ALLEY CAT RESCUE
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        • Shelters with Working Cat Programs
      • End Deadly Eradication Methods
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  • Spay/Neuter
    • Early Age Spay/Neuter
    • Misconceptions About Spay/Neuter
    • State Low Cost Spay/Neuter
  • How to Help Community Cats
    • Find a Stray Cat?
    • What is a Feral Cat? >
      • Feral vs. Stray Cats
      • Benefits of Feral Cats
    • TNR-- What does this mean? >
      • TNR Statistics
      • TNR Step-by-Step
      • Targeted Trapping
      • TNR Tips
      • Hard to Catch Cats
      • TNR Equipment Loan Resources
      • Where to Buy TNR Equipment
      • TNR/Community Cat Care Financial Resources
      • Helping Shelters Implement TNR Programs
      • Common Complaints
    • Providing Shelter
    • CAT Action Teams: TNR Groups by State
    • Health Care
    • Cat Overpopulation
    • Relocation
    • Feral Kittens >
      • What to do if you find kittens
      • Stages of Kitten Development
      • Orphaned Kittens
      • Socializing Feral Kittens
      • Fostering Kittens
    • How Rescuers Can Effectively Adopt Out Cats >
      • Adopting Adult Feral Cats
    • Winter Tips for Protecting Cats
    • Summer Tips for Cats
    • Feral Cats and the Law
    • Cats and Wildlife >
      • Cats and Predation
      • Where have all the birds gone?
      • Debunking the Myths and Misinformation: Cat Predation
      • Why Eradication Methods Fail
    • Handbook Download
  • Cat Health & Supplies
    • Health Care for Your Cat >
      • Vaccines
      • Wellness Vet Checkups
      • Microchiping
      • Nail Trimmings
      • Effects of aging
      • Hospice Care and Euthanasia Decisions
      • Financial Assistance
      • How to Prepare for an Emergency
    • FIP, FeLV, FIV >
      • Testing for FeLV/FIV
    • Common Cat Health Issues >
      • Feline Panleukopenia
      • Fleas
      • Zoonotic Diseases
      • Rabies
      • Toxoplasmosis
      • Ringworm - Symptoms and Treatment
      • Ringworm Myths Debunked
      • Obesity in Cats
      • Diabetes
      • Indoor/Outdoor Cats
    • Cats & Claws
    • Animal Cruelty Against Cats
    • Hazardous Poisons
    • Poisonous Plants
    • Cats and COVID-19
    • Cat Supplies
    • Pet Food Banks
    • Pet Disaster Preparedness
  • Cat Behavior
    • Solutions to Prevent Surrendering your cat >
      • Rehoming
    • Common Cat Behavior Issues >
      • Litter Box Problems
      • Scratching and Destructive Behavior
      • Aggressive Cats >
        • Cat on Cat Aggression
      • Meowing and Yowling
      • Urine Marking
      • Behavior Issues in Elderly Cats
    • Introducing Cats
    • Cat Enrichment
    • Tips for Entertaining an Indoor Cat
    • Cat Supply Resources
    • Lost Cat
  • African Wildcats
    • AWC Conservation Projects
    • Press Release on African Wildcat Campaign
    • Differences between AWCs and domestic cats
  • Donate
  • Store

Solutions for Vet Costs

Picture
There are a number of options for financial aid available, as well as alternative steps you can take to help cover vet visits.

For Emergency Vet Care
  1. Contact nearby veterinary schools/colleges as they often have programs for free and low-cost emergency services.
  2. You can also apply for financial aid from the national and state-specific organizations listed below.
  3. Ask your current vet about the possibility of a payment plan.
  4. Try a crowdfunding platform such as GoFundMe, Waggle.org, or Cuddly.com.
  5. Pet Insurance is a good thing to have in case of emergencies, or even preventative care and maintenance. There are many companies that offer pet insurance, so research and compare their policies carefully. Keep in mind that many policies do not cover dental care.

For General Vet Care
  1. Veterinary schools may also have low-cost clinics for clients who qualify.
  2. Check out the low-cost clinics listed in your state, below (more clinics to be added soon! In the meantime, if you don't see one listed in your state/area, try an Internet search).
  3. Ask your vet if they accept Care Credit, a credit card for health and veterinary care. To learn more about Care Credit, visit www.carecredit.com/
  4. Scratchpay is a payment plan for veterinary bills. It is not a credit card, so it using it won't affect your credit score and it's easier to get approved. Your vet must be registered with Scratchpay, so be sure to inquire with them about it before applying.

