it’s not cheap, and they have to support themselves, their staff, and make sure everything is in stock.
Also, while teeth cleaning can help improve a cat’s health.
The entitlement some people show sometimes is quite sad really.
My vet charges $5. per visit per pet (we have 4) for
‘bio hazardous waste disposal.
I am outraged. Is this common practice amongst Vets?
Thank you.