Veterinary costs are the primary barrier to treatment for many companion animals. Pet insurance and other access mechanisms significantly affect welfare outcomes.
Veterinary access is a welfare justice issue. Animals whose owners cannot afford treatment for serious conditions face euthanasia or untreated suffering that insured animals would not experience. The companion animal welfare gap between insured and uninsured animals is substantial and growing as veterinary costs rise faster than income. Pet insurance, where affordable, significantly reduces this gap. The policy implications are significant: charitable veterinary services, means-tested veterinary fee schemes, and improved pet insurance regulation could all reduce welfare disparities linked to owner income.