There are many clinics that offer free veterinary care for low income pets in New Jersey! Whether you need a quick spay/neuter service or emergency veterinary care, finding reliable help can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. That’s why our team did it for you!
Free Veterinary Care Clinics, Grants & Resources
If you need help with vet services for your pet, you may be eligible for grants from any of the organizations below.
Get Instant Access to an Telehealth Veterinarians
Through our exclusive partnership with CareUltima, you can get unlimited access to pet telehealth vets for just $13.95 per month! You’ll get 24/7 access to qualified veterinarians without having to pay any extra consult fees. If you need to see a vet in-person, you’ll also get discounted services at local vets offices, discounts on pet medications, vitamins and more.
You can sign up for the discounted Pet Care Package online now.
Vet-I-Care (Statewide)
Vet-I-Care helps pet owners requiring financial assistance to save their pets. They are currently considering assistance requests from residents of New Jersey and the surrounding area. The grant amount is determined by your pet’s condition and the funds available at the board’s discretion.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE: To be eligible for the Vet-I-Care grant, your pet’s condition must be treatable. You must be able to pay the balance of the treatment. They only work with pets that have received routine care by a general veterinarian.
HOW TO GET HELP: To be considered for the grant, you must fill out and submit their application form. You will need to provide proof of income, such as a copy of your tax returns, and an itemized cost estimate from the veterinarian. Ask the treating veterinarian to add their name and license number to the cost estimate document.
Save U.S. Pets Foundation (Statewide)
The Save U.S. Pets Foundation is another charity organization that provides free veterinary care assistance to eligible pet owners in New Jersey. Due to a lack of manpower, the organization only accepts applications from participating veterinary hospitals. However, this doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get a grant.
Every application they get is reviewed by their body of medical advisers, which informs how they award the grant. If your pet gets a donation from the organization, they send the funds directly to the hospital.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Low income pet owners whose pets are getting medical treatments from participating veterinarians.
HOW TO GET HELP: You must ask the veterinarian to apply on your behalf. You can’t apply for the grant on your own. You can also reach out to the organization to learn more.
BooTiki Fund (Cherry Hill)
Another charity organization that cares about pets in New Jersey is the BooTiki Fund. They step in when pet owners cannot pay for crisis medical care for their pets.
The application for the grant does not guarantee approval. Relevant stakeholders have to vote on who gets financial assistance. But review of applications happens quickly so that you can find other funding alternatives if necessary.
Upon submitting your application, the organization processes it within 72 hours and sends feedback on the status of your request. In cases of emergency, you must inform the director as you submit the form via email so that you can get a faster response, say within 24 hours.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Pet owners who have applied for CareCredit and can provide proof of need are eligible for the BooTiki fund. In addition, the pet must have a diagnosis and the prospect of recovering fully.
HOW TO GET HELP: You must complete an application form and provide proof of Social Security Income (SSI) or a copy of your recent pay stub, a cost estimate from the treating vet, and your CareCredit declaration page. Send the application form and the other documentation to bootikifund@comcast.net.
More Veterinary Care Grants
There are several affordable vet care resources across the U.S. We’ve compiled them in a single resource for your convenience. See our list of nationwide pet care grants for further assistance.
Free Spay and Neuter Services
The American Veterinary Medical Association reveals that spaying or neutering your pets has health and behavioral benefits that improve their quality of life. However, getting those services can eat into your budget. Fortunately, you may be eligible for any of the following low-cost spay and neuter services in New Jersey.
State of New Jersey Department of Health Low Cost Spaying/Neutering Program (Statewide)
The State of New Jersey Department of Health, particularly the Veterinary Public Health, offers a low-cost spay/neuter program to pet owners in New Jersey as part of its animal population control campaign.
