Help with Vet Bills
Written by Jan on October 27, 2009 – 12:01 am
Looking for a list of organizations that help people in need with their vet bills? Dr. Jean Hofve has allowed me to reprint it here. Please bookmark this page and send it to friends. Also check out her other terrific articles, and sign up for her newsletter, at LittleBigCat.com. (I interviewed Dr. Hofve for my book and for three wonderful recordings on pet nutrition called How NOT to Kill Your Dog or Cat. If you’d like to learn more about feeding your pet, we hope you’ll check them out.)
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Whether it’s the damage caused by recalled food, an accident or something else, vet bills can be quite a burden. Below are listed some of the programs that can help with financial needs. For a more complete list, including listings by breed, state/province, medical condition, or other particular qualification, please visit United Animal Nations.
(Note: not listed elsewhere is a new program just for New Yorkers: AnimalAllianceNYC.org)
If you can contribute, there are many suffering pets and their parents who can use your help; any of the non-profits or fundraising sites below would be happy to have your contribution.
Please contact the following organizations about their financial assistance process:
American Animal Hospital Association – (1-866-4HELPETS) Through the AAHA Helping Pets Fund, veterinary care is possible for sick or injured pets even if they have been abandoned or if their owner is experiencing financial hardship.”
Angels 4 Animals – “A non-profit organization and a program of Inner Voice Community Services, has a mission to serve as the guardian angel of animals whose caretakers find themselves in difficult financial situations. At Angels4Animals we believe that animal owners should not have to say goodbye to the animals that they love. Our work is accomplished in conjunction with veterinary clinics across the country, eager to assist as many animals, and their owners, as possible. Our services range from financial aid to complete treatment to those pets and pet owners in need.”
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). See “Financial help with my vet bills” under “Pet care.”
Care Credit – (1-800-859-9975) A credit card company for health care, including veterinary care. “Care Credit, the leader in patient/client financing, has helped more than 3 million patients / clients get the treatment or procedures they needed and wanted. With a comprehensive range of plan options, for treatment or procedure fees from $1 to over $25,000, we offer a plan and a low monthly payment to fit comfortably into almost every budget.”
Cats in Crisis – “Cats in Crisis Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals and humane organizations care for cats with chronic or emergency medical conditions through financial and fundraising assistance.”
ChipIn – a fundraiser/donation site that allows individuals to ask for money for a specific purpose, using social networks and other websites. Requires a PayPal account for deposits.
Feline Outreach – “Feline Outreach is a charitable organization formed to promote the routine and medical care of companion animals, particularly cats. Among other goals, the organization maye enable shelters and the public to adopt, keep, and/or care for companion animals, particularly those with special needs – this support may be financial, educational, or in other forms.”
Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance (FVEAP) – “The NEED & The HELP: Seniors, People with disabilities, People who have lost their job, Good Samaritans who rescue a cat or kitten – any of these folks may need financial assistance to save a beloved companion.” The Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization that provides financial assistance to cat and kitten guardians who are unable to afford veterinary services to save their companions when life-threatening illness or injury strikes.
Fundable – a fundraising/donation site that allows individuals to request money for a specific project or event. If goal is not met, no money is exchanged. Funds paid by check or PayPal.
God’s Creatures Ministry – “We get many requests for financial help. We sadly do not send more than $50.00 when we have money! However, we encourage people to fundraise in their area, for ‘pets’ or animal(s) by using two of our simple forms. Some veterinarians will keep an account knowing that you are fundraising through a non-profit organization. One form is ‘Walk a Mile’ which can be done anytime, and anywhere! The other is a general form for donations.”
Handicapped Pets – “The Handicapped Pets Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation dedicated to the health and well-being of elderly, disabled, and injured pets. We donate mobility equipment to pets in need.”
Handipets – a bulletin board for pets in need of donations, veterinary care, medication, surgery, or other items.
Help-A-Pet – (630-986-9504) “Our efforts focus on serving the elderly, the disabled, and the working poor. For lonely seniors, physically/mentally challenged individuals and children of working parents, pets represent much more than a diversion.”
Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). See “Having trouble affording your pet” and “What you can do if you are having trouble affording veterinary care.”
