Financial Assistance, Pet Insurance, Fundraising

When faced with medical emergencies or expenses that are beyond an owner’s ability to pay, there are options to consider before giving up and putting the pet down or bringing him to a shelter.

On this page you will find:

  • local and national organizations that offer financial assistance
  • financial assistance for dog training
  • zero or low interest credit cards/payment plans for medical care
  • health insurance plans and
  • suggestions for raising funds yourself.

I. Organizations that offer financial assistance

Each will have its own application process and any eligibility requirements listed on their web page. You may need to apply to several places to find ONE that has the funds available and approves your request and you may also combine grants from multiple organizations to help cover more expensive needs. Most will not reimburse your expenses, they will only pay the veterinarian directly and they need to approve those costs in advance.

LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

Pima Animal Care Center: To inquire about their range of assistance  complete the application here or call 520-724-7222 to leave a message.

The Arizona Pet Project: To inquire about their wide range of assistance complete the application here or call 602-882-8627.

No Kill Pima County has modest funding to help with unexpected veterinary needs of pet owners and community cat caretakers in Pima County. Give us a call for more info 520-477-7401 (and to donate to help others, click here).

The Animal League of Green Valley: If you live in that area, contact them to inquire about assistance for veterinary care. 520-625-3170 email: info@TALGV.org

NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS assisting with veterinary care

Red Rover Relief urgent Care grant  provides financial assistance (average grant is $250) intended to fill a small gap in funding that keeps an animal from getting care in life-threatening situations.

Brown Dog Foundation provides temporary financial assistance as an alternative to surrendering a pet to a shelter when the pet is diagnosed with a treatable, but life-threatening condition or illness. Owners must contribute at least 25% of the treatment cost. Must apply online.

Bow Wow Buddies Foundation covers necessary medical treatments for certain serious conditions and emergency services. Grants are not available for spay or neuter surgeries, dental work, preventative care, ongoing treatments, or end-of-life care. Cannot help if funds are needed immediately but you may apply up to 30 days after a procedure. Application is online.

Mosby Foundation provides non-emergency care of critically sick, injured, abused and neglected dogs through financial support and public education. Must apply online.

HEAL Foundation Joey and Oreo grants provide up to $1,000 for dogs age 6+. Does not cover routine care or diagnostics. Does cover treatment for chronic or emergency conditions.

The Onyx & Breezy Foundation lends funding and support to pets of individuals where medical hardship is present. A fully completed application includes the Foundation Questionnaire, tax return, estimate of cost, diagnosis and prognosis, Care Credit status.  (201) 782-7400

The Pet Fund provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need non-emergency veterinary care. Applicants are required to call before applying: (916) 443-6007

Paws 4 A Cure provides financial assistance for non-routine medical care. Must apply for CareCredit first www.carecredit.com. Then must apply online.

Harley’s Hope Foundation apply online once you have diagnosis and treatment plan. Also COVID-19 special assistance for chronic illness medications

Friends & Vets Helping Pets funds treatments for curable, lifesaving needs where owner needs supplemental help. Apply online.

Cancer- specific assistance

• Joshua Louis Cancer Foundation requires that your pet is under the care of a Board-Certified Veterinary Oncologist. For assistance, please follow instructions carefully. Call  201-918-6962 for questions about the website

• The Riedel and Cody Fund will prioritize the neediest owners and the dogs/cats with the most likely positive outcome from treatment. You must register online and then apply online.

• Live Like Roo Foundation awards grants monthly after reviewing applications and medical records. Application is online.

DISEASE-SPECIFIC

Emergency/Urgent Care

• RedRover Relief provides financial assistance and additional resources so pet owners can care for animals that need urgent veterinary care. Must apply online.

Frankie’s Friends helps with urgent life saving or life enhancing treatment. Must have been seen by vet before applying.

• Pet Assistance Inc for urgent and life threatening conditions. 9-6pm ET. Owner must contribute. Application online.

For the love of Alex provides assistance for emergency care for pets of low income families. Apply online.

International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP): emergency veterinary care fund to help IAADP Partner Members in good standing in the USA. Dogs under 18 months and retired dogs are not eligible.  However, the site provides links to websites for a puppy, a dog in training, an assistance dog for a non-member, a dog with cancer, your emotional support animal or companion animal of any species.

• Feeding Pets of the Homeless emergency veterinary care for the homeless: Call Monday through Friday (775) 841-7463 to get services.

 

Dog Breed Specific (Not necessarily a complete listing)

• Akita Rescue Fund www.akitaclub.org

• Australian Cattle Dog Rescue, Inc. www.acdrescueinc.com

• Berner (Bernese) Emergency Health Assistance Fund www.behaf.org

• Boxer Rescue Foundation boxerrescuefoundation.com

• Corgi www.corgiaid.org

• Doberman www.doberman911.org

• Tibetan Spaniel www.tstrust.org

• West Highland White Terrier www.westiemed.org

II. Financial Assistance for Pet Training

Lending USA Dog Training Financing  Offers payment plans, including a zero interest plan when paid
off in 6 months. Learn more and apply online.

