Fund helps pets in need

Veterinary care can sometimes be unforeseen, expensive and burdensome for pet owners.

So, to help pet owners in circumstances where expenses exceeded that of routine medical care, Dr. Matthew Schroeder of Crossroads Veterinary Hospital in Painesville developed the Whittaker Fund over five years ago.

“While the cost of providing health care for our pets is part of being a pet owner, occasionally accidental injuries requiring surgery or unexpected health conditions arise and leave owners with the difficult decision of expensive pet care or euthanasia,” according to the website.

The fund was formed in memory of Whittaker, a 1-year-old English setter that presented to Crossroads with gastrointestinal problems. Upon treatment, Schroeder discovered a piece of a rubber toy obstructing his small intestine and Whittaker did not survive, said Veterinarian Technician Hanna Reimer.

Reimer said the Whittaker Fund helps pay a percentage of the costs and eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis.

It is supported fully by donations, which can be dropped off at Crossroads Veterinary Hospital, 1016 Bank St. in Painesville.

While this fund cannot support every pet in need, Crossroads offers multiple payment options, including financing through Care Credit.

Reimer said Care Credit is a medical credit card, and payments are divided into six monthly installments. Those who are interested can either apply directly at the hospital or online at carecredit.com, for an immediate response.

“The downfall is everyone doesn’t get approved, since it is based on a credit,” she said. On the other hand, another cost-saving solution is pet insurance.

“Pet insurance is a lot like our insurance and they don’t cover pre-existing conditions,” she said. “So, we really recommend it for puppies or kittens, before they develop any medical conditions.”

Reimer said they suggest Embrace, which is an Ohiobased company with a variety of plans.

Wickliffe resident Dewayne Brand, who was a former police offer and K-9 handler, said that pet insurance has been helpful.

Brand has a plan through Embrace and is pleased with the coverage for his two dogs, a German shepherd/husky mix and a German shepherd. Both dogs were recently treated at a veterinary clinic in Wickliffe after an unexpected incident and Brand said the veterinarian bills were manageable with Embrace.

Households spent an average of $528 on pets in 2015 compared to $508 in 2014 and $460 in 2013, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Specifically, average household spending on veterinary services in 2015 was $133, which is about 25 percent of average household expenditures on pets.

The American Veterinary Medical Association says good preventive care including vaccination, control of parasites and weight management helps reduce long-term pet health care costs because it prevents many diseases. Regular exams also help detect problems earlier, when they may be less expensive to treat and treatment is more likely to result in a good outcome.

Pet vaccines are critical, Schroeder said in a previous interview. There are many risks to not vaccinating pets, and the effects of not getting vaccinated are far worst and completely preventable, he said.

Experts conclude that pet owners can combat rising veterinary expenses by applying for credit, planning ahead, getting good preventative care, having pet insurance and effectively communicating.

The American Veterinary Medical Association advises pet owners to be honest and upfront with their veterinarians, letting them know of any financial limitations.

“Knowing this in advance can help your veterinarian make recommendations that will provide the most efficient use of your financial resources,” according to the AVMA. ”It can be a challenge, but your veterinarian will do the best he or she can to provide your pet with the best possible care within your financial limits.”

Reimer said many people call ahead to find out how much the visit costs, because payments are required at the time of service.

“This helps them plan and be better prepared for their visit,” she said.