I'd definately consider pet insurance! In fact, my little Wilbur is currently at the vets office today as we try to sort out the skin issue that we've been having for the last few months. The vet didn't have the total for Wilbur's visit all added up yet when we spoke about a half an hour ago, but the secretary told me it was $300 (already)... :/ I love my pets so incredibly much and I wish that vet clinics were more open to payment plans. My current vet clinic lets you pay half of the cost at the time of service, but the total bill has to be paid within three weeks. I feel like I'm drifting off topic here, so anyway...

I have to say that I have owned many pets over the last 40 years and have never had pet insurance. I just take on the responsibility that if they become ill I will do everything possible to make their life comfortable. Not all rescue animals are destined to be ill. Our family has adopted about 7 or 8 animals from the Rock County Humane society over the years and none of them were ill. We always make sure to take them to the vet regularly and just know that is our responsibility. Life would certainly be boring without pets.

I am not a pet person (allergies) but all three of my kids have dogs. I am referred to as 'Grandma' so I get it. Hopefully I will see that cute little face walking by this summer.

Yes, pets are expensive and health care is, too. I never really pictured myself buying insurance for my dog because it seemed extravagant and perhaps unnecessary.

But, since most dogs visit the vet once or twice a year and we're visiting the vet once or twice a month, I finally broke down.

Perhaps my next pet blog will be about buying a wig for my dog or...doggie dentures! :)

If you really want to see the cost of veterinary services soar out of control, then get health insurance for every pet in America. After a few years, only the wealthy would be able to afford a pet.

Ohmagosh what a sweet face! Of course you love this lil boy!

When we got a dog from a rescue he had every parisite known to man, he was a Katrina baby saved as a puppy after Katrina. $1000 later he has been very healthy for 3 years and was well worth it. My other dog just had knee surgery for $900, and then lots swimming rehab at Dunkin Dawgs (Great place, Nancy is awesome, Beth maybe you can do a story on her) prepare to swim with your dogs.

All in all the love, and companionship is well worth it. If I could go back to the first day of getting them I'd buy the insurance, but everything is already fixed so I'm out of insurance buying.

Hell, my taxes pay for someone else's kids, why not throw some bucks towards our furry friends! Our Moose was one when he was paralyzed by some unknown source. $5,000 later he was cured and is a miracle of the UW Vet Center in Madison. By the way, Moose has a legal name of Moosee Moose M.D.M.D. (million dollar miracle dog). More love and less problems with these kids.

Pet insurance is only cost effective when you have one pet with a large vet bill. If you had 3 pets that had small to moderately sized vet bill, you would come out behind because the yearly pet insurance premiums are fairly expensive. I have rescued animals and purchased animals from reputable breeders. The "start up cost" is about the same ($500 to $1000 depending on cat or dog and the breed). The rescued animals mostly had health problems to begin and many turned out to be more expensive because of vet costs. So while there are moral reasons to rescue an animal (saving a life), it isn't necessarily a cheap way to obtain a pet.

“Beth wonders why pets aren't included in health care reform.”

Ah yes, everyone should have a constitutional right to own pets they can’t afford, and our taxes should pay to keep these pets healthy. Maybe we should have pet food stamps too?

For him it was just the little problems that added up. I think if Rory had cancer or something similar, I might have to make a hard decision about his care.

It's amazing how quickly we fall in love with our buddies -- and they are family! I will not buy pet insurance and probably won't spend tons of money (over $1,000) on any problem for my pup - I feel like a real creep saying that outloud.

I better go dole out another treat!

They insured Rory with all his preexisting health problems?
While pet insurance might be the way to go for some people, especially if they have an exotic breed like an Ewok-Tzu, I just can't bring myself to doing it. I'll also go to a water fountain before buying bottled water. OK, I'd get a Dew or a Coke instead so sue me.
Having said that I still can't believe I spent almost $800 last year on a cat.