Financial Assistance for Veterinary Bills

Transcription

1 Financial Assistance for Veterinary Bills The inclusion of a service, organization or program in this listing is NOT an endorsement or recommendation. We have not checked them all out; even if we attempted to do so, management and policies can change suddenly, or funding may become unavailable. We strongly suggest you check them out yourself before using a specific service, organization or program to make sure it is legitimate and sincere about helping. Please note that some of these programs require that the request be made prior to the animal receiving treatment, and that most programs are limited in the amount they can grant for a specific request, so it is important to check with several sources and to also try to raise funds yourself. Before applying, be sure to read the organization s guidelines. Some of them are very specific and detailed; also be sure to fill out the entire application. If you have a dog that s a specific breed, check with rescue organizations for that breed for possible assistance. Banfield Charitable Trust For immediately life-threatening conditions only; to treat a variety but limited number of conditions and are delivered through their pet care partner, Banfield Pet Hospital. Also helps fund charitable wellness plans through their veterinary care partner Banfield Pet Hospital to qualifying pet owners living on a fixed income. Big Hearts Fund, For dogs and cats with heart problems. The Brown Dog Foundation Highest priority given to those families who have a regular veterinarian. For families in a temporary financial crisis when their pet requires life-saving treatment or life-sustaining medications. Designed as a one-time benefit. Committed to helping maintain and strengthen the bond between pets and their families during times of unexpected financial crisis; as a result, if an application is approved and funded, they require very detailed information and long-term commitments. Fairy Dog Parents Helps prevent dogs from being surrendered to shelters. Provides assistance with food, medical and general wellness needs of qualified dog recipients in Massachusetts. All payments go directly to those providing good and services. If you are faced with the choice of surrendering your dog because of personal financial circumstances you may qualify for our assistance. Apply online; applications are subject to a comprehensive review and interview prior to approval. Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Programs General applications temporarily closed; accepting applications for Kobi s Fund for Vaccine Associated Sarcoma (VAS) (see below, under Canine and Feline Cancer Resources). Frankie s Friends Assists families who demonstrate substantial financial need and whose pets (dogs and cats) would have a good prognosis for long-term recovery to a normal quality of life. Pets with life-threatening illness or injury must be recommended for Hope Fund support by their attending veterinarians. When funds are available, Hope Funds are used when a necessary specialty therapy or emergency care would otherwise be impossible financially. Financial support may be given to

2 families who demonstrate substantial financial need and whose pets would have a good prognosis from a single intervention for long-term recovery to a normal quality of life. If there is enough money in the Hope Fund to provide grants to qualifying families, the hospital and attending veterinarian also must contribute to the case. Does not fund primary care such as ear infections, teeth cleaning, spay/neuter, vaccinations and preventative care; also does not provide funding for treatment of chronic diseases or medications to support lifelong ailments. Also has a fund that provides specialty care as needed for K9 Search and Rescue, to keep them active, in the field, and saving lives. The Gandalf Fund Provides financial assistance for working and retired assistance dogs in the event of catastrophic illness or accidental injury. Catastrophic illness is defined as an acute or prolonged illness usually considered to be life threatening or present the risk of serious residual disability, including, but not limited to cancer, kidney disease, gastric volvulus (bloat) and liver disease. The Gandalf Fund will pay a lifetime maximum of $2,500 per dog. The Mosby Foundation Assists in the care of critically sick, injured, abused and neglected dogs through financial support and public education. Completion of an application requesting financial assistance is required. Verification of medical need and medical services is made with the attending veterinary hospital. Each request is reviewed individually to determine the amount of funding the applicant could receive. Payment is made directly to the attending hospital. Paws 4 A Cure Provides financial assistance to qualified families throughout the United States who cannot afford non-routine veterinary care for their beloved furry family members without our help; for dogs and cats with all injuries and illnesses; does not discriminate against breed, age, weight or diagnosis. The Pet Fund Assists owners in covering medical costs beyond the normal expenses of vaccination, spay & neuter surgeries, food and routine veterinary care. Provides information to owners about preventative care and financial services which will ensure that pet owners are able to develop financial resources on their own and avoid future medical crises through care and planning. Not able to fund emergencies; funds ONLY non-basic, non-emergency care. This includes medical care that is above and beyond basic care but which does not require urgent treatment. Pets of the Homeless, Provides pet food and emergency veterinary care to the homeless in local communities across the United States and Canada Red Rover Financial assistance grants so pet caregivers can care for animals who need urgent veterinary care; apply online. Resources for pet owners struggling with economic hardship, and for victims of domestic violence. The goal of the program is to help animals who need immediate veterinary care to survive. The typical grant is $100 to $200. Decisions are based upon several factors, including: medical urgency, financial need, available funding and eligibility. The Top Dog Foundation, Bentley Grant Provides financial assistance to dog owners, rescue groups, or shelters, in conjunction with their veterinarians, to support the medical care of aging dogs (10 years of age and older, adjusted by breed) with health issues that require medical procedures and/or ongoing medications and special care.grants made each quarter, not to exceed a total of $5,000. More than one grant

