Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance for Veterinary Bills
By Veterinary Information Network, Inc.
Numerous nonprofit organizations have been created to help pet owners pay for veterinary care they cannot afford. For high-end costs, such as cancer or orthopedic surgery, most of these organizations will contribute a portion of the necessary cost, not all of it. For smaller needs, such as dentals in a diseased mouth, some organizations may foot the entire bill. Some routine care is covered, although most of these funds are for emergency or long-term treatment.
The organizations listed below that are based in the United States are listed at Guide Star as having a 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, unless otherwise noted.
Before applying, be sure to read the organization’s guidelines, and be certain to fill out the entire application.
Disease-Specific Organizations
Big Hearts Fund, for heart disease
Canine Cancer Awareness, cancer treatment for dogs
Cats in Crisis, for cats with kidney, thyroid, neurological or cardiac disease
Diabetic Cats in Need, for shelters, rescues, low-income owners
Dog and Cat Cancer Fund, cancer treatment
FETCH a Cure, for pets with cancer
Joshua Lewis Cancer Foundation, pets with cancer
Magic Bullet Fund, dogs with cancer
PieFund, focuses on cancer
Riedel Cody Fund, cancer treatment
Stymie Canine Cancer Foundation, dogs with cancer
Breed Specific Organizations
Corgi Aid, for rescued corgis before adoption
The Goldstock Fund, emergencies for Golden Retrievers/Golden mixes
Labrador-L Emergency Medical Assistance (LABMED), urgent care for abandoned or rescued Labs
Labrador Lifeline, for Labrador retrievers
National Organizations in the United States
American Humane Association’s Second Chance Fund, for nonprofits helping homeless victims of abuse or neglect (numerous species)
Brown Dog Foundation, for sick pets that would likely respond to treatment
Buddy Care Foundation, for critical medical care
Cody’s Club, [not a 501(c)(3)] radiation treatment at nonprofits
Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance, for cats with life-threatening illness or injury
Frankie’s Friends, for emergency and specialty care
Handicapped Pets Foundation, provides equipment
IMOM (In Memory of Magic), non-routine care for companion animals
International Association of Assistance Dog Partners, for assistance dogs
LoveAnimals.org is a crowdfunding platform dedicated to helping pets and wildlife
Mosby Foundation, critically sick, injured, abused and neglected dogs
National Equine Resource Network, life-saving surgeries or treatments
Onyx and Breezy Foundation, medical treatment for hardship
Paws 4 a Cure, illnesses and injuries
Pet Fund, medical costs beyond normal expenses
RedRover/United Animal Nations, grants between $100 and $200 to fill small funding gaps
Shakespeare Animal Fund, for those meeting federal poverty guidelines
Regional Organizations
Actors and Others for Animals, for low/fixed income owners in Southern California
Animal Care and Welfare Inc., emergencies in Pennsylvania
Becky’s Gift Equine Relief, for horses in New Hampshire
Care for the Horses, short-term veterinary care from Animal Protection of New Mexico
Equine Protection Fund, for horses, donkeys, and mules in New Mexico
Fairy Tail Endings, pets in Florida’s Sarasota & Manatee counties
Hearts United Animals, assists in the Midwest
The Merrick Fund Foundation, for rescues and shelters in central Pennsylvania
Montana Horse Sanctuary, some veterinary grants in Montana
New York Save, emergency care in New York City’s five boroughs
P.A.L.S. (Pets Are Loving Support), basic veterinary care in Atlanta
PETS-DC, pets of HIV/AIDS patients in Washington DC
Rochester Hope for Pets, primarily for unexpected or emergencies in Rochester, NY
RIVMA Companion Animal Foundation, Rhode Island
RUFF (Rescuing Unwanted Furry Friends), Southern California
San Francisco SPCA, for residents of San Francisco
Save U.S. Pets Foundation, New Jersey
Sound Equine Options, emergency care in Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington
STARrelief, urgent and routine care in Connecticut
Organizations Outside the United States
Fair Go Financing, loans in Australia
Farley Foundation, for seniors and people with disabilities in Ontario
Vet Pay, continuing credit payment plan in Australia