When Athena arrived at C.A.R.E.4Paws’ mobile veterinary clinic, her family believed they were coming to say goodbye.
The sweet terrier mix had been struggling with severe skin problems that had progressed to the point that her family had scheduled a euthanasia appointment. But after examining Athena, C.A.R.E.4Paws’ Lead Clinic Veterinarian Dr. Meighan Gomes saw another path forward.
Instead of euthanasia, Dr. Gomes and the clinic team began treating Athena’s condition and working closely with her family. Today, Athena is feeling much better.
Athena’s story has a happy outcome, but it also speaks to something our team sees far too often. Families love their pets deeply, yet the rising cost of veterinary care can make it tempting—or sometimes necessary—to wait and hope that a health concern improves on its own.
Unfortunately, waiting can sometimes mean that a problem that might have been easier and less expensive to address early becomes much more serious. And this is by no means only a Central Coast issue. A March 2026 ASPCA survey found that six in 10 U.S. pet families lacked confidence that they could afford a medical emergency for their pet, potentially putting more than 100 million pets at risk.
Small steps can make a big difference
Preventive care doesn’t always mean something complicated or expensive. Vaccinations, parasite prevention, dental care and spaying or neutering can all help pets stay healthier and avoid more serious medical problems down the road.
Through our mobile veterinary clinics, we help more than 1,300 pet families each month access affordable wellness and medical services, from vaccines and flea and deworming treatments to nail trims, care for ear and skin infections, and dental care. We also spay and neuter approximately 2,000 dogs and cats each year.
Spaying and neutering are about much more than preventing unwanted litters. Spaying can prevent pyometra, a potentially life-threatening uterine infection, and reduce the risk of mammary tumors, particularly when performed early. Neutering eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and can help prevent other reproductive health problems.
Just as important is having a veterinarian who knows your pet.
C.A.R.E.4Paws is not intended to replace a pet’s primary care veterinarian, so we encourage families to establish a relationship with a veterinarian for regular exams and ongoing care. Those visits can uncover things that aren’t always apparent at home.
“Preventive medicine is essential for the long-term health of our pets,” says Dr. Gomes. “Scheduling regular exams, whether for routine wellness or a specific concern, helps us identify issues that may be hidden beneath the surface.”
Dr. Gomes says a family may bring in a dog for something as seemingly straightforward as licking its feet, only for a thorough examination to reveal skin or ear infections, underlying allergies or parasites.
“Early detection and treatment can make recovery easier for the pet, more manageable for the family and far more cost-effective,” she says. “These appointments also give us an opportunity to discuss long-term care, what to expect, and how to prepare for a pet’s future health needs.”
When cost stands in the way
Of course, telling families to seek veterinary care early only goes so far if they cannot afford that care in the first place.
That is why access is such an important part of our work.
Our mobile clinics make many wellness and medical services more affordable, and when eligible families need urgent or advanced treatment, our Veterinary Partner Services program helps connect them with care through partner veterinary hospitals. The program is supported in part by our Albus Pet Lifeline Fund.
“When a pet is sick or injured, families are often making difficult decisions while worrying about how they will afford care,” says Assistant Manager Libby Cabral, who oversees Veterinary Partner Services. “Supporting pets starts with supporting people. We help families understand what resources are available and, whenever possible, find a path forward for their pets.”
Athena’s family found that path forward. And while we can never know whether earlier care would have changed the course of her condition, we do know that helping families access care sooner can make an enormous difference—for the pet they love and for the people who love them.