What it costs to save an animal, and where your donation really goes
Saving an animal sounds abstract, until you see where the money goes. From a first consultation to surgery: this is roughly what care for an animal in need costs, and what your donation makes possible.
"Where does my money actually go?" It is a fair question, and you deserve an honest answer. Saving an animal is not an abstract idea: it is a series of concrete steps, each with its own price.
Below are indicative amounts. They differ per animal and situation, but give an honest picture of what your donation makes possible.
The first steps: examination and transport
Help often starts with safe transport and a first consultation at the vet. A consultation quickly costs a few tens of euros (indicative €30 to €70). This shows how serious the situation is and what is needed.
Tests and treatment
If there is more going on, tests follow: blood work, an X-ray or a scan (indicative €80 to €200). Medication for pain or infection is often added. This step keeps a problem from getting worse.
The heavy cases: surgery and admission
Sometimes surgery or a longer stay is needed. Costs then quickly rise into the hundreds of euros (indicative €300 to €1000 or more). This is exactly where collective support makes the difference: what is unaffordable for one person, donors carry together.
Where your donation goes
At Stichting Animal Protect your gift goes straight to this first care. We keep overhead deliberately low. On our transparency page we show where donations go, and we make no promises without evidence.
Please note: all amounts above are indicative and reviewed regularly. Actual costs depend on the animal, the condition and the vet.
Want your gift to go straight to an animal that cannot wait? Then donating is the fastest step.
Frequently asked questions
What people often ask us
Short, honest answers to the questions people ask most.
What does it cost on average to help an animal in need?
It varies a lot by situation. A consultation and medication may be a few tens of euros (indicative €30 to €70), while surgery or admission runs into the hundreds (indicative €300 to €1000 or more). The amounts are indicative and vary per animal and vet.
Where does my donation go exactly?
Your donation goes straight to the first care for an animal in need: transport, consultation, tests, medication and shelter. We keep overhead deliberately low and show the spending on our transparency page.
Can a small donation really make a difference?
Yes. Costs are carried together, so even a small amount counts. Several small donations together make possible a consultation, medication or even surgery that one person could not pay for alone.
Are the amounts mentioned exact?
No, they are indicative and reviewed regularly. Actual costs depend on the animal, the condition and the vet. We mention them to give an honest picture, not as a fixed price.
Iris van Loon is editor-in-chief at Stichting Animal Protect and writes about animal welfare, emergency care and honest giving. Every article is fact-checked before publication; cost figures are indicative.
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