Maybe you are a student, or a senior or unemployed or, my favorite new category, under-employed. And you have pets. Do you get them spayed/neutered? Microchipped? Or do you just keep putting it off because you don't have the money?
With the recession/depression continuing in full swing, many Denver-area pet owners are struggling to find decent veterinary care at affordable prices.
How expensive is a trip to the vet? Very. Americans spent $24 billion on veterinary care in 2006, the most recent year for which reliable statistics are available. That's more than double what they spent a decade earlier. According to veterinarians, 95 percent of clients pay out of pocket, rather than use pet health insurance.
Veterinarians say owners are cutting corners on health care, and spacing out treatments or services they previously took care of in a single office visit. Some owners also are letting preventive care slide in an effort to save money. You can't blame them, but in a tight economy it makes sense to be pro-active with your pet's health. In the long run, it's going to be more expensive if your pet gets sick. In other words, preventative heart worm care can save you a bundle.
Still, even in a recession, many pet owners refuse to treat animal health care as an optional expense. Here in the Denver Metro Area we are blessed to have several excellent options for reasonably-priced veterinary care. Some of the websites listed below give you an idea on prices and others will require a phone call. Also, check online, because there a "low-cost vaccination clinic" in the Denver metro area almost every weekend.
There are also many local and national groups that may provide financial assistance. They also are listed below.
Here are some of the options available.
Broadview Animal Clinic
10400 E Evans Ave., Denver, CO 80247
(303) 755-1424
broadviewanimalclinic.com
Busy, busy, busy. Expect to wait, but worth it.
Harrison Memorial Animal Hospital
191 Yuma St., Denver, CO. 80223
(303) 722-5800
http://www.harrisonmemorial.org/
Services provided on a sliding scale, based on income.
MaxFund Wellness Center
1000 Inca St. Denver, CO 80204
(303) 595-0532
http://maxfund.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=43&Itemid=46
Every veterinary service except those requiring extensive hospitalization. Low cost spay/neuter surgeries as well as heartworm examination and treatment, orthopedic surgery, dental, blood work and x-rays. For fees and appointments, call the number above.
Planned Pethood Plus
4170 Tennyson St.Denver, CO 80212
(303) 433-3291
www.plannedpethoodplus.com/
Planned Pethood Plus, Inc. offers low cost spay/neuter surgeries for the general public. They also offer low cost vaccination clinics as well as services for the elderly and disadvantaged. For fees and appointments, call the number above. Fees on website.
Spay/Neuter Incentive Program (SNIP)
(303) 318-0447
SNIP vouchers are available for qualified low-income pet owners in the metro Denver area. The
voucher is for a free pet spay or neuter surgery at a cooperating veterinary clinic. Vouchers can be obtained by visiting the Dumb Friends League, CVMF-Harrison Center for Animals, Denver Municipal Animal Shelter or Aurora Animal Shelter.
Denver Dumb Friends
http://www.ddfl.org/
The Dumb Friends League has mobile spay and neuter clinics for both dogs and cats. They travel to under served communities in the metro Denver area and offers surgeries on cats for $25, and dogs for $50. The clinics operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
Every Creature Counts
(303) 637-9136
http://www.everycreaturecounts.org/
Every Creature Counts low-cost spay/neuter clinic is open seven days per week. The clinic also offers low-cost vaccinations and dental service. They are currently located in Brighton, next to the Adams County Animal Shelter. For fees and appointments, call the number above.
Rocky Mountain Alley Cat Alliance
(303) 623-0765
http://www.rmaca.com/
Rocky Mountain Alley Cat Alliance works to prevent feral (wild) kittens from being born and to
improve the lives of those already born or abandoned. Call them to report feral cat colonies in your neighborhood.
Mobile Vaccination Practice
http://www.mobilevaxpractice.com/
Holds mobile low-cost vaccination and chipping clinics around Denver metro area. Dogs, cats and ferrets welcome. They also do euthanasia of pets at your home on an appointment basis only. Cost is based on size of animal, distance driven and time of day.
North Metro Veterinary Hospital
This hospital has been open for almost 40 years. Dr. Edward Garcia and his staff offer full surgical and medical care. Garcia is partnering with Pets for People, a local non-profit, to help low income pet owners obtain care for their animals. Websites are http://bestdogvet.com or http://pets4people. org
Spay2day -- Low cost vaccinations and spaying for cats, dogs and rabbits. 1864 S. Wadsworth Blvd #2
Lakewood. 303-984-SPAY (7729) http://spay2day.org/
Colorado State University
Finally, you can also go to Pets911.com and enter your zip code to find a list of animal shelters, animal control agencies, and other animal care organizations in your community. There are some organizations that offer assistance locally (by state or community). See our state-by-state (including Canada) listing. The HSUS also has a list of organizations that provide assistance to senior, disabled or ill pet owners.
