list of Resources

Frankie’s Friends
www.frankiesfriends.org
Frankie’s Friends is an organization that provides grants and financial assistance for pets with cancer diagnoses and other life-threatening conditions.

Armani’s Angels
www.armanisangels.org
Armani’s Angels is a 501(c)3 organization that offers financial assistance for pets that are ill or injured that live in Missouri.

Killuminati Foundation
www.projectpuppy.org
The Killuminati Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization that offers financial assistance for non-routine veterinary care for pets that live in Missouri.

Lance Tucker Memorial Fund
www.facebook.com/LantzTuckermemorialfund
The Lance Tucker Memorial Fund is a fund in honor and memory of Lance Tucker.  The fund is used to provide financial assistance for pets in need of urgent or emergency care.  To begin the application process, message the fund via their Facebook page.

As veterinary medicine continues to advance in the level of care, technology, and knowledge, so does the increased cost of such outstanding veterinary care.  Far too often, and understandably so, does the financial aspect of a treatment plan play a monumental role in how we treat our beloved pets.  Our unwavering goal is always to offer the highest quality veterinary care but also ease the financial burden on the pet owner as much as possible.  Enter – pet health insurance.

The past several years have seen monumental changes and improvements in pet health insurance products.  Pet health insurance allows the pet owner to pay a low monthly premium, on average $35-$70. In return, the pet owner is offered coverage in the form of reimbursement for non-routine veterinary care.  Many pet health insurance carriers offer up to 90% reimbursement for veterinary costs!  Some carriers also offer plans that cover routine care (i.e., vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, parasite prevention, etc.). 

We never hope to use any type of insurance, but when we need it, boy, are we glad we have it!  Statistically, your pet will have at least one major medical incident in its lifetime.  Think GI foreign body surgery, ACL tears, bone fracture, sickness needing ICU care in a hospital, traumatic event, cancer, etc.  Each of these types of events may require $3,000-$5,000+ in veterinary care.  Pet health insurance also covers more “simple” medical needs such as ear or skin infections, episodes of diarrhea, chronic illnesses, etc. 

One of the keys to getting the most affordable premium rates is when you sign up for pet health insurance.  Generally speaking, the younger and healthier, the better.  Age, pre-existing conditions, and breed all play significant roles in determining the monthly premium. 

At MetroVet, we stand by pet health insurance and recommend all pet owners at least look into the options out there.  Not only is pet health insurance a very can truly be a lifesaver!  While we are not partial to any one carrier (and no, we are not compensated by any pet health insurance provider based on our recommendations or who signs up with who), below are a few recommendations from carriers we’ve heard great things about:

 

• Trupanion (www.trupanion.com)
• Nationwide (www.petinsurance.com)
• ASPCA (www.aspcapetinsurance.com)
• Embrace (www.embracepetinsurance.com)