IMOM – “Mission Statement: Helping people help pets. To better the lives of sick, injured and abused companion animals. We are dedicated to insure that no companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker is financially challenged.” (Note: IMOM has a special fund for diabetic cats)
Onyx and Breezy Foundation – supports medical treatment for animals where hardship is present as well as other endeavors that benefit the welfare of animals
Pet Fund – “The Pet Fund is a registered 501(c) 3 nonprofit association that provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need urgent veterinary care. Often animals are put down or suffer needlessly because their owners cannot afford expensive surgery or emergency vet visits. Companion animal owners must often make the difficult decision to put an animal down or neglect urgent medical needs because of the costs involved. The purpose of the Pet Fund is to work towards a future where decisions about companion animal medical care need never be made on the basis of cost.”
Pets of the Homeless – “We will do our part to help reduce hunger in pets that belong to the homeless and the less fortunate and provide medical care for those pets in communities across the country. We believe in the healing power of companion pets and of the human/animal bond which is very important to life.”
Pigger’s Pals – “A nonprofit organization that was designed to assist families in need seek specialty level care for their pets. The foundation will accept applications from individuals or families that require financial assistance to provide advanced medical and/or surgical veterinary care that will extend both quantity and quality of life for their pets that would otherwise not be available to them.”
Shakespeare Animal Fund – “We help elderly, disabled and those whose total income does not exceed $23,000 to obtain emergency pet care. We pay the veterinarian directly, reducing out of pocket costs for low income pet owners who need to save their pet’s life.”
Tails of Hope – “Our assistance programs are aimed at providing help to individuals whose companion animals are suffering from life-threatening diseases and to the veterinary hospitals treating such animals.”
United Animal Nations – UAN maintains a list of organizations with assistance programs and other fundraising methods. They also maintain LifeLine, its own program of small grants (up to $300). “The mission of LifeLine is to help homeless or recently rescued animals suffering from life-threatening conditions that require specific and immediate emergency veterinary care. We strive to serve Good Samaritans and rescue groups who take in sick or injured animals. In certain cases, LifeLine can also assist senior citizens and low-income families pay for immediate emergency veterinary care.”
Wish Upon a Hero – an online community of people helping people.
Posted under Uncategorized, Vet Bills | 42 Comments » Email This Post
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November 14th, 2009 at 9:09 am
Jan, thank you so much for this wonderful article! I will be sharing it with my readers.
Thank you so much for all you do for our furry friends!
November 14th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Hi Jean. Thanks! I wish I could take credit for the article, but it all goes to Dr. Jean Hofve.
I hope you’ll tell your readers about our Pet Vaccination “Truth” event in San Diego in March. I think it’s going to be amazing. We’re also looking for auction items, all to benefit the Rabies Challenge Fund. Learn more about it at http://www.dogs4dogs.com/seminar. It’s a good showcase for products, ebooks, etc.
Enjoy your weekend. — Jan
December 8th, 2009 at 5:12 am
Thanks for sharing this amazing information! Keep up the good work!
February 22nd, 2010 at 7:32 am
[...] this, I DONT know if it applys to you as I havent read it. But I hope it will help ??????????????? Vet Bills: Organizations Offering Financial Help | Truth4Dogs [...]
April 7th, 2010 at 9:55 am
Great information! good work!
May 18th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Whether you wrote the article or are just reprinting, you deserve kudos for making it available to people who need it. Vet bills just keep getting higher and higher and it can be hard to pay when you’ve got other things to take care of.
Donald from Veterinary Advice
May 24th, 2010 at 10:32 am
Financial Aid is much needed these days because of global economic recession.:’-
June 2nd, 2010 at 1:20 pm
Thanks for this list. I am going to print it out and keep them at the front desk of the vet office I work at. Too many people don’t know about these types of organizations.
July 18th, 2010 at 10:34 pm
financial aids are really needed in 3rd world countries as well as on disaster areas.;,:
July 19th, 2010 at 1:11 am
financial aids are really needed in 3rd world countries as well as on disaster areas.~*;
September 6th, 2011 at 5:20 pm
Thank you for this info. I am going to reprint and take to several vets here in the Tulsa area. I am among the “working poor” and my Fuzzybutts need dentals in the worst way, but I cannot afford to do it at $200…..I hope that I and many others can take advantage of this. I hope to pay it forward when things turn around for me.
Thank you again!!
September 7th, 2011 at 12:31 pm
wonderful blog. thanks for this excellent post. i be thankful a lot.
