Compassionate Care When Finances Are a Concern
At Animal Center for Emergency and Specialty (ACES), we understand that loving a pet doesn’t always come with unlimited financial resources. Veterinary care can be expensive, especially when illness or injury happens unexpectedly. If you’re facing financial hardship, please know this: you are not alone, and you are not a bad pet parent.
Our goal is always to be transparent, supportive, and helpful no matter your situation.
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Exploring Payment Options
We do our best to offer several payment options to help make care more accessible:
- Cash
- Check (under $500)
- Credit and Debit cards
- Cherry
- Cherry financing allows you to break one-time treatment costs into smaller, more manageable monthly amounts. Cherry’s simple application means it takes less than a minute for you to apply for financing and preview your monthly installment options, with no impact on your credit score. The first month payment is due at time of service.
- CareCredit
- The CareCredit credit card is a simple, flexible way to pay for a wide range of health and wellness wants and needs for you, your family, and your pets. See if you prequalify without impacting your credit score. If you receive an offer of credit and apply, there will be a hard inquiry on your credit report which may impact your credit score. This card can be used anywhere CareCredit is accepted.
- Scratchpay
- Scratch Pay payment plans are not a credit card. This means payments are broken down into easy-to-manage monthly payments with a simple APR interest rate. Payment plans can be used for amounts between $200 – $10,000.
Our team is happy to talk through these options with you and help you decide what might work best. While we cannot offer in-house payment plans, we will always communicate costs clearly so you can make informed decisions. Our wonderful Client Care Coordinators would love to help you apply to any of the financing options (Cherry, CareCredit, or ScratchPay)!
A Note About Pet Insurance
Pet insurance can be a helpful tool for many families, especially when unexpected illness or injury occurs. If you’re considering pet insurance—or already have it—we encourage you to take time to carefully read the fine print of any policy.
Important things to be aware of include:
- Waiting periods before coverage begins
- Pre-existing condition exclusions (anything documented before the policy starts is typically not covered)
- Coverage limits, deductibles, and reimbursement percentages
It’s also important to know that most pet insurance companies operate on a reimbursement model. This means payment for veterinary services is due at the time of your visit, and the insurance company reimburses you afterward if the claim is approved. Because of this, insurance may not eliminate the need for payment at the time care is provided.
For families exploring insurance options, websites like pawlicy.com can be a helpful resource to compare different companies, coverage options, and pricing to find a plan that best fits your needs.
While pet insurance isn’t the right choice for everyone, planning ahead—when possible—can help reduce financial stress during emergencies.
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Low-Cost Care Resources
We recognize that urgent care or specialty treatment isn’t always feasible. If ongoing care, diagnostics, or procedures are outside of your budget, we can provide a list of low-cost clinics and community resources in the area that may be able to help.
These clinics often offer:
- Reduced-cost exams
- Vaccines and basic care
- Spay/neuter services
- Some diagnostics or treatments at lower fees
Please ask, we are always willing to share resources.
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When Treatment Isn’t Financially Possible
This is one of the most painful conversations anyone can face, and we want to speak to it with honesty and compassion.
Sometimes a pet is very ill or suffering, and the recommended diagnostics or treatments can become costly. We know that for many families, those costs simply aren’t possible. In these moments, many people feel overwhelming guilt or shame. We want you to know:
Choosing euthanasia due to financial limitations does not mean you don’t love your pet.
If the alternative is prolonged pain, fear, or decline without the ability to provide medical care, saying goodbye can be an act of love, mercy, and responsibility. It is sometimes the most humane choice available-not because you don’t care, but because you DO. Our team is here to support you through that process with dignity, honesty, and compassion–never judgment.
We want to be very clear about this:
We do not judge families for financial limitations.
Our profession exists to reduce suffering, not to measure the size of someone’s wallet. Euthanasia is never offered lightly. When it is discussed, it is because we are concerned about your pet’s comfort and quality of life. If finances are part of that decision, you deserve compassion–not guilt or shame. You are allowed to choose peace for your pet. You are allowed to grieve. You are allowed to know that your love mattered deeply.
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Another Option: Humane Society Relinquishment
In some cases, relinquishing a pet to a humane society or rescue organization may allow them to receive treatment that an owner cannot afford. This is an incredibly difficult decision and can be emotionally painful, but for some families, it may offer a chance for the pet to receive care and potentially be rehomed.
This option is not right for everyone, and it’s okay if it doesn’t feel right for you. We can discuss this option openly if you’d like more information.
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Our Promise to You
No matter your financial situation, we promise to:
- Treat you with respect and empathy
- Be honest and transparent about costs
- Offer options whenever possible
- Support you through difficult decisions
If you’re struggling, please talk to us. We are here to help—not to judge.