Yesterday, Maria contacted us looking for free or cheap veterinary care for low income clients (such as vet vouchers and low income veterinary referrals) in the Sacramento area. As you can see from the comment below, she’s very worried about her beloved chihuahua! If you’re in a similar situation in the Sacramento area, please check out our response below!
My name is Maria, I have a six year old female chihuahua that looks like she is hurting around her back behind area. not sure if dislocated or just irritated from trying to jump on bed, sometime not making it falling on the rug from time to time? She normally is spunky however she is under the bed. When I try to carry her she starts crying in pain. Not neutered and need basic shots.Never been pregnant, inside pet. I am low income to no income. I am looking for low income, free, voucher assistance, referral veterinary care of any kind anywhere in the Sacramento or 300 milers outside of Sacramento areas in California. If you can please assist in this matter I would be grateful.
Concern and worried Owner,
Maria
Hello, Maria! Thanks for visiting LowIncomeRelief.com. We’re happy to help – and we’re glad you’re here. I’m not a vet and I have limited experience with pets, so I have no idea what could be wrong with your sweet little puppy… but I’ll do my best to find someone who can help. I’ve broken our list down into three categories: Nationwide, California and Sacramento Area.
Nationwide Free and Low-Cost Veterinary Care
Free and Low Cost Veterinary Care in California
Starfleet Canine Aid Foundation (SCAF)
California dogs who require medical treatment for an unforeseen illness or injury may be eligible to receive funds from SCAF. A diagnosis and good prognosis for survival are required.
Please note that SCAF will not help pay for the initial veterinary visit that provides the diagnosis. It only assists with treatment. You will need an itemized bill from a veterinarian.
Candidates can receive assistance from SCAF every 6 months.
Free and Low Cost Veterinary Care in the Sacramento Area
Acme Foundation (Lake County only)
Senior citizens and disabled owners of seriously ill cats and dogs can apply for assistance through the Acme Foundation. The funds will only be disbursed to Clearlake Veterinary Clinic, so treatment must be received there. To qualify, pets must be diagnosed as seriously ill, have a good prognosis of survival and belong to a low-income senior citizen or disabled owner.
Chester Foundation (Greater Sacramento Area)
The Chester Foundation provides funds directly to the veterinary hospital to cover the costs of emergency, life-threatening treatments. The funds cover the necessary materials and labor costs. Partner hospitals also offer discounts, helping owners even further.
To qualify, owners must be low income and reside in one of the following counties: Amador, Butte, Calaveras, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba. Click here for the application.
Placer SPCA
Low income Placer County pet owners can receive assistance through Placer SPCA. They offer up to $500 to help with rental pet deposits and veterinary treatment!
In order to receive help, you will need to prove that you have a history of responsible pet ownership. Funds are not available for chronic conditions, cosmetic procedures, or for animals with a history of behavior or temperament problems. A good prognosis of recovery is required and pets must be spayed/neutered at time of treatment.
VCA Hospital
Fill out this form to receive a free exam at a neighborhood VCA animal hospital!
Spay/Neuter & Vaccinations in the Sacramento Area
ASN Non-Profit Clinic
Contact ASN at (916) 368-7314 to schedule a low or no-cost appointment. They have locations in Sacramento and Auburn!
City of Sacramento Front Street Shelter (Sacramento CITY only)
A FREE vaccination clinic is available to pets of low-income Sacramento residents. Microchips are also available for just $10 per pet (cash only).
To qualify, owners must provide proof of residency within the city of Sacramento and proof of low-income status.
The clinic is available between 10 amd and 1pm on the third Sunday of each month.
SacCity Pets (Sacramento CITY only)
If you’re a low income pet owner in Sacramento City, you can have your pets spayed, neutered and/or vaccinated at a very low cost. For boundaries and financial limits, check their website.
Sacramento Area Animal Coalition
SAAC offers vet vouchers so that low income pet owners can afford spay and neuter surgeries. With the voucher, the surgery is just $10 per cat or $15 per dog!
1/31/2017 – The vouchers are currently limited to West Sacramento dogs whose owners earn receive public assistance OR earn less than $35k per year.
SSPCA
Get free or low-cost spay/neuter surgery from SSPCA! If you have a pit bull or pit bull mix, the procedure is entirely covered. Otherwise, see their low-cost fee schedule by clicking here.
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Sounds great..that would be greatly appreciated if there was info on getting my teeth done..i am a senior 66 yrs old and low income..thank you for info in seeking a vet to care for his CHF heart problems..blessings to you.
Hi, Delilah! Thank you for visiting our site. You can click here for everything I know about affordable (and free) dental services. I hope that helps!
Hi now sadly not working i have a 1 year old lab mix pit i love him dearly but recently he has been shedding alot and now has bald spots and i dont have the money to go to a vet to see but im begging for any reason or reasons for y this is happening
Shareese,
I hope you can find a way to get him to the vet. Here are some low income vet options. I am not a vet, so I really couldn’t give advice on this. I’m so so sorry!
-Riley
I need URGENT help! My beloved Savannah cat is about 1 year old, vaccinated, neutered, and he just recently got sick! About 3 days ago he’s started coughing and occasionally gagging.. but he doesn’t puke, and I’ve also noticed that he’s been gradually getting raspy sounding almost like he’s loosing his meow.. this just happened and I believed it was a cold or allergies at first, but tonight he’s had a point lump on his chest that showed up. I did my digging and he’s got a dislodged cartilage bone on his chest. He wears a harness since he is a walking cat, I think the harness may have caused this or irritated it.. I don’t know what to do! He seems in pain and it’s killing me to see him like this! I need emergency vet care in the Elk Grove or Sacramento area, or anywhere close by, also any cheapest/best recommendations for insurance or charity’s that may help me be able to treat my cat urgently?!