Financial Aid Opportunities and Low-Cost Clinics

​
​National Organizations
  • American Animal Hospital Association
  • Animal Guardian Society - 310-652-8618
  • The Anti-Cruelty Society
  • The Big Hearts Fund (heart disease specific)
  • Blessed Bonds
  • Brown Dog Foundation​
  • Cat & Dog Rescue Association - 877-772-9738 
  • Cats in Need of Human Care - 909-780-2083 | 909-622-0121 | 909-623-5981 
  • Companion Bridge
  • The Dog and Cat Cancer Fund
  • Diabetic Cats in Need
  • Feeding Pets of the Homeless
  • Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance ( for Vaccine Associated Sarcoma treatment)​
  • For the Love of Alex
  • Frankie's Friends
  • Friends of Animals
  • God's Creatures Ministry Veterinary Charity
  • Handicapped Pets
  • Harley's Hope
  • Hearts United for Animals 
  • Help-A-Pet
  • Hope Mending Hearts (urgent cases only)
  • God’s Creatures Ministry Veterinary Charity
  • Frankie's Friends
  • Joshua Louis Animal Cancer Foundation
  • Live Like Roo Foundation (cancer treatment)
  • Lucy the Rescue Dog Inc.
  • Magic Bullet Fund (cancer-specific)
  • Molly's Hope
  • The Mosby Foundation
  • The Onyx & Breezy Foundation
  • PAWS
  • PAWS 4 A Cure​
  • Pet Assistance Inc.
  • The Pet Fund
  • The Pet Lifeline Program
  • Pets of the Homeless
  • RedRover Relief
  • The Riedel and Cody Fund
  • Rose's Fund​
  • RUFF
  • Saving Gracie (for emergency treatment)
  • SpayUSA​
  • Tipper & Squirt Care for Cushings Fund
  • Violet's Friends Fund
  • Waggle
State-specific Organizations / Clinics
CALIFORNIA
  • ACME Foundation (vet care assistance for senior and disabled pet owners) (Lake County)
  • Actors and Others for Animals (Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange and Ventura County)
  • ​Affordable Vet Referral Service (Orange County, Bay Area, surrounding areas)
  • Animal Assistance League of Orange County
  • Animal Health Foundation (Los Angeles & Orange County)
  • Animal Medical Center (Fountain Valley)
  • Compassion Without Borders (Northern CA)
  • FACE Foundation (San Diego County)
  • Haven Humane Society (Redding)
  • Keep Your Pet (Sacramento)
  • Mercy Pet Hospital (Citrus Heights, Fair Oaks)
  • P.A.C.E. (pet care assistance for senior pet owners) (Los Angeles)
  • Palo Alto Humane Society (see website for eligible locations)
  • PALS (support for those with AIDS) (Sonoma County)
  • PAWS/LA (support for those with AIDS, seniors, and veterans) (Hollywood)
  • PAWS San Francisco (San Francisco)
  • Pet Orphans of Southern California (Van Nuys)​
  • Placer SPCA SOS Program (Placer County)
  • The Sam Simon Foundation Free Surgery Clinic (Los Angeles)
  • Sammie's Friends (Nevada County)
  • San Francisco SPCA Animal Hospital
  • ​SNPLA (Los Angeles County)
  • Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation (Contra Costa County)
  • Vet SOS (San Francisco)
  • Voice for the Animals Foundation (Southern CA)
COLORADO
  • Animal Friends Alliance
  • The Cartwright Foundation/Ginger's Legacy (Denver/Front Range region)
  • Cat Care Society (list of local vet clinics with discounted prices) (Lakewood)
  • Colorado State University Pets Forever Program (Larimer County)
  • For Pets' Sake Humane Society (emergency care) (Cortez)
  • League for Animals and People of the Summit (Summit County)
  • Pet Aid Colorado (low cost hospital) (Denver)
connectict
  • Connecticut Humane Society (low cost clinic) (Newington)
  • STARelief and Pet Assistance (statewide)
delaware
  • Delaware Humane Society (Wilmington)
  • Delaware SPCA (New Castle and Sussex County)
D.C.
  • Fetch A Cure (cancer)
  • Humane Rescue Alliance Medical Center
  • PETS-DC
Florida
  • Central Brevard Humane Society (Cocoa)
  • First Coast No More Homeless Pets, Inc. (Jacksonville)
  • Humane Society of Pinellas (Clearwater)
  • Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River Co
  • Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando (Orlando)
  • The Pet Project (Oakland Park)
  • St. Francis Animal Hospital (Jacksonville)
  • You Can Make a Difference, Inc. (Gadsden County)
georgia
  • Lifeline Animal Project (Chamblee)
  • PALS Atlanta
  • SurgiPet (Lawrenceville)
illinois
  • Animal Care League (Oak Park)
  • Animal Welfare League - Low-cost Clinic (Springfield)
  • The Anti-Cruelty Society: Chicago
  • National Animal Welfare Society (Mokena)
indiana
  • The Monroe County Humane Association
kansas
  • Humane Society of Greater Kansas City (low-cost clinic)
Louisiana
  • Southern Animal Foundation low-cost clinic (New Orleans)
maryland
  • Anne Arundel County SPCA (vaccines)​
  • Baltimore Humane Society (low-cost clinic)
  • Bowie CLAW (Bowie) 
  • Fetch A Cure (cancer) (statewide)
  • Frederick County Humane Society
  • Humane Society of Charles County (Waldorf)
  • Paw Prints Animal Hospital (low-cost clinic)(Waldorf)
  • Spay Now (low-cost clinic) (Laurel)
massachusetts
  • Angell Animal Medical Center (multiple locations)
  • Dakin Humane Society (Leverett and Springfield)
  • Phinney's Friends
  • The Sampson Fund (Cape Cod and the Islands)
minnesota
  • Animal Care Foundation (Edina)
  • Minnesota Humane Society (statewide)
  • Mission Animal Hospital (low-cost clinic)(near Minneapolis)
  • PetCare of Duluth (low-cost clinic)
missouri
  • Humane Society of Missouri (St. Louis and Maryland Heights)
montana
  • Kootenai Pets for Life (Troy/Libby)
nevada
  • Hearts Alive Village (Las Vegas)
  • ​Shakespeare Animal Fund (Northern Nevada)
  • The Animal Foundation (Las Vegas)
new jersey
  • New Jersey Animal Rights Alliance (statewide)
  • PetPALS of Southern New Jersey
  • Save U.S. Pets Foundation (see website for participating vet clinics/locations)
new mexico
  • Animal Humane Association of New Mexico (low-cost clinic) (Albuquerque)
new york
  • ALL 4 PETS (Western New York)
  • Rochester Hope for Pets
  • NY SAVE, Inc.
  • The Shamrock Animal Fund (Syracuse and Central New York)
north carolina
  • Friends of Madison County Animals (Madison County) 
ohio
  • The Bummer Fund (Columbiana, Mohoning, and Trumbull County)
  • Jake Brady Memorial Fund (statewide)
  • MedVet Good Sam Fund (Columbus and Cincinatti)
  • Pets in Need of Greater Cincinnati (low-cost clinic)
oklahoma
  • Animal Birth Control Clinic (Lawton) (low-cost clinic)
oregon
  • DoveLewis Velvet Assistance Fund
  • Pro-Bone-O (low/no-cost clinic) (Eugene)
pennsylvania
  • Animal Care & Assistance Fund (Southwestern PA)
  • Humane Animal Rescue (Pittsburgh) 
  • Humane Society of Harrisburg Area
  • Sam's Hope (Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia County)
  • Washington Area Humane Society (Eighty Four)
rhode island
  • RIVMA Companion Animal Foundation
south carolina
  • Pet Helpers (low-cost clinic) (Charleston)
tennessee
  • Pet Community Center (low-cost clinic) (Nashville)
texas
  • Capper and Chris Save the Animals Fund 
  • Freeman-Fritts Vet Clinic (low-cost clinic) (Kerrville)
  • Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine (veterinary care assistance)
utah
  • Pet Samaritan Fund (Salt Lake County)
virginia
  • Angels of Assisi (discounted medications)
  • Animal Welfare League of Arlington
  • Fetch A Cure (cancer) (statewide)
  • Helping Hands Affordable Veterinary Surgery and Dental Clinic (Richmond)
  • Prince William SPCA (low-cost clinic) 
  • Richmond SPCA (reduced-cost hospital)
  • Virginia Beach SPCA
wASHINGTON
  • Concern for Animals (Thurston, Mason, and Lewis County)
  • Doney Coe Pet Clinic (non-emergency)
  • PAWS of Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap
  • Seattle Humane Society
  • WAIF
  • Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine Good Samaritan Fund
wisconsin
  • WisCARES (low/no-cost clinic) (Madison)

