Pet Insurance in Vermont
When we think of Vermont, what comes to mind is thick maple syrup, tasty Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and its large number of dairy cows. What this state also has is a large number of household pets. Vermont has the largest percentage of pet owners in the nation. More than 70% of households have at least one pet, and this state has the highest rate of cat ownership with almost 50% of the households having a cat, according to a report by the American Veterinary Medical Association. With all these pets, pet insurance would probably be a good idea.
Pet Laws in Vermont
Below are some of the pet laws in Vermont that are used or referenced to most often.
- All dogs three months of age must be registered and licensed.
- Dogs must be current with rabies shots.
- Vermont does not have a statewide leash law, but there may be specific laws in different counties or cities.
- Some towns or cities in Vermont ban the ownership of pit bulls.
- A person may not bring a wild bird or animal into the state of Vermont without first getting the permission of the commissioner.
- Vermont goes by the “one bite” law regarding dog bite injuries.
Pet-Friendly Things in Vermont
Vermont is such a beautiful state that many people come to visit. Visitors and residents of Vermont love spending time with their pets while enjoying the crisp Vermont air. There are off-leash hiking trails and campgrounds galore in Vermont. Whether it’s winter sports or summer festivals, pet owners want to enjoy the outdoors with their pets. Here are just a few of the many pet-friendly places to visit here in Vermont.
- The Paw House Inn & Country Cottages in West Rutland offers beautiful rooms and an exciting pet-friendly experience every time.
- Vermont Pub & Brewery in Burlington offers award-winning beers, great appetizers and an outdoor patio for eating with your pet.
- Dog Chapel in St. Johnsbury is a dog memorial as well as an off-leash dog park with a pond and hiking trails.
- Magic Hat Brewery in South Burlington gives you a chance to sample all the best beers in Vermont and do it with your dog.
- Manchester Dog Park at Manchester Center offers a fenced-in dog park where dogs can run free.
Some pet owners enjoy spending so much time with their pets; they even want to take them to work with them. Luckily, Vermont has several pet-friendly places of employment. Here are just a few of the workplaces where your pet is welcome in Vermont.
- Small Dog Electronics in Waitsfield
- AIRS in Wilder
- Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream in South Burlington
- Burton Snowboards in Burlington
- Care.com in Shelburne
- Wolf Mountain Kennel, LLC in Danby
- PetSmart in Williston
- The Crate Escape in Richmond
Monthly Cost for Pet Insurance in Vermont
Having pet insurance or not having pet insurance can be the different between being able to pay for your pet to receive adequate veterinary care or having to give up on your cat or dog. Every year thousands of dogs are abandoned or put down by brokenhearted owners who can’t afford a high vet bill, and people tend to spend even less on cats in emergency situations. In many cases, this could be avoided if the pet owner had pet insurance. Just to give you an example of what pet insurance might cost, below are some monthly premiums for five different cities in Vermont. These quotes are based on a three-year-old mixed breed medium size dog.
| City | Monthly Cost |
| Burlington | $34.83 |
| Montpelier | $38.58 |
| New Haven | $35.07 |
| Ludlow | $33.53 |
| Hartland | $35.07 |
These monthly premiums are for a policy that pays 80% of covered expenses with a $250 deductible and has unlimited maximum payouts. You can always make adjustments on the policy if you need more or less coverage.
Vermont Veterinary Costs
Vermont pet owners do not pay a lot in unexpected veterinary bills compared to most other states, especially when you consider the high number of households having pets. Perhaps it’s the mild weather of just that the pets and their owners are more cautious. Whatever the reason, Vermont owners pay about $900 annually in extra vet bills beyond what they pay for routine services like deworming, rabies shots, wellness checks and vaccinations.
Of course, that $900 annual amount is the case unless the unfortunate happens, and their pet becomes seriously injured or sick and needs extensive veterinary care. Although every vet may charge his or her own rate, here are some examples of what some vets charge for these services.
- Fixing a leg fracture can cost $2,000 or more depending on the dog’s age and any other conditions the dog may have.
- Blood work for diagnostic purposes can run from $200 to $1,000 or more.
- Surgery to remove a tumor can cost $1,500 or more.
- Chemotherapy treatments can cost $200 to $2,000 each.
- Radiation treatments can cost $2,000 to $6,000 depending on the severity of the cancer.
Low-Income Pet Help in Vermont
Vermont has several organizations that offer low-cost veterinary services and spay/neuter services to pet owners who made be having difficulty paying for the care their pets need. Some of the services may be free while others are at a reduced price.
Frontier Animal Society in Orleans – offers spay/neuter assistance
Old North End Veterinary Clinic in Burlington – offers low-cost veterinary care
Vermont Spay Neuter Incentive Program in Bridgewater – offers spay/neuter assistance
Vermont Companion Animal Neutering in Middlesex – offers low-cost spay/neuter and veterinary are assistance
Affectionately Cats in Williston – offers low-cost services to cats
Second Chance Animal Center in Shaftsbury – offers spay/neuter assistance
