How To Get Financial Assistance With Vet Bills

Start A Fundraiser

Although Pug Squad can’t provide financial assistance directly to individuals, we can help promote personal fundraisers through our social media channels. There are a few different sites you can use to start a personal fundraiser, but we recommend YouCaring.com as they charge less than the others. Where GoFundMe.com charges 5% on top of the processing fees, YouCaring only charges for the processing fees (2.9% + $.30 per transaction).

What To Include
It’s very important to include as much information as you can. Tell the full story of what you and your dog are going through in detail. Include photos. If you have photos of the injury or x-rays, include them. Include copies of your vet bills as well, but remember to remove any personal contact information you don’t want shared publicly.

Many times, people will want to make a payment directly to your vet, so you can include contact information for them as well if you feel comfortable.

Don’t forget to thank your donors!

Apply For Assistance

Below is a list of possible resources for financial assistance. Each has different rules and specifications, so make sure to read their rules before applying.

My Pet Child
Are you a pet owner who is going through financial difficulties? Fortunately, there are many great organizations out there that can support you with free pet food and supplies, and expensive vet bills. My Pet Child is a directory to help you easily find these organizations and vet hospitals in your local area.
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RedRover Relief
The RedRover Relief program provides financial assistance, resources, and emotional support to pet guardians struggling with economic hardship when pets are in need of urgent and emergency veterinary care. This program also provides support and resources to help victims of domestic violence escape abusive environments with their pets.
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The Pet Fund
The Pet Fund is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit association that provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals in the United States who need veterinary care. Often animals are put down or suffer needlessly because their owners cannot afford expensive surgery or medical treatment. Companion animal owners must often make the difficult decision to put an animal down or neglect medical needs because of the costs involved.
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Frankie’s Friends
Since funding is limited, Frankie’s Friends is very specific on which cases meet the criteria for financial assistance through their program. Criteria is evaluated based on the pet’s geographic location, financial situation, diagnosis, and prognosis. They partner with veterinary emergency and specialty care hospitals to determine if a family’s financial situation and their pet’s medical needs meet their criteria for financial assistance.
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Brown Dog Foundation
Brown Dog Foundation is a very small organization that receives 4,000 requests for assistance each year. Unfortunately, they have to say “no” much more frequently than they can say “yes”. Because of the high volume of requests, their resources are allocated first to those pets whose life is in danger. Brown Dog Foundation still encourages you to apply, because in addition to giving cash, they also offer guidance and referrals to lower cost alternatives.
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Friends & Vets Helping Pets
Friends & Vets Helping Pets makes grants to individuals and families whose ability to pay is extremely limited, but also to those of somewhat more substantial means, up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, who may only need minor subsidy to meet the veterinary expenses. Financial aid is intended as a supplement to family resources. All applicants must be prepared to show financial need.
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Prince Chunk Foundation
The Emergency Veterinary Care Assistance Program provides free emergency care to applicants who are currently experiencing financial hardships. Every day, sick and injured animals are brought to shelters across the country because their owners do not have the means to come up with several hundred or several thousand dollars for emergency medical bills. This program strives to help with this issue.
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OSCAR Foundation
The OSCAR Foundation, LLC, is a non-profit corporation that provides pet owners financial assistance based on need so their pets can access surgery and physical rehabilitation to optimize mobility and quality of life. When pets require surgery or physical rehabilitation, sometimes the cost is beyond what many can bear.
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Additional Resources

The sites below have location-based and some illness specific resources.

Humane Society of the United States
Best Friends
Pet Guardian Angels of America