Why Don't They Have This For Pets?

It would be a very nice thing to have, for genuine petlovers but I'm afraid as always, it would be ruined by those jumping on the bandwagon. The trouble is, although pets are like children to some people, they are not in effect, necessary, unless they are guide dogs for the blind or something, and in which case, those are probably covered for vets fees anyhow. I think it would be ruled out because having a pet is a personal choice, and there would be opposition, but it would be great of you to try, for those genuine petlovers I spoke about. In the UK, I would start with the RSPCA and see what interest I could get there, seeing as their funded anyway. It could be worth a try my friend... go for it! Brightest Blessings.

As nice as that sounds, I think us humans will have to get insurance first, I now have insurance from work that I pay for, but the co-pay and deductible is so high that I can't afford to use it yet. Now isn't that a situation..I have to pay for insurance, but my salary is so low and the costs of the insurance are so high, that I still can't afford to get use it. I have to work a whole day at time and 1/2 to cover my insurance costs every month..or 1 1/2 days a month for medical, that does not cover dental, life insurance or disability. The disability costs me 2 hours a month of work, the life insurance 2 hours a months and not sure of the dental..that does not start yet for another month. I will have to work about 3 days a week maybe more with the dental, before taxes to pay for my insurance..that is not right.

I definately think that pet insurance should be offered, but a lot of places do not offer it.

I suggest that you write to one of the non government organizations in your country that is interested in protecting animals and pets. Tell them about your ideas and maybe they will find your ideas useful. Non government organizations are usually insufficient with funds, and you can use your idea to help them raise some funds and in return it helps you to develop your idea into reality. I hope this helps. Thanks.

I’m sure this sounds good to all of us pet owners- but I’m going to play the devils advocate here- What about all of us (not me) who can’t afford our own health insurance and go without? Or are paying too much for our healthy insurance? Don’t you think there are more important things to do- like universal health plans for all people? Government provided- that way the money I pay for health insurance can go back into my pocket for savings-? Just a thought- I can’t see the government setting up anything for cheaper pet insurance for lower income families- Pets are optional.

Sadly, the govenment thinks pets are a luxury & if you can't afford one, you shouldn't have one.

Although I can't answer your question, I do think its a good idea. Pets are part of a family. Many people say that if you can't afford a pet then you shouldn't have one. I am sure you know what I would like to say to those people. Sometimes for poor people, their pets are what keeps them going and give them a reason to live and hope.

it would be a great program to be launched, but the government would have to fund it and i doubt they would, because theres so many things they dont even fund for humans health.

I'm thinking that maybe somebody from the Humane Society could be of help in this issue. I am unsure as to who to write to, or how to get the process started, but I believe that would be an awesome program to have. Since our pet friends need medical attention at times too. Love the idea of pet medicaid.

Wow - yet again I am horrified at how much we take for granted here in the UK! As at least one poster here has already mentioned, we already have the PDSA http://www.pdsa.org.uk/ which helps pet owners who are elderly, unemployed, or unable to pay their Vet bills. Also - all Vets' surgeries here will treat strays out of their own pockets, and then send them either to the PDSA, the RSPCA, or another charity once cured, to wait for rehoming. No healthy animal is ever euthanased here. Most pet owners here do have normal insurance for their pets though which really isn't that expensive. For example, for my 6 cats it costs roughly £60.00 a month (about $120) for all of them, which is nothing with our cost of living - and means all my cats are insured up to £6,000 ($12,000) a year. But then we have free medical insurance for people here too - so everything is very different - and I am grateful for it:-))

I think it will be a wonderful idea especially being a pet owner of 5-2 dogs, 1 cat, & 2 rabbits

Sounds like a great idea, pyewacket. I watch a lot of the tv judge shows, and I cringe when they have cases where they have had to take their injured animals to the vet for treatment. Sometimes the bills run into the thousands. Many people could never afford to pay these amounts. But, I don't think they will ever start an insurance program for pets for the same reason they can't recover pain and suffering in cases where they have lost an animal by misadventure. The law states that the animal is considered property, and as such, they cannot recover a judgment. It would be good if people could add them onto their homeowner's insurance.

That would be a great idea. It sure would help me out alot, with all my critters. I doubt it would ever happen, though, my health insurance, at work is outrageous, though. I figure if they can't make people insurance, affordable, they probably aren't gonna care too much about our pets.

Yes, I know that either Petco or PetSmart offer insurance for dogs and cats. It's pretty expensive, though. Your idea of some kind of low income program is excellent. I've been through the experience of not being able to offer your pet the medical assistant it needs. It's a horrible feeling. They're so helpless. My dog had a rare disease that hindered him from walking correctly. To treat it, we would have had to take him to a specialist at a nearby university. The vet told us that even that wouldn't have been a for sure fix. The cost would have been around $4,000. He was a big dog, so we were worried about him stumbling around and hurting himself for the rest of his life. We obviously couldn't afford the treatment, so we had to put him down. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to go through in my life. To this day, it makes me sob. I really wish we could have afforded the treatment, even if it wasn't guaranteed. It's a horrible situation that no one should go through. As far as who to write about such an issue...maybe Congress? I'm not sure...it's definitely something I would stand behind, though.

I always try to keep a reserve of money in the bank for emergencies. I don't believe in insurance...I think it's a rip off. I've been paying household and car insurance for years and not needed it. If I do need it I still have to pay an excess of about 5 or 6 hundred bucks so I don't see the point. If I have to be rich to be able to have medical care for me or my animals then so be it...we will die. I think good health should be a right, not just a priveledge for the rich and well off.

I would research the idea through pet organizations like the mspca and peta and any others....I am sure it could be done somehow and it would require federal grant money I'm sure so you would have to go to a national organization I think. It is something that should be considered simply because vet care is very expensive and in my area it is had to find a vet because they don't get enough business to make a living.