When we moved our family—and our pets—from Canada to El Salvador, we had a lot of questions about the healthcare system. But honestly? We spent more time worrying about human doctors than veterinarians.
That changed this week when our cat, Greebo, came home badly injured.
If you are planning a move to El Salvador with pets, you need to know about Chivo Pets, the government-subsidized veterinary hospital in San Salvador that accepts Bitcoin. Our recent emergency visit wasn’t just a test of the medical care here; it was a shock to our “North American” wallets in the best way possible.
The Emergency
We discovered Greebo had been in a serious fight, likely with another animal or some barbed wire. He had multiple gaping wounds on his leg and was clearly in distress. As any pet owner knows, the panic sets in immediately—not just for your pet’s safety, but for the logistics. Where do we go? Is it open? How much will this cost?
We decided to head straight to Chivo Pets. We’d heard about it—a massive facility built to support pet owners using profits from El Salvador’s Bitcoin investment—but we had never actually used it.
The Experience at Chivo Pets
Getting there required an Uber ride where Greebo voiced his displeasure the entire way (he hates the carrier). Once we arrived, the process was distinct from what we were used to in Canada:
- Check-in: There was a bit of a wait, as it’s a popular public service. We went through a two-stage waiting process, sitting alongside many local Salvadorans with their dogs and cats.
- The Care: Despite the high volume of patients, the care was thorough. The vet team shaved and cleaned Greebo’s wounds, administered stitches, wrapped him up in a bright pink bandage, and even ran blood tests to ensure there was no underlying infection or further damage.
The Bill: The Real Shock
In Canada, an emergency vet visit with sedation, stitches, blood work, and medication would easily run into the hundreds—if not over a thousand—dollars. We braced ourselves for the bill.
Here is exactly what we paid at Chivo Pets:
- Consultation: $0.25
- Procedures: $0.25
- Medication: $0.25
- Blood Test: $0.25
Total Cost: $5.00 USD.
Yes, you read that right. Five dollars. And staying true to the mission of the facility, we paid using Bitcoin.
Greebo is back home and recovering (though he’s still not talking to us about the car ride). For anyone considering the move to El Salvador, knowing that high-quality, incredibly affordable veterinary care is available removes a huge layer of stress. It’s just another example of how the cost of living differences here can completely change your family budget.
Check out our video on Chivo Pets here:
