If you are looking for low cost veterinary care for your beloved companion animal, we’ve found help!
Veterinary care expenses can overwhelm a small budget and make it impossible to get adequate care for your furry friends. Fortunately, we’ve found a lot of agencies can help you tackle those costly veterinary care expenses and get the care your fur-baby needs.
Get low cost veterinary services with help from these agencies.
There are several agencies that may be able to help you lower your veterinary costs. Of course, the amount they can contribute may vary depending on funding so we encourage you to reach out to as many agencies as possible.
AVMF’s Veterinary Care Charitable Fund
AVMF’s Veterinary Care Charitable Fund provides funds to partner veterinary clinics, so that those clinics can provide free and low cost veterinary care. You can only access these funds through a participating veterinarian, who must apply on your behalf.
Veterinary clinics and hospitals that partner with the AVMF can offer free and low cost veterinary services to clients who cannot afford veterinary care. The intention of this program is to help low-income people avoid euthanizing or surrendering their beloved pets. Ask your local veterinarian if they are an AVMF partner – if so, they can request these funds on your behalf.
If you approach AVMF directly, this is the message you will receive:
“Please note, the AVMF does not provide direct funding to individual pet owners. We recommend asking your veterinarian if they are an AVMA member. If so, they may be eligible to be considered for grant funding for cases related to domestic abuse and COVID-19. However, the clinic is free to decide if they can take on the work load. Many clinics are overwhelmed with cases. If you are unable to find the help you need, we encourage you to contact your local humane society or animal shelter as they may be the most familiar with organizations that offer low-cost or free services within your area.”
Brown Dog Foundation
This small, volunteer foundation receives many more requests than it can reasonably fill. However, they do prioritize donations to pets whose lives are in literal danger. For more information, including application instructions, please click here.
Canine Cancer Awareness
This agency provides financial assistance for veterinary care of dogs with cancer. Please click here for more information, including an application.
Cooper’s Legacy Foundation
Washington and Idaho families with companion dogs and cats who require treatment may be able to receive funds from this organization. To be eligible, pets must be licensed and up-to-date on vaccinations. Owners will need to submit proof of denial from Care Credit or a similar agency. Complete a preliminary application online at this link.
Funds from Cooper’s Legacy Foundation are not available for diagnostic testing and cannot be used for a pre-existing condition (an issue that you knew about when you obtained the pet). The foundation also does not pay for spay/neuter services, initial exams, vaccinations, euthanasia or non-veterinary care.
Dylan’s Hearts
Funding for low cost veterinary help is reviewed on a case-by-case basis for low-income pet owners and their pets. Proof of financial need and a documented diagnosis/treatment plan are required for services. Veterinarians must complete the application on behalf of their clients, so be sure to refer your veterinarian to the Dylan’s Hearts website. Please visit this link for more information, including an application.
Frankie’s Friends
Pets with life-threatening conditions who have a good prognosis of returning to health may be able to receive assistance from Frankie’s Friends when funding is available. You may receive a grant of up to $500 to assist with your beloved pet’s veterinary costs. For more information, including qualification requirements and application instructions, please click here.
Friends and Vets Helping Pets
This agency provides assistance to individuals and families whose income is equal to or less than 200% of the federal poverty guideline. All applicants must demonstrate financial need. You will be expected to contribute financially, but their contributions ensure that it’s still low cost veterinary care. To learn more about eligibility and the application process, please click here.
Handicapped Pets Foundation
This agency provides mobility equipment grants to elderly, disabled and special needs animals whose owners can’t afford it. Approved applicants will receive a notice within 10 days of submitting an application.
Harley’s Hope Foundation
Pets with low-income owners can receive financial assistance for their treatments. These funds are offered for major or emergency care, behavioral or specialty training. In order to qualify, pets must already have a diagnosis, treatment plan and a fair-to-good prognosis of recovery.
Hope Mending Hearts
Pet owners and rescuers may be able to receive a grant of up to $200 from Hope Mending Hearts. Decisions are based on funding, eligibility, financial need and medical urgency. Typically, you will receive an email response within two business days.
