Resources and Assistance for Pet Emergencies

It would be a wonderful world if no one needed help paying for emergency care for their pets. Unfortunately, there is always a more significant need than even Alex can solve. That’s why we are so happy that other organizations are also trying to help cats and dogs. We can’t do this alone! 

When we are unable to help a specific cat or dog, here are some other valuable resources that can be helpful to any pet owner:

Local Resources 

Rescues: Always reach out to your local shelters and rescue organizations. Some organizations have programs to help, even if they don’t advertise them. 

Churches: Occasionally, some churches or religious organizations have assisted pet parents. Contact them if you’re a church member and see if they can help. 

Hospitals: Some veterinary hospitals also have financial assistance programs in place. Could you call your local hospitals and ask if they have a Good Samaritan fund or payment plan program? 

Lending

Care credit and scratch pay are Common resources for unexpected medical and veterinary bills. While this is usually easy to apply for right at the veterinarian's office, please consider applying for a loan or credit card at your local credit union. Most credit unions are open to anyone who lives in a certain area, and interest rates tend to be much lower than care credit. 

Charitable Organizations 

• Waggle.org is a service that operates similarly to GoFundMe but only for pets and pays veterinarians directly.

• RedRover helps animals rescued from disasters or neglect, domestic violence victims seeking safety with their pets, and animals with life-threatening illnesses.

• The Brown Dog Foundation bridges the gap between the cost of medical care and saving the family pet.

• Companion Bridge provides a loving and supportive community for people to connect, share, and assist one another on behalf of their companion animals.

• Frankie’s Friends is a non-profit foundation dedicated to finding cures and saving pets with cancer and other life-threatening conditions.

• Lucy the Rescue Dog offers financial assistance grants to family-owned pets needing lifesaving emergency care whose caregivers cannot afford the total cost of treatment.

• The Onyx & Breezy Foundation provides funding and support to individuals whose pets are in medical crisis.

• Paws 4 A Cure is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families needing non-routine veterinary financial assistance for their dog or cat.

• The Pet Fund provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals in the United States who need veterinary care.

• DOGS ONLY: The Dandelion Fund through Danny & Ron’s Rescue.

• DOGS ONLY: The Mosby Foundation helps dogs with critical care and cancer treatment.

• COLORADO ONLY: Harley’s Hope Foundation ensures that low-income pet parents and their companion or service animals remain together when issues arise.

• Almost Home Animal Sanctuary is dedicated to providing Veterinary care and lifelong housing for needy animals. Affordable veterinary services are also provided for indigent individuals for whom animal medical care is out of their reach.

• The Sam Simon Foundation offers free surgeries for cats & dogs belonging to families earning less than $40,000 annually. Spays, neuters, mass removals, eye removals, amputations, entropion repair, ear hematoma, bladder stones, and more. All services are offered entirely free to recipients.

• The Pet Lifeline Financial Assistance Program awards financial aid to low-income pet owners struggling to pay their vet bills. https://petnewsdaily.com/financial-assistance/

• Live Like Roo Foundation assists pets and their families through cancer diagnosis. Applications go through a 3-4 week grant review process. Grants are awarded monthly.

• Vet Billing - They do not pay for your pet’s medical expenses; however, they allow you to spread out the costs over time with interest-free payments.

• Dogs on Deployment promotes responsible, life-long pet ownership by military pet owners by advocating for military pet owner rights, providing educational resources, and granting financial assistance for military pet owners during times of emergency.

• Friends & Vets Helping Pets was founded to assist families with financial limitations in paying for extraordinary veterinary expenses necessary to save a pet’s life. 

• Free Animal Doctor is a crowd-funding platform. Veterinarians are paid directly, and over 90% of their campaigns are fully funded.

• My Pet Child can help you find veterinary resources and pet food donations in your local area.

• Emma's Foundation for Canine Cancer.
  Provides financial assistance to dog owners who cannot afford the cancer treatment for their beloved pets. Our assistance is based on proven financial need, and grants are paid directly to the clinic/hospital. New England and Florida residents only.

• Kyle’s Legacy’s Star Light Program offers financial aid to qualified families in MA and RI for diagnosis and early-stage treatment of canine cancer.  

• Animal Cancer Foundation Since 1999, Animal Cancer Foundation has funded innovative research in comparative oncology to find a cure for the millions of pets and people with cancer and has been a facilitator of collaborative comparative oncology initiatives.

• Shakespeare Animal Fund: Shakespeare Animal Fund helps pet owners with emergency veterinary bills due to accidents, sickness, and other emergencies in 13 northern Nevada counties and North Central Florida.

• Diabetic Cats In Need Helps pet families whose cats have been diagnosed with diabetes and are struggling to handle the costs.

• Armanis Angels is dedicated to raising funds to assist in the treatment of ill or injured pets. 

• Chain Of Hope provides medical assistance and free or low-cost spay and neuter. Chain of Hope provides food, shelter, hay, ear gel, fly traps, and flea & tick supplies for those in need in Kansas City, MO.

• Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburg, PA. Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh operates two low-cost veterinary medical centers for domestic dogs and cats. They provide preventative veterinary care. That includes general wellness exams, vaccinations, dentistry, general soft tissue surgery, illness & injury care, spay and neuters surgeries, and end of life care.

• If you have any additional resources to help cats and dogs in need, please email them to info@fortheloveofalex.org 

Pet Insurance

Pet insurance can be another helpful tool for pet emergencies, though you would ideally want to research before an emergency occurs. We don't have much experience with pet insurance at For The Love Of Alex, but here are some helpful tips about pet insurance from lendedu.

‍Mental Health Resources

The National Mental Health Organization offers a comprehensive list of mental health guides along with an extensive directory of hotlines that can provide support and information to those struggling with mental health issues, such as anxiety.

We truly wish you and your pet the best of luck.