2006: $24.5 billion

2001: $19 billion

1996: $12 billion

1991: $7.5 billion

Source: American Veterinary Medical Association

American Animal Hospital Association 2004 Pet Owner Survey results

If you were deserted on an island and could have only one companion, which would you pick?

47 percent: human

40 percent: dog

10 percent: cat

Who listens to you best:

45 percent: pet

30 percent: spouse/significant other

11 percent: friend

11 percent: family member

3 percent: other

How likely are you to risk your own life for your pet?

56 percent: very likely

37 percent: somewhat likely

7 percent: not at all likely

How much have you spent on veterinary care for your pet during the past 12 months?

Less than $50: 3 percent

$50 to $99: 7 percent

$100 to $249: 23 percent

$250 to $499: 26 percent

$500 to $999: 22 percent

$1,000 or more: 19 percent

Have you ever taken your pet to any of the following board-certified veterinary specialists for advanced care?

23 percent: surgeon

9 percent: internal medicine specialist

4 percent: radiologist

4 percent: dermatologist

3 percent: oncologist (cancer specialist)

3 percent: behaviorist

9 percent: other

63 percent: have not taken pet to a board-certified veterinary specialist

Which health care provider do you visit more often, your own physician or your pet’s veterinarian?

58 percent: my pet’s veterinarian

27 percent: my own physician

15 percent: I visit both health care providers the same number of times

Need help? The Greater Androscoggin Human Society lists these programs for financial assistance:
Spaying and neutering

HELP! FIX ME Maine’s Low Cost Spay/Neuter Program

You may be eligible for the state’s low-cost spay/neuter program, if you receive or are eligible for one of the following programs: Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability (SSD), and/or Maine Care (Medicaid). Call 1-800-367-1317 or 287-7621.

Greater Androscoggin Humane Society Spay Incentive Certificate

Call 783-2311

Neutering Discount Assistance

The Greater Androscoggin Humane Society has funds available to offer neutering assistance to families in financial need. $25.00 for dogs and $25.00 for cats. Call 783-2311

Veterinary care

IMOM: Dedicated to bettering the lives of sick, injured and abused companion animals and ensuring that no companion animal has to be euthanized because their caretaker is financially challenged. Allows owners to raise funds for their pets’ care via their Web site. Also has limited funds for emergencies, blind dogs, diabetic pets, and those with chronic renal failure. http://www.imom.org

THE PET FUND: Provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need urgent veterinary care. Call (916) 443-6007 or visit www.thepetfund.com

HELP-A-PET: Provides financial assistance for the medical care of pets whose owners are unable to afford the expense. Focus on serving the elderly, the disabled, and the working poor. Call (630) 986-9504 or visit www.help-a-pet.org

FELINE VETERINARY EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Provides assistance to cat/kitten guardians who are unable to afford veterinary services to save their companions when life-threatening illness/injury strikes. Focus on seniors, people w/ disabilities, people who have lost their job and Good Samaritans who rescue a cat or kitten. For more information write to FVEAP, 1641 Elizabeth Lane, Yuba City, CA 95993, fax 888-301-4264. or visit www.fveap.org

LABMED: Will provide financial assistance for emergency medical expenses for Labrador retrievers or Lab-mixes who are abandoned or in a rescue situation and for whom no other funding is available or is insufficient. Visit www.labmed.org

LABRADOR LIFE LINE: Aids purebred Labrador retrievers in need of new homes, urgent medical care or other assistance in order to live a full and productive life. Provides assistance to dogs:

(a) currently in or will be placed in rescue situations;

(b) dogs currently at shelters with whom LLL has a current Memorandum of Understanding;

(c) dogs who are with families, but for valid reasons the family cannot provide the required help for the dog’s condition.

Visit www.labradorlifeline.org

GOLDSTOCK FUND: Provides funds to rescue organizations or individuals to pay for transportation, boarding, evaluations and medical costs of golden retrievers and golden hearted dogs taken into rescue. Also supports other breeds in rescue situations and provides educational information and materials to rescues and the public. Visit www.goldstockfund.org

ORTHODOGS’ SILVER LINING: Helps orthopedic cases, including owned companion dogs, service dogs and animals in the care of “no kill” shelter/rescue groups. Visit www.oslf.org

STARFLEET CANINE AID FOUNDATION: Provides financial aid to owners or rescue organizations that could not otherwise afford medical treatment for the curable disease or recoverable accident of a canine companion. Visit www.canineaid.org

More resources at: http://www.srdogs.com/Pages/needhomes.other.resources.html

Owners can also fundraise for veterinary bills at: http://www.fundable.com

If you have a specific breed of dog, contact the National Club for that breed. In some cases, these clubs offer a veterinary financial assistance fund.

Veterinary financial aid & resources for cats

• Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Fund: fax 888-301-4264 or visit www.fveap.org

• Animal Welfare Association: call (888) 616-9663

• Help-A-Pet: call (630) 986-9504 or visit www.help-a-pet.org

• IMOM: visit www.imom.org

• Pets In Need: call 650) 367-1405 or visit www.petsinneed.org

• United Animal Nations: call (916) 429-2457 or visit www.uan.org

• CareCredit (Credit payment plan for veterinary costs): call (800) 839-9078; or visit www.carecredit.com

• Cats in Crisis Inc. (Provides financial assistance to help with diagnosing, treating and maintaining cats with special medical needs): write to P.O. Box 354, Mountville, PA 17554 or visit www.catsincrisis.org

• AAHA Helping Pets Fund: call (866) 443-5738 or visit www.aahahelpingpets.org

• Angels4Animals: call(916)941-9119 or visit www.angels4animals.org

• The Pet Fund: visit www.thepetfund.com