SPOKANE, Wash – One anonymous North Idaho dog lover said in the last year she has spent around $4000 on medical bills for her Corgi’s Hank and Daisy.
The woman told NonStop Local, “Costs have gone through the roof,” and the medical bills for her four-legged friends have surpassed her own since retiring.
She said her dog Daisy was elderly and needed surgery, but because of the $3000 price tag, she had to make a difficult decision.
“We chose not to because we just didn’t think that the chances of survival were that good. But it’s heartbreaking to have to make that choice and have money be an issue when it comes to that,” she said.
Robert Bellamy, the Hospital Director of Medical Lake Veterinary Hospital, said, “Just like everywhere else, milk and eggs are going up, so is veterinary care.”
Bellamy, who has worked in animal care for close to 20 years, said cost has always been top of mind for many clients. However, he stated the comments have become more frequent lately. Bellamy attributed this partially to the rising cost of equipment and space. However, he said a big part of the change can be credited to an industry-wide shift for the better.
“We’ve been, and a lot of other places have been doing a lot to really increase the wages of staff so that they can get training and so that they can become better and better … where you’ve got highly qualified staff that are able to make a living in the industry,” Bellamy said.
The industry as a whole is making strides to make caring for your pet more affordable. For example, vet clinics may offer financing options and insurance, and Bellamy said there are also loan options with little to no interest.
The dog lover in North Idaho said that she is happy with her current veterinarian, and having a dog has been a huge part of her adult life. However, the rising costs have caused her to reconsider.
“It’s scary because we’re kind of leery about getting another pet, because we’re not sure that we can afford it,” she said.
