Companion Animals

Veterinary Care Accessibility and Animal Welfare

Access to affordable veterinary care is a key determinant of companion animal welfare; economic barriers affect millions of animals each year.

Key Facts

Over 40% of US pet owners cite cost as a barrier to veterinary care
Emergency veterinary visits average over $1,000 in the US
Low-cost clinics and veterinary schools provide subsidized care in some areas
Pet insurance penetration is low despite demonstrated welfare benefits

Welfare Considerations

Many companion animals receive inadequate veterinary care because of cost, geographic barriers, or owner knowledge gaps. Preventable suffering from untreated disease, injury, and parasitism is widespread. Expanding access to affordable veterinary care through low-cost clinics, community programs, and telemedicine improves individual animal welfare substantially.

What You Can Do

Seek veterinary care promptly when pets show signs of illness or injury
Use pet insurance to reduce the cost barrier to emergency care
Support low-cost veterinary programs in your community
Donate to organizations providing veterinary access for low-income pet owners