How expensive is a trip to the vet? Very. Americans spent $24 billion on veterinary care in 2006, the most recent year for which reliable statistics are available. That's more than double what they spent a decade earlier. According to veterinarians, 95 percent of clients pay out of pocket, rather than use pet health insurance.
Veterinarians say owners are cutting corners on health care, and spacing out treatments or services they previously took care of in a single office visit. Some owners also are letting preventive care slide in an effort to save money. You can't blame them, but in a tight economy it makes sense to be pro-active with your pet's health. In the long run, it's going to be more expensive if your pet gets sick. In other words, preventative heart worm care can save you a bundle.
Still, even in a recession, many pet owners refuse to treat animal health care as an optional expense. Here in the Denver Metro Area we are blessed to have several excellent options for reasonably-priced veterinary care. Some of the websites listed below give you an idea on prices and others will require a phone call. Also, check online, because there a "low-cost vaccination clinic" in the Denver metro area almost every weekend.
There are also many local and national groups that may provide financial assistance. They also are listed below.
Here are some of the options available.
Broadview Animal Clinic
10400 E Evans Ave., Denver, CO 80247
(303) 755-1424
broadviewanimalclinic.com
Busy, busy, busy. Expect to wait, but worth it.
Harrison Memorial Animal Hospital
191 Yuma St., Denver, CO. 80223
(303) 722-5800
http://www.harrisonmemorial.org/
Services provided on a sliding scale, based on income.
MaxFund Wellness Center
1000 Inca St. Denver, CO 80204
(303) 595-0532
http://maxfund.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=43&Itemid=46
Every veterinary service except those requiring extensive hospitalization. Low cost spay/neuter surgeries as well as heartworm examination and treatment, orthopedic surgery, dental, blood work and x-rays. For fees and appointments, call the number above.
Planned Pethood Plus
4170 Tennyson St.Denver, CO 80212
(303) 433-3291
www.plannedpethoodplus.com/
Planned Pethood Plus, Inc. offers low cost spay/neuter surgeries for the general public. They also offer low cost vaccination clinics as well as services for the elderly and disadvantaged. For fees and appointments, call the number above. Fees on website.
Spay/Neuter Incentive Program (SNIP)
(303) 318-0447
SNIP vouchers are available for qualified low-income pet owners in the metro Denver area. The
voucher is for a free pet spay or neuter surgery at a cooperating veterinary clinic. Vouchers can be obtained by visiting the Dumb Friends League, CVMF-Harrison Center for Animals, Denver Municipal Animal Shelter or Aurora Animal Shelter.
Denver Dumb Friends
http://www.ddfl.org/
The Dumb Friends League has mobile spay and neuter clinics for both dogs and cats. They travel to under served communities in the metro Denver area and offers surgeries on cats for $25, and dogs for $50. The clinics operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
Every Creature Counts
(303) 637-9136
http://www.everycreaturecounts.org/
Every Creature Counts low-cost spay/neuter clinic is open seven days per week. The clinic also offers low-cost vaccinations and dental service. They are currently located in Brighton, next to the Adams County Animal Shelter. For fees and appointments, call the number above.
Rocky Mountain Alley Cat Alliance
(303) 623-0765
http://www.rmaca.com/
Rocky Mountain Alley Cat Alliance works to prevent feral (wild) kittens from being born and to
improve the lives of those already born or abandoned. Call them to report feral cat colonies in your neighborhood.
Mobile Vaccination Practice
http://www.mobilevaxpractice.com/
Holds mobile low-cost vaccination and chipping clinics around Denver metro area. Dogs, cats and ferrets welcome. They also do euthanasia of pets at your home on an appointment basis only. Cost is based on size of animal, distance driven and time of day.
North Metro Veterinary Hospital
This hospital has been open for almost 40 years. Dr. Edward Garcia and his staff offer full surgical and medical care. Garcia is partnering with Pets for People, a local non-profit, to help low income pet owners obtain care for their animals. Websites are http://bestdogvet.com or http://pets4people. org
Spay2day -- Low cost vaccinations and spaying for cats, dogs and rabbits. 1864 S. Wadsworth Blvd #2
Lakewood. 303-984-SPAY (7729) http://spay2day.org/
Colorado State University
Okay, it is in Ft. Collins but it is well worth the drive. It has a clinic that is open to the public, staffed by students and overseen by teachers. It is well-worth the drive. Several years ago Mrs. Packer's dog beloved Bear was given no chance by two different local vets, because of her severe arthritis. Thanks to the team at CSU, Bear enjoyed another three happy, comfortable years of life.
Finally, you can also go to Pets911.com and enter your zip code to find a list of animal shelters, animal control agencies, and other animal care organizations in your community. There are some organizations that offer assistance locally (by state or community). See our state-by-state (including Canada) listing. The HSUS also has a list of organizations that provide assistance to senior, disabled or ill pet owners.
