Reflections & Life as an Animal Communicator

Why Do Vet Bills Get Paid… But Our Work Gets Negotiated?

Jul 12, 2025

A Heartfelt Look at Pricing, Value, and Boundaries

The message was respectful.
Kind, even.

A client reached out to ask - very politely - if I could possibly do a communication session for their dog at a reduced rate. Their dog has multiple complex issues with health and diet, and the vet bills have been substantial - regularly maxing out their insurance premium.

They were overwhelmed. Emotionally stretched. Financially tight.
Could I possibly…?

And I understood.
I really did.

Because I’m walking a similar path with my own dog Mitch.
Since December, his senior care and end-of-life support has become my biggest monthly expense - sometimes £200 to £250 a month for holistic support. That doesn’t include the future cost of home euthanasia (if needed) or cremation.

So I get it. Truly.

But here’s the tender edge so many animal communicators bump into:
We are not the guardians of other people’s pets - we are the professionals they come to for support.

And that distinction matters.

🪞"Can You Do It for Less?" – When Enquiries Hit a Tender Spot

I’ve noticed a pattern over the years.
Pet parents rarely have the option not to pay for veterinary care - no matter how high the cost. But when it comes to animal communication? That’s where the quiet negotiation often begins.

Part of this comes down to perception:

Vet care is seen as essential.
And yet, it’s often clear that vet care alone hasn’t met the animal’s needs - that’s why they come to us.
Animal communication is seen as emotional. Optional. Soulful. Maybe even spiritual.
So… surely we’d understand if someone asked for a discount?

And most of us do understand. That’s the thing.
We’re empaths. Intuitives. Many of us have walked similar paths.
We feel the pain behind the request.

But here’s where I’ve learned to pause.

❓What If We Simply Asked: Why Did You Choose Me?

Instead of taking the request personally…
Instead of bending over backwards to help…
Instead of feeling guilty for saying no…

I now ask a simple, respectful question:

“I totally understand that animal communication fees vary widely - some communicators charge more than I do, and some charge less. Can I ask what drew you to my work specifically?”

This isn’t a trick. It’s an invitation.

It brings the person back into reflection.
It shifts the focus away from price.
It reminds them of what they’re really seeking - and whether I’m the right person for that.

Sometimes they realise the value and say yes.
Sometimes they recognise it’s not the right time.
Either way, we’re in a conversation - not a discount negotiation.

🛠️ What’s the Real Solution?

(Spoiler: It’s Not Standardised Fees)

This leads me to a bigger question:

Should animal communicators have standardised fees? Should we be regulated?

Some might say yes. That it would make things easier. More predictable. More “professional.”

But I say no.

I believe in the freedom of building a business that supports your lifestyle, your values, your energy, and your income needs.

Animal communicators are not interchangeable. We all bring something unique - not just in how we work, but in who we are.
There is no “going rate” for intuition, energy, presence, or experience.

I’ve been on both ends - as someone starting out, and now ten years into running a full-time communication business. I don’t believe regulation or uniform pricing would serve the diversity of what we do.

What would help, though?

Better communication.

Not animal communication this time.
But communication with people - the enquirers. The ones who come with full hearts, but limited clarity. The ones unsure whether we’re professionals, healers, helpers, or all of the above.

🧭 Holding Boundaries With Heart

So instead of reducing your fee…
Or saying yes from a place of guilt…
Or taking on someone else’s financial setup…

Try this instead:

Ask what drew them to you.
Affirm that pricing across the industry varies.
Offer clear options: paid sessions, referrals to other communicators who may be a better fit financially, or a waitlist if you offer sliding scale support occasionally.
Be clear that you understand their situation - but you also honour your own.

Because the more we practise that, the less likely we are to feel cornered or conflicted.
We’re no longer absorbing someone else’s overwhelm - we’re simply offering a clear way forward.

✨ Final Thought

I hope my reflections here offer support to both professional communicators and pet parents.

I’ve been on both sides.

When Ziggi was hospitalised and needed emergency surgery followed by two weeks of inpatient care, I was faced with overwhelming veterinary costs and decisions under pressure. And now, walking with Mitch through a planned natural death, I know what it means to invest month after month in the care he needs - from holistic support to preparing for what’s ahead.

These experiences have shaped how I hold both compassion for others and clarity around what is required for my business to meet my personal needs, too.

Ziggi in 2016 when he miraculously survived his injuries.

Love and devotion matter deeply - but so does money.
It’s part of being the best caregiver we can be.

That’s why I wanted to share my thoughts here.
Not to offer a right or wrong answer - but to bring back a grounded, balanced mindset.
To remind us that we’re allowed to make thoughtful, aligned choices - for ourselves, our work, and our animals.

And that starts by tuning into what’s true for you.

Mitch - my 16 year, 8 month old Pomeranian - receiving his regular holistic and veterinary care. We’ve gently moved from senior support into the tender path of end-of-life care, one month at a time.

💬 Over to You:
Have you been in a similar position - either as a communicator or a client?
How do you navigate pricing, requests for discounts, or setting boundaries with heart?

I’d love to hear your perspective in the comments.

With empathy and compassion,

Joanne