3 may be awarded based upon applications received. Grant application deadlines are: February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1. Websites that include lists of organizations that may be able to provide some financial assistance paying for veterinary care: Speaking for Spot Pet Guardian Angels of America Includes delineations by state and national Rose s Fund Cats in Crisis For cats and kittens with special medical needs. Currently not accepting new applications; check their Resources page for other options. In Memory of Magic As of 12/14, not accepting new applications for financial aid, but they have a link to other organizations that may be able to help. Canine and Feline Cancer Resources The Dog and Cat Cancer Fund Offers grants for pets diagnosed with malignant cancer. Dog Doggie Dog A resource for owners making a decision whether to treat a cat or dog with cancer, or whose dog or cat is in the initial stages of treatment or a rescue protocol. Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Programs Accepting applications for Kobi s Fund for Vaccine Associated Sarcoma (VAS); general applications temporarily closed. The Magic Bullet Fund Provides financial assistance for canine cancer treatment only when the family is financially unable to provide treatment. MBF dogs would not be able to have (or complete) cancer treatment without our assistance. Most families contribute some portion of the treatment fees and MBF contributes only the amount that the family cannot pay. MBF accepts cases for which we can reasonably hope that treatment will add a year of high quality life for a dog. Support includes information on supplements, diet and what to expect throughout treatment. The Riedel and Cody Fund, Canine Cancer Awareness Due to the large number of recent applications, Canine Cancer Awareness, Inc. is temporarily suspending new financial assistance applications. Please check back regularly for updates to their application process. Joshua Louis Animal Cancer Foundation

4 Unfortunately the JLACF has committed all of its funding to the animals that we are currently helping. There has been a dramatic increase in requests for aid, and that has left the JLACF in a position where we are unable to give any additional grants at this time. Fundraising online There are many ways to raise money online. Some are simply a matter of entering your information and beginning fundraising efforts; other sites qualify the recipients prior to collecting money or granting funds. Most sites are free to sign up as either a recipient or donor. Some sites charge a fee to collect the funds, some are free. As always, read the fine print before signing up with personal and financial information, and use your own discretion. Fundable A business crowdfunding platform that enables companies to raise capital from investors, customers, and friends. Hands-on and founder-friendly. Give Forward We are the #1 platform to start a medical fundraiser and the only site with fundraising coaches who provide fundraising ideas and guidance on how to raise money online. Go Fund Me Personal online fundraising websites, perfect for individuals, groups and organizations. Micro Giving Includes catgories of animals, and veterinary care. Free and easy when creating a fundraiser; a small processing fee of 4% for credit card transactions and a 5% processing fee will be deducted from each donation. Modest Needs National nonprofit empowering members of the general public to make small, emergency grants to low-income workers who are at risk of slipping into poverty. Since 2002, Modest Needs' donors have stopped the cycle of poverty for 12,536 hard-working individuals and families that conventional philanthropy otherwise had forgotten. There is an Animal/Pet Care category. PayPal - Many people use to put a make a donation button on their site, and it is a trustworthy site. The problem for many is that you need a site to put the donation button onto. Depending on the type of PayPal account you have, there may be a small transaction fee for each transaction. Also, a word of caution: some rescue sites filled with heartbreaking animal photos are nothing but a donate now PayPal link. Facebook - Post photos and connect with your friends and family about the pet who needs help. Alternatively, or in addition to, you can create a public fan page for your cause. Viewers do not have to send a friend request to view the fan page. see also The Riedel and Cody Fund, for fundraising ideas. Pet Insurance and Financing Care Credit A credit card company for health care, including veterinary care. "Care Credit, the leader in patient/client financing, has helped more than 3 million patients/clients get the treatment or procedures they needed and wanted. With a comprehensive range of plan options, for treatment

5 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." Pet Insurance Programs Premier Pet Insurance Veterinary Pet Insurance updated Jan. 2015