With COVID-19 cases on the rise, the thought of venturing out to a vet care facility for your Wisconsin pets may seem daunting, not to mention expensive. However, there are low-cost Wisconsin pet care clinics at your disposal, and we’re here to help uncover them. Check out our list of vet care options that won’t break the bank.
Spay and Neuter Services
Wisconsin Humane Society (Greenbay and Racine)
The Spay Neuter Assistance Program (S.N.A.P.) is an option through the Wisconsin Humane Society. It’s “designed to reduce pet overpopulation by providing low-cost spay/neuter services to the communities we serve.” To qualify, you must present proof of financial need and your Wisconsin pets must be between the ages of three months and seven years old. Go here to peruse their guidelines and to book appointments at the Greenbay and Racine campuses.
Fox Valley Humane Association (Menasha)
Fox Valley Humane Association provides incredibly low-cost spay and neuter services for your Wisconsin pets through S.N.A.P. Their objective is to assist “low-income families with the spaying/neutering of their animals for a low-cost fee. Applicants must provide the following statements from the previous year for all members in the household: last two paycheck stubs from all jobs, SSI, disability, or a summary sheet for any government assistance like food share or health care. Household income must be no more than $25,000.”
You can contact the Fox Valley team at (920) 733-1717 ext. 100 to set up a time to visit their facility and fill out an application for assistance. Click here to learn more.
Pet Food Banks/Pantries
Animal Foundation & Pet Pantry of Wisconsin (Oneida)
This pet pantry in Oneida is dedicated to providing dog food for low-income folks and their Wisconsin pets. As stated on Animal Foundation & Pet Pantry of Wisconsin’s website, “No one should have to choose between feeding themselves or their beloved pet. Our vision is to keep pets at home with their families.” To get more info regarding the location and pantry dates, you can call here.
Dodge County Humane Society (Juneau)
Dodge County Humane Society boasts a pet food bank called Hank’s Bank. It’s available to struggling, low-income families with Wisconsin pets. Here are the hours of service: Tuesdays from 12 pm to 7 pm, Thursdays from 12 pm to 7 pm, and Saturdays from 12 pm to 4 pm.
“Hank’s Bank is a pet food pantry open to anyone in Dodge County who is in need of pet food. Through the generous donations of the community, we are hoping that Hank’s Bank can keep families together through tough times.” No appointment needed. Go here for more information.
Wisconsin Humane Society (Milwaukee)
Furry Friends Pet Food Pantry is open everyday from 1 pm to 5 pm at the Milwaukee campus courtesy of the Wisconsin Humane Society. They believe that times of financial hardship should not separate people from their Wisconsin pets. Here are brief instructions for when you arrive to pick up pet food:
“Please ring the door buzzer, and wear a mask/face covering and maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet. We’ll bring the food to you!”
Additionally, the Wisconsin Humane Society website provides a list of other food banks for your convenience. Click here to learn more.
Temporary Care
WisCARES (Madison)
WisCARES provides exemplary veterinary care and social services for those experiencing homelessness or are low-income. Here’s the lowdown straight from the site: “WisCARES runs a boarding and foster program to provide cats and dogs with a temporary place to stay when their families need access to housing or medical treatment.”
Now, they provide short-term and long-term boarding. The website comprehensively breaks down the process. WisCARES asks that you reach out at least once a week to maintain contact with the facility and ensure that your Wisconsin pets are faring well. This does not cover your “typical boarding” such as going out of town or taking a vacation. These services are for dire situations and emergencies of the gravest nature. WisCARES will also provide you with access to housing and treatment while your furry loved ones are given temporary care. Call (608) 561-7387 or click here to find out if you’re eligible for WisCARES services.
Veterinary Care Grants/Assistance
Friends of Noah (Statewide)
The rescue organization Friends of Noah does more than shelter Wisconsin pets — they also offer Noah’s Animal Fund. This fund provides monetary donations for those who’ve fallen on hard times and need medical care for their furry loved ones. It’s worth noting that they do not give funds for preventative care, but life-saving procedures that would otherwise not be possible without financial assistance.
“Any concerned person can apply for financial assistance to Noah’s Animal Fund Committee on behalf of an animal in need. The Committee has complete discretion to decide the amount of and conditions for funds granted. In non-emergency cases, the board will make decisions at its monthly meeting.”
To access the application for aid, you can click here.
