Looking for Free or Low-Cost Veterinary Care?

Need help paying for veterinary care for your beloved companion pet? These agencies can help you take care of your beloved pet.

AVMF’s Veterinary Care Charitable Fund

Veterinary clinics and hospitals that partner with the AVMF can offer low and no-cost 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.

Banfield Charitable Trust HOPE Funds

Pets who are patients of a Banfield Pet Hospital (usually inside PetSmart stores) can receive assistance through these funds. Please contact your local hospital for more information.

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.

4/18/2016 – Unfortunately, funding is temporarily suspended due to a large number of recent applications. Since I will not be notified when funding becomes available, I’m including this resource here… if you see that funding is available, let me know and I’ll take this notice down. 🙂

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.

Dogs and Cats with Cancer Fund

Eligible dogs and cats must have a definitive diagnosis of malignant cancer and meet age restrictions (usually under 10 years, sometimes under 15 for smaller breeds). The pet must have a good prognosis with an expected lifespan of greater than two years if treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or alternative treatment. Evidence of low-income or financial hardship is also required. Read more on the DCC Fund website.

Dylan’s Hearts

Funding 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.

Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance

Cats who are suffering from vaccine associated sarcoma (VAS), also known as injection site sarcoma (ISS), may be eligible for financial assistance through FVEA. To qualify, owners must be United States residents and demonstrate financial hardship by providing proof of Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, unemployment benefits, expired unemployment benefits or some other form of public assistance. To apply, click here.

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. Patients must be assessed and treated by an approved veterinarian. Owners are expected to contribute at least 15% of the cost of treatment. 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 and are expected to pay a portion of the veterinary cost. To learn more about eligibility and the application process, please click here.

Furry Faces Foundation

Companion animals with financially-challenged owners can receive assistance with food, vaccines, unexpected vet bills and other essential needs. Please contact [email protected] to request assistance. You can also visit their website for more information.

God’s Creatures Ministry

Eligible clients may receive up to a $50 grant toward veterinary costs from God Creature’s Ministry. For more information, please click here.

Gandalf Fund

Working and retired assistance dogs who are experiencing an severe illness or injury may receive up to $2,500 in lifetime financial assistance. For more information, including a list of eligible illnesses, please click here.

Gracie’s Mission

Financial grants and information about holistic medical treatments are available from the Mission. The funds from Gracie’s Mission must be used at an approved holistic provider. For more information about the mission, click here – or click here for an application.

Handicapped Pets Foundation

Elderly, disabled and special needs animals who need medical equipment that their owners cannot afford may be able to receive a mobility equipment grant from this agency. 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. To qualify, pets must already have a diagnosis, treatment plan and a fair-to-good prognosis of recovery. Funds are available nationwide, as long as resources allow. For more information about this and other programs, please click here.

Hope Mending Hearts

Pet owners and rescuers with a financial hardship 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. For more information, please click here.

Ian Somerhalder Foundation

Rescued pets may be able to receive up to $2,500 to assist with recovery from traumatic injuries, abuse or neglect. Find out more on the ISF website.

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 assist with veterinary costs. These grants must be applied for by the veterinarian. MEMBERS WHO APPLY THEMSELVES WILL NO LONGER BE ELIGIBLE FOR A GRANT. For more information, please click here.

Magic Bullet Fund

If you cannot afford treatment for your dog, who has a cancer diagnosis, you may qualify for assistance from The Magic Bullet Fund. Funds can only be used for the first course of treatment and cannot be used for palliative care or euthanasia. Dogs must meet certain age/weight limits and other requirements. Click here for more info.

Mosby Foundation

This agency only serves dogs that have already been spayed or neutered. Emergency assistance is not available and reimbursements for already-paid bills is not possible. 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

Individuals who seek a grant from the Onyx and Breezy Foundation must provide documentation or the following:

• Estimate of cost
• Diagnosis and prognosis
• Care Credit denial
• Tax return

Click here for more information or click here for an application.

Paws 4 A Cure

This organization may provide up to $500 for urgent veterinary needs. To qualify, you must read the entire guidelines and policies document, complete the online application, and add their email address to your address book. To see the specific instructions, click here.

4/18/16 – Funding is at a critical low, so qualified applicants may not receive all the funds they request.

Pet Fund

If you cannot afford care, the Pet Fund may be able to assist with veterinary care. The care must be non-basic and non-urgent, so cancer treatments and chronic conditions would be covered but a broken leg would not. There is typically a wait list for assistance. For more information, including an application, click here.

Pet Assistance, Inc.

Longtime pet owners who have taken care of their pet responsibly yet cannot afford a current medical problem may be able to receive funds to subsidize the cost of veterinary care. Grants are only available for urgent or life-threatening problems. The pet must have a good prognosis of recovery.

At the very least, this agency can provide money-saving advice, referrals and guidance!

Email [email protected] for more information. Include your name, address, phone number, photo of your pet, written estimate from a vet and a brief summary of the problem. The photo may be used in newsletters or on the website.

Pit Bulls Against Misinformation

This organization serves all dogs regardless of breed, but funding is limited depending on donations. 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 “specially abled” pets. To apply, you need to message their Facebook page with your name, contact information (address, email, FB page and phone), pet information (name, weight, sex, age), brief description of the pet’s condition, a recent photo and measurements. For more information, view the long description on their Facebook page by clicking this link.

Red Rover Relief

This agency provides needed financial assistance, resources and emotional support to “pet guardians” who are struggling financially while their pets are struggling medically. They provide grants, usually $150-$200, to help the pet receive needed care. Applications are processed online and a response is usually sent via email within two business days. For more information and an application, please click here.

RedRover Relief also offers a comprehensive list of organizations that may be able to help you. These resources are divided into several lists, including state-specific resources, national programs, condition-specific programs, breed-specific programs and more.

Veterinary Care Foundation

Veterinarians who are affiliated with the Veterinary Care Foundation can request funds on behalf of their patients. Ask your local provider if they participate in the VCF program. If they don’t, you could encourage them to check out the website for more membership information.

Get MORE help with low cost veterinary care
(or maybe even free vet care!)
through state and local agencies!

If you need help in another area, please select it from the area below or leave us a request in the comments!

• California
  • Sacramento
  • San Gabriel
• Louisiana
  • Crowley
• Oregon
  • Portland
• Pennsylvania
  • Sunbury
• Rhode Island
  • Providence
• Washington
• West Virginia
  • Inwood

Click here to find other ways we can help you save money!