Renewed calls for government to subsidise vet care

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Many pet owners are familiar with the stress of being caught unaware by a large vet bill. And there are concerns some unable to pay upfront are being caught out by high-interest loans or even resorting to euthanasia. It's a situation that's led to renewed calls for the government to subsidise vet care.

Transcript

00:00When Frankie was injured in a catfight, vets told Michael Clayton his beloved pet needed to have his eye removed or he'd die.

00:10The bill was nearly $2,000. Unable to pay, the only options were to surrender Frankie or euthanasia.

00:18I begged the vets if I could pay it off or anything like that and there was just no chance.

00:25A charity offering no interest loans stepped in.

00:29Just the thought of like losing his pet and not being able to provide for his pet, he was like so stressed out.

00:36Vets say many owners are having their pets put down.

00:39It's an awful feeling. It's definitely, you know, euthanasia is very necessary in the right circumstances.

00:45But when it's because of financial circumstances, it's really hard.

00:49Other desperate pet owners have been turning to VetPay, which offers more than 18% interest and a raft of fees and charges.

00:57It describes itself as a payment plan, but in reality it's a credit card and a high interest credit card.

01:07Consumer advocacy groups say it's making money out of people's misery.

01:12We see people presenting to our frontline services having gone to VetPay and accruing large bills and debt.

01:21In a statement, VetPay says it complies with its obligations as a licensed credit provider and encourages customers facing hardship to reach out.

01:32Charities are calling for the government to subsidise vet care.

01:36Everybody should be able to have access to vet care.

01:39So money isn't the reason pet owners lose a loved one.

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