Source: PR Newswire
A new PetSmart Charities–Gallup study finds that the rising cost of Veterinary care continues to limit access for pets and place emotional strain on both families and providers. Nearly all veterinarians (94%) report that clients’ financial constraints sometimes or often prevent them from delivering recommended care, with cost cited as the leading reason treatments are declined. The study highlights a major disconnect: while most veterinarians say they offer alternative treatment plans or financing options when affordability is an issue, most pet parents report they were not presented with such alternatives.
Many veterinarians also say they received little formal training on how to discuss financial barriers, making these conversations challenging. Emotional impacts are significant, with most veterinarians describing distress when clients struggle to pay and many reporting euthanasia due to unaffordable care. Although most veterinarians are familiar with the Spectrum of Care approach, only about half consistently apply it. The findings underscore the need for better communication, training, and system-wide collaboration to expand affordable care options.