Financial Aid for Pets
Pet medical care can be expensive. The organizations listed here provide assistance to people facing financial hardship to help cover the cost of their pet’s medical care.
Helpful Tips and Suggestions
- Try negotiating with your veterinary clinic for a better price or a payment plan to finance the cost of your pet’s medical care over time. Also, consider getting price comparisons from other vet clinics.
- Apply for CareCredit. CareCredit provides flexible financing for veterinary care and many of these organizations require proof that you have applied and been denied CareCredit.
- If possible, contact sources of financial aid before procedures are done. Few sources are willing to pay bills for care that has already been provided. Most require a diagnosis by a veterinarian.
- Most grants are small and will only cover a small portion expensive procedures. It is important to contact as many sources as possible. The grants may be very small, but they can add up if you get help from several sources.
- Few, if any, organizations will pay for ongoing medication that pets will need for extended periods of time.
- Most organizations require online applications only. If you aren't computer-savvy, find a friend or relative who can help you.
- These organizations receive a lot of requests so please be patient, it may take a while to receive a response.
Each organization is independent and has their own set of rules and guidelines. The inclusion of a service, organization or program in this listing is NOT an endorsement, recommendation or guarantee of funds.
Financial Aid for Pets
Brown Dog Foundation: www.browndogfoundation.org
For those who have no money immediately available for the care of cats and dogs that are sick or injured and would respond to treatment.
Dylan’s Heart: www.dylanshearts.com
Must be requested through your attending veterinarian for a life-threatening or critical injury or illness with a favorable outcome with care and the owner must be on a form of government aid.
Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Programs: www.fveap.org
This organization helps cats with Vaccine Associated Sarcoma (VAC).
Friends & Vets Helping Pets: http://friendsandvetshelpingpets.org (859) 309-2043
For applicants in financial need for their pet’s curable diseases such as tumors, broken bones, ambulatory care, expensive medication or post-surgical prosthetics. FVHP staff works with both the veterinarian and the family to provide pets with the necessary medical treatment.
The Magic Bullet Fund: www.themagicbulletfund.org
Cancer-specific help for families with dogs that have cancer, but can’t afford treatment.
The Mosby Fund: www.themosbyfoundation.org
For vet-confirmed critical situations that are non-basic and non-urgent.
Onyx and Breezy Fund: www.onyxandbreezy.org
Assistance with financial aid for medical treatment, medication, pet food, and spay and neuter surgeries with proof of low income/need.
Paws 4 a Cure: www.paws4acure.org
Helps dogs and cats with injuries and illnesses, grants tend to be small and do not exceed $500.
Pet Assistance Inc.: www.petassistanceinc.org
Helps long-time pet owners with financial aid for urgent or life-threatening emergencies only.
The Pet Fund: www.thepetfund.com
The Pet Fund works only on non-basic, non-urgent care such as cancer treatment, heart disease, chronic conditions, endocrine diseases, eye diseases, etc.
Pets of the Homeless: www.petsofthehomeless.org
A resource center for pet food assistance, wellness clinics, and emergency veterinary care. For emergency vet care, call 775-841-7463 to see if you qualify.
Prince Chunk Foundation: www.princechunkfoundation.org
Emergency Care for cats and dogs (possibly other pets in the future). Low-income individuals or those experiencing financial crisis are encouraged to pre-apply.
Red Rover: www.redrover.org
Provides grants around $200 for situations where urgent care is needed for a pet
The Reidel & Cody Fund: http://riedelcody.org
Support for pets suffering with cancer – funding for chemotherapy and radiation treatment
Rose’s Fund for Animals: www.rosesfund.com
For pets/found animal that have a life-threatening illness, injury or condition with a good prognosis to survive
The Shakespeare Animal Fund: www.shakespeareanimalfund.org (775) 342-7040
Small grants of between $50 and $100 typically to people on a fixed income or with annual incomes below the federal poverty guidelines
Voice for the Animals Foundation: www.vftafoundation.org (310) 392-5153
Their Helping Friends Program helps seniors, people with disabilities, terminal illnesses or fixed incomes take care of their pets.
Other Options Related to Financial Assistance
If you have a purebred dog or cat, check to see if there is a breed-specific club or rescue that can offer assistance.
Consider starting your own fundraiser on Facebook or on a fundraising website such as GoFundMe or Fundly.
Most vet schools treat pets at a reduced cost. In Nevada our closest vet schools are UC Davis in Davis CA and Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine in Pamona, CA.
Consider purchasing pet insurance for your pets.