ideally, yes, but even if you have a buffer, it's very easy for emergency vet bills to be much higher than you could reasonably prepare for. and most people don't have multiple emergency funds, they have one pool, so if eg. someone's car needs a major unforeseen repair and then the cat manages to find and eat a plastic bag, the cat still needs vet care, but the money's already been depleted.
Re: PLURK PET PEEVES
ideally, yes, but even if you have a buffer, it's very easy for emergency vet bills to be much higher than you could reasonably prepare for. and most people don't have multiple emergency funds, they have one pool, so if eg. someone's car needs a major unforeseen repair and then the cat manages to find and eat a plastic bag, the cat still needs vet care, but the money's already been depleted.