Help for Low-Income Pets
Last week I was half-watching TV while surfing the net, and saw a commercial promoting a charitable venture in Rhode Island that helps lower-income people pay vet’s bills. I was a little surprised because let’s face it, that’s not the sort of thing you see on TV very often. I jotted down the name of the organization and looked them up on the net. Sure enough, there it was: The RIVMA Companion Animal Foundation. Launched in 2004, the Foundation’s mission is to provide funds to the state’s participating veterinary practitioners for compassionate care of pets whose owners are unable to pay. I looked around the web site for awhile, thinking about what a great idea this is, and wondering what other resources are available to folks who love their pets but can’t afford to care for them when they are injured or sick.
Now, I’ve heard all the arguments about why the poor should not own pets, but whether you think this is so or not, the reality is that poor people do own pets. Saying that they shouldn’t doesn’t help those pets one little bit. This article is about finding the means to service animals in crisis, and not about whether their owners deserve to be helped. For me, it isn’t even a debatable question. I decided to do some research to find out just how extensive a safety net is available to low-income pets.
In a general sense, most of the available funding is administered through veterinary practices… they apply for the funds to help defray the cost for a particular patient and are paid directly. This means that office staff is required to do a lot of extra paperwork. I’m guessing that many vets do not have the labor force in place to take on these extra duties. Regular well-care visits and health maintenance procedures are usually not eligible for grant funding. In many cases, eligibility is tied to the pet owner’s participation in government assistance programs, although some grantors will allow veterinarians to use their discretion in selecting a potential grantee, backed up by some other supporting documentation of financial hardship. There’s often a ceiling on just how much funding a veterinary practice can access in a given year. There’s also usually a limit on how much help any one pet family can get.
One of the first sites I visited was the Humane Society of the United States. They do not have funds available for vet care, but they have a page of suggestions for pet owners in distress. Some of the suggestions are pretty good. They suggest having a heart to heart talk with your vet. That’s a good suggestion because vets usually know where financial help is available - they’ve been down that road many, many times. Others suggestions seem less than helpful - things like “use your credit card” or “call your bank” or “ask your employer for a salary advance” are hardly helpful to people with no credit, tiny bank accounts and slave wage jobs.
Some funders require that you apply for a CreditCare card before they will consider your application for assistance. I had a good look at their web site and their application. Not all vets accept CreditCare, so an applicant needs to find out if their vet is among them. The terms for the promotions they had on the site were quite generous by credit card standards, but when the promotion is over, the deal isn’t quite so sweet. However, if a grantor requires that potential grantees apply, I guess there’s not much choice in the matter.
Run a search for “help with vet bills” and the American Animal Hospital Association’s Helping Pets Fund pops up near the top of the list. This program is available only to accredited AAHA practices. The fund provides for both financial hardship cases when the pet’s owner is unable to pay for care, and Good Samaritan cases when no owner can be found and the veterinarian chooses to treat the animal regardless.
IMOM - In Memory of Magic, is actively seeking volunteers to continue its work of providing veterinary care for pets whose owners are facing financial challenges. I spent a lot of time on this web site, and I think it’s among the best of its genre. It has a friendly, personal, compassionate feel that I know I would really appreciate if my pet was in need of medical care and I had no money. An approved applicant gets a “pets in need” page introducing the pet and the family, and sponsors are recruited to fund the animal’s medical needs. The site includes an active online community of pet parents and sponsors. At present, their need for help is go great that they are unable to accept new applications for assistance. I e-mailed them to ask if they’d be amenable to my spreading the word about this, and received a timely reply. They suggest that anyone who is interested in volunteering for IMOM join their online community to get a sense of how their system works before applying. There’s a new training session starting in a couple of weeks, so if you think that it might be something you’d like to do, surf on over there and check it out!
Angels4Animals, a segment of California-based Inner Voice Community Services, administers a “Guardian Angel” program. Potential beneficiaries fill out an eligibility assessment application. Working with a network of veterinary clinics across the United States, Angels4Animals verifies the need for assistance, makes financial arrangements with the clinic and authorizes the treatment needed to save the pet in distress. Donations to the program are gratefully accepted and opportunities for volunteers are available.
The Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program is a funding mechanism to help cats and kittens with life-threatening conditions. It has the stated goals of providing rapid decisions and responses to assistance requests; a minimum of procedures and paperwork to get assistance; and comprehensive help to solve problems through financial assistance, information and/or referral. Their “Kobi Fund” is devoted to helping victims of Vaccine Associated Sarcoma. They have several options for donating to the cause, including donation of items (or buying donated items) for their e-bay auctions.