Helping Hands for Pets (Hudson)
Helping Hands for Pets spay and neuter aid, as well as also offers financial assistance. They vow to help keep Wisconsin pets with their beloved owners. “Our General Assistance Program may provide assistance for basic needs including, but not limited to: food, medical care, and behavioral issues. You may be asked to contribute a percentage of the assistance requested. All assistance depends on funds available. One pet per application, please.”
Head over here to download the application. As per their instructions, you’ll also need to physically mail your application to Helping Hands for Pets’ mailing address. You can find said address at the above link.
Heart2Heart Pet Lifeline (La Crosse)
Heart2Heart Pet Lifeline boasts a list of financial assistance resources for owners and their Wisconsin pets. Their veterinary grant is available for emergency care and urgent procedures. Grants are usually $350, but “may be higher under certain circumstances.” Funding will be available for 30 days after approval. go here to fill out an application to determine your eligibility. Mosey over here for more information.
Is there any services for Sheboygan county residence for vet help? I have called the humane society no assistance they don’t even spay cats over 7. I can’t afford vet bills and some of my cats need a vet.
Hi Amy. If the resources above haven’t been helpful, it may be worth calling 211 or your local Humane Society to see if they know of anything in your area.
@Barbara Spieker, I also live in Sheboygan and in a fixed low income love my pets couldn’t survive without their love loyalty but affording vet bills is impossible. I sacrificed things I need to feed and get cat litter keep my home clean. We need a Dr Jeff in Wisconsin.
PS I live in Monroe Co. WI
Are there any resources for for help with an 18 year old cat and a 4 year old dog? They are my ESA’s and I desperately need help paying for vet care.
Hi Lori. It may be worth contacting 211 or your local Humane Society to see if they know of any assistance in your area.
@Catherine Marucci, good luck my humane society has no assistance for vetting other than spay neuter so I’m sure no other county does as well. Very frustrating.
This is imsane for milwaukee county vets my dog was stole in nov 2022 he just went to the vet right before he was taken and bad enough police did nothing but he was stolen with a ear infection he was recoverd and now the human society said to treat his ears id half to give him up i am on ssi its the day before easter and i cant afford to emerency vet for his ears and refuse to surrend him , i spent 3 months without him i cant do do it again i cant pay $ 200 + right now and milwaukee offers nothing for help i cant be without him and he is the same he just a year old every program i have to see if i qauilfy all other states and cities helo for emerginces not milwaukee so my baby will loss hearing or devolp secondary infection , unreal
My Dog needs ACL surgery on leg and Minnesota wants 3,800 for operation and I found one in Wisconsin for 1/2 the price but did not write name down. Do you know any VET that does affordable surgery?
Hi Robert. If you call your local Humane Society, they may know which vets in your area are more affordable.
@Robert Donahue, Did you end up getting surgery? Many dogs..even some humans, no longer have surgery recommended for ACL. Crate rest for 6 weeks. Only let out to go potty. If they have surgery, they will get arthritis anyway down the road. My dog healed 10 years ago this way, and my vet recommended crate rest. Consider researching.
Hi Sandra. If the above resources have not been helpful, it may be worth calling 211 or your local Humane Society to see if either knows about additional programs in your area to help with the cost of veterinary care.
@Isaac, I live in Waukesha County and adopted my dog from the Humane Society. Anything for surgery, antibiotics, or special diet? She has reoccurring bladder stones making her bleed when she urinates and giving her occasional UTIs. She may again need surgery to remove the stones (Humane Society had removed some before I got her) because diet isn’t helping. She needs special food. Was told she needs more acid in her diet because she is too alkaline. However, they had removed most of her back teeth (molars), so she can’t chew kibbles and has difficulty picking up and eating a lot of food. She can eat this freeze dried meal mixer, but I can’t afford it. Any help with special dietary foods?
Hi Elisabeth. It may be worth reaching out to your local Humane Society again. They should know if there are any programs in your area that can help with pet food and the cost of veterinary care.
Our dog was hit by a car and is suffering from a swollen bladder and muscle release from the urethra/prostate. He is my boyfriend’s emotional support dog. We have maxed out the care credit account and had to remove our dog from the hospital, against medical advice, because we could not pay for anymore. Time is ticking. To put him out of pain and be euthenized would cost $ that we do not have. We live in Racine County, Wisconsin and are looking for help.
Hi Rachel. If the resources above are not helpful, it may be worth calling your local Humane Society to see if they know of any local programs that can help to pay vet bills.
Is there any free help in Jackson for people on a fixed income for my puppy
Hi Carlene. It may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything in your local area.
@Catherine Marucci,
211 does not take you anywhere. That phone number does not even dial through?
You can try their website:
https://www.211.org/