The following organizations offer low-cost veterinary care and financial assistance. The requirements for assistance vary, so please review the requirements for each individually. These businesses/programs were compiled as a courtesy and are neither endorsed, nor guaranteed, by the Animal Rescue Foundation.
Local Programs
The following assistance programs operate primarily within the San Francisco Bay Area.
ARF Emergency Medical Fund® • (925) 296-3125
- Offers low-cost, non-emergency services at ARF’s clinic.
- Serves qualifying Contra Costa County residents.
ARF Pet Safety Net • (925) 296-3176
- Offers critical resources to prevent pets from being surrendered.
- Serves qualifying Contra Costa County residents.
Affordable Vet Referral Services • (714) 206-4717
- Offers low-cost solutions to expensive pet treatments and surgeries.
- Please text (don’t call) the listed number.
Animal Fix Clinic • (510) 215-9300
- Offers spay/neuter surgeries and essential surgical care, at sliding-scale pricing.
East Bay SPCA Veterinary Assistance Program • (510) 563-4627
- Provides financial assistance for clients of East Bay SPCA’s full-service veterinary clinic in Oakland.
- Serves qualifying Contra Costa and Alameda County residents.
Humane Society of Alameda • (510) 337-9457
- Provides financial assistance to families who have been seen already at a partnering veterinary clinic and have been given an estimate for surgery/procedure.
The Pet Advocate • (209) 879-9367
- Offers affordable veterinary care, including affordable dental services.
- Provides financial assistance to families with companion animals in medical crisis.
- Serves qualifying Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma County residents.
San Francisco SPCA Financial Assistance • (415) 554-3030
- Provides financial assistance for emergency/urgent veterinary care.
- Serves qualifying, low-income San Francisco pet guardians.
- Provides financial assistance for life-saving veterinary treatments.
- Serves qualifying Calaveras, Contra Costa, Napa, Sacramento, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, and Yolo County residents.
Vets in Vans • (415) 439-0169
- Provides comprehensive clinic services to communities in the Bay Area via a mobile clinic vehicle.
Nationwide Programs
The following assistance programs operate on a national level.
CareCredit • (800) 677-0718
- Offers a line of credit for all types of health care assistance (including veterinary care).
Scratchpay • (855) 727-2395
- Offers online payment plans for veterinary bills.
- Provides crowdfunding options for pets in medical crisis.
Human Animal Support Services by American Pets Alive
- Curates free or low-cost pet services in a searchable database.
- Provides medical care funds to individuals/shelters struggling to cover their veterinary bills.
- Funding for dogs only.
- Provides financial assistance to bridge the gap between the cost of medical care and saving pets.
Frankie’s Friends Fund • (888) 465-PETS
- Provides grants for pets in need of lifesaving or specialty veterinary care.
Friends & Vets Helping Pets • (859) 309-2943
- Provides financial assistance for curable (lifesaving, not life-prolonging) pet diseases.
Hearts United for Animals 911 Emergency Assistance • (402) 274-3679
- Offers assistance with emergency medical cases.
- Provides grants for animals who need urgent veterinary care.
The Mosby Foundation • (540) 885-2260
- Provides financial support for critically sick, injured, abused, and neglected dogs.
- Provides financial assistance for necessary and unaffordable medications/treatment.
Oscar’s Cause • (863) 353-7853
- Provides financial assistance for life-saving pet care.
- Provides financial assistance to those who cannot afford veterinary care for their dog or cat.
- Offers funds to subsidize veterinary care for urgent or life-threatening emergencies.
- Provides financial assistance for non-basic, non-urgent veterinary care.
The Pet Lifeline Program by Pet News Daily
- Provides one-time financial assistance to pet guardians who cannot afford veterinary care.
- Curates free or low-cost pet services in a searchable database.
Pets of the Homeless • (775) 841-7463
- Offers resources to pet guardians experiencing homelessness.
Red Rover Urgent Care Grant • (916) 429-2457
- Provides financial assistance and resources for pets in life-threatening situations.
STARelief Home for Life Grant • (203) 636-0971
- Provides financial assistance and resources to pet caretakers experiencing financial hardship.
- Provides financial assistance for unexpected, acute medical issues that impact the pet’s quality of life.
Programs for Specific Medical Conditions
The following programs provide financial and/or medical assistance for animals afflicted with specific medical conditions.
- Provides financial assistance for the veterinary care of dogs and cats with heart disease.
Diabetic Cats in Need • (234) 738-3246
- Provides ongoing assistance with insulin, testing supplies, and limited veterinary care of cats with diabetes.
- Provides glucose testing supplies and insulin to guardians of newly-diagnosed cats.
Feline Veterinary Assistance Program
- Provides financial assistance for the veterinary care of cats with Vaccine Associated Sarcoma (VAS), also referred to as Injection Site Sarcoma (ISS).
- Provides financial assistance for the veterinary care of elderly, disabled, and special needs pets.
- Donates pet wheelchairs to animals in need.
- Provides financial assistance for the veterinary care of dogs and cats with cancer.
- Provides financial assistance for the veterinary care of dogs with cancer.
- Provides financial assistance for the veterinary care of dogs and cats with cancer.
Programs for Specific Breeds
Support from the following programs is isolated to a specific breed of dog/cat.
- Provides financial assistance toward non-routine medical expenses for West Highland White Terriers (Westies) or Westie-mixes.
Programs for Working/Assistance Dogs
The following programs provide financial support for dogs with jobs.
California Dept. of Social Services Assistance Dog Special Allowance Program • (916) 657-2628
- Offers monthly funds to qualifying persons who use a guide, signal, or service dog.
Land of PureGold Working Dog Cancer Treatment Grant • (410) 363-1434
- Offers grants for active, full-time working dogs with cancer.
