5 Steps to Fund Emergency Vet Care
Sierra. Poet. Margo. Sunny. Those are the names of four of my pets whose health challenges required a visit to an emergency veterinary hospital. I’m fortunate to have been able to afford the care. Not everyone experiences the same. Often one’s inability to pay can equate to a lifetime of pain for a pet or an untimely death.
In response to the need for greater equity in pet care, many veterinary emergency hospitals and pet welfare programs have established financial aid programs for people who qualify.
Please be aware that none of the resources below have been vetted. Nor does a listing imply an endorsement, guarantee or warranty. The resources are provided as a means to jumpstart your journey.
Most importantly, it is always the pet owners responsibility and duty to seek immediate care where any delay could put an animal at risk. Do NOT wait to do research and apply for grants before seeking help in an emergency. There is no guarantee any program will be able to provide financial assistance.
5 STEPS for Funding Emergency Care
Familiarize yourself with key questions to ask about financial assistance.
Call an emergency vet hospital or local vet clinic before driving to it.
Many places prefer you call before arriving for two reasons.
This gives them the chance to “triage,” or assess, your pet for urgency.
It helps them determine if they have capacity to accept the emergency. (I write this during a time when it is not uncommon for emergency centers to temporarily close to new patients when they become full. If that is the case, you may be directed to another emergency center for help.)
Ask if they have an angel fund.
Ask if they work with programs that provide emergency assistance grants.
Contact a program that provides emergency assistance grants.
Use specialty credit and crowdfunding
Be kind.
STEP 1: Get Your List of Questions Ready
The goal of the list is to help you learn as much as possible to reduce the risk of encountering surprises later.
Question 1: Who do they help?
Many programs provide funding only to people who can demonstrate financial need. Be prepared to share tax returns, documentation for government assistance, and/or other private documents that indicate your financial situation.
Question 2: What and how much do they fund?
Don’t expect an organization to cover 100% of your pet’s emergency medical needs. Be prepared to pay something. Assistance will most likely be restricted to a specific component of care. The following is a list of some services that arise during emergency visits and may or may not be covered.
Exam
Diagnostic testing: X-Rays, MRI, ultrasound, bloodwork, urinalysis
Follow-up care
Euthanasia
Question 3: Type of emergency they fund?
Most emergency funds are given to pets, who when treated, have a good prognosis for a return to a good quality of life for a reasonable period of time.
What does that mean? Even if you can prove you need financial assistance to help with your pet’s care, you may not be granted help because your pet is too sick or injured to make a full recovery. In that case, you may need to seek assistance from a different organization to pay for euthanasia or long-term care.
Question 4: Who do they pay?
Many organizations pay directly to the veterinarian or hospital rather than an individual. If an organization does pay an individual directly, it will most likely be after payment has occurred and a receipt can be provided as proof.
Question 5: Can they recommend other resources?
If the program can’t fund any or all of your need, ask if they have suggestions for help.
RELATED ARTICLE: FUNDING VETERINARY CARE
STEP 2: Call a Veterinary Emergency Hospital with an Angel Fund
An “angel fund” is a pool of money established by an organization to help people who qualify get emergency care for their pet. Many angel funds are established by veterinary hospital foundations.
Begin by doing an online search using the following words: angel+fund+veterinary+emergency+the state or city where you reside, or try pet+assistance+angel+fund
Here are just a few examples of veterinary hospitals with angel funds in the U.S.
Animal Emergency and Referral Center of MN (Minnesota) offers Pets on The Mend (POM) emergency program.
Animal Medical Professionals Angel Fund in Chattanooga and Ooltewah, TN offers funds to patients of the clinic.
Bellalago Vet Hospital Angel Fund for clinic patients in Kissimmee, FL
Columbia Veterinary Hospital in The Dalles, OR
Frankie’s Friends has two programs to investigate – the National Fund (requires a diagnosis with good outcome from a vet before emergency services are performed) and the Hope Fund (for use at Blue Pearl Specialty & Emergency Pet Centers).
HOPE Funds at Banfield Pet Hospital requires the emergency service be performed at a Banfield Pet Hospital.
Upstate Veterinary Specialties for clients of their facilities in the Latham, NY area.
STEP 3: Contact Programs that Provide Financial Assistance for Veterinary Emergencies
As suggested above, begin by doing an online search using the following words: angel+fund+veterinary+emergency+the state or city where you reside, or try pet+assistance+angel+fund
It is your responsibility to do the due diligence on an organization or program offering financial help, especially when you are asked to provide personal and financial information.
Here are a few programs that help people and pets in need.
Affordable Vet Referral Service is a program in Orange County, Bay Area and surrounding areas of California. It is NOT a grant program but a referral service to help pet owners find low-cost surgeries and affordable solutions. You pay a small referral fee. They do the research.
Feeding Pets of the Homeless Emergency Vet Care Program helps the pets of people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Call 775-841-7463 to speak to a case manager.
STARelief provides grants of $100.00-$500.00 for emergency care through their Home for Life program.
Oscar’s Cause requires you to complete an application then call 863-325-6508 to initiate the process. Their life essentials assistance grants provide up to $1,000.00.
Saving Gracie requires a diagnosis and estimate from a veterinarian and proof of application to Care Credit before emergency services can be performed.
Shakespeare Animal Fund of Northern NV and Alachua County FL asks that you call their crisis hotline at 775-342-7040 or send an email to helpshakefund@gmail.com
RELATED ARTICLE: HELPING PEOPLE IN CRISIS KEEP THEIR PETS
STEP 4: Consider Credit & Crowdfunding for Emergency Vet Services
As mentioned above, even if you manage to qualify and receive help, you most likely won’t receive enough to cover all of your emergency pet care costs. You’ll have to pay out-of-pocket for the rest. The suggestions below are ways to help cover the remaining costs.
CareCredit Credit Card This is like a credit card that can be used to pay for healthcare-related activities for you, your family and your pets. Like a credit card, you are charged interest if you don’t meet specified terms.
Companion Bridge is an online community forum for people who have pets those with animals that require significant medical care. It is a place to provide updates to family and friends and to solicit financial help.
Waggle is a pet-dedicated crowdfunding platform to help you raise funds for your pet in a medical crisis. Funds are paid directly to your care provider.
STEP 5: Be kind
Remember to treat others with respect, even when your heart is breaking. If the shoe were on the other foot, would you be more apt to help someone who is humble or the crazed person screaming in your face? Give what you’d like to get.
Be kind. Even when your heart is breaking.
Help and Hope are Out There
When an emergency strikes and your financial abilities are limited, try not to despair. Keep your cool. Grab the questions above. Start making calls. Ask for help. While there are no guarantees money will flow your way, doing something has a greater likelihood of success than doing nothing.
Please let us know what you discover. Perhaps, your story can help heal the next pet in need.
Best wishes on your journey.