What does pet poison control cost?
There are two 24/7 animal poison lines in the U.S., and neither is free. Pet Poison Helpline charges $99 per case, and that covers every follow-up call about the same case.1 The ASPCA does not publish its fee — its own page only says a fee "may apply."2
The 30-second version:
1. Pet Poison Helpline: $99, one time, per case. Follow-up calls included.1
2. ASPCA Animal Poison Control: no price on its website.2 Ask at the start of the call.
3. Both answer 24 hours a day, every day, and both are staffed by animal poison specialists — not a chatbot.1,2
4. Can't afford the ER visit that might follow? There are ways to pay over time — see below.
Jump to
The two lines side by side
| Pet Poison Helpline | ASPCA Animal Poison Control | |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | (855) 764-76611 | (888) 426-44352 |
| Cost | $99 per case1 | Not published — "a consultation fee may apply"2 |
| Follow-up calls | Included for the life of the case1 | Not stated on its page2 |
| Hours | 24/71 | 24 hours a day, 365 days a year2 |
| Who answers | Veterinarians, licensed veterinary technicians and toxicologists1 | Veterinary toxicology experts2 |
What the $99 gets you
Pet Poison Helpline's fee is one charge per incident, not per call. It covers the first call and every follow-up call about that same case, for as long as the case is open. You're given a case number — write it down and keep it with you if you end up at a clinic.1
If your pet eats something else next month, that's a new case and a new fee.1
Why doesn't the ASPCA list a price?
We don't know. As of October 2026, the ASPCA's poison control page says only that "a consultation fee may apply," with no dollar amount.2 You'll find old figures quoted on other websites. We don't repeat them here because the ASPCA doesn't publish them, and an old number is worse than none. Ask the price at the start of the call.
The ASPCA's own case for the fee: it "can help you avoid thousands in potential emergency vet costs."2
Can someone else pay the fee?
- Microchip registrations and pet memberships. Some include poison-line calls. If your pet is microchipped, check your registration paperwork or account before you pay out of pocket.
- Pet insurance. Ask your insurer whether the poison-line fee counts toward a claim. We haven't found a published rule either way.
How to pay for the ER visit that might follow
Sometimes the poison line says "watch at home." Sometimes it says "go in now." If it's the second, cost shouldn't decide. These are the options worth asking about at the front desk:
- A payment plan through the clinic. Scratchpay is one company clinics use — it describes "simple, transparent payment plans" and says over 17,000 providers accept it.3 Ask whether your ER is one.
- CareCredit. A health credit card that many vet practices accept.4 Ask before treatment starts.
- Waggle. A nonprofit crowdfunding site just for pet medical bills. Campaigns are reviewed first, and Waggle pays the animal hospital directly.5
- Ask for an estimate. You can ask the clinic for a written estimate before they start, and what's urgent versus what can wait.
Next time
Pet insurance and pet emergency funds are cheaper to set up before something goes wrong. One example: Pawp sells a $3,000 emergency fund as an add-on to its online-vet membership; published prices range from $19 to $24 a month depending on the source.6,7
Frequently asked questions
Is pet poison control free?
No. Pet Poison Helpline charges $99 per case.1 The ASPCA says a fee may apply and doesn't publish the amount.2
How much does ASPCA poison control cost?
The ASPCA doesn't list a price on its website — its page says only that "a consultation fee may apply."2 Ask on the call.
How much is Pet Poison Helpline?
$99 per incident, one time. That includes all follow-up calls about the same case.1
Do I pay again if I call back?
Not with Pet Poison Helpline, for the same case — follow-ups are included.1 Keep your case number.
Can I call my own vet instead?
Yes, if they're open. After hours, a poison line or the nearest open emergency vet is the fastest way to a person. Find an open ER →
Sources
- Pet Poison Helpline, FAQ — petpoisonhelpline.com/faq (checked 2026-10-15)
- ASPCA, Animal Poison Control — aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control (checked 2026-10-15)
- Scratchpay — scratchpay.com (checked 2026-10-15)
- AAHA, Mission Partner Spotlight: CareCredit — aaha.org
- Waggle, How we work — waggle.org/about-us/how-we-work (checked 2026-10-15)
- NerdWallet, Pawp review — nerdwallet.com
- RatesChaser, Pawp review — rateschaser.com
VeterUSA is a directory, not a veterinary practice. This page is about cost only — it is not medical advice. For what to do about a specific poison, call one of the lines above or your vet. We have no paid relationship with any company named on this page.