Lack of affordable veterinary care causes preventable suffering for millions of companion animals in low-income households, creating welfare inequities that dedicated programs are working to address.
Animals in households without adequate veterinary access suffer from untreated infections, parasites, dental disease, and injuries that wealthy pet owners would quickly address. Owners who love their pets deeply face traumatic choices between bankruptcy and euthanasia when faced with emergency medical bills. The result is avoidable suffering that follows economic lines rather than reflecting the welfare values of the animals caregivers. Community veterinary programs that reduce financial barriers directly improve animal welfare outcomes for millions of animals.