September 7th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
Laura, have you heard about the less expensive anthesia-free dental cleaning. It’s not as thorough but may be okay if your dog’s teeth aren’t too bad and you can find a good practitioner — which isn’t easy. Take a look at my video at http://www.dogs4dogs.com/doggydental2
October 3rd, 2011 at 6:46 am
[...] Welch, 100[/phpbay] I have a sick dog with a tumor, does anybody know where i could find affordable help? My dog is a We… the surgery costs about $1000 something i am unable to afford at the moment. The vet told me she [...]
October 24th, 2011 at 3:14 am
I love your wordpress design, exactly where do you download it from?
October 25th, 2011 at 10:31 am
Sorry, I don’t remember. It was from an on-line company that had lots of wordpress designs. Then I had it customized.
November 29th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
To whom it may concern:
Please e-mail me if you have anyone who can assist me with
paying old Vet bills. A collection agency has told me that they
will take my dog from me if I cannot pay my Vet bills. Please
e-mail me at MeeshL205@Gmail.com
Sincerely,
Michele Helms
November 29th, 2011 at 3:50 pm
Mrs. Helms, that sounds like an empty threat. Why would they want your dog? I suspect they’re just trying to scare you. I’d call your state attorney general and tell them about this kind of threat.
January 23rd, 2012 at 5:41 am
I’ve added this blog to my Blogroll, it will definitely be very helpful for my Blog, keep up the good and informative article
March 4th, 2012 at 9:22 am
hello…
i got your website info from a post on facebook…
i would like to know if there are any places in Georgia that will possibly offer financial help for my sick pets Veterinarian treatment…I have been disabled since 2003…and have 2 rescues…these 2 little guys are like my children…and are just a huge part of my family…I don’t know what I would do if I lost…just because I dont have the funds to pay for the Vet care.
Even if they could help me and let me pay them back, i would be SO grateful! I would really Appreciate any info that you could give me.
Thanks SO Much!!!!
March 4th, 2012 at 12:47 pm
Wow, my wonderful vet posted this and I just last week had to take one of my four cats in and after $140.00 that left me almost broke but what are you gonna do. If one of these cats would need surgery I would have to surrender them. I keep rescuing them as I can’t stand to see an animal suffer. If it comes in my yard I feed it. Last winter I fed a family of possums. Hope I don’t have to call on you but just to know the help is there is a big relief. Since retiring am living on a very limited budget just feeding them is getting tough. God bless
March 4th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
Is there a list for Canada?
March 4th, 2012 at 6:13 pm
Joan, I’m sorry. I don’t know of one.
April 3rd, 2012 at 5:48 am
Hello my brother, just called me last night just witha broken heart he been having his boxer in an out the vet. They kept on telling him that there was nothing wrong with him stomach but the poor pet keep on vomiting he took him to another vet and he has an obstruction in his stomach he has already paid over 2000.00 to the previous vet in bills and now to do emegen y surgery he needs another 3000.00 he just told me I cant afford this I do not want to see my best friend in pain so I think I am going to have to put him down. My brother is veteran who has server this country and his only companion is his dog he heart is in pieces. Please help us! My email is orokristy@yahoo.com we need the funding to do this procedure. For boxer Jake! We need your help. Jake is an active boxer that lives to play and give love everychance he gets.
April 17th, 2012 at 6:24 am
I really like what you’ve done with the thmeme but I was asking myself if you are the one that created it or you just bought it and customized it?
April 17th, 2012 at 2:36 pm
Arlinda, I bought it and customized it.
April 21st, 2012 at 9:19 am
pls.pls. help me.. this happen the next day of my birthday my doggy got a stoke.. as per the vet told me and my family.. the vet request that my doggy snowball needed a MRI to see what happen.. because the stoke looked very bad… my doggy snowball was 6 yrs old male (he was like my son), i thought after the MRI . i was gonna take him home.. over night snowball gor worst he caught a fever of 104. the vet say that he was gonna need a blood tranfusion.. or to put him down… of course that was not a option for me.. so we proceed. after his blood tranfusion he looked better. thinking i was gonna take him home soon..snowball tempture was ok now.. for me he looked like he was getting better.. but the vet say that snowball needed to take more testing becuase his MRI came with no brain tumor.. thank god.. but still we need to know what cause the stoke.. so the test came back No cancer thank god.. so the vet say it might be a a infestion, or autoimmuned disaseas still they didint know .. 1 week inthe animal speacialy hosiptal the test took for ever to come back.. tues April 17 went i went to visit snowball he looked very tired.. n he hadnt improve n still no eating.. in the middle of the night around 3 am i recieved a call that snoball had pass away.. during taking his blood pressure .. i couldnt believe it was i so shock.. my snowball pass awayy. this was the worst i ever exprience.. now i have a bill for $10,000 i dont know what to do ..pls help
April 21st, 2012 at 5:57 pm
Vanessa, I’m so sorry for your loss.