Eligible pet owners can get their pets spayed or neutered at participating veterinary clinics for $10 or $20, depending on the specific eligibility criteria they meet.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE: You can get spaying or neutering services for your pet for $10 if you’re a recipient of any of the following benefits:
- Food Stamps
- Rental Assistance
- Medicaid
- Lifeline Utility Credit
- Supplemental Security Income
- General Public Assistance
- Aid to Families with Dependent Children
- Tenant Lifeline Assistance
- Pharmaceutical Assistance for the Aged and Disabled
Otherwise, get the services for $20 at participating veterinary clinics if you meet the following eligibility requirements:
- You must be a resident of New Jersey
- You got your cat or dog from an eligible licensed:
- Shelter
- Municipal, county, or regional pound
- NJ holding
- Not-for-profit NJ animal adoption referral agency
- Impoundment facility that engages with NJ districts and cities
HOW TO GET HELP: Check out the veterinary hospitals in the program, visit anyone closest to you, and show the vet your ID card or eligibility documents. You may also contact them before visiting to schedule an appointment or get more details about the program.
The Animal Alliance
The Animal Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to rehabilitating and caring for homeless animals until they’re ready for adoption. They help to prevent pet overpopulation by offering affordable spay/neutering services through the Planned Pethood low-cost spay/neuter clinic. This has been active since 2009 to provide affordable vet care.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE: The spay/neuter services are primarily for cat owners. Unless you have a pitbull, a pregnant dog, or one with an infected uterus, the spaying/neutering services are not available to dog parents.
HOW TO GET HELP: To get information about affordable vet care at the Animal Alliance, visit the website to see the price list and address, or call 609-818-1952.
Pet Food Pantries/Banks
We’ve found pet food resources too! Your pet should be able to eat well without straining your pocket further. So, check out these pet food pantries/banks in New Jersey that can help you feed your furry friend.
St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center (Madison, Ledgewood, North Branch)
Don’t give up your pet because of financial hardship. St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center has a food bank that offers dry and wet food as well as treats for cats and dogs. This will help reduce the financial burden of keeping a pet.
Animal Welfare Association (Voorhees)
The Animal Welfare Association pet food pantry supplies food to struggling pet owners in Voorhees. The aim is to help them keep their furry companion regardless of their financial situation and ensure they meet the pet’s nutritional needs.
Living for a Cause
Living for a Cause partners with existing food pantries in New Jersey to supply food to pet owners in need. Their goal is to keep pets with their owners amidst their financial crisis, ensuring the pets are well-fed and healthy.
They currently partner with Bentley Community Services and RISE. Contact any of these food banks to get food for your cat or dog. If any food banks around you need support, ask them to contact Living For a Cause at info@livingforacause.org. They may be eligible to get donations to serve you and other eligible pet owners in the vicinity.
Relief Recap
New Jersey offers affordable vet care to resident pet owners. From low-cost spaying and neutering services to grants for other medical conditions, your pets can thrive in the state. Feeding is also covered, as some organizations are dedicated to providing pet food. So, you can rest assured that you won’t lose your furry family member while you work towards financial stability.
I need help from a vet or clinic,I adopted a rescue kitten who is neutered n chipped. I’m on disability n can’t afford a vet. Please help him he won’t stop itching n licking n now has a sore above his eye. I can’t find fleas on him I gave him 3 oatmeal baths to help relieve the itching but he is still itching help my kitten please.
Hi Barbara, we’re so sorry your kitten has been going through this. That sounds incredibly difficult. Were you able to reach any of the resources listed on the page? How is your kitten doing now? We’re truly hoping your little one finds some relief soon.
I’m on disability n adopted a rescue kitten who won’t stop scratching n licking,I can’t see any fleas on him,ive given him oatmeal baths n rubbed oils on his itching areas n now has a sore above his eye from scratching. He’s crying, he is in pain.I feel so helpless. I love this little guy n just want him healthy.
Just Answer is a paid service. They ask for a fee and your debit/credit card #.
Looking for help for a older dog jumped off sofa hurt foot avoids putting pressure on it
Hi Ally. It may be worth calling your local Humane Society to see if they know of any programs in your area that can help with the cost of vet bills.
My pet has a severe respiratory problem but I don’t have the money for vet
Hi Aida. If the above resources aren’t helpful in your case, it may be worth calling 211 or your local Humane Society to see if either knows about additional programs in your area for help with vet bills.
Hi Terry. Call your local Humane Society. They should know where to find local free and low-cost spaying and neutering.