Dogs

The Brown Dog Foundation helps dog owners who are facing expensive vet bills in order to save their dog's life.

As long as you are willing and able to pay a portion of the veterinarian's cost to save your dog's life, the Brown Dog Foundation will help pay the rest.

We know that each Emergency Vet Clinic in the US encounters 3-5 families every day who bring a pet in with a treatable condition, but due to some temporary financial crisis, they opt for euthanasia because they can't afford treatment. We want to give every family an option. That is why, everyday, we are out there raising money so if you find yourself in a financial crisis when your pet needs Veterinary Care - you don't have to think twice. Turn to Brown Dog Foundation for help."

-- Brown Dog Foundation

Check out the story from the local TV news (...which also includes a video).

Here's an article from the Tennessean newspaper about Brown Dog Foundation.

I first learned of the Brown Dog Foundation on Dogster's Dog Blog.

UPDATE 4/19/08: There's another great organization that helps needy dog owners with their vet bills. It's called the American Animal Hospital Association Helping Pets Fund.

They help those in need access quality veterinary care for their sick or injured pets. They raise funds and award grants supporting veterinary care for pets that have been abandoned or whose owners are experiencing financial hardship.

Here are a few more organizations that provide financial assistance to dogs in need of surgery.

UPDATE 11/26/08: Following is a wonderful list of organizations that also help dog owners with emergency care and vet bills. This list was compiled by "Vincent" and shared on Dogster here.

*GENERAL*
American Animal Hospital Association
Helps those in need access quality veterinary care for their sick or injured pets. We raise funds and award grants supporting veterinary care for pets that have been abandoned or whose owners are experiencing financial hardship.

Angels 4 Animals
Angels 4 Animals, a guardian angel of animals whose caretakers find themselves in difficult financial situations. Our services range from financial aid to complete treatment to those pets in need.

Care Credit
A credit card company for health care, including veterinary care.

Feline Veterinary Assistance Program (FVEAP)
Fax: 888-301-4264
Seniors, People with disabilities, People who have lost their job, Good Samaritans who rescue a cat or kitten - any of these folks may need financial assistance to save a beloved companion.

Help-A-Pet
Telephone: (630) 986-9504, Fax: (630) 986-9141
Established in 1999, HELP-A-PET is a nonprofit organization with a single purpose: to provide financial assistance nationwide for the medical care of pets whose owners are unable to afford the expense.

In Memory of Magic (IMOM), Inc
Phone (866) 230-2164, Fax (301) 599-1852
Helping people help pets. To better the lives of sick, injured and abused companion animals. We are dedicated to insure that no companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker is financially challenged.

The Pet Fund
The Pet Fund is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit association that provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need urgent veterinary care. The purpose of the Pet Fund is to work towards a future where decisions about companion animal medical care need never be made on the basis of cost.

Piggers' Pals
A nonprofit organization designed to assist families in need seek specialty level care for their pets. The foundation will accept applications from individuals or families that require financial assistance to provide advanced medical and/or surgical veterinary care that will extend both quantity and quality of life for their pets that would otherwise not be available to them.

Shakespeare Animal Fund
Shakespeare Animal Fund was founded after the loss of a beloved Cocker Spaniel "Shakespeare". He died after a very costly illness, and in his memory this fund was founded to help others who might face financial problems while trying to save their pet.

United Animal Nations
Telephone: (916) 429 2457, Fax: (916) 429 2456
The mission of LifeLine Rescue and LifeLine Individual Grants is to help homeless or recently rescued animals suffering from life-threatening conditions that require specific and immediate emergency veterinary care. We strive to serve Good Samaritans who take in sick or injured animals.

*ASSISTANCE DOGS*
Int'l Assoc of Assistance Dog Partners VCP Program
IAADP has established an emergency veterinary fund to provide financial aid to United States IAADP Partner Members whose assistance dogs require high cost veterinary intervention beyond their ability to pay.
Ortho Dogs Silver Lining for service dogs with orthopedic issues.

*BREED-SPECIFIC*
If you have a specific breed of dog, contact the national club for that breed. In some cases, these clubs offer a veterinary financial assistance fund. Here are a few websites for groups that provide financial assistance for specific breeds:
Bernese Mountain Dog
Boxer through Toby's Gift
Boxer American Boxer Rescue Assoc
Corgi
Dachshund Disabled Dachshund Society
Dalmatians
Doberman (special needs)
Golden Retrievers (rescued dogs)
Great Pyrenees
Labrador Retriever - LabMed
Labrador Retriever - Labrador LifeLine
Pit Bull/Staffordshire Terrier
Scotties and Westies
Westies/West Highland White Terrier

*DISEASE-SPECIFIC*
Blindness:
Blind Dog Info

Cancer:
Canine Cancer Awareness
Cody's Club
Help Your Dog Fight Cancer
The Magic Bullet Fund

Diabetes:
Muffin Diabetic Pets Association

Handicapped Pets:
Handicapped Pets.com Help Fund
From time to time, HandicappedPets.com recognizes a caretaker of handicapped pets that need some special attention, and a little extra help. There are those who are so selflessly dedicated to their animal families that they give up a little more than they can afford. This special fund is used to provide support to those people.

*STATE AND COUNTRY ORGANIZATIONS*
Arizona
The Southern Arizona Veterinary Medical Association may be able to help with vet bills. Call 325-0311 to request an application or to get more information.

California
Labrador Harbor is committed to providing assistance to Labrador Retrievers of all ages, in permanent homes or within a California based non-profit rescue organization.
Actors and Others for Animals assists with emergency medical treatment and crisis aid (Hollywood, CA)

Georgia
Pets are Loving Support assists people with HIV/AIDS to care for their companion animals (Atlanta, GA)
Save-A-Life, Inc. provides assistance with emergency medical care of rescued and fostered animals (Savannah, GA)

Massachusetts
The Travis Fund at Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine for pets being treated at their facility.

New Jersey
God's Creatures Ministry (Wayne, NJ)

New York
NY S.A.V.E, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to the aid and assistance of low-income pet owners residing in one of the five boroughs of New York City, whose pet is in need of emergency veterinary care.

Ohio
Good Sam Fund The MedVet Good SAM (Special Assistance and Memorial Fund) was established to create financial aid for sick or injured animals who either are stray or client-owned animals in special circumstances. (Worthington, OH)

Pennsylvania
Animal Care and Welfare (Pittsburgh, PA)

Texas
Canyon Lake Animal Shelter C.L.A.S.S. Program for low income residents (Startzville, TX)

Washington DC
PETS-DC is dedicated to improving the health and well being of people living with HIV/AIDS or other disabling conditions and their companion pets at no cost to individuals in the Metropolitan Washington area.

Canada
Animal Cancer Therapy Subsidization Society (Alberta)
The Farley Foundation (Ontario)

United Kingdom
UK Assistance with Veterinary Bills

Find a pet food bank in your area.