The Pet Fund provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need veterinary care and cannot afford expensive surgery or medical treatment. Applicants must call the Pet Fund and discuss their needs before applying for funding online. They can’t fund emergency care, and there is a waiting list for funding. I was a little taken aback by their web site, which seems to have a similar mindset to the HSUS site and focuses heavily on pet insurance and credit options.
These are the sites I was able to find with a few hours of research. I think it would be useful to pull together a database of help sites for low-income pets in distress. If you know of any organizations that provide help with vet’s bills, please post it for us!
August 31st, 2008 at 12:01 pm
I didn’t know itchmo was back. This is a great resource.
Not everyone starts out poor. Lose a job and the vet bill becomes impossible.
Not only that but poor people keep animals alive that otherewise might not have homes. These animals are also poor but proud, and so many contribute to the safety of the home, as defenders, mousers and best friends who need us as much as we need them
I have dreamed that if I ever won the lotto, I would attempt to help pet owners with vet bills. It is also a worthy cause to help the elderly maintain their beloved companions, and to make a home for pets whose owners have died.
I will be busy saving all these links provided. Thanks a bunch
September 14th, 2008 at 2:41 am
My husband’s 7 month battle with advanced throat cancer has placed us among the “poor pet owner” community. The state we live in is severely lacking in volunteer help for those battling cancer, for family and caregiver support. This has made a difficult situation almost unbearable for my husband, our daughter and myself at times. In all honesty, I am completely exhausted. Our 2 girls (dober and german shepard, both rescued) are past due for shots and I just found out today that the bag of Pedigree donated by a friend is likely among the recent recall. Heaven help us if this food is contaminated. Heaven help us is all we’re facing.
When we get through this very difficult time, I’m going to volunteer the best of my time and resources to cancer patients and their beloved pets.
When any suffering being needs help, “poor” is irrelevant.
October 27th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
yo’ tell me i can’t have a pet? im a vietnam marine.. the only thing
that’s kept me from PTS is my pal? if you wannta take “companion” animal
i suggest you find a far-away hole to live in?
in 1969 all my friends died, the 1’s i’d know? i don’t have much now.
only my memories ,and my companion “animal”.
(remember you jerks that poison the dogs and cats? every dog has it’s day?)
December 16th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
This is a great site. Good info.
December 20th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Hello My name is Dawn and I live in Michigan. I was wondering if you had any info on low income vets here? I bought a puppy which lived only 3 weeks a Newfoundland., The owner replaced her for only 150 the Runt, Sheis now sick with the same symptoms of the puppythat just died, I am on dissbility and don’t have alot of money but she needs emergency care and I need to know if you could please help me out…Thank you..
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:26 am
I am asking you if there is some help for me i live in Warwick RI I need some help my dog got lose and have gotting pregnet by a stray dog I can not have these pup and it will kill her i took her from a abusive Home and I know she has had to many litters already She is 3 years old i dont want to have to put her to sleep but i can not watch her die have these pup she is a full blooded Pitbull she has been through enough if there is some way you can help me to get these pups adorted i would appecate it very much. I am living on a SSI check each month i dont have the money to do this myself. Thaank you Please Email me back at chickyphoo106@verizon.net
February 22nd, 2009 at 6:07 pm
The mortgage/housing crisis is not only hitting people…it is hitting pets as well! Pets are being abandoned in record numbers. Sad, but true.
March 18th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
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March 18th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
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March 18th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Hi pups do you like me my pals rule
March 19th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Hi, just a thank you for taking the time to do all this research. I am disabled, and take sole care of my 85yr old mother whom is in poor health. I have two boxers and one is in need of medical funding. I always managed somehow on my low income, but taking on my mother for the last 5yrs, has made it extremely hard. Without my boxers, my heart would be totally empty. They are so full of UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, and they are ALL I have. My 85yr old Mum is precious to me, and I struggle to do all I can to take care of her and give her peace in her final years.
I just wish I could find a LITTLE help with my white boxer boy. He needs some surgery to remove a possible cancerous growth, and bloodwork. He is in training to be my service animal. Two years ago I lost my 9yr old white boxer to an inoperable tumor, He was my service animal. Sure made life much easier for me to walk.
Again, thank you for these leads.. I’d be more than grateful if you know of anyone in our area that can help. Sedona, Arizona.
God Bless you again for taking the time to put this page together.
K
March 25th, 2009 at 6:50 am
I live in Warwick RI and have been searching for 2 days now trying to find help for low income pet owners. My dog Cody has been lying on the floor for 3 days now. He started with limping one day and than the next day he just would not get up. He is eating and drinking but has to be carried outside. I know I need to get him to a vet and I have called all the local Vets and can not seem to find anyone who will help. Cody is suffering because I at this horrible time do not have the funds to get him the vet care he deperately needs. PLEASE, if anyone knows where I can go from here, let me know. I don’t know what to do and its not fair to let Cody suffer because I have no money. My email is JMC82690@yahoo.com Please please help..