Ian Somerhalder Foundation
Rescued pets may be able to receive up to $1,000 to assist with recovery from traumatic injuries, abuse or neglect.
International Association of Assistance Dog Partners
United States IAADP Partner Members who have an adult hearing, guide or service dog may be eligible for a grant to help with veterinary costs. These grants must be applied for by the veterinarian. It is important to realize that members who apply themselves will not be eligible for a grant!
Magic Bullet Fund
Dogs with cancer diagnoses may be eligible for assistance from the Magic Bullet Fund. It is important to realize that funds can only be used for the first course of treatment and cannot be used for palliative care or euthanasia. Dogs must meet certain requirements, including both age and weight limits.
Mosby Foundation
This agency only serves dogs that have already been spayed or neutered. It is important to realize that they do not assist with emergencies nor do they reimburse already-paid bills. Funding is limited and can only be granted once per household. Pledged funds expire after 60 days if unused. Click here for a pre-qualification screening.
Onyx & Breezy Foundation
In addition to a diagnosis, you will also have to provide a prognosis and cost estimate to receive help from the Onyx and Breezy Foundation. They must also provide a tax return and a Care Credit denial letter.
Paws 4 A Cure
This organization may provide up to $500 for urgent veterinary needs. In order to qualify, you must read the entire guidelines and policies document, complete the online application, and add their email address to your address book.
Pet Fund
If you cannot afford care, the Pet Fund may be able to help you obtain low cost veterinary care. Your pet must need something that is not urgent and not basic. They will assist with cancer treatments and chronic conditions, but they will not help with broken limbs. There is typically a wait list for assistance. For more information, including an application, click here.
Pet Assistance, Inc.
If you’ve taken good care of your pet for a while but can’t afford a current medical problem, Pet Assistance Inc. may be able to help. Grants are only available for urgent or life-threatening problems. The pet must have a good prognosis of recovery. At least, this agency can provide money-saving advice, referrals and guidance!
When you email [email protected] for help, be sure to include your name, address, phone number, photo of your pet, summary and vet estimate! The photo may be used in newsletters or on the website.
Pit Bulls Against Misinformation
Pit Bulls Against Misinformation serves all dogs, regardless of breed! It is important to realize that dogs must have a good prognosis (70% or better chance of survival). Owners must be receiving government assistance or have a Care Credit denial to qualify for the grant. For more information, including eligibility, grant limits and application instructions, please click here.
RedFlyer
This pet community loans wheelchairs to especially to disabled pets. You need to message their Facebook page in order to apply, or call 727.639.9285 between 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time.
Red Rover Relief
You can get financial assistance, emotional support and resources from Red Rover Relief! They serve “pet guardians” who are struggling financially while their pets are struggling medically. They provide grants, usually around $200, under those circumstances. Applications are processed online so a response is usually sent via email within two business days.
RedRover Relief also offers a comprehensive list of organizations that may be able to help you.
Riedel & Cody Fund
The Riedel and Cody Fund only provides funding for chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
Veterinary Care Foundation
If your veterinarian is affiliated with Veterinary Care Foundation, then they can request funds for you! If your veterinarian isn’t a VCF partner, then you could encourage them to check out the website for more membership information.
FluffyRX
You can save a lot of money by taking a written pet prescription to your local pharmacy instead of filling it at the veterinary office. With FluffyRX, you can save even more money!
This program is free to use and can help you save money on your pet’s prescriptions. Just download the FluffyRX app and activate it with the Group ID “LowIncomeRelief.”
In order to be totally clear, this is not free pet insurance. It’s just a prescription discount card for pets, to help you find low cost veterinary medicine!
Get help now!
Our friends at JustAnswer may be able to answer your veterinary questions. You won’t even need to leave the comfort of your home!
State and local agencies offer even more low cost veterinary help!
If you need help, then please select select your area from the list below! Of course, you can leave us a comment and let us know if we haven’t researched your area yet!
