Updated: 10/2/2026
The SPCA is often asked for advice on how to save money on pet care. Keeping pets with the families who love them — and out of animal shelters — is a priority for SPCA Wake. The following tips can help pet owners plan for expenses, find affordable care, and make the most of available resources.
If the cost of caring for your pet has become difficult to manage, you don’t have to figure it out alone. SPCA Wake’s Helpline can connect pet owners with information and resources for veterinary care, pet food and supplies, behavior support, rehoming assistance, and more.
Thinking About Bringing Home a Pet?
1. Have realistic expectations about the cost of pet ownership.
Food, routine veterinary care, medications, supplies, grooming, training, and unexpected medical expenses can add up over the lifetime of a pet. Before bringing home a new companion, consider both the regular expenses and how you would handle an unexpected veterinary bill.
2. Consider adopting.
Adoption can help reduce some of the upfront veterinary costs that come with bringing home a new pet. Every cat and dog adopted from SPCA Wake is already spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, treated with parasite preventatives and dewormers, and provided with other veterinary care as needed before going home. Adopters also receive information about their pet’s medical history and behavioral needs.
3. If you are purchasing a pet from a breeder, understand the contract.
Ask about veterinary records, health screening, genetic testing appropriate for the breed, and any health guarantee provided by the breeder before committing to the purchase.
4. Remember that a “free” pet still comes with expenses.
Pets acquired from friends, online listings, or “free to good home” advertisements may still need an initial veterinary exam, vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, parasite prevention, a microchip, and other care.
You Currently Own a Pet
1. Invest in preventive care.
Routine veterinary care can help identify health concerns before they become more serious — and potentially more expensive. Talk with your veterinarian about an appropriate schedule for exams, vaccinations, parasite prevention, dental care, and other preventive services.
Spaying or neutering your pet can also provide important health and behavioral benefits. SPCA Wake’s Saving Lives Spay/Neuter Clinic provides affordable spay/neuter services for cats and dogs, with additional reduced-cost services available at the time of surgery.
Preventing accidents is important, too. Keep pets safely confined, protect them from extreme temperatures, and keep medications, toxic foods, household chemicals, and other hazards out of reach.
ASPCA household poison information
2. Choose your pet’s food based on nutritional needs — not price alone.
The least expensive bag of food is not necessarily the most economical choice, and a higher price does not automatically mean a food is better. Talk with your veterinarian about what is appropriate for your pet and compare feeding costs based on how much your pet actually needs each day.
3. Ask your veterinarian about ways to manage routine costs.
Some veterinary practices offer wellness plans, preventive-care packages, multi-pet discounts, or other ways to spread out or reduce routine expenses. It never hurts to ask what options are available.
4. Compare prescription prices carefully.
Prices for veterinary medications can vary between clinics and pharmacies. Ask your veterinarian whether a generic alternative is available and whether they can provide a prescription that can be filled elsewhere when appropriate.
If you purchase pet medications online, use a legitimate U.S.-licensed pharmacy that requires a veterinarian’s prescription for prescription drugs. The FDA offers guidance on how to recognize reputable online pet pharmacies and avoid unsafe sellers.
5. Talk with your veterinarian about your pet’s vaccination schedule.
Vaccination recommendations are not one-size-fits-all. The vaccines your pet needs — and how often they need them — depend on factors including age, medical history, lifestyle, and risk of exposure.
Current vaccination guidelines are available from the American Animal Hospital Association for dogs and the Feline Veterinary Medical Association for cats. Your veterinarian can use these recommendations along with your pet’s individual needs to develop an appropriate vaccination plan.
6. Compare veterinary costs when appropriate.
Prices for veterinary services can vary between practices. For planned procedures or non-emergency care, it is reasonable to ask for an estimate and compare costs. Keep in mind that maintaining a relationship with a regular veterinarian also has value: a veterinary team that knows your pet’s history may be better positioned to recognize changes in their health and help you weigh treatment options.
Your Pet Has a Medical Emergency
If your pet needs immediate medical attention, contact a veterinarian or emergency veterinary hospital right away. Do not delay emergency treatment while waiting for financial assistance.
Whenever possible, prepare for unexpected veterinary costs before an emergency happens. Some families set aside money regularly in a dedicated pet emergency fund, while others choose pet health insurance. Review any insurance policy carefully so you understand deductibles, exclusions, waiting periods, reimbursement limits, and what conditions are covered.
If You’re Having Trouble Affording Veterinary Care
Start by talking with your veterinarian. Ask for a written estimate, discuss which treatments are most urgent, and ask whether there are different medically appropriate treatment options. Some veterinary practices may also offer payment plans or work with third-party financing providers.
Consider veterinary financing.
CareCredit is a health and wellness credit card that can be used for veterinary care at participating providers. Approved cardholders may use it for eligible expenses including routine care, diagnostics, medications, surgery, and emergency treatment and pay the balance over time.
As with any credit product, financing terms, promotional offers, interest rates, and eligibility requirements can vary. Review the current terms carefully and make sure you understand the repayment requirements before using financing.
SPCA Wake’s Helpline can also provide information and resources for pet owners seeking veterinary care and other forms of assistance.
Several national nonprofit organizations also offer veterinary financial-assistance programs. Eligibility, available funding, and the types of care covered vary, so review each organization’s current guidelines before applying:
- RedRover Relief offers grants for qualifying urgent veterinary care.
- The Pet Fund provides assistance for qualifying non-basic, non-urgent veterinary care.
- Brown Dog Foundation provides financial assistance in qualifying cases where a pet needs medical care and the family is unable to afford the full cost.
Financial-assistance programs have limited funding and cannot guarantee help in every case. If your pet is experiencing an emergency, seek veterinary care immediately rather than waiting for a grant decision.
Remember: A Little Preventive Care Can Go a Long Way
Routine veterinary care, appropriate vaccinations and parasite prevention, spaying or neutering, good nutrition, and keeping your pet safely confined can help prevent many serious — and costly — health problems.
SPCA Wake offers and connects pet owners with several resources designed to make preventive care more affordable, including low-cost microchip and vaccine clinics, affordable spay/neuter services, and information about additional low-cost veterinary resources in the community.
If you need help finding affordable services or figuring out what resources may be available for your pet, contact SPCA Wake’s Helpline. We’re here to help you explore your options and keep pets with the people who love them.