What happened before the stroke? Did your dog take new medication? Or have any vaccines? Strokes aren’t common in a young dog. And why the fever? Was there an illness? And why the MRI? And why test for cancer? If I were you, I’d want answers to all those questions.
June 7th, 2012 at 2:59 pm
My daughters dog Jynx( Jinks) which a Shorkie had to be rushed to the vet this morning we think he has parvo and we aren’t sure yet how much the bill is going to be but they gave us an estimate of about 5-600$ and it broke my 10yr old little girl heart because she know I can’t afford that right now. I just lost my job and could really use some help on this if you or anyone you know can help us. [Email address removed for your safety]. We will gladly appreciate any help we can get! Thanks in advance!
June 16th, 2012 at 3:49 pm
I hope you can help. I am the fifth owner of a yellow lab named Sadie. Oct of 2012 I took her to the vet as she was limping. The vet did an xray and found a fracture in her left back hip. I have been giving her glucosimine which has helped but is whining more and is limping more. I have not had the $1500 to have the operation which will just help her live a quality life. The vet said she really needs a hip replacement which is around $5000 which I definitely can’t afford. I have checked out organizations and for the most part they only help if the dog is a rescue or will die the next day. I thought about starting an organization for those who need help in paying vet bills, like my situation, but now knowing how to start I have just not pursued it. Do you know of any organizations that help the everyday animal with surgery or how to start one. Thanks
June 17th, 2012 at 7:06 am
Aleta, there may be a local organization that can help. Do a lot of web searching. You might also get a second opinion from an expert. There may be alternatives and some vets may have “angels” who help clients such as yourself.
You can also contact http://www.face4pets.org/ Maybe they have some ideas that may help. Another idea is checking with labrador groups. They may have suggestions.
June 28th, 2012 at 5:37 am
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September 7th, 2012 at 8:08 pm
Hi all,
I’d like to invite you to check out Pet Chance (http://www.petchance.org). We help pet owners raise money for pet medical bills. We call it “Giving Pets a Chance when money is tight”.
Hope we can help a few people save their pets by providing proper medical treatment!
November 1st, 2012 at 10:27 pm
I have a 5 year old boxer really sick. When I’m in the kitchen he comes up to me scratches my leg and crys , it feels like he is in pain. I took him to the doctors the bill was $500+ just to see what he has. Imagine how much the surgery costs after the analysis. I really need help because i don’t want to put my own dog to sleep.My family spent over 2k on him. Can any one suggest any websites that can help me pay please.
January 11th, 2013 at 10:58 am
I live in Mdland N.C. my dog Buddy needs a vet asapive called evrey vet iv a 50 mile area no 1 will do anything unless you pay now i cant aford to pay now ive begged and pleaded with all vets im starting to think vets dont care about animals just there money if you are close to me and know who I can call to get help for buddy please call me at 704 918 2147
January 21st, 2013 at 12:51 pm
Help please
My 16 month old Chihuahua Mater. Has to have back surgrey on his C3 and C4.
Mater has saved my childrens life. During a bad time. Mater helped my daughter. She was very depressed and tryed to hurt herself. Mater kept her from doing that. This surgrey is going to cost 4,500.00. If he doesnt have the surgrey. We have to put him alseep. I cant do that. My children need him. He saved my daughter’s life and I have to save his. Anything will help,. Please email me ashleydixon75@yahoo.com
January 21st, 2013 at 5:44 pm
Ashley, just because one vet says Mater needs the surgery doesn’t make it true. Have you seen a physical therapist? An acupuncturist? Another surgeon?
A woman wrote me about her dog’s expensive ACL surgery (a different medical problem, but a similar financial problem). Here’s what she wrote:
The Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear Business
I found your website and wanted to share my story about my now 2.5 year old yellow Labrador. Last January I was playing fetch with my dog in the snow when all of the sudden she cried out in pain and held up her left leg. I rushed over to her and picked her up and carried her onto the bed. Several days later, after she was still lame on her left leg I began taking her to various veterinarian clinics to see what they had to say. Each and every one of the vets I saw, including the “natural and holistic” vets advised me that my 1 year old Lab had torn her ACL. I was told by most of the vets that I saw that if I did not immediately operate and have either a TPLO or TTA surgery my dog would be arthritic within several weeks and unable to walk, run and do all of things she used to enjoy. Each of the vets gave me their own freighting version of the future if I did not opt for surgery.