A Helping Hand
Here are some other links to groups that help pet owners. Please keep in mind that each organization is independent and has their own set of rules and guidelines. Therefore you will have to investigate each one separately to determine if you qualify for assistance
IMOM Inc., IMOM.org
Help-A-Pet, help-a-pet.org
The Pet Fund, thepetfund.com
Good Sam Fund, goodsamfund.org
United Animal Nations LifeLine Fund, uan.org
Angels for Animals, angels4animals.org
Brown Dog Foundation, browndogfoundation.org/home
Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program, fveap.org
Feline Outreach, felineoutreach.org
Cats In Crisis, catsincrisis.org
The Perseus Foundation (Cancer specific), PerseusFoundation.org
Canine Cancer Awareness, caninecancerawareness.org
Cody's Club (Radiation treatments), codysclub.bravehost.com/
Diabetic Pets Fund, petdiabetes.net/fund/
The Mosby Foundation, themosbyfoundation.org
Magic Bullet Fund (Cancer Specific), themagicbulletfund.org
The Binky Foundation, binkyfoundation.org
God's Creatures Ministry Veterinary Charity, http://www.all-creatures.org/gcm/help-cf.html
Breed Specific Assistance Programs
The Boston Terrier Rescue Net, bostonrescue.net
CorgiAid, corgiaid.org
Special Needs Dobermans, doberman911.org
Disabled Dachshund Society, ourdds.org
Dougal's Helping Paw (Scottish Terriers, West Highland White Terriers and other small, short legged terriers) http://www.welcome.to/dougalsfund
Labrador Harbor, labradorharbor.org/
Labmed, labmed.org
Labrador Lifeline, labradorlifeline.org
Westimed (West Highland White Terriers), westiemed.org
Pyramedic Trust (Great Pyrenees), http://www.angelfire.com/bc2/pyramedic/summary.html
Working/Service Dogs
Helping Harley Cancer Treatment Grant, http://grants.landofpuregold.com/ Assistance Dogs Special Allowance (ADSA) Program, http://www.cdss.ca.gov/cdssweb/PG82.htm
Given the current state of the economy, many pet owners need basic necessities such as pet food. If you find yourself in this position, be sure to contact your local humane societies as some organizations have started their own pet food bank program. In addition, you can visit petsofhomeless.com/members.htm to view a state-by-state listing of food banks that offer pet food for the pets of the homeless and disadvantaged.
Here are some other links to groups that help pet owners. Please keep in mind that each organization is independent and has their own set of rules and guidelines. Therefore you will have to investigate each one separately to determine if you qualify for assistance
IMOM Inc., IMOM.org
Help-A-Pet, help-a-pet.org
The Pet Fund, thepetfund.com
Good Sam Fund, goodsamfund.org
United Animal Nations LifeLine Fund, uan.org
Angels for Animals, angels4animals.org
Brown Dog Foundation, browndogfoundation.org/home
Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program, fveap.org
Feline Outreach, felineoutreach.org
Cats In Crisis, catsincrisis.org
The Perseus Foundation (Cancer specific), PerseusFoundation.org
Canine Cancer Awareness, caninecancerawareness.org
Cody's Club (Radiation treatments), codysclub.bravehost.com/
Diabetic Pets Fund, petdiabetes.net/fund/
The Mosby Foundation, themosbyfoundation.org
Magic Bullet Fund (Cancer Specific), themagicbulletfund.org
The Binky Foundation, binkyfoundation.org
God's Creatures Ministry Veterinary Charity, http://www.all-creatures.org/gcm/help-cf.html
Breed Specific Assistance Programs
The Boston Terrier Rescue Net, bostonrescue.net
CorgiAid, corgiaid.org
Special Needs Dobermans, doberman911.org
Disabled Dachshund Society, ourdds.org
Dougal's Helping Paw (Scottish Terriers, West Highland White Terriers and other small, short legged terriers) http://www.welcome.to/dougalsfund
Labrador Harbor, labradorharbor.org/
Labmed, labmed.org
Labrador Lifeline, labradorlifeline.org
Westimed (West Highland White Terriers), westiemed.org
Pyramedic Trust (Great Pyrenees), http://www.angelfire.com/bc2/pyramedic/summary.html
Working/Service Dogs
Helping Harley Cancer Treatment Grant, http://grants.landofpuregold.com/ Assistance Dogs Special Allowance (ADSA) Program, http://www.cdss.ca.gov/cdssweb/PG82.htm
Given the current state of the economy, many pet owners need basic necessities such as pet food. If you find yourself in this position, be sure to contact your local humane societies as some organizations have started their own pet food bank program. In addition, you can visit petsofhomeless.com/members.htm to view a state-by-state listing of food banks that offer pet food for the pets of the homeless and disadvantaged.
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