Emergency Vet Care Funding

Almost all pet owners have experienced a time or two when that unexpected vet bill arises and we scramble to find out how to pay it. It’s even worse when we are faced with a choice on funding the service or watching our beloved pet suffer.

Emergency Vet Care Funding

Almost all pet owners have experienced a time or two when that unexpected vet bill arises and we scramble to find out how to pay it. It’s even worse when we are faced with a choice on funding the service or watching our beloved pet suffer.

Start Here:

Apply for Care Credit

A credit card company for health care, including veterinary care. “With a comprehensive range of plan options, for treatment or procedure fees from $1 to over $25,000, we offer a plan and a low monthly payment to fit comfortably into almost every budget.”

Next, ask your family and friends: Ask for early birthday or holiday gifts

• Start a Go Fund Me

• Make a request to your friends on Facebook

Next, consider a pet crowd funding platform

• DON’T PANIC! CREATE A WAGGLE CAMPAIGN

  • The only pet-dedicated crowdfunding platform that partners directly with veterinary providers

  • More information here: https://www.waggle.org/resource-center/vet-bill-assistance

Next, go local (usually small grants, if available). If you are in the Greater Capital District of NY try:

• Guilderhaven. Spay/neuter assistance. Low cost spay & neuter only. No financial assistance after January 2024. Call 518-861-6861.

• The Animal Support Project: The Animal Support Project (TASP) is based in the Capital Region of NY. TASP performs Crisis Intervention directly with companion animal owners to keep animals living with their families. In extreme cases where no other solution is possible and space is available, we will foster and re-home animals to ensure their best interest.

• Contact through their website: http://theanimalsupportproject.org/ or call 518-727-8591 or email taspinfo@yahoo.com **NOTE: Due to the high volume of calls and emails received, it may take a few days to respond.

Next, cast a wider net:

• RedRover Relief: The RedRover Relief program provides funding to Good Samaritans, animal rescuers and pet owners to help them care for animals in life-threatening situations. The goal of the program is to help animals who need immediate veterinary care to survive. The typical grant is $150 to $200, however larger grants may be awarded based upon several factors, including: medical urgency, financial need, available funding and eligibility. Also have grant for domestic violence survivors and their pets that can provide for temporary boarding of pet. Must be working with or in a DV shelter.

• The Onyx & Breezy Foundation lends funding and support to:

  • Pets of individuals where medical hardship is present

  • See website for guidelines to request a grant.

The Pet Fund: The Pet Fund is a registered 501(c) 3 nonprofit association that provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need veterinary care. Often animals are put down or suffer needlessly because their owners cannot afford expensive surgery or medical treatment. First call for approval to apply: 916-443-6007.

NOTE: The Pet Fund ONLY funds non-basic, non-emergency care. This includes medical care that is above and beyond basic care but which does not require urgent treatment.

• Help-A-Pet Foundation

Help-A-Pet is a nonprofit organization which 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.

Who We Help

• Physically and mentally challenged individuals

• Senior citizens

• Children of the working poor

Shakespeare Animal Fund

Shakespeare Animal Fund can be contacted through our crisis hotline (775) 342-7040 or by email at helpshakefund@gmail.com. Once the SAF coordinator makes contact and determines the pet owner's eligibility, the pet owner is advised to select a veterinarian.

Once approved, the Shakespeare coordinator contacts your vet detailing the amount we can pay towards your pet's treatment. After your pet is seen, the owner signs a confirmation which is returned to Shakespeare. We pay the veterinarian directly and no one is ever asked to pay us back.

Frankie’s Friends

Applications for assistance will be considered if:

• Your pet needs emergency or specialty veterinary care

• Your pet has already been seen by a licensed veterinarian

• The veterinarian has determined your pet has a good prognosis with treatment

• You can show documentation of financial need

• And the treatment plan has not yet been paid as we do not reimburse for any payments already made

Disease specific:

• The Handicapped Pets Foundation Is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation dedicated to the health and well-being of elderly, disabled, and injured pets. We donate mobility equipment to pets in need.

• Magic Bullet Fund

Canine and feline cancer

Does not provide grants, but helps raise funds

1-2 week review process

Joshua Louis Animal Cancer Foundation

The JLACF partners with Frankie’s Friends, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to finding cures and helping pets with life-threatening illnesses, including cancer. Since inception, the JLACF has granted over $150,000 to Families and animals in need.

Dogs Only

• Brown Dog Foundation Bridging the gap between the cost of medical care and saving the family pet. Life-threatening situations only.

• The Mosby Foundation The Mosby Foundation is organized exclusively for charitable purposes to assist in the care for critically sick, injured, abused and neglected dogs through financial support and public education.

Non-emergency

Must be spayed/neutered first

Will not cover dental, diagnostics or vet visits

Dogs only

On-line prequalifying application