Click here to find other ways we can help you save money!
Nicole Thelin
Nicole is the owner and lead researcher for Low Income Relief. She has over 20 years of professional research and writing experience, and she has been solely dedicated to investigating low income topics for the last 10 years. Nicole started Low Income Relief after a personal experience with poverty. When her husband was medically discharged from the US Army, their family experienced tremendous financial hardship. Nicole was able to gather help from multiple community agencies and move into a nearby low income housing unit in just two weeks! Since then, Nicole has been dedicated to helping low income families in crisis. She regularly spends hundreds of hours combing through countless resources to make sure that Low Income Relief has the most comprehensive and complete resource directories on the internet today. Prior to starting Low Income Relief, Nicole worked as a novelist, journalist, ghostwriter and content creator. Her work has been featured in various print and online publications, including USA Today, The Daily Herald, The Chronicle and more. Her work has also been featured by Google for Publishers and other leading industry publications.
Amber
Wednesday 22nd of February 2023
I'm currently in the ICU diagnosed with an extremely extremely extremely rare blood disorder that has required me to basically not be able to leave the hospital. I'm given transfusions sometimes multiple times a day to ensure that I don't bleed to death but the treatment has not worked. I have 2 small fur babies that a friend has been feeding and watering them but I know doesn't play with them or anything. I'm looking at spending 99 days in the hospital as of right now and I need assistance with the dogs for a temporary long term ish care solution preferably out of my home. Any advice?
Catherine Marucci
Thursday 23rd of February 2023
Hi Amber. It may be worth calling 211 or your local Humane Society to see if they know of any no-kill shelters, pet fostering programs, or other options in your area.
Necia
Monday 20th of February 2023
I am trying to find a place to take my puppy that is 4 months that has no shots yet she is very sick has been throwing up for the past 2 days now and hasn't ate only drink a little bit of water maybe less than half a bowl yesterday night I am trying to find a place to take her to get seen for free please help
Catherine Marucci
Thursday 23rd of February 2023
Hi Necia. If the above resources cannot help, it may be worth calling 211 or your local Humane Society to see if they know of any programs in your area that can help with veterinary costs. - Cat
Kim Blashock
Thursday 1st of December 2022
I need veteranarians advice about all these stray cats I've been feeding around my house that have cold symptoms.
Catherine Marucci
Thursday 1st of December 2022
Hi Kim. If you have already tried contacting the organizations listed above, it may be worth calling 211 or a local rescue to see what else they can suggest.
Renee L Hill
Friday 2nd of September 2022
Hello, I have a 13 year old male soft coated wheaten terrier, and, I am in need of help with his yearly shots, including rabies. He is past due since May and, I am extremely busted up inside that I have not been able to get them!!! Now in the last 4 or so months he has started coughing and then gags afterwards. I thinking it may be kennel cough but not sure. I just want to make sure that I do everything on my part to keep him as healthy as I can for the reminder of his journey here. I am busted up inside and, I am waiting for a condo I have to sell in the next month. But if I wait it maybe to long. That will just kill me!! I have had him since he was 8 weeks old he is so so special like a family member. Iam reaching out here for help?? I would be so thankful!!!
Catherine Marucci
Friday 2nd of September 2022
Hi Renee. Here are the resources we found in your state. Hopefully, one can help! https://lowincomerelief.com/low-cost-pet-missouri/
Karen
Saturday 13th of August 2022
Hello I am in the stanislaus/ Merced county area. I have a year old chihuahua named Chi Chi. She needs to be seen as soon as possible. She's having issues breathing. She may have something stuck in her nose or throat. I am very low income and this little girl is my whole world. I can not find help in my area. I do not know where to go to get help. My fur baby needs emergency medical attention please help me find assistance in my area as quickly as possible. I can not afford to pay any upfront cost in order to obtain prior diagnostic to be eligible for most programs.
Catherine Marucci
Sunday 14th of August 2022
Hi Karen. IT may be worth calling 211 to see if there is anything they can suggest to help your fur baby.