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Financial Assistance Options
Treating cancer can be very expensive depending on the course of treatment recommended by your veterinarian,
often costing several thousand dollars, which many families may not be able to afford. Unfortunately, financial
considerations are a very real part of deciding how aggressively to treat your dog’s cancer and sometimes we have to
make a choice between attempting cure and palliative care to maintain quality of life. We all have limits to what we
can do and it’s important to weigh the needs of your whole family when deciding how much of a financial burden your
family can bear.
Below are some financial assistance resources that may be available to help. Keep in mind
that each program has its own criteria for eligibility and most have very limited funding available compared with the number
of dogs in need of cancer treatments. Review the guidelines carefully before deciding to submit an application.
Don't Lose Hope
If you find that you do not qualify for any of these programs. Don’t lose hope. Here are some additional
ideas for
those facing financial hardship: - Talk with your
veterinarian about alternate treatment options or ways that you can still assist your dog in their battle against cancer that
are within your financial means.
- Research online or ask
your vet about clinical trials currently taking place for which your dog may qualify. In many cases, the costs of treatment
are significantly reduced or included for participating in these studies.
- Consider reaching out to your community to share your story and ask for the support of friends, family or neighbors.
You may be surprised at how many people are willing to help.
- Many
people have successfully launched their own private fundraising campaigns in order to help their pets. This includes
email campaigns, setting up your own website to share your story, or selling items online to raise funds through sites like
EBay, Etsy, CafePress and others.
Remember, nothing is impossible
if you set your mind to it. |
First
Options for Funding
CareCredit
CareCredit is a credit card program that may be offered at your veterinary clinic or hospital. CareCredit can offer
special financing, low monthly payment options, no up-front costs, and has no pre-payment penalties, so you can afford the
care your pet needs. Pet Insurance
If you among the minority of pet owners who has pet insurance, you may be surprised at how much your policy
can help pay for your dog’s treatments. Check with your policy to find out what tests and procedures are covered
and what portion they will pay to help you make your decisions about treatment. If you do not have pet insurance, PLEASE
protect your other pets by enrolling them in a plan. Georgia’s Legacy recommends VPI or Pet’s Best insurance.
Walgreen's Prescription Savings Club Progam
If your dog is taking a drug that can also be prescribed for humans, you may be able to save money on their prescriptions
by enrolling in the Walgreen's Prescriptions Savings Club.
Foundations & Non-Profit Programs The Magic Bullet Fund
Magic Bullet Fund (MBF) provides financial assistance for canine cancer treatment only when the family
is financially unable to provide treatment. Most families contribute some portion of the treatment fees and MBF contributes
only the amount that the family cannot pay. MBF dogs would not be able to have (or complete) cancer treatment without our
assistance. MBF accepts those cases for which we can reasonably hope that treatment will add a year to a dog's life with
high quality. Assistance is not provided for palliative care.
CanineCancerAwareness
Donations made to Canine Cancer Awareness are used
for veterinary care for dogs with cancer whose families are financially unable to provide treatment.
Fetch A Cure
Through the establishment of our Companions in Crisis program, FETCH is working to provide financial
aid to families unable to bear the high costs of cancer treatment and rehabilitation.
AAHA Helping Pets
As the benevolent arm of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), the AAHA Foundation seeks to
improve the lives of pets. The AAHA Helping Pets Fund works with AAHA-accredited veterinary practices to identify pets in
need. Accredited practices may then apply for assistance from the Fund for emergency and non-elective treatment of abandoned
pets and pets whose owners are facing financial hardship.
IMOM (In Memory of Magic)
Dedicated to insuring that no companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker is
financially challenged. They work to fund non-routine veterinary care for companion animals. IMOM does NOT fund
cancer treatment but may be able to pay for emergency surgery required to remove masses that have not yet been diagnosed as
cancerous.
Land of PureGold 'Working Dog' Cancer Treatment Grants
Grants are $500 per individual working dog, the reimbursements provided directly to respective veterinary
personnel for oncology related expenses in the United States and Canada. Applicants MUST BE active working dogs, that is,
in the areas of assistance, detection, search & rescue, enforcement, military work, or animal-assisted therapy.
Pet Cancer Foundation
Provides a free oncology consultation for your pet through Oncura Partners. Requests must be made
through your primary veterinarian.
Pet Fund
The goal of the Pet Fund is to provide financial assistance to owners of domestic animals
who need veterinary care.
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