Dobby, described as normally energetic and demanding, became lethargic and shaky, prompting a rush to the Lort Smith Animal Hospital. There, the family learned the dog had a life-threatening blockage from the ingested objects. The emergency surgery was quoted at almost $6000.
"[I was] feeling lower than crap because, like, I can't afford to get my fur baby fixed," Caitlin Aarons said. She worried about telling her two sons their dog would not come home. The family does not have pet insurance and could not use Afterpay. They borrowed money from relatives to get started.
The Aarons are not alone. A 2025 survey by Animal Medicines Australia, the peak body for the animal health industry, found that about 16 per cent of pet owners had accessed financial assistance to cover veterinary costs, and one in six people skipped taking their dog or cat to the vet to save money. Last year, 54 per cent of all people who visited Lort Smith were struggling financially and received discounted care from the not-for-profit hospital.
"Financially, it was incredibly stressful," Caitlin said. "It was the day before payday, we don't have pet insurance, and we couldn't use Afterpay. I had to borrow money from family just to get started. I was panicking, wondering what we were going to do and calling everyone for help."
The family's experience underscores a broader challenge in accessing affordable veterinary care, with many owners forced to make difficult decisions between debt and euthanasia.