
We all want the very best for our pet, yet sometimes life interferes with our plans. If there’s an unexpected illness or accident, it leaves us with substantial vet bills we didn’t expect. The job loss can mean it’s challenging to eat and feed our pets. Also, being forced to relocate could make you wonder what you’ll do to bring your pet along. There are plenty of options available to help you get through difficult times. If you’re not able to afford to pay for the care of your pet, twelve excellent programs can assist!
12 Amazing Pet Care Programs
1. IMOM
This 100% volunteer 501(c)(3) charity assists people in paying for vet expenses in cases where they’re unable to spend it on their own. They also assist with spaying/neutering and have staff available to answer your questions or provide you with the help you require to resolve any issues you have regarding your pet.
2. YouCaring.com
Youcaring.com is a crowdfunding website focused on raising funds for those who require this for personal reasons, anything from pet care to education. Every month, they run more than 2,000 campaigns on crowdfunding for those who need help with expenses for pet care. In the last few days, Cheryl Dohn raised more than $8,000 through the campaign (the goal was $2,500) to assist her pet Roxy Mama.
3. RedRover
RedRover.org offers grants to those who require financial assistance. It could come from an animal that you saved (and fostered) or for your pet. There is also an initiative that assists with emergency relief, criminal seizures, and hoarding cases.
4. Harley’s Hope Foundation
The mission of this non-profit organization is to ensure that low-income pet owners and their companion animals can remain together in the event of issues that arise. Their offerings are Pet Assistance Fund, Service Animal Aid Fund, Senior Services Project, and Medical. Further information can be found at their site.
5. ASPCA
The ASPCA offers two programs available within New York City: Spay Neuter Operations and Cruelty Intervention Advocacy, which aids those who face the prospect of relinquishing. Then, in Los Angeles, they have a clinic for spaying/neutering that is free. They don’t just have the programs. They have in-house, however, help you connect to other services.
6. Breed Specific
Many breed rescues and organizations have special funds available to owners who need financial aid. Some examples include special needs Dobermans Labrador Lifeline and Pitbull Rescue Central.
7. Brown Dog Foundation
After experiencing the pain of being unable to take care of her dog, who was suffering from cancer Carol Smock (along with six other people) began the Brown Dog Foundation to help others avoid the same situation Smock discovered herself in 2006. It’s a non-profit organization “that helps families in similar situations, namely an animal that is sick and would probably respond well to treatment but due to unforeseeable situation, there’s no money available immediately to get it done. .”
8. Disease-Specific
Another option is to search for groups that assist with particular illnesses. For instance, Canine Cancer Awareness, The Magic Bullet Fund, Helping Harley Fund, and Muffin Diabetes Fund.
9. The Pet Fund
The Pet Fund provides financial assistance to pets owners that require medical attention. Alongside its program, they provide numerous resources on their site, including links to various areas and programs specific to groups that could be suitable for your particular needs.
10. Banfield Charitable Trust
Banfield Pet Hospital Banfield Pet Hospital has plans for pet owners who can’t afford their pet’s medical care. Of course, they will provide emergency surgery. However, they also offer routine preventative maintenance.
11. Meals in Wheels
A lot of people are unaware of the fact that Meals on Wheels assists people in feeding their pets. Banfield Pet Hospital sponsors it; the Meals on Wheels Pet Program was established to ensure seniors could afford the food their pets require.
12 – The Onyx & Breezy Foundation
A private-owned non-profit was established in honor of the founder’s dog. This foundation runs many programs that include helping people who have pet medical expenses. They also support various other organizations that include cancer research. They’re also a reliable source to get information if you require assistance selecting a suitable grant for your needs.
Programs that aid with pet food and other essentials
To find the nearest pet food pantry or other services for pets, look through an interactive map of resources offered through Feeding Pets of the Homeless by selecting the service you’re looking for under the “Get Assistance” list at the top. You can also contact your local shelter or rescue groups directly by going to The Shelter Pet Project and selecting “shelter” when you search the box. The HSUS has provided grants for emergencies to numerous organizations providing these services within their local communities.
To get help with food, housing payment, bills, and more, you can visit findhelp.org enter your zip code, and click on the topic you need help with.
Neuter and spay
Many people would like to see their pets or their community cats spayed or neutered, but they believe it will not be feasible once they discover the cost. However, it is possible. There are numerous shelters, veterinarians, and groups that are prepared and can assist.
Find free or low-cost spay/neuter.
Financial aid for pets and discounts for medical care organizations
Important: If your animal needs urgent veterinary treatment and you cannot afford the treatment, you should contact local veterinarian colleges, which may offer programs. If you’re unsure what qualifies as emergency vet treatment, contact your veterinarian and discuss the signs.
working with veterinarians
- Set up a payment plan together with the vet. Your doctor might be more than happy to arrange the monthly or weekly payment plan if you’re in good health. But, a vet that you’ve never visited might not be able to agree with this kind of arrangement.
- Consider another opinion. It is possible to have to pay a consultation cost. However, a different vet might provide cheaper options for treating your pet.
- Find a veterinarian in a lower-cost location. Veterinarians in smaller cities may have lower costs.
- Look up the local vet schools. Many offer low-cost clinics to clients with limited income.
Credit for temporary and fundraising
- Ask your veterinarian if they will accept Care Credit, a specific credit card to cover health-related costs, such as pet expenses.
- Use a platform for fundraising like GoFundMe that lets you create an individual webpage for fundraising.
- Take a look at waggle, an animal-focused crowdfunding platform that directs funds to verified veterinarians to support pets’ care.
More resources
Suppose you bought the pet through a breeder responsible for reviewing your contract to determine whether there’s an insurance policy covering the pet’s illness. To help cover the cost of medical bills in the future, consider buying medical insurance coverage for pets.
Pet Care Assistance by Breed
Breed-specific rescue organizations may provide details on additional assistance for specific breeds. You can search for breed-specific rescue groups on The Shelter Pet Project and select “shelter” within the search area.
- CorgiAid: Corgies
- Doberman 911: Doberman Pinschers
- Labrador Life Line: Labrador Retrievers
- Paramedic Trust: Great Pyrenees
- WestieMed: West Highland White Terriers
Nationwide Pet care assistance
Each of these national associations offers financial aid for pet owners in need. They are entirely independent and have each their own rules and guidelines. Therefore you must look into each of them individually to determine if you are eligible to receive assistance:
- American Veterinary Medical Foundation : (veterinary care charity fund)
- Bow Wow Buddies
- Canine Cancer Awareness
- Frankie’s Friends
- Handicapped Pet Foundation
- Help-a-Pet
- Joshua Louis Animal Cancer Foundation : (grants can only be granted to pets under the care of a board-certified veterinarian oncologist.)
- Land of Pure Gold Foundation: (cancer treatment grants for working dogs (e.g., assistance in search and rescue, animal therapy, etc. )
- Magic Bullet Fund: (cancer-specific)
- Mosby Fund Mosby Fund
- The Onyx & Breezy Foundation
- The Pet Fund
- pets of the Homeless : (pet food and vet care help in the case of the homeless)
- The Riedel & Cody Fund : (support for pets that are suffering from cancer)
- RedRover Relief
- Shakespeare Animal Fund
- Waggle: (a pet-dedicated crowdfunding solution)