Tips to keep your cat safe at home
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If your pet is unwell and vet costs are putting pressure on you, there may be payment or assistance options worth checking.
PetRescue doesn’t directly pay veterinary bills, and we can’t guarantee that another service will fund treatment. Start by asking the veterinary clinic you’re attending what payment options they offer or accept, as arrangements vary between clinics.
If your pet needs urgent care
Contact your regular vet or nearest emergency veterinary clinic first. Don’t delay urgent veterinary advice while waiting for a funding application.
Ask your vet about payment options
Talk to your vet about what options they offer or accept. VetPay is one commercial payment-plan provider. Approval, fees, interest and other terms apply, so check the current conditions before applying.
Some veterinary clinics also accept Afterpay or Zip. Check with your clinic before relying on either option, and review the provider’s eligibility, repayment, fee and interest terms before applying.
If you receive an eligible Centrelink payment, you may also be able to use Centrepay at an approved veterinary business. Use the Centrepay business finder to check whether a participating veterinary service is available near you.
Financial-assistance services
● ACT Pet Crisis Support — supports eligible urgent cases in the ACT/region. A veterinarian assesses the pet and applies; assistance is intended for situations where other financial options have been exhausted.
● Safe Pets Safe Families Vet Crisis Fund — South Australia only, through approved partner clinics and subject to pre-approval and available funds.
● Perth Vet Bill Assistance — services WA and prioritises severe financial hardship and urgent need; applicants are asked to explore VetPay, vet payment plans and other lending options first. Payments for approved cases go to the veterinary clinic.
● Hobart Community Veterinary Hospital — offers financial-assistance schemes to eligible current and new clients, with conditions and documentation requirements.
● Cherished Pets Foundation — crisis/veterinary support for vulnerable people in the Geelong and Bellarine region is assessed case by case; self-referral capacity is limited.
● Sunset Vets Benevolence Fund — assistance relates to Sunset Vets’ own in-home euthanasia and palliative-support services; it does not fund surgery or hospitalisation.
● PetSafetyNet — supports eligible guardians in selected NSW regions including Newcastle and throughout Tasmania. Eligible guardians can access an online veterinary consultation and, where appropriate, may be referred to a participating clinic for subsidised urgent or essential treatment. Eligibility and location requirements apply.
Looking for low-cost desexing or routine care?
See our state-by-state guide to low-cost desexing and affordable routine veterinary services.
Banner image credit: Gustavo Fring via Pexels
