Pets are important members of many American families, but for seniors living on a fixed income, pet medical expenses can be a burden. The good news is – some U.S. veterinary facilities do offer discounts for seniors! In this article, we’ll show you how to legally “woolgather” and share practical tips to help your furkids get quality, affordable healthcare.
These organizations offer discounts to seniors
- Chain pet hospitals: up to 20% reduction in service fees
Some locations of nationally recognized chains such as Banfield Pet Hospital and VCA Animal Hospital offer 5%-20% discounts on medical services for Senior Card holders. For example, for a routine medical checkup costing $80, a cardholder may only need to pay $64.
Tips: It is recommended to call your nearest branch directly to inquire about the Senior Discount Program. - Non-profit animal protection organizations: half-price adoption + medical discounts
Take the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) as an example, senior cardholders can enjoy half-price adoption for pets over 8 years old, and its partner veterinary hospitals also offer 10% discount on services. Similar organizations include the ASPCA and local animal shelters, which are usually labeled “Senior Benefits” on their websites. - Government Cooperative Clinics: Special Benefits for Low-Income Individuals
Some state governments have partnered with community clinics to offer “low-income pet healthcare programs”. For example, the California Pet Assistance Foundation subsidizes 50%-75% of the cost of vaccines and spay/neuter surgeries for seniors over the age of 62 with an annual income of less than $35,000.
Directions: Search for “state + low-income veterinary assistance” to qualify.
Hidden Benefits: Use these cards to save money!
- Senior Savers Card
Issued in states like New Jersey and Florida, this card offers 20% off prescription drugs at contracted pet pharmacies. For example, $50/box for regular deworming medication is only $40 with the card.
Requirements: 60 years of age or older and working less than 20 hours per week (varies slightly from state to state). - Medicare Supplemental Benefits
For seniors with Medicare Red and Blue cards, some Plan D (prescription drug coverage) covers pet medications. For example, the deductible for Carprofen for arthritis can be reduced from $45 to $10. Note: This benefit is limited to generic medications for both humans and pets and requires a prescription from a veterinarian. - Supermarket gift card ‘nesting’ discounts
Supermarkets such as Woolworths and IGA sell 5% discount gift cards to senior card holders, which can be used to buy food, toys and other items in the pet section. For example, if you buy $100 of cat food, the actual cost is only $95. - 5 money-saving tips from senior pooper scoopers
- Preventive care is more cost-effective than treatment
Regular medical checkups can avoid expenses for major illnesses. For example, Canine Heartworm preventive medicine is $150/year, and if infected, the treatment cost is as high as $1,500+. It is recommended to choose an annual health package that includes vaccination and deworming to save $200 on average. - Utilize “Price Match” Policy
Retailers such as Petco and Chewy promise the “lowest price on the web”. If you find a cheaper price on another platform, online customer service can instantly adjust the price, even for prescription food. - Enroll in a pet insurance “silver plan.
Healthy Paws offers an exclusive program for policyholders over the age of 55:
- No waiting period for pets over 12 years old
- Up to 90% reimbursement for chronic conditions
- The annual premium is about $120 less than the regular plan.
- Focus on “Pet Wellness Day”.
During National Pet Wellness Month in September, free pet checkups are held throughout the country. 2024, Los Angeles, Chicago, and other locations are adding fast-track access for senior owners, so there’s no need to wait in line for an appointment. - Homemade healthy snacks
Make pet snacks from pumpkin, chicken breasts, and other ingredients for 1/3 the cost of commercially available products, and the popular YouTube channel “Senior Pets Kitchen” teaches nutritious recipes for senior pets.
Guide to avoiding the pit: Be careful of these “discounts
- Beware of the “ultra-low price spay/neuter trap”.
The $50 spay/neuter advertisement of some clinics may not include pre-operative checkups, painkillers and other necessary items, and the actual surcharge can be up to $200+. It is recommended to choose AAHA-accredited organizations for cost transparency and protection. - Recognize the VIPPS logo when purchasing drugs online.
FDA data shows that 32% of online pet pharmacies sell fake drugs. Legitimate websites display the VIPPS certification mark on their pages, such as ValleyVet and Allivet. - Be cautious about using “installment” services.
Medical credit cards such as CareCredit offer installments, but the late interest rate is as high as 26.99%. It is more suitable for urgent expenses over $500, and it is more economical to use a discount card for small purchases.
Special care: these cases can apply for full subsidy
- Service dog medical full exemption
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs such as Guide Eyes for the Blind and Hearing Dogs can be reimbursed by non-profit organizations for their medical treatment. Guiding Eyes for the Blind, for example, covers the costs of all partner hospitals. - Hospice Support
When faced with a pet’s serious illness, organizations such as Lap of Love offer free in-home hospice services and assistance with cremation. Some animal protection organizations also give grief consolations such as memorial paw prints. - Disaster Emergency Relief
In the event of hurricanes, mountain fires and other disasters, RedRover organization grants $500-2000 emergency medical aid to those over 65 years old who are affected by the disaster, and FEMA disaster certificate is required.
Final Reminder: Benefits vary greatly from state to state, so we recommend visiting the AARP website (www.aarp.org) and entering your zip code to check local benefits. Why not give your regular veterinary hospital a call today and maybe unlock a hidden discount? After all, every penny saved can give a furry child an extra can of top quality canned food~
