For pet owners who are unable to afford veterinary care for their sick or injured pet, some financial help may be available. The organizations listed below provide financial assistance for low income pet owners or pet owners who can prove financial hardship. Note that for some of these groups, only sick or injured pets in need of emergency veterinary care are eligible. All of these organizations have rigid requirements for eligibilty, limited funds and an abundance of applicantions for help. Payment is made directly to the veterinarian who provides the treatment.
AAHA Helping Pets Fund -
This is the benevolent arm of the American Animal Hospital Association, an association of veterinary care providers. Only AAHA accredited veterinary practices can apply for a grant on behalf of a pet in need. To be eligible, the pet owners must be low-income individuals who receive certain forms of government assistance or pet owners experiencing temporary financial hardship.
Angels4Animals -
When a pet faces being euthanized or surrendered because of financial limitations, Program Guardian Angel verifies that the pet's owner is unable to provide the funds needed to save their sick or injured animal, then works out the financial arrangements with the veterinary clinic and authorizes the treatment needed to save the pet.
Brown Dog Foundation -
Their mission is to offer pet owners in a temporary financial crisis an alternative to euthanasia when their pet faces a treatable, life-threatening condition.
Cody's Club-
This group provides financial support for those who face radiation treatments for their pet on a limited income. They also offer emotional support services in the form of a hotline and in-person group that meets monthly.
Help-A-Pet-
This organization provides financial assistance to pet owners who are unable to afford the cost of veterinary services, medicine, or medical supplies for a sick or injured pet. To qualify, your annual income must be below $20,000 for an individual household or $40,000 for a family household (amount varies upon the number of dependents). Due to limited funding, financial assistance can only be provided once per pet.
IMOM.org -
IMOM (in Memory of Magic) presently accepts applications for help with treating life threatening emergencies. It must be confirmed in writing by a veterinarian that your pet will die or have to be humanely euthanized if care is not provided within five days from the date of diagnosis.
Magic Bullet Fund -
The MBF provides financial assistance for canine cancer treatment for families who are financially unable to provide treatment.
Mosby Foundation -
When a rescue group, foster person, shelter or vet has a dog that requires medical care and there aren't sufficient funds for that treatment, the Mosby Foundation is contacted by a licensed veterinarian with case details.
Tails of Hope Sponsor-A-Pet Program-
Under the Sponsor-A-Pet Program, Tails of Hope underwrites the cost of veterinary care for companion animals suffering from cancer or other life-threatening diseases, when the owners cannot afford to pay for such care.
The Pet Fund -
The goal of the Pet Fund is to provide financial assistance for those who have pets who need critical veterinary care but can't afford it. Although this organization is not able to fund emergencies, it provides financial help where serious veterinary treatment is needed beyond routine care.
United Animal Nations 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 suffering from life-threatening conditions that require specific and immediate emergency veterinary care. The animal must have a favorable prognosis + there are a number of other very specific requirements.
A breed club is one more, remote, but possible source. If you have a pure bred dog in need of expensive veterinary care that you cannot afford, try contacting the national breed club for that breed. Click Here to find National Breed Clubs for AKC-recognized breeds.
