The ongoing Coronavirus pandemic has depleted our monetary resources and then some. Because of this, you may find it difficult to get low-cost or free care for your Texas pets. But fear not! We’ve got a list of wonderful Texas pet care facilities just for you.
Spay and Neuter Services
Texarkana Animal League (Texarkana)
The Texarkana Animal League boasts S.N.A.P. (Spay Neuter Assistance Program) for low-income residents with Texas pets. In addition to affordable spay and neuter services, you can also receive a wellness check, vaccines, and a heartworm test for your furry loved ones. It’s “available to qualifying households in Bowie, Cass, Little River, and Miller Counties. Includes wellness check, vaccines, heartworm test, and spay or neuter for only $35 for cats, $50 for dogs.” Click here to learn more. Call (877) 525-4825.
Pets Alive El Paso (El Paso)
This organization has a Spay/Neuter Voucher Program for owners with Texas pets who’ve fallen on financial hard times. Firstly, you’ll need to download and print the application. Complete and sign said application. Then, you must make photocopies of documentation proving that you’re on public assistance i.e. Medicaid, unemployment, etc. To see if you qualify for the voucher program and download the application, go here. You can also call (915) 873-7387 to check on the status of your submission.
P.A.L.S. of Central Texas (San Marcos)
Pet Prevent a Litter (P.A.L.S.) of Central Texas is dedicated to providing low-cost spay and neuter services for your Texas pets. In fact, they have a voucher program for those struggling under the weight of financial burden. You can fill out an application to see if you’re eligible for a voucher. If so, then P.A.L.S. will cover the cost of the spaying/neutering. Head over here to complete a request form and peruse their guidelines. Call (512) 754-7257.
Emancipet Clinic (Austin, Houston, and Central)
Emancipet Clinic offers affordable spay and neuter services for lower-income residents with Texas pets. Surgeries do require an appointment. As for pricing, it’s $69 for dogs and cats regardless of gender. Mosey on over here to get more information and schedule a time slot for your furry loved one.
Pet Food Banks/Pantries
DaisyCares Pet Food Program (San Antonio)
This organization works with the San Antonio Food Bank to offer much-needed food to residents and their Texas pets.
“The DaisyCares Pet Food Program provides pet food to families through the food bank and/or food pantry partners already providing emergency food assistance to families and individuals in need. DaisyCares will work with local retail stores and with pet food manufacturers to obtain donations of pet food and products for distribution.”
Click here to learn more and find out how to receive pet food assistance. Call (210) 431-8326.
Operation Kindness Pet Food Pantry (Addison)
This pet food pantry distributes resources to low-income owners and their Texas pets. It’s open every Thursday from 12pm to 3 pm and every Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm.
“If you need assistance, please review all the program guidelines and complete the application. Once your application is approved, we can provide food for up to three months. After this three-month period, you’ll be required to submit a new application.
The Pet Food Pantry is open every Thursday from noon to 3:00 PM and every Saturday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The pantry is not allowing visitors inside, but a staff member will take your order outside and fill it while you wait. If you have any questions, call (972) 418-7297.“
Go here to browse all guidelines and fill out an application for assistance.
P.A.A.C. (Corpus Christi)
People Assisting Animal Control (P.A.A.C.) in Corpus Christi boasts a food bank to aid those with Texas pets. Here’s a brief description from their website:
“Pet food is given to residents that go to The Food Bank on Krill St. The residents get an orange voucher to call PAAC so we can schedule their pet to be spayed/neutered. Once the pet is spayed/neutered, they get FREE pet food for their pet from The Food Bank each time they are eligible to receive food from The Food Bank.”
Head over here to get more information and find out food distribution dates.
Veterinary Care Grants/Assistance
Capper & Chris Save the Animals Fund (College Station)
Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences provides financial assistance for Texas pets in need of life-saving care. Now, some stipulations: the animal must have a treatable disease or injury. Your furry loved one must be treated at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH). Lastly, “the fund may contribute up to 50 percent of the total cost, with a maximum of $1,000 per case.” Click here to learn how to apply for aid.
Classic Canines, Inc. (Travis and Williamson Counties)
Classic Canines, Inc. is committed to providing exemplary care for your Texas pets, specifically senior dogs. If you have an older furry companion in need of medical support or material supplies, they encourage you to reach out via email (caring@classiccanines.org). Go here to get more information and peruse their website.
Loving Texas Pet Assistance (Statewide)
This organization is dedicated to keeping owners and their Texas pets together, regardless of their situation. While Loving Texas Pet Assistance primarily focuses on spay and neuter aid, the “Our Story” page hints at potentially offering other forms of assistance. Head over here to learn more and get contact information including email and a phone number.