III. Zero interest credit, payments plans, for medical treatment and “discount” services

 

CARE CREDIT  You may qualify for this a major charge card that offers clients several convenient payment plans to choose from including a no interest payment plan.

No Interest Payment Plan: There is a 6 month no interest plan that you can use to pay for your pet’s treatment over time. Extended Payment Plans: There are 24, 36, 48 or 60 month low interest payment plans. You can apply in person at your vet’s office, online (get immediate approval) or call (800) 677-0718 to speak to an agent  Monday through Friday from 9:00am – 9:00pm (EST).

Arizona CoppeRx Card can be used for discounts on pet prescriptions such as phenobarbital and amoxicillin.

In order to qualify for the discount, the pet owner must have a valid prescription for their pet and the medication must be one that has a human equivalent.

Scratchpay.org Care Now Pay Later is a payment plan with APR as low as 0%.

Apply online or with text, without impacting your credit score. Approval in minutes, with a payplan offered and vet is paid immediately. Only good at participating vets and there are about 30 in Pima County. You can search on their page for participating vets. https://scratchpay.com/

Vetbilling.com Participating clinics offer a payment plan through this program. Each vet has their own terms and conditions to qualify and you apply through the vet’s office. Interest free payments are made through automatic withdrawals from one of your bank accounts for up to 48 months. If your vet is not on the list, you can fill out a form online and the organization will contact your vet about joining. Current Tucson list includes: Valencia Animal Hospital, Benarda Veterinary Hospital, La Vida Animal Hospital and Rolling Hills Pet Clinic.

IV. PET HEALTH INSURANCE

Pet Insurance is becoming very popular and common as a way to manage the expenses that come with owning a pet. Premiums are typically low and they vary with each company, as do the benefits provided. Most companies will offer multiple pet discounts.

• United Health Pet Care (UPC) (602) 266-5303
Membership in this program saves the pet owner 20-50% on every vet visit. $12.99/month covers both sick and well care. No waiting period. No deductibles. No age limit. No pre-existing conditions exclusions

• VPI Pet Insurance (866) 838-7387
Various levels of coverage, from emergency only ($10-$11 per month) to comprehensively including accidents, illnesses and hereditary conditions ($25-$35 per month).

The following companies will have a monthly premium based on your location, information about the pet(s) and possible depending on the deductible you choose. Quotes are provided on the website when you enter your information.

• Healthy Paws (800) 453-4054
Unlimited coverage for accidents, illnesses and genetic conditions.

• 24 Pet Watch (866) 597-2424
Three levels of coverage. Premiums are based on location and pet information. Quote provided on the web. Also includes Shelter Care Insurance.  Provided at the time of adoption by many shelters, it includes 30 free days of coverage with various options for ongoing coverage.

• ASPCA Pet Health Insurance (888) 716-1203
Reimburses 90% of usual and customary covered charges. $100 annual deductible per pet.
Choose from 4 increasing levels and customize them with deductibles and co-insurance options.
Premiums based on location and pet information. Quote provided at the website.

• Embrace Pet Insurance (800) 226-1308
Covers accidents & illnesses, genetic conditions, alternative therapies, emergency hospitals, specialist clinics, chronic conditions, cancer treatment. Premiums based on location and pet information. Quote provided at the website.

• Petplan (866) 467-3875
Policy benefits: Vet expenses $8,000/year (Bronze Plan), $12,000/year (Silver Plan), $20,000/year (Gold Plan). Treatment of all accidents and illnesses. Choice of $50, $100 or $200 deductible. Choice of 80%, 90% or 100% reimbursement. Multiple discounts available. Premiums based on location and pet information. Quote provided at the website.

• Trupanion (800) 569-7913
One simple plan, 90% coverage, no payout limits. Premiums based on location, pet information and deductible chosen. Quote provided at the website.

V. RAISING FUNDS YOURSELF

If you have already asked family members, friends and co-workers for help, you may want to consider a more public appeal. Though, If your birthday or a holiday is near, asking for assistance for your pet as your gift is another way to ask for help from family and friends.

Public appeals can be very successful. And here are a variety of methods that might suit you.

• Consider a yard sale and include the reason for the sale- also include a donation jar.

• Post an ad on Craigslist or Facebook. Requesting the donations be sent directly to your veterinary clinic will increase a donor’s confidence in the sincerity of the request.

Online fundraising pages such as

  • Give forward (fees are 7% of donations) and
  • Go fund me (fees are 5% of donations) and provide a secure means for friends, family and the public to send financial support via the internet. You can sign up, create your donation website, share your link with friends and family and collect donations.
  • Waggle is a pet-dedicated crowdfunding solution which partners with multiple vet in Tucson and Arizona. Read more about them on their page.