A trip to the vet can cost more than a week of groceries. For seniors on a tight budget, that can mean putting off vaccinations or skipping medication their pet needs.
If you live in Crawford County, Michigan, there’s a local program that may help.
The Crawford County Commission on Aging Pet Program helps eligible seniors age 60 and older with veterinary expenses, pet food and cat litter.
Here’s what the program offers and how to get help.
What Does the Pet Program Help With?
The program may help pay for preventive and emergency veterinary care, including:
- Vaccinations
- Pet medications
- Preventive veterinary services
- Emergency veterinary care
It may also provide limited amounts of pet food and cat litter.
Assistance depends on available funding and program resources, so it’s worth contacting the organization to find out what help is currently available.
The program receives support from the Meals on Wheels America Pet Initiative, Meals on Wheels Loves Pets, PetSmart Charities and other funding sources.
You can learn more on the Crawford County Commission on Aging Pet Program page.
Who Qualifies?
To qualify for the Pet Program, you must meet all three requirements:
- Age: You must be 60 or older.
- Location: You must live in Crawford County, Michigan.
- Income: Your household income must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level.
The income limit depends on your household size.
If you’re not sure whether your income falls within the guidelines, check our Federal Poverty Level guide to better understand how these limits work.
You can also contact the Crawford County Commission on Aging to ask about the income requirements before applying.
How Do You Get Help?
The Crawford County Commission on Aging asks interested residents to contact its staff about the Pet Program.
Staff can explain what assistance is available, review eligibility requirements and let you know what information you may need to provide.
You can find the organization’s contact information on its official Pet Program page.
You can also visit the Crawford County Senior Center:
Crawford County Commission on Aging
4388 West M-72 Hwy
Grayling, MI 49738
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
It’s a good idea to contact the center before visiting to make sure someone is available to discuss the program.
Relief Recap
Veterinary bills and pet supplies can be difficult to afford when you’re living on a limited income.
The Crawford County Commission on Aging Pet Program may help eligible residents age 60 and older pay for preventive or emergency veterinary care, medications, pet food and cat litter.
You must live in Crawford County, Michigan, and have a household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Assistance is limited, so contact the Crawford County Commission on Aging to find out what’s currently available.
For other assistance programs in Michigan, visit our Michigan resources page.
