Because of our financial situation, we haven't been able to take our cats to the vet in almost two years. I would really like to get them in for an appointment, but unfortunately it's not as high on the priority list as I would like it to be. I recently found out that our vet accepts payment through CareCredit which is basically a type of healthcare credit card. We simply can't afford to pay several hundred dollars up front to take our cats in and I'm just wondering if anyone else has ever used a CareCredit card for their healthcare expenses. I love that you can use it for your pets and that you can pay no finance charges if your balance is paid off during the designated time.
Thank you all for your input. The last two years we have really been struggling financially and it breaks my heart to have to compromise on veterinary care for our beloved pets. Because they both have additional issues that I would like to have checked out, I would like to take them to the same vet that we've taken them to since they were kittens. I'm going to try going the CareCredit route (if approved!), paying $50 a month for 6-12 months is a lot more feesible than paying $300-$400 on the spot! Thanks again for your input, I really appreciate it!!!
I just happened to read an article cautioning about credit lines for vets and other health care. You have to be careful to read the fine print for how many months you get the rate that is advertised, some of them are just terrible.
I love care credit. No interest if paid within a certain amount of months and the monthly payments are very reasonable and can be drawn out for 48 months. I've never had a problem and it's very convenient to have.
We have used it for dental work and love it. The dental receptionist just swipes the card through and puts it in for as long of a promo balance (no interest) as she can. It has helped us be able to afford things insurance won't pay for but we need. We always pay the card on time and make sure the promo balance is paid on time and we have never had one cent of interest.
Local Petsmart stores offer those same thing as the other poster stated previous on the cheaper vaccines. Just google it online and/or contact your local petsmart and ask them. I'm sure they have the information but it is only hosted on certain weekends.
I used care credit in the past they only give you 3 to6 months to pay it off if depending on the amount you charged. If you don't pay it off by then they charge intrest on the whole amount barrowed origanlly not on just the rest of the balance. It is great for emergency or if you can pay the blance off in the alloted time. You can also use it for yourself for dentists and doctors
I haven't used Care credit, but I have worked at vet's offices. We had many clients that used Care Credit and loved it. Many people used it for routine services, that way their pets could get the yearly exam and medications needed. You are a great pet owner knowing that it is important to get your cats in for exams to, just to have everything checked out. I have helped with the clinics at Petsmart too, one of the vet's I worked for did them twice a week. We mainly saw lots of dogs. Most cats came to the clinic, since some of the kitties get scared by all the dogs and the area we did it was open to the entire store. A few cats would venture in and it went pretty well. The only down side is no exam for the pets to check internal organs, heart, lungs, etc and to come into the clinic for the exam and vaccines was about $10-15 more usually. Some vets may do a mini exam if you get lucky. So sometimes it depends on age, health, and temperament of pet for vaccines clinics too as to how well they work for you and your own pets.
Yes, I have a carecredit card, it does come in handy. Just like with any credit card tho, try to pay it off as quckly as possible! The interest is high if you don't pay in the time frame of the agreement. I'm still paying on mine from some dental work we had done a few years ago, but without that card I'd be missin' some teef ;)
CareCredit is a good option but if you don't pay the bill off in a designated time frame, it just becomes another credit card with high interest rates that will linger on and on until it is paid off. My friend has this line of credit for emergencies and has used it before. It is widely accepted and it does work well when you need services and you're in a financial bind. But....once again, if you can't afford it now, you maight not be able to afford it later, either, and it has to be paid off. Do you just need the cats to be vaccinated and have yearly shots to keep them on track? If so, do you have access to a Pets Supermarket store? They offer CHEAP vaccine and well-checkups for cats and dogs each month at their stores. Licensed vets and vet-techs come in and they will vaccinate your animals and look them over at a minimal fee. You can choose from different vaccine packages and get only what you need. I think I paid $42.00 to have my dog completely update with vaccines and also wormed....one trip to the Pet Supermarket on the day that they were hosting the Clinic. Check this out and see if this might be good for you too. This way, you don't have a lingering bill and the possible worry of finance charges. If your kitties are healthy and indoor cats, this is a great option!
I never used care credit sounds interesting and would love to hear about it but i was straight up with my vet the last two times i took the cat in and i said listen i can't afford to come in and pay i found out one of my cats has a thyroid desease and it took a large payment to have this diagnosis well she went and let me pay what i could till it was paid off you may want to see if there a payment plan too.