Hey, Kaitlynn! I wish I had more information for you but everything I know about veterinary care in your area is already in this post. There are some additional programs that serve the entire country, which you can find in this post. I hope you’re able to find the help you need for Savannah. I’m so sorry I can’t be more helpful. 🙁
How is Savannah now? It is now Oct. I am in the same situation as you were. At 61 and single, it’s just me and my fluff ball. But last 3 days is not looking right at all. Very mangy being she is not drinking or grooming herself as she usually spends her day. Very lethargic and severe leg pain?? No reason really. Find it odd you mentioned the harness. I put her in one for first time a few days ago, to get her use to travelling, as I have lost my home of 8 years this coming month. No money but feel she really needs to be seen. Did you find any where> I am more towards Citrus Heights not E.G. Was the harness any of the the cause for her distress? In the air? In the food? Hope to see you reply. Thanks, Jill & Luna
I have a 8 year old male cat that I’ve had since he was a baby his name is Shadow and he is very lovable, I’ve done a lot of research and reading and it looks like he has a UTI, your (urinary track infection) and my big problem is I am broke right now I’ve been doing some research on free veterinarians or low income help for him but have not been very successful does anybody have any suggestions? Please get back to me, Casey
Hi Casey,
I’m sorry to hear that 🙁
Unfortunately, it does take some time for us to research vet care. If you were unable to use any of the resources in the article, you might be able to find something here:
https://lowincomerelief.com/tag/low-cost-pet-care/
If you don’t find anything there, you might want to find out if your vet does good-will care or if they can accept payment plans.
-Chloe
I have a 2 1/2 yr old pug chu mixed
We was in a car accident last Tuesday (9days ago)
& can’t find a animal Dr to do surgery without charging me an arm & leg. (Left tendon & severed) I’m on social security & only get $914.00 a month. & I’m scared he’ll never be able to walk on all 4 again if I don’t get help soon.
Shirley,
I’m so sorry to hear about your fur baby. Several of the programs listed for low cost veterinary care are nationwide. Please click on the links for more information. I hope this helps.
-Riley
Hello! And thank you for your effort to bring this much needed information to those of us that need assistance to best help our pets remain healthy.
I reside in Sonoma County, CA. I have both a 75-80 lb BlackLab/GoldenRet cross; 10.5yrs, in good health, also a 20 lb cat, approx 10-12yrs also in good health. I am seeking assistance and/or resources available in my area that will assist with annual exam -required- to continue with prescription medications.
Both my dog and cat are scratching and chewing their fur off; scratching and licking skin into large open wounds (dog); my cat is scratching herself into hair loss, multiple wounds and has severe scabs over approx 1/2 of her body.
Both are in good health for their somewhat advanced age (dog is 10.5yrs, Cat is at least 10, maybe 12yrs), and normally receive regular veterinary care as needed.
Unfortunately, my disability income no longer supports the cost of (even Frugal) living. I do not spend frivolously nor participate in costly activities.
The vet visit is almost $50 for one pet and $42 for the second. The Revolution which requires an Rx (for the Heartworm preventative), when purchased online is approx $90- $100 (depending on available sale pricing) for 3mo supply for both animals.
I have previously used Advantage and Frontline with very POOR results; per the Veterinarian and my personal experience, that these two products are ineffective in our area, and do not provide the necessary protection for our pets.
Additionally, the medication for they need to heal their destroyed skin and wounds (Neo-Predef Powder) is +/- $20 for a 15gm bottle (online) and nearly double that price at the Veterinarian’s office.
Overall, the cost is almost $200 of which I have none.
Is there help/assistance available anywhere in Northern CA that is able to provide assistance before this becomes a more serious and therefore expensive problem?
I am able to provide any necessary information to assist with qualification as necessary.
Thank you for your time and dedication to helping others.
Respectfully,
C.P. on behalf of
Nova -dog and KiKi -cat, respectively.
Cat,
This is everything we have for low income veterinary care. Several of the programs listed are nationwide. Be sure to follow the links for more information. I hope this helps.
-Riley
I am in desperate need of help please. I have a dog her name is sarahbell and she is sick and I am in a wheelchair due to disability issues and unable to walk,I am on medi cal and have no finances to pay for treatment and I’m so worried that I can’t find a vet to help me.
Sherrie,
I’m so sorry to hear about Sarahbell! Here is a link to our low cost veterinary resources. Be sure to click on the links within the article for more details. You could also try 211.org for more resources in your area. I hope this helps and that your pup gets better soon.
-Riley
I have a 6 year old dog name sarahabell who needs medical attention now,I am on medi cal with disabilities and in a wheelchair and unable to walk.i have no income and living with a friend awaiting ssi this dog is my everything,I lost my precious mother to pancreatic cancer July 10th 2016 the dog was my moms dog but now belongs to me,she is a part of my mom and I need help with emergency care for Sarah, can someone please help me, I don’t want to lose my sarahabell thank you for letting me post
Sherrie,
I am so sorry to hear about Sarahbell! I hope she is ok. Here is a list of low-cost veterinary resources. Be sure to click on the links for more details. I hope this helps.
-Riley