Veterinary Financial Assistance Resources
Veterinary expenses can put a huge strain on a family’s finances. Here are some links to assistance organizations which may be able to help you, if you are having trouble paying for needed care.
Every organization has its own guidelines and limitations for assistance — you’ll need to check with each to determine whether your circumstance fits within their guidelines.
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) also has a great page with a very extensive listing of organizations.
General Veterinary Assistance
- Good Sam Fund – Good SAM (Special Assistance and Memorial Fund) was established to create financial aid for sick or injured animals who either are stray or client-owned animals in special circumstances. The fund is supported entirely by outside donations and your pet must meet one part of their criteria to be considered for financial assistance.
- IMOM Funding for veterinary assistance in life-threatening emergencies
- United Animal Nations (UAN), LifeLine Grant Program The LifeLine Grant Program provides funding to Good Samaritans, animal rescuers, non-profit organizations and pet owners to help them care for animals in life-threatening situations.
- Help-A-Pet Eligible to physically and mentally challenged individuals, senior citizens, and children of the working poor.
- Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) Assistance for comprehensive needs of companion animals for low-income persons with HIV/AIDS and other disabling illnesses, as well as senior citizens.
- The Pet Fund Eligible to owners of domestic animals, who cannot afford veterinary care.
- Rhode Island – RIVMA Companion Animal Foundation – Launched in 2004, the Foundation’s mission is to provide funds to the state’s participating veterinary practitioners for compassionate care of pets whose owners are unable to pay.
- Brown Dog Foundation Funding for life-threatening cases (sometimes limited to Tennessee residents)
- Ashley’s Angel Fund Monetary assistance for veterinary care to dog owners whose pet is facing a life-threatening condition
- Zach Memorial Fund (Canine Cancer, via Ashley’s Angel Fund) Monetary assistance for canine cancer treatments
- Canine Cancer Awareness Monetary assistance for canine cancer treatments
- The Magic Bullet Fund (Canine Cancer) Monetary assistance for canine cancer treatments
- American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Helping Pets Fund Fundraising and grants for needed veterinary treatments
- Angels4Animals, Program Guardian Angel A program of Inner Voice Community Services, provides assistance to pet owners in need for veterinary care
- God’s Creatures Ministry Veterinarian Charity Monetary assistance for veterinary care to dog owners in need
- CareCredit Medical loans, available at many veterinary clinics, offering short term, interest-free payment plans
Assistance for Service Dogs
- International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP), Veterinary Care Partnership Program Provides financial aid to United States IAADP Partner Members whose assistance dogs require high cost veterinary care
- Canadian National Institute for the Blind Helps to cover extraordinary veterinary expenses for working guide dogs
Breed-Specific Assistance
- CorgiAid Provides financial assistance to owners and rescuers of corgis and corgi mixes for veterinary care
- LabMed Provides financial aid to injured or ill rescued labs
- Labrador Life Line Assist eligible Labs, owned or in rescue, with medical treatment, transportation needs, boarding costs, or other special needs that will enable the Lab to find a home and to live out its life surrounded by people who love it
- Labrador Harbor Provides charitable funds to owners or rescues that directly benefit the immediate physical well-being of Labrador Retrievers
- Pit Bull Rescue Central Provide medical treatment to needy Pit Bulls within certain guidelines
- Special Needs Dobermans Provide assistance to eligible Doberman owners and rescuers
- WestieMed, Inc. Distribute financial aid to owners of injured or ill rescue Westies
Do you know of others? Let us know and we’ll add them.
Related posts: Vet Assistance for Seniors | Financial Assistance for Cats
Posted on May 12th, 2009 by isak
Filed under: Cats, Dogs, Pet Assistance, Pet First Aid
A stray dog had a litter of puppies in my barn. I do not want them sent to animal control and euthenized. My fiance and I would like to let them stay until they are big enough to be given to good homes. However, our financial income has taken a major hit recently due to the loss of a job. We already have 3 cats and 2 dogs and cannot afford the financial burden of caring for this stray and her 6 newborn puppies. Does anyone know of any assistance that we could get to help in this situation? I would appreciate any information you could give me.
Thank you!
Contact all the rescue organizations in your area. They will likely be full, but may work with you if you will act as a foster home for the mother and pups. If you have a reputable SPCA (yes, there are some; they have very LOW kill or NO kill rates), you may contact them, too, and offer to work as a foster home.
With a connection to a larger group, the mom and pups will get greater exposure via websites, adoption events, etc. and find GOOD homes faster.
When my 2 year old dog tore her alc and a few other ligaments from getting her leg caught while playing, none of these agencies would help me. Since it wasn’t life threatening. She had to be dying. Just think of the pain she went through.
