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 aggregated as a courtesy and are neither endorsed, nor guaranteed, by Tony La Russa’s 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.
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.
- 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.
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.
Canine Cancer Awareness • (206) 305-4549
- Provides 24/7 assistance for the veterinary care of dogs with cancer.
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 support and financial assistance for the veterinary care of pets with cancer.
- 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.
Tipper and Squirt Care for Cushing’s Fund, Inc.
- Provides financial assistance for the veterinary care of dogs with Cushing’s Disease.
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.
