Paw-sing-for-Care_01 — 1. The Miami Veterinary Foundation (MVF) is constantly doing events to help pet owners who struggle with rising costs. On Sept. 27, 2023, a free spay/neuter took place at 500 NE 167 Street, North Miami 33162. Pet owners, foster parents and Miami Dade Animal Services dropped the dogs between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. to start the procedure in this small but full-equipped mobile truck. (Amelia Orjuela)

Pawsing for Care: This Miami program helps pet owners find resources (includes photo essay)

Amelia Orjuela Da Silva, Fatima Belagam, Jordan Kobb and Sidney Peralta

January 8, 2024

Pet owners are having difficulty finding affordable veterinary care for their furry friends. This photo essay shows one of the many events held by the Miami Veterinary Foundation to help pet owners with basic services.

2. MVF offers free spay/neuter at this location every three to four weeks. This procedure can regularly cost between $75 to $150 in low-cost locations, but it can go up to $500, which could be a very expensive procedure along with other treatments. (Amelia Orjuela)

3. The dogs in this event were spayed and neutered and received vital vaccines, including Rabies and Distemper-Parvo. According to Los Angeles Times “dog vaccines typically cost anywhere from $15 to $100.” (Amelia Orjuela)

4. A regular veterinary medicine costs about $61, but that is just the basic exam. Adding vaccines, microchipping, and other health-related procedures can increase the cost of the bill by up to $600.

5. This veterinarian in charge was fast applying anesthesia and demonstrated his love for animals doing this with a non-profit organization, which sometimes leads to compassion fatigue, a state of mental and physical distress that occurs when caregivers are chronically exposed to the suffering of others. (Jordan Kobb)

6. This veterinarian in charge was fast applying anesthesia and demonstrated his love for animals doing this with a non-profit organization, which sometimes leads to compassion fatigue, a state of mental and physical distress that occurs when caregivers are chronically exposed to the suffering of others. (Jordan Kobb)

7. There are about 126,138 practicing veterinarians in the US. 75,349 of them work in private practice. (Amelia Orjuela)

8. Some human medications can help pet owners reduce their bills, always under veterinarian recommendation. When used correctly, there are a few different types of over-the-counter medications that can have positive effects on pets. (Amelia Orjuela)

9. Equipment available on the truck is comparable to that of which you would find in any operating room, including surgical scrub, endotracheal tubes, and biohazard bins. Miami has different mobile units that offer basic services to pets located on vet desserts. (Jordan Kobb)

10. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, A study has found that the percentage of veterinarians with serious psychological distress increased to 9.7% in fall 2021, compared with 6.4% in fall 2019, and regression analysis suggests that this change was an effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Amelia Orjuela)

11. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, A study has found that the percentage of veterinarians with serious psychological distress increased to 9.7% in fall 2021, compared with 6.4% in fall 2019, and regression analysis suggests that this change was an effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Amelia Orjuela)

12. Larger corporations are interested in vet medicine because of the profitability of the pet care industry. Americans spend billions of dollars annually on pet care, which continues to rise (Jordan Kobb)

13. Larger corporations are interested in vet medicine because of the profitability of the pet care industry. Americans spend billions of dollars annually on pet care, which continues to rise. (Jordan Kobb)

14. Costs for a puppy total roughly $1,038 on average in the United States. (Jordan Kobb)

15. Pet insurance can sometimes help to ease the bills. It costs an average of $44 a month for dogs and $30 a month for cats in 2023, according to a Forbes Advisor. (Amelia Orjuela)

16. Dogs make up the majority of the 5.36 million insured pets in the U.S. About 80% of insured pets are dogs compared to 20% cats. (Amelia Orjuela)

17. Dogs make up the majority of the 5.36 million insured pets in the U.S. About 80% of insured pets are dogs compared to 20% cats. (Amelia Orjuela)

18. Wellness plans and finding non-profit organizations, such as MVF, FOMA and the Humane Society which offer low-cost or free basic services, are also very helpful to reduce veterinary bills. (Amelia Orjuela)

19. According to Per Research, 97% of U.S. pet owners consider them part of the family, and the fear of losing them is as big as losing a child. (Amelia Orjuela)

20. Pets are unwavering friends who provide affection and improve humans’ physical and mental help, for that reason, they deserve a good quality of life with their parents. Pets rely on us to care for them, and we rely on them to care for us. (Amelia Orjuela)

Amelia Orjuela Da Silva

Amelia Orjuela Da Silva is a senior majoring in digital journalism with a minor in social media and E-marketing analytics. After graduation, she wishes to pursue a career in the entertainment field as a writer/reporter to shine a light on stories that need to be discovered.

Fatima Belagam

Fatima Belagam is a junior majoring in digital journalism. She is interested in music and film journalism and plans to work as a freelance journalist after graduation.

Jordan Kobb

Jordan Kobb is a junior majoring in digital and interactive media with a minor in graphic design. After school she hopes to work with upcoming music artists to promote their work.

Sidney Peralta

Sidney Peralta is a digital journalism major. She is interested in social and political news. She would like to pursue a career in the world of political media after she graduates.