MEDICAL SUPPORT

First, it is a good idea to get pet insurance when you adopt a dog, There are many options out there. You probably should check with your vet to see what they recommend and accept.

 

Unfortunately, medical issues happen with our dogs that we do not expect and cannot always afford to repair or fix. Whether it is a broken leg from being hit by a car or juvenile cataracts, the procedures can be expensive. The following are some ideas that may help you be able to pay for your dog’s care.

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1. Start with your vet and see if they are able to do a payment plan.

2. If your vet will not do a payment plan, see if they accept Care Credit.

3. If you do not qualify for care credit, check below for online funding sources.

4. Check with local rescues for ideas about who they work with. Many vets already working with rescues may be willing to offer a discount for their services. Rescues find fantastic resources which are not always the regular ones that a private party would know to ask about (for example: some rescues work with roving orthopedic vets. Since these vets do not have to fund an office location they are often less expensive)

5. If you have a purebred dog (such as a Siberian Husky) check with the national breed organization. They may have funding or be able to recommend a rescue in your area.

 

Emergency Vet Care Funds:

 

• Banfield: www.banfieldcharitabletrust.org/pet-owners/vet-care-assistance/

• Check local listings for other clinics exclusive to your area

• www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html

• ARF has funding available for pet medical care for low income families. Contact ARF for details (www.arflife.org)

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Online Funding

 

Want to raise all or a portion of your funds through donations? Keep in mind many online fundraisers take a small percentage to pay their fees. Make sure you read the fine print.

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• GiveForward. You pick an amount and a payout date and people can share and donate as they wish. www.giveforward.com/p/help-with-vet-bills

• GoFundMe. You pick the amount and a payout date. You and others share on social media and they donate what they can. www.gofundme.com

• PetCaring.  www.petcaring.com (Division of YouCaring)

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In addition, you may find reasons other than medical that you need help for your dog – perhaps paying for food or medications. On the next page are some sites that offer grants, prescription medication support, food help, etc:

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Grants, et al Sources

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• http://www.thepetfund.com

• http://www.bigheartsfund.org  (financial assistance for the diagnosis and treatment of canine and feline heart disease)

• http://www.browndogfoundation.org (prescription medications)

• http://caninecancerawareness.org cancer, dogs

• http://www.catsincrisis.org cats

• http://www.dccfund.org dogs and cats with cancer

• http://www.all-creatures.org/gcm/help-cf.html all animals

• http://www.imom.org/ all pets

• http://www.themagicbulletfund.org dogs with cancer

• http://www.themosbyfoundation.org/ dogs

• http://www.onyxandbreezy.org dogs and cats

• http://www.paws4acure.org dogs and cats

• http://www.petfoodstamps.org/aboutus pet food help

• http://www.petsofthehomeless.org/ pet food & vet care for homeless

• http://www.rosesfund.org all pets

• http://www.shakespeareanimalfund.org all pets

• http://petsmartcharities.org

• http://petcofoundation.org

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Check the internet as this is only a partial list of what is out there and organizations will come and go and change their requirements…this is just a guide to help.

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