April 8th, 2009 at 10:39 am
rhode islanders please visit companionanimalfoundation.org
April 30th, 2009 at 5:24 am
A skilled predator, the cat is known to hunt over 1,000 species for food. It can be trained to obey simple commands. Individual cats have also been known to learn on their own to manipulate simple mechanisms, such as doorknobs and toilet handles. Cats use a variety of vocalizations and types of body language for communication, including meowing, purring, hissing, growling, squeaking, chirping, clicking, and grunting. Cats may be the most popular pet in the world, with over 600 million in homes all over the world. They are also bred and shown as registered pedigree pets. This hobby is known as the “cat fancy.”
May 12th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Below is based on the true story…
Toffy is English Cocker Spaniel…
Toffy is sitting on sister’s lap and staring at the webcam to get ready for the consultation.
“I was bought in the foreign country,” Toffy started introducing himself.
“Wow…Toffy talks! It’s awesome!”. Sister went on.”And yes, we bought him in Australia,” sister was so impressed.
“I live with many people,” Toffy continued.
“Toffy lives with us - two sisters and one brother…pretty cool!!!” two sisters said, excited.
“Oh yeah, three girls,” Toffy added.
“No…no…no…only two girls and one boy - my brother,” sister said.
Full story – http://www.mrsdolito.com/consu.....edian.html
Below is based on the true story…
Toto is Black Pomeranian.
Toto spilled out an untold story which shocks everyone….
……
“Somehow I fell something is strange…after we broke up, I lost Toto. And then, later on my ex told me he found him and asked me to pick him up from his place?!…During that time, I didn’t think too much about it. I went to my ex’s place to take Toto back….very weird.” the owner said.
“I still feel it’s very strange. How could this happen? I lost Toto and he found him. I still don’t understand,” the owner continued.
“Actually, he took me away from you after you guys broke up. That time, he still wanted to be with you. He got an idea to kidnap me and get you back…he thought this might works”…Toto spilled out the truth…
Full story – http://www.mrsdolito.com/consu.....ofate.html
Below is based on the true story…
Journey is Labrador Retriever and a seeing-eye dog.
This consultation was held on one of the popular TV programs in Taiwan.
The host interviewed Mrs. Dolito, Journey, Journey’s owner, Journey’s trainer, and a lady, who is from seeing-eye dog association in Taiwan.
……
“Last year, a car ran into Journey and I while we were crossing the street on intersection. All of sudden, Journey jumped on me to cover my body, then… she got hit by the car instead of me,” the owner went on. “I touched her body…she was bleeding all over and fell on the floor… I only got a little bruise on my hands. I worried about her so much during that time…the driver drove away immediately, didn’t even stop”
Full story – http://www.mrsdolito.com/consu.....ngeye.html
June 10th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
I am so glad that you posted this story. No one really and truly thinks about the costs associated with owning pets. I’m glad there is help for low income individuals. But people really should consider their financial picture before making the decision to get a pet. Someone posted a very similar story in the forums section of our site “http://www.dogasaur.com”
June 13th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Hi. I hope I can find some help on one of these. I have always been a “responsible” pet owner from the time I was able. I have “saved” pets from kill shelters and nonkill and donated money when I was unable to rescue. I always spay and neuter and get the shots-going to extreme expense in some cases of abandoned on the street animals my daughter brought home.
I have also made some mistakes that haunt me and her to this day. But never intentionally.
Anyway I am indigent now. I lost my job and am applying for SSDI which takes forever even though I put into the system for 30 years. I need surgery myself and so does my daughter-but no way can I afford it now. The company I worked for for 20 years relieved me and most of the other contributing employees of most of our 401k and stocks when they filed bankruptcy. I used what little I had to take care of our dogs last year. Now my wonderful city is threatening us with court fees and possibly taking our animals-who were rescued by us in the first place! They are inside dogs and have a back yard to run in.
It seems to be a habit with our city-maybe our country-that when someone honestly cant pay-we RAISE the amount owed. And threaten with more costs and possibly jail time-which of course simply costs taxpayers more. I do not understand this place. I have tried to do right-and donate to charities etc. when I had money-sure is hard to get any help now though. I paid for the 3 year rabies thank GOD. They arent a hazard to anyone else-but my city wants that money and is accusinig me of NOT being responsible. Its really sad. thanks for putting this out there.
June 19th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Hell of a lot of “poor people” out there-hell of a lot of pets in shelters. Wasnt just “poor” people who put them there either. Like the one guy said-you dont always start out poor-and even if you do-so what? Some people are just plain full of themselves-oughta remember the one about “there but for the grace of GOD go I”.
thanks for posting things to HELP EVERYONE