1 In 3 Marin Pet Owners Can’t Cover A $1,000 Emergency, Study Says

MARIN COUNTY, CA — Nearly half of pet owners surveyed over the summer in Marin County and nearby Bay Area communities said they could not confidently identify their pet’s biggest breed-related health risk, while one in three said they could not cover a $1,000 emergency without going into debt.

The findings come from a 2026 Breed Risk Report by Pet Emergency & Specialty Center of Marin, which surveyed 300 California dog and cat owners through online panels from June 22 to July 14. The survey included 114 respondents from Marin County and nearby Bay Area communities.

Among local respondents, 47 percent were unsure of their pet’s biggest breed-related health risk. Nearly half, 49 percent, said they had neither pet insurance nor money set aside for pet emergencies.

The financial concerns extended to veterinary care. About 33 percent of local respondents said they could not cover a $1,000 pet emergency without going into debt, while 44 percent of respondents in the full California survey said cost had caused them to delay, decline or choose a cheaper option for veterinary care their pet needed.

Thirteen percent of Marin-area respondents also said they had brushed off a pet symptom that later turned serious.

The report found that emergency veterinary care was already part of many pets’ histories. Across the full California survey, 57 percent of owners said their pet had received emergency or urgent care.

Among those who reported an emergency, stomach problems were the most common reason, with 41 percent citing vomiting, diarrhea or another stomach emergency. More than one-third, 36 percent, said a specialist was involved in their pet’s emergency care.

Flat-faced pets were more likely to require specialist care. Among owners whose pets had experienced an emergency, 57 percent of owners of flat-faced pets reported specialist involvement, compared with 33 percent of owners of other pets.

The survey also found gaps in after-hours planning. Only 49 percent of California respondents said they knew exactly where they would take their pet outside their regular veterinarian’s hours. Another 41% said they had only a rough idea.

“Preparing for the next one doesn't take much, and knowing your pet's specific risks is the first step,” the report states.

Among Marin-area respondents, toxic foods were the most commonly cited environmental or seasonal concern, selected by 36 percent, followed by fleas, ticks or mosquito-borne diseases at 35 percent.

The report also found that 25 percent of Marin-area respondents believed popular breeds tend to be healthier, compared with 11% of respondents elsewhere in California.

Pet Emergency & Specialty Center of Marin said the report combines owner responses with published veterinary research to examine breed-risk awareness, emergency-care histories and preparedness for emergency and specialty treatment.