High Vet Costs: How the GOT is Pushing Shelters to the Limit [June 2026]
A brief cough, a sudden limp during a walk, or an annual routine vaccination—trips to the vet are an inevitable part of life with a dog. But since the major reform of the Veterinary Fee Schedule (GOT) in late 2022, many dog owners have been shocked when looking at their bills. Now, in June 2026, price levels have settled at an all-time high, revealing harsh long-term consequences: the persistently high veterinary costs are not only pushing private households into financial distress, but are driving German animal shelters to the brink of economic collapse.
Modern veterinary medicine can work wonders. From complex MRI scans to life-saving tumor surgeries, almost everything standard in human medicine is now possible for our four-legged friends. But this medical excellence comes at a price. For many owners, the financial burden is becoming a major test, one with far-reaching consequences for animal welfare across Germany.
The Raw Numbers: Shelters Under Constant Economic Pressure
A recent survey by the German Animal Welfare Federation (Deutscher Tierschutzbund) from spring 2026 paints a dramatic picture. Nearly 80 percent of the surveyed animal welfare organizations report massive cost increases in veterinary treatments. On average, shelter expenses for medical care have risen by 30 to 50 percent since the GOT amendment—in some cases, significantly more. Overall, facilities are recording a general fee increase of 22 percent across all procedures.
The financial burden hits these facilities twice. Beyond their own drastically increased vet bills, shelters are feeling the desperation of dog owners firsthand:
- Calls for help: Around 80 percent of the welfare organizations confirm the sad trend that more people are asking them for financial support to cover their own pets' vet bills.
- Increased abandonment: 60 percent of shelters state they are increasingly having to take in stray animals. It is highly likely that many of these animals were secretly abandoned because owners could no longer afford the bills.
- Difficult-to-place emergencies: Often, these surrendered or abandoned dogs are elderly or chronically ill. This makes rehoming extremely difficult, drives up shelter care costs, and results in chronically overcrowded kennels.
Local municipalities often do not fully cover the costs of stray animal care. "Without donations, many animal shelters would have been forced to turn off the lights long ago," warned Thomas Schröder, President of the German Animal Welfare Federation, regarding the overwhelming figures.
The Political Debate: Evaluating the GOT in 2026
The Veterinary Fee Schedule (GOT) is a legally binding regulation set by the German government. The November 2022 reform was the first comprehensive adjustment of the fee structure since 1999. The goal was essential: to ensure nationwide veterinary care, fund state-of-the-art diagnostics, and combat the closure of practices by providing fair wages for veterinary assistants.
However, the massive side effects of this reform have now put it on the political agenda. An official evaluation of the GOT by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) is scheduled for 2026. The results of a large-scale study, which examines the financial and structural impacts of the fee rates, are expected by the end of 2026. In this context, the German Animal Welfare Federation is vehemently demanding financial relief and special regulations for animal welfare facilities so they can continue their vital societal work.
On the other side, veterinary professional associations like the German Veterinary Chamber (BTK) and the Federal Association of Practicing Veterinarians (bpt) are positioning themselves against potential cuts to services. These associations emphasize that mandatory and adequate fees ensure the quality of medical care. According to a consensus among experts, there will be no return to 2019 prices after the evaluation. Increased costs are the new reality.
What does this development mean for you as a dog owner?
The current situation in June 2026 makes one thing clear: acquiring and keeping a dog must be financially planned and secured more carefully than ever. If you are thinking about bringing a dog home, or already have a four-legged friend, you should consider the following strategic points:
- Check health and surgery insurance: Taking out pet health insurance is almost a must today to protect against financial ruin from emergency surgeries on weekends (which are often billed at the 3x or 4x GOT rate). You can choose between surgery-only protection, which covers the most expensive procedures, and comprehensive insurance. The younger and healthier the dog is upon enrollment, the lower the monthly premiums.
- Know breed-specific risks: Inform yourself in advance about potential hereditary diseases. Due to overbreeding, some breeds are significantly more prone to expensive, lifelong treatments than others. In our comprehensive breed overview, you can find detailed and honest information on the health aspects and risks of various dog breeds.
- Build a reserve: Even with good insurance, you should build a monthly emergency fund. Deductibles, special dental cleanings, physical therapy, or certain medications are not always fully covered by policies.
You can find further helpful tips on financial planning, health prevention, and how to properly handle emergencies in the numerous guides within our education-center.
Conclusion: Prevention and Responsibility in Difficult Times
High veterinary costs are a permanent, immovable factor in the life of every dog owner in 2026. While shelters must hope for urgently needed political support during the ongoing GOT evaluation, it is up to us owners to take proactive responsibility. Forward-looking financial preparation protects you from nasty surprises and prevents your beloved dog from potentially becoming an emergency case for an already overwhelmed animal welfare system.
This is exactly where HonestDog comes in. As a trusted platform, we help you not only to get transparent information about breeds and their health predispositions, but we also connect you exclusively with strictly vetted, responsible breeders and reputable shelters. Because a healthy start to a dog's life, combined with serious education, is and remains the best protection against incalculable veterinary costs.
FAQ: Common Questions About Vet Costs and the GOT
What is the GOT and why have costs risen so much?
The Veterinary Fee Schedule (GOT) is a government ordinance that legally mandates what veterinary services can cost. It was fundamentally modernized in November 2022 for the first time since 1999. The goal was to fund significantly increased practice costs, fair salaries for specialized staff, and the use of modern medical technology. This led to a noticeable price increase of over 20 percent on average, which has solidified to this day.
Why are animal shelters hit particularly hard by the GOT increase?
Shelters often take in elderly, chronically ill, or neglected stray animals that require immediate and intensive medical care. Since animal welfare organizations must pay for these treatments according to the same GOT rates as private individuals, their expenses have exploded by 30 to 50 percent according to current surveys. At the same time, they often do not receive sufficient state or municipal subsidies to cover these immense extra costs.
What can I do if I cannot pay my vet bill?
The most important step: be sure to speak openly about the financial problem at the clinic before the treatment. Many vets now offer installment plans or work with external financial service providers that allow interest-free financing. In cases of extreme hardship, local animal welfare associations can sometimes provide ad-hoc support, even if their own funds are currently very limited. Euthanasia purely for financial reasons is prohibited by law in Germany.