So you stated that none of these people would help you, like they owed it to you. You owed it to your pet to be able to provide for him. That is not these organizations fault that you took on something that you could not handle. You are rude and disrespectful. Imagine being a dog that had to live with you for life, now that, is unfair.
I just got a dog today that wll be approved as a therapy dog.. I wish to train it to becomea service dog.I am very low income and would like any suggestions or offers so that I can keep him in good care and trained fo my needs. please email me your info
Hi,
I’m a volunteer for an organization called Stamford Animal Rescue (STAR). STAR’s long term vision is to ensure that no pet guardian will ever have to abandon their pet due to economic hardship. We provide financial assistance grants to pet owners who are unable to pay for veterinary care, free pet food for those who need it and we run monthly rescue pet adoption events in co-ordination with local shelters.
Is it possible for us to be listed on your website?
Thanks for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.
Gin Walsh
Absolutely! What info would you like included?
To Whom It May Concern;
Hi! My name is Oscar and I was rescued from a neglected, abused home and boy it was scary! My mommy is on disability and I’m really not feeling well ~ can please get some financial help so I can go see my doctor? I’m sneezing & congested because I’ve got little points/spurs on my teeth that are poking in my cheeks and REALLY, REALLY HURT!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please Help! My doctor’s name is Dr. Reagan @ Foothill Animal Hospital in Lake Forest, CA. His phone number is
[949] 380 – 1255 FAX: [949] 916 – 3863
I found a treeing walker coonhound on my porch yesterday eating out of my trash can. I noticed as they day went on that he kept returning and lounging around the yard. I decided to attempt to pet him and he was very scared & really mal-nutritioned. I eventually got close enough to read his collar and contacted his owner who told me he didn’t want the dog back. I told him I had his dog in my yard and he said he was not coming for him. I had been providing food and water to him throughout the day. He is so skinny that it makes me cringe. He has been lost for over 2 weeks and had nothing in his stomach when he arrived at my house. He needs to be seen by a veterinarian and tested for worms, vaccinated and eventually neutered. I think he may even have a sprain or an old broken bone in his hind end. I would love to make a family pet out of him because he is the sweetest most loving dog…..he just has some trust and anxiety issues. He is very well behaved. This is a horrible time financially for us right now. My husband is in the military but we have no money saved and all of our cc are maxed out. I don’t want to have to give this dog up with a good chance of being put to sleep. Now that he is trusting me and my kids I don’t want him to have to go through another owner or end up being put to sleep all because we were broke. There has to be something we can do or somewhere we can take him where they help with vet costs for rescued animals. Please help us help our doggy!!! He needs care asap! Thank you!!
Hi all, IMOM & Judy G sent me here seeing that my quadruped children are service for me and Mark, my husband…we have an issue with finances and torn ACL’s. We have 3 Fila Service Crew members and 2 of them have torn ACL’s. Sarge, or big boy has both knees done – his is from rough housing too hard; Tootoez I fell on and hurt him. I feel so guilty and now he is barely using his leg even after 6 + weeks of rest per dr.’s orders. Sarge is shared with Mark and me dependent on the days tasks, Tootz is specifically for me and our other boy, specifically for Mark is Sox. Mark and I have different issues but they all are mobility and medical alert. The are also registed and we belong to Baltimore Assistance and Service Dog Club – {meetup.com} If there is any help for us, we have a service child in need. 443 942 3224 . Thanks all!
Gina & Mark D &
The Fila Service Crew
I lost my job sometime ago. Since then I have searched without much luck. I also took some temporary jobs–part-time ones that let me go when the work was completed. I am disabled and my income no longer covers my living expenses, much less the things I need for my dog. He has diabetes, allergies, and naropathy. The insulin costs for the last several years were tough, but I had more income. Now they are virtualy going to make us homeless or I have to get rid of my pet. No one wants him. He needs help with a serious skin disorder now, and is literally biting himself, scratching to bloody messes. My family won’t take me in or him due to his condition–since they are grossed out about it-and think he has mange. He is just an old diabetic dog that I have strived to care well for a long time. I just ran out of funds. Help me and him, or at least help him. I have called everywhere and I get this “that’s too bad” and no real solutions. I don’t have money to euthanize him either–though that has been some folks suggestion.
I emailed you this morning — I think there are some things we can try to get you help. If you did not get my email, please message me again with a way to reach you.
hi, my name is maria pena i took my dog star to planned pet hood. When i took her they told me she had parvol virus and the owner said he will try to keep everything under $200 i have 4 kids. My husband bearlly got a job, and we can’t afford to pay that much money. We really love are dog. We would really want you to help us with any thing you have thank you so much.
How are things working out for your dog?
My name is Hilda and I need financial assistance for my cat Patches she was diagnosed with thyroid and kidney desease,and she needs treament , hospital stay and medications Im very low income at 711.00 monthly can you please help me.Thank you Hilda Landeros phone # 661)946-8708
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