A recent study by PetSmart Charities in Canada reveals a significant number of Canadian pet families are postponing or avoiding veterinary care for their pets. Half of the pet parents polled have not taken their pet to routine veterinary visits in the past year or have declined recommended care. The number one obstacle preventing most from accessing veterinary care? Financial concerns. This reflects a something we hear every day at the Georgian Triangle Humane Society: the cost of pet care is continuing to strain the wallets of pet owners.
The Risk of Delaying Veterinary Care
Choosing to opt out of routine veterinary care for can lead to greater health concerns for not only pets, but the people who care for them. When routine wellness exams are deferred, medical issues go undiagnosed, chronic issues are untreated, and a pet’s overall health can decline. The need for emergency veterinary services increases as chronic and treatable issues may become critical. In short, health concerns can escalate, and some risk becoming much more expensive as care is delayed.
Delaying core vaccinations and parasite prevention puts all pets – and potentially people – at risk for preventable health issues such as Lyme disease.
How the GTHS Keeps Pet Care Accessible
At the GTHS, our mission is to keep veterinary care for pets affordable and accessible across South Georgian Bay and beyond. We aim to make compassionate care accessible to all, regardless of financial status. The GTHS offers animal care programs and services to support families, ensuring that pet parents have the assistance they need to keep pets and people together.
Here are some of the ways we make sure your pet can receive the care they need:
- Affordable spay/neuter services, with the option to add preventative treatments and vaccines in one convenient appointment
- Low-cost rabies and microchip clinics
- Access to care programs that work in partnership with local veterinarians, providing pet families with financial support for one-time, non-elective emergency services.
Keeping Pets & Families Together
By removing financial barriers wherever we are able, the GTHS keeps veterinary care more accessible and affordable, keeping pets at their best and their families together.
To learn more about programs that support affordable veterinary care, please visit gths.ca. To book your pet for GTHS Animal Hospital services, please click here.
