Every pet lover knows that their furry friend is a member of the family, a faithful companion through thick and thin, so when the vet diagnoses them with canine cancer, it’s nothing short of devastating. Often the first question after a diagnosis is, what is the dog cancer treatment cost going to be and can I afford it? After the initial shock turns to a calmer state of numbness, the need for more information to make decisions and the reality of high medical bills kicks in.

So, what should you do?

Fortunately, there are several fundraising ideas available to those who might not be able to afford cancer treatments, yet want to provide the best possible solutions to get their pal on the road to recovery. Cancer is not a planned expense, many dog owners are shocked that dogs even get cancer. In fact, we often hear that it was not even a thought in their mind.

Dog cancer treatment costs are often not in the average dog owner’s budget and it becomes a big factor in how treatment can be handled. We’ve selected seven of the most practical options so pet parents can not have to worry about the expense being part of the treatment decision.

1. Online Fundraising 

Even before there was a pandemic, pet owners had started turning to the Internet to make appeals for help with the high costs of cancer treatment for their beloved pets. Doggie parents are typically surprised at how easy and effective this method of fundraising turns out to be. More importantly, they are often overwhelmed by the generosity and emotional support they get from friends and strangers alike.

How It Works

Regardless of the platform you choose to use to raise money for your pet’s medical bills, the process is usually similar across the board.

The first step is to set up a web page on a crowdfunding site. (We will talk more about which in a minute) This is the space where you add photos or videos and tell the story of your pooch’s life with you, diagnosis, and the intended treatment and you’ll also announce your fundraising goal. The next step is to use social media networks like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get the word out to as many people as possible.

Most of these platforms charge a relatively low fee, which may be based on the amount you raise. Typically, the fee ranges from 3 to 12 percent. Donations can be made with credit cards or via PayPal and Plumfund also facilitates payments in the form of cash or checks to be sent directly to you, allowing you to avoid paying a processing fee.

The contributions can usually be given by name or anonymously and typically even amounts as small as $5 are accepted. On the higher end of the spectrum, thousand-dollar donations are also facilitated.

These crowdfunding sites are ideal for dog parents who feel uncomfortable asking friends and acquaintances to help them cover veterinary care.

Fundraising Platforms

There are plenty of crowdfunding websites to choose from, including GoFundMe, Plumfund, PetChance, or PetFundr. You may also have heard of GiveForward or YouCaring. They are now a part of GoFundMe. They do the work of handling the transactions to collect contributions but you will need to be prepared to do lots of outreach, although it must be said that many of these sites will help promote your campaign and have great resources to tell you all you need to know.

For those who want other ways to help raise funds for dog cancer treatment costs (and want to get kids or other family members involved), try the other 6 simple tips below.

2. Bake Cakes

You can also keep some of the tried and true ideas in mind and we all know one of the traditional go-tos is a good ole bake sale. I mean, come on, it’s hard to resist homemade baked goods, right? Friends and family members are sure to be happy to donate treats to help you with the dog cancer treatment costs so that the life of your adorable pup will continue to be a quality one.

If you want to make your bake sale different from others that have gone before it, how about having a specific theme or ingredient as the focus? The best thing about this type of fundraiser is that it is easy to organize and execute. Just do your best to spread the word both online on social media and offline around the community. And of course, there are the top three considerations: location, location, location…Your sale will raise money faster if you set up in a heavily trafficked area.

3. Have a Book or Yard Sale

If you need to raise funds to pay for the dog cancer treatment that will save your loving pet’s life, you’ll have to get creative. Those books that you read many years ago may be of interest to others. What’s more, friends and family may similarly have books they don’t intend to read again. Instead of having them take up space in the home, why not sell them and give someone else a chance to read them?

You can set up outside your house or in another location where you’re likely to find avid readers, like your local library.

Don’t stop there. Beyond books, think of other unwanted items that are lying around your house or ask friends or neighbors to take a look around their houses, too. After all, it’s for a good cause. You may find more items in good condition than you expected, perfect for a yard sale.

4. Host a Movie Night

One of the simplest fundraising initiatives is a movie night. Select some highly entertaining movies that are appropriate for all ages, possibly centered around a particular theme, and invite friends and family.

You can either charge an admission fee, which also covers drinks and popcorn or you can charge for concessions and add some other delights to the munching menu. Sounds like fun to me! Remember, people love to help out a good cause, and friends want to help so activity-based fundraisers make it easy for everyone to contribute.

5. Sell Handmade Products

It’s a gift to be good with your hands. If you love to paint, make crafts, or knit, your talents can be just what you need to raise money for your pet’s cancer treatment.

Never underestimate the power of sharing your furry pal’s story and explaining your cause. You may be surprised to find that your handmade products sell well when you promote them on social media, around your community, or by email to your contacts. The gift shop of a nearby hospital may also be a viable outlet, as well as other local retailers.

Local media houses may be interested in what you’re doing and the story behind it so don’t be afraid to invite them to interview you. If you get your story out there, the possibilities are endless.

6. Holiday Gift Wrapping

If you happen to be trying to raise funds around the holidays, consider going online, learning how to wrap gifts expertly, and offering your services to take some of the load off busy shoppers.

Without a doubt, you’ll find lots of customers in your community but high traffic areas are your best bet. If you can team up with a local store, that’s ideal. The fact that you’re offering the service to help your pet beat cancer will make people even more inclined to support your venture.

7. Wash Cars

If you’re looking for a fundraising activity that doesn’t require a specific skill set and is easy to set up, consider washing cars. Grab a bucket, a sponge, water, and soap and you’re all set. Best of all, it’s tons of fun!

You want to make sure your customers are equally satisfied with the results though so everyone on your team should be trained to follow a specific washing process.

With very visible signage, you can raise funds quickly in a busy parking lot. And you don’t need to rely on your fee alone – have a donation jar so anyone can freely contribute to your cause.

Final Thoughts on Raising Funds For Your Dog Cancer Treatment Cost

Although you may not have the means to readily pay for the dog cancer treatment costs that your loyal friend needs, don’t despair. There are lots of options available to you. Whether you want to involve friends, family, and your community in your fundraising efforts or you prefer to take your campaign online, you can find support to help your doggie dearest.

We know the medical costs can make your head spin but there’s no need to make a hasty decision, based solely on what you can afford. Consider the level of simplicity or complexity you are comfortable with and what is likely to help you reach your goal most effectively. The right fundraising method can quickly give you hope as you see how willing people are to give you and your canine companion the support you need.

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Financial Support for Your Dog’s Fight to Beat Cancer