You can also find low-cost vet clinics and financial aid options via pets.findhelp.com. 


​​There are numerous other organizations in each state that offer assistance with covering vet bills, as well as assistance with spay/neuter costs, cat food, litter, and vaccine costs.

In addition to these organizations, it is sometimes possible to reach an agreement with your vet. If you are a long-time client in good standing, some vets will agree to a weekly or monthly payment plan. Another option is to offer to complete tasks at the clinic, such as cleaning kennels, answering phones, or various other jobs to help work off your bill.

Sometimes it is wise to get a second opinion. While this will cost some additional money up front, another vet may have alternative, less costly ways to treat your cat. If you live in a big city, try using a vet in a less expensive area. In smaller towns, vets will often charge lower fees.

You can also research veterinary schools in your area. Many schools run low-cost clinics for clients with limited incomes. Similarly, you can contact your local animal shelter and inquire if they have a low-cost onsite vet clinic or work with local vets who agree to lower their prices. Some shelters also have loan or grant programs.   

If using a credit card is an option, speak to your bank about a limit increase or loan options. Care Credit is a credit card designed specifically for medical expenses, including your pets, and is accepted by many veterinarians. It also offers a variety of payment options that could be helpful in a time of need. Similarly, Scratchpay is an online payment plan for vet costs. Scratchpay pays the clinic upfront, and then you make payments to them. However, your clinic must be registered with Scratchpay so be sure to confirm this first. Some organizations, such as RedRover, allow you to apply for financial aid to help alleviate the costs associated with your vet bills.

Another option is to start a crowd funding page using sites like GoFundMe or YouCaring.

Finally, while it won’t help your current situation, it would be smart to consider enrolling in a pet health insurance plan to help with any future medical expenses.
 
 
References 
Having trouble affording veterinary care? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/having-trouble-affording-veterinary-care
PetMD. (2018, September 19). PetMD. Retrieved from https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/5-ways-pay-vet-costs
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Photo used under Creative Commons from Cait_Stewart
  • Home
    • About >
      • Mission
      • Our Team
      • Board of Directors
      • Financial Information
      • Email Sign-up
    • ACR in the Press
    • ACR Publications >
      • Newsletters
      • Blog
      • Press Releases
      • National Surveys
    • Adoptions >
      • Adoption Application
      • Cats available for adoption
      • New Cat Checklist
      • Introducing A New Cat
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Contact Us
    • Partners
  • Action Alerts
    • Spay Neuter Pledge
    • No Declaw Pledge
    • Campaigns >
      • TNR Support Letter
      • The Feral Fix
      • Working Cats Program >
        • Shelters with Working Cat Programs
      • End Deadly Eradication Methods
      • "Fix the Family"
  • Spay/Neuter
    • Early Age Spay/Neuter
    • Misconceptions About Spay/Neuter
    • State Low Cost Spay/Neuter
  • How to Help Community Cats
    • Find a Stray Cat?
    • What is a Feral Cat? >
      • Feral vs. Stray Cats
      • Benefits of Feral Cats
    • TNR-- What does this mean? >
      • TNR Statistics
      • TNR Step-by-Step
      • Targeted Trapping
      • TNR Tips
      • Hard to Catch Cats
      • TNR Equipment Loan Resources
      • Where to Buy TNR Equipment
      • TNR/Community Cat Care Financial Resources
      • Helping Shelters Implement TNR Programs
      • Common Complaints
    • Providing Shelter
    • CAT Action Teams: TNR Groups by State
    • Health Care
    • Cat Overpopulation
    • Relocation
    • Feral Kittens >
      • What to do if you find kittens
      • Stages of Kitten Development
      • Orphaned Kittens
      • Socializing Feral Kittens
      • Fostering Kittens
    • How Rescuers Can Effectively Adopt Out Cats >
      • Adopting Adult Feral Cats
    • Winter Tips for Protecting Cats
    • Summer Tips for Cats
    • Feral Cats and the Law
    • Cats and Wildlife >
      • Cats and Predation
      • Where have all the birds gone?
      • Debunking the Myths and Misinformation: Cat Predation
      • Why Eradication Methods Fail
    • Handbook Download
  • Cat Health & Supplies
    • Health Care for Your Cat >
      • Vaccines
      • Wellness Vet Checkups
      • Microchiping
      • Nail Trimmings
      • Effects of aging
      • Hospice Care and Euthanasia Decisions
      • Financial Assistance
      • How to Prepare for an Emergency
    • FIP, FeLV, FIV >
      • Testing for FeLV/FIV
    • Common Cat Health Issues >
      • Feline Panleukopenia
      • Fleas
      • Zoonotic Diseases
      • Rabies
      • Toxoplasmosis
      • Ringworm - Symptoms and Treatment
      • Ringworm Myths Debunked
      • Obesity in Cats
      • Diabetes
      • Indoor/Outdoor Cats
    • Cats & Claws
    • Animal Cruelty Against Cats
    • Hazardous Poisons
    • Poisonous Plants
    • Cats and COVID-19
    • Cat Supplies
    • Pet Food Banks
    • Pet Disaster Preparedness
  • Cat Behavior
    • Solutions to Prevent Surrendering your cat >
      • Rehoming
    • Common Cat Behavior Issues >
      • Litter Box Problems
      • Scratching and Destructive Behavior
      • Aggressive Cats >
        • Cat on Cat Aggression
      • Meowing and Yowling
      • Urine Marking
      • Behavior Issues in Elderly Cats
    • Introducing Cats
    • Cat Enrichment
    • Tips for Entertaining an Indoor Cat
    • Cat Supply Resources
    • Lost Cat
  • African Wildcats
    • AWC Conservation Projects
    • Press Release on African Wildcat Campaign
    • Differences between AWCs and domestic cats
  • Donate
  • Store