Rehoming Sick Dogs
When the Cost is Too Much 
Despite proper care, healthy dogs can quickly and easily become sick dogs. The costs for emergency veterinary services or chronic illness can escalate, without warning, from hundreds of dollars into thousands of dollars.
Medical expenses are something you need to consider and keep in mind when adding a dog to your family. But even with careful consideration, unexpected vet bills can quickly pile up beyond what you can afford. Some folks with sick dogs that they cannot afford to care for, will choose not to provide the care. They will allow the dog to suffer without treatment. However, not providing proper medical care for your dog is a criminal offense. If the dog needs medical attention, it is your responsibility to provide it. Some people choose to surrender sick dogs because they see no alternative. However, there are some options available to both you and your dog if you are unable to afford the medical care your dogs needs. Life Happens Good people with good intentions sometimes have dogs that they are unable to financially care for. Some sick dogs may become chronically ill with diabetes or allergies that require ongoing medication and expenses. Other sick dogs may have an emergency situation that requires a one time expense for surgery to treat a broken bone or other injury.A dog will live for 12, 15 or even 20 years. So much can happen to both you and your dog over this time. Your personal and financial situation can change over the life of your dog. You may have recently lost a job. You may have other personal situations that put you in a financial bind. However, your ability or inability to pay the bill, is never an excuse for not providing the medical care your dog needs. What to Do 
If you find yourself in the position of no longer being able to afford to provide proper medical treatment for your dog, there are a few options to consider before you surrender, rehome or even euthanize the dog.
There are low cost and no cost clinics. Most shelters have on site veterinary clinics. Local shelters and humane societies will treat your dog for a fraction of the cost of taking your dog to your private vet. Most shelters and communites also offer low cost vaccination and spay/neuter programs. If you are unable to afford the costs of your private vet, please contact your local shelter and let them know about your situation. They should be able to help you directly or refer you to area clinics that offer the lower cost services. Talk to your private vet. If you have been a long standing client and are in a temporary bind due to job loss etc, your vet may be able to help. Once your vet understands your situation, you might be surprised at their willingness to set up a payment plan or offer reduced cost alternative treatment. It never hurts to ask. When is the cost too much? Your dog may be terminally ill with cancer or other disease. Your dog may need major surgery that has a low success rate. When there is a major expense involved and an unknown outcome, you need to determine how much you are willing and/or able to spend to try and save the dogs life. Discuss the options and cost openly and honestly with your veterinarian. A quality veterinarian will be able to guide you and help you make a decision based on the dogs quality of life and your financial situation. How much money is too much money to spend on a dog? This is a very unpopular and controversial topic. Some people will sell their house and spend tens of thousands of dollars to try and save a dogs life. Other families will say no to the $800 surgery that could save the dog. Each families answer to this question will be different. It is very difficult to say which answer is right and which one is wrong. This is a line that you need to draw for yourself and for your dog. Rehoming Options 
If your dog requires medical care that you are unable to provide, you may be put in a position of having to surrender the dog. Your local shelter or humane society will accept all dogs. Based on the severity of the medical condition, they may euthanize the dog, or they may provide the treatment and place the dog up for adoption if the treatment is successful.
Before you assume that your only option is to surrender the dog, please talk to your local shelter or humane society. Let them know that you are willing to do what you can to get the dog the medical care he needs. Your local shelter or humane society will usually do all they can to help you avoid surrendering the dog, if you are open and honest with them. Now and again in life, Murphy hits you like a brick. You may find yourself in a position of not being able to provide the basic medical care that your dog needs. Whether you are deciding to max out your credit card to try and save the dog or considering surrendering the dog because of the cost, always keep the dogs best interest and quality of life in mind.
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