Hi I have 4 Pughuahua’s that got left with me and I love them dearly!
Two are older, another is very overweight and they all need toenails clipped and shots updated and looked at.
However, I am disabled and barely getting by. I’m living on well under $800/month in Tarrant Co and a recent Occipital Stroke took away my entire left peripheral and added short term memory loss. Everything is so difficult and side hustles eliminated.
Thank you for any advice you can give💝🐶
Thank you so much for sharing this—and we’re truly sorry to hear all you’ve been through. It’s clear how much love you have for your pups, and they’re lucky to have you.
Since you’re in Tarrant County, you might want to look into these options:
•HSNT’s Pet Resource Center in Fort Worth offers free or low-cost vaccines and wellness care. You can learn more at https://hsnt.org
•Spay Neuter Network has a Fort Worth clinic and may help with exams, vaccinations, and nail trims at reduced rates: https://spayneuternet.org
•Also, don’t hesitate to call 211 Texas to ask about any local programs that assist disabled or low-income pet owners in your area.
We hope this helps you find some relief and care for your beloved pups—you deserve support, and so do they!
My name is Kim and I am a 57 yr old disabled pet owner of a cat that is 17, yes 17..Stormy has had a rough life from onset. My daughter found him out in the rain screaming for help. She brought him in and fed him Vienna sausages lol. He was very young and looked like a female but when we took him to the vet the first tim3 they explained she was a He and that he’d been neutered extremely young and that’s why we didn’t see any remnants of testicles. But Stormy was his name none the less. He contracted Feline Leukemia around 4 yrs and also has a terrible issue with a nostril that’s been blocked since he was born the vet explained. He also has several other problems but he is the most loving incredible animal I ever had. You may not believe me, but he has come back to life twice. But I need to explain something first….with his health issues he has serious severe rhinitis, almost like a human with cystic fibrosis his mucus is in overdrive. I use an infants electric nose Frida to remove it gently or he could not breathe. The issue with his coming back from deaths door was due to one night after being exhausted ( I am in a wheelchair and have multiple issues including partial blindness and cannot walk) but I fell asleep and missed a clearing of his nose. Usually he will stand and paw at my shoulder to help him but he didn’t as he was weakened . I woke up suddenly and when I saw him realizing he wasn’t breathing, immediately cleared his passages. I was praying and he still wasn’t moving. I said Stormy please don’t go , momma can’t live without you yet..please not yet! I admit this was selfish….he could have gone on and been out of his misery. But as pet owners sometimes we are not ready to lose our fur babies. ..and im sure you understand . After saying this and weeping, he began to twitch. I couldn’t believe what I saw as he opened one eye then the other. He took breaths tentatively and then regular breathing began. I thanked God and hugged my sweet boy . There were other close calls . What I’m hoping for is a vet close by , that might consider helping with his treatment. He’s just fighting so hard . And at 17.. that’s incredibly brave. He needs his lungs cleared and given a medication that would help with the mucus. I can only do so much with the nasal Frida as it just gets the initial part of his nose enough to help him breathe. I Kno without it tho he wouldn’t have made it this far. I can be reached at a temporary email that’s exclusively for this purpose. I am on an extremely limited income and need help however I can get it…If you’re a vet that wants to help PLEASE let me kno. I’m in Jefferson County ,..In DEEP SOUTHEAST TEXAS. jaydestarr68@gmail.com
Thank you so very very much. I appreciate you just reading our story and praying is MOST appreciated!
Thank you so much for sharing your and Stormy’s story—what a powerful bond you two share. It’s clear how deeply you care for him, and he’s lucky to have you. While we can’t offer direct help or connect you with vets ourselves, we strongly recommend reaching out to local animal shelters, humane societies, or rescue groups in Jefferson County. They may know of vets or organizations willing to help with urgent care for senior pets. You can also check RedRover Relief (https://redrover.org/relief/) and Waggle (https://www.waggle.org/), which help with veterinary costs for pets in need. We’re keeping you both in our thoughts and truly hope Stormy gets the help he needs.
My mom has a one to one and a half year old domestic short hair Cat. A couple of days ago my mom noticed that the cat was licking herself quite a bit and today she said there’s a clear fluid down there. It’s not a copious amount but it is an issue. My mom is 81 years old on Social Security and we are trying to find some help this cat my mom of course loves this cat and with her being alone this cat helps her and Comforts her and keeps her company so I want to do all that I can to help her help the cat the cat’s name is shadow my mom’s name is Pauline if there’s any way you can help or put us in the direction of someone that can thank you so much.
Hi Jane. It may be worth calling your local Humane Society to see if they know of any local resources or programs that can help with vet bills.