As veterinary costs continue to rise across Southwest Washington, more residents from Clark and Cowlitz counties are turning to pet insurance or subsidized clinics to manage unplanned medical expenses for their animals. According to reporting by the Camas Post Record, interest in pet insurance has surged alongside growing concern about the affordability of routine and emergency veterinary care.

Rover, the Seattle-based pet care marketplace, releases an annual True Cost of Pet Parenthood report. According to the publication’s reporting on Rover’s 2025 findings, veterinary fees rose 11 percent that year as clinics increased prices. Nearly half of pet owners surveyed expressed concern about long-term affordability, and 52 percent said tariffs would likely push costs even higher.

Justin Pepperling, vice president of veterinary services at the Humane Society for Southwest Washington’s Community Veterinary Clinic in Hazel Dell, told the paper that higher wages for veterinarians and support staff, combined with increased supply costs, are driving the region’s rising prices. “Pet care has become unaffordable for a lot of pet owners,” Pepperling said in comments reported by the paper, adding that expanding access to lower-cost services remains a pressing industry discussion.

The financial strain is familiar to insurance advisers such as Vancouver-based Davidson & Associates’ Audrey Brouwer. According to the Camas Post Record’s reporting, Brouwer faced thousands of dollars in veterinary bills after her miniature schnauzer developed a seizure disorder. Her insurance covered a significant portion of the costs. “You pay the bill because you love your pet,” she said. Her colleague, Anna Miller, who specializes in pet insurance, told the paper that most clients seek coverage to brace for unexpected emergencies that can otherwise cause steep financial distress.

According to data summarized in the publication from the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, the number of insured pets nationwide nearly doubled between 2020 and 2024. That included an increase from 2.5 million to 4.9 million insured dogs and from 531,000 to 1.5 million insured cats. Rover’s report shows annual premium ranges as well, with cat insurance typically costing between $265 and $1,210 and dog insurance ranging from $270 to $4,595, depending on age and health.

In Southwest Washington, the Humane Society for Southwest Washington introduces pet insurance options to new adopters, according to spokesperson Sam Ellingson in the paper’s reporting. Yet insurance is not accessible to everyone, especially given that most plans require owners to pay costs upfront and then seek reimbursement.

For low-income families in Clark, Cowlitz, and Skamania counties, the Nierenberg Community Veterinary Clinic at 10501 N.E. Highway 99 in Hazel Dell continues to serve as a crucial safety net. According to the Camas Post Record’s reporting, the clinic provides subsidized wellness exams, vaccinations, spay and neuter procedures, and preventive care for households that qualify through income levels or participation in programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, Apple Health, Section 8 housing, or free and reduced-price school lunches.

Local animal advocates say the need for affordable care isn’t limited to Clark County. In Cowlitz County communities such as Longview and Kelso, where wages have not kept pace with regional inflation, rising veterinary costs can lead owners to delay care or surrender pets. While subsidized clinics in Hazel Dell may require travel, they remain among the closest low-cost options available to many Cowlitz County residents.

Pepperling told the publication that ensuring pets receive basic care is the clinic’s priority. “For folks who are income qualified, we’re here to provide another option and ensure that these pets are getting care,” he said.

As households across Southwest Washington continue to navigate rising living costs, the combination of insurance options and subsidized clinic services appears likely to play a growing role in keeping pets healthy and in their homes.

Sources