If you have a fur-kid there may come a time when you will need to pay for a pretty hefty veterinary medical bill. If you have insurance for your 4-legged child, it can help cover some of the costs. But there may come a time when a a fur-child’s medical emergency or illness will exceed your financial resources. When this type of situation arises, often PAWrents are faced with a difficult choice. If you find yourself in a tough financial predicament, here are some resources you can reach out to for help.

1. Boo tiki fund : Aims to keep animals in their forever homes by providing  crisis medical care when owners are unable to pay
2. Credit Cards for Veterinary Care: Many veterinary hospitals do not take payment plans. One of these cards may be a solution if you are not able to afford the whole cost of treatment. Please note that your veterinarian must offer the service of accepting this type of payment.
   • Care Credit
   • Citi Health Card
3. RedRover.org : provides support to help care for animals in life-threatening situations . They also provide assistance to victims of domestic violence to help them escape abusive environments with their pets. Additionally, they have a program that helps with disaster relief, criminal seizures, and hoarding cases.
4. The Pet Fund : a national nonprofit dedicated to funding veterinary care for those who could not afford it.
5. Harley’s Hope Foundation : Financial assistance is offered to assist with major or emergency veterinary care and behavioral or specialty training.
6. Brown Dog Foundation : This organization is dedicated to helping families who find themselves in a temporary financial crisis at the same time their pet requires life-saving treatment or life-sustaining medications. They work with the clinic and the family to find the best, most affordable path to saving the animal and help bridge the gap of the veterinary bill.
7. Shakespeare Animal Fund : helps elderly, disabled and those whose total income does not exceed the current poverty guidelines to obtain emergency pet care.
8. The Onyx & Breezy Foundation : privately run nonprofit that started in memory of the founder’s dogs.  This foundation helps to provide emergency medical care to animals whose owners have fallen on hard times.
9. Handicapped Pets Foundation : a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation dedicated to the health and well-being of elderly, disabled, and injured pets. They also donate mobility equipment to pets in need.
10. Dog-Breed Specific Support : There are many associations that support specific dog breeds. Reach out to your local breed clubs for information on local, state and national groups involved in dog breed-specific veterinary care assistance programs. Below are a couple of examples:
    • Special Needs Dobermans
    • Labrador Life Line
11. Disease Specific Support : There are groups that help with specific canine diseases. Below are just a few examples:
    • Canine Cancer Awareness : assistance for cats and dogs diagnosed with cancer
    • The Big Hearts Fund : heart disease
    • The Magic Bullet Fund : assistance for cats and dogs diagnosed with cancer
12. Working Dogs / Service Dog Support : Some programs and organizations provide veterinary care assistance for service animals, such as:
    • International Association of Assistance Dog Partners

Keep in mind the groups listed in this post are just suggested starting points to help PAWrents who find themselves in an emergency medical situation. There are many other local and national groups or organizations that may be able to assist, or who may be able to point you in the right direction. Even if the group or organization you contact cannot help, they may know of a low-cost vet clinic and/or possible solutions for financial assistance.

If you are looking for low-cost general veterinary care, Veterinary associations, veterinary schools, rescue organizations, and local animal shelters may be able to help you locate facilities and groups who offer low cost-spay/neuter and vaccinations.