To make a long story short, I was not willing to accept what the vets were telling me because I understand that they are in a business which is very lucrative and frequented by people, including myself, who are naïve and willing to do anything to care for their pet(s).
After extensive research, including finding many horror stories, including amputation, posted by people who had listened to the vet and paid between $2,000.00 and $10,000.00 (plus months of very painful, stressful and costly rehabilitation) I decided to go with conservative therapy.
It is now just over one year since my Lab tore her ACL and other than occasionally demonstrating a very slight limp, she is incredibly active, loves to jump, play and do everything she did before the tear. The reason the vets rush you into the surgery is because if you wait and give your dog time, your dog will most likely begin walking and using the leg again. I did not let my dog run or play for approximately 3 months and tried, as best I could given her excitable, young personality, to employ the conservative management technique.
I would like more people to understand that if they wait 5 months, or a year, and there is no progress then they can choose to have the surgery, but to rush into a painful, costly and sometimes fatal operation so soon is a terrible and unnecessary outcome for most dogs.
After my Lab’s ACL tear I learned several important things:
1. Conservative Management Therapy works on most dogs, coupled with a healthy diet, human grade fish oil with high EPA / DHA rating and glucosamine and MSM supplementation.
2. There are many modern studies that have been conducted by leading edge universities in Europe which state there is no greater long term outcome to dogs that have TPLO or TTA (ACL tear surgery) than dogs who do not have surgery. These studies further state that the dogs that received the surgery were not less likely to develop arthritis then the dogs who did not receive the surgery;
3. Spaying or neutering your dog is extremely detrimental to its health. If you are a responsible pet owner you will not allow your dog to impregnate or become pregnant and therefore there is no need to remove these crucial hormone producing parts from your dog.
4. The test that most vets use to test for ACL tears is called the “drawer test” – this test frequently does further damage or takes a partial tear and turns it into a full tear – do not let the vet undertake this test.
5. Leg braces can be very beneficial in supporting your injured dogs leg.
I hope my story helps pets and their owners avoid painful, costly and unnecessary surgeries.
Yours truly,
May Smith
February 14th, 2013 at 6:40 pm
HI !!! MY My name is Andrea Pearo I live in Coweta Ok. I have a Jack Russel Terrier. I am on disability and I need help to get her current on her vacinations, and she(Abie) had a very bloody stool. I called a vet. bussines and they said only money up front. So, I couldn’t take her. I told Jesus He is my veternarian and Praise God there was no more blood. There is a vet. down the road that will do shots trim claws do worm and heartworm tests for 99.00 I think. Is there anyone who can help me? Andrea Pearo (918) 565 1645.
February 16th, 2013 at 10:06 am
Andrea — Please read this before you even think of vaccinating your dog. http://truth4pets.org/question-before-vaccination/
February 24th, 2013 at 10:13 pm
I am in desperate need of get financial help in fixing my Yorkies broken leg. She broke her led at Christmas when my 3 yr old grandson accidently dropped her. I have already paid out of pocket at least $2000 since December. My vet put a splint on her leg for 2 mo and I took her back every 10 days to have it re-wrapped. After two months he now has sent me to a specialist (Ortho) now they are trying another kind of splint, tranquilizers to keep her calm, and locking her up in her kennel. I take her back every week to be re-bandage. We are trying this for 3 weeks then x rays again for the fourth time to see if it has started to heal. If it has not started to heal my options are a surgery that’s cost $3000.00 which I do not have, or amputate her leg. Please she is my baby and I am desperate to find her so she can have the surgery. I have 3 weeks to come up with the money, please please can someone help me, I have already tried care credit they said no. I don’t where to turn for help. Please contact at vlnorth43@yahoo.com with any places I may get help. Please help my Maggie!!!
May 2nd, 2013 at 12:25 pm
I was wondering if these organizations help nationwide or only in one area. I recently rescued 2 dogs and one has teeth that are rotting out of her head. I cannot afford the estimated 700 to have her teeth removed. I live in northern ca.
May 6th, 2013 at 10:16 am
Amanda, I am not aware of any nationwide organization doing low cost work on rescues, especially now that a vet has to be present. CA is the worst state for that now. You might contact houndstoothpetdental.com and see if they know anything that might help.