About Financial Aid for Veterinary Care

Treasured Pets Foundation (TPF) is a registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization incorporated in Florida. The organization was formed for the sole purpose of disrupting, combatting, and alleviating Economic Euthanasia. Our foundation does not receive any federal, state, or county funding and no funding from animal welfare organizations. We rely solely on donations, grants, bequests, and fundraising campaigns to achieve our goals and accomplish our mission and vision. Still, we try to provide financial assistance grants to family-held pets and companion animals that need emergency or curative veterinary care and whose caregivers cannot afford the full cost of treatment.

This program is designed to help with the veterinary treatment and medical care of dogs and cats where the animal would otherwise suffer, be euthanized, or be relinquished without appropriate veterinary care. Our financial aid funds are limited and based solely on donations and fundraising efforts of our team. Treasured Pets remits funding directly to the treating veterinarians. No contributions are ever given directly to individuals, and we will not reimburse paid invoices or consider any reimbursement situations.

Moreover, because TPF is dedicated to achieving its mission, we will only treat animals that qualify within the confines of how we define economic euthanasia. Treasured Pets defines Economic Euthanasia as a condition in which euthanasia is selected based principally or to a great extent on the cost of veterinary care to treat an animal with a favorable prognosis. A favorable prognosis is an educated deduction by a veterinarian that an animal will likely recover from a disease or condition after medical treatment. A veterinarian may provide a favorable prognosis if, for example, statistics suggest that a patient's cancer is likely to respond well to treatment.

ELIGIBILITY RULES & GUIDELINES FOR FINANCIAL AID:

  • The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, and the animal must live in the U.S.

  • Providing false information or documents will result in the loss of all financial aid.

  • Incomplete requests will be automatically denied, specifically if any required information is left blank or the required documentation is missing from the application.

  • You must have a clear diagnosis and favorable prognosis, a treatment plan, and an estimated cost of care from a veterinarian for emergency or curative care only.

  • If your pet or companion animal has not been seen by a veterinarian yet, do not apply for assistance as your application will be denied.

  • Assistance is provided for emergency and curative veterinary care only.

  • If the veterinary clinic or hospital you use has a financial assistance program or fund, their funds must be applied toward the cost of care before we financially assist with your pet's care.

  • Financial aid is not guaranteed and will not exceed $2,500.00 per dog or cat per household.

  • Guardians must contribute a minimum of 10% of the total bill for veterinary treatment.

  • Assistance is only provided to family-held or privately-held dogs and cats.

  • Grants are only awarded for one animal, per household, per lifetime.

  • Due to the large volume of applications, the program can’t support all applicants.

  • All applicants must demonstrate financial needs proven by receiving government assistance or a household income below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines.

  • If you do not receive government benefits or your income exceeds 150% of the federal poverty threshold (see table below), you will not qualify for financial assistance through our program.

QUESTIONS TO ANSWER BEFORE APPLYING:

  • Is the animal a family-held pet?

  • Has the pet recently been seen by a veterinarian regarding this issue?

  • Has the veterinarian finished the diagnostic work (x-rays, blood work, etc.) and provided a treatment plan?

  • Does the pet have an immediately life-threatening injury or illness that requires emergency or curative care within the next few days or weeks?

  • According to your veterinarian, is there a favorable prognosis for your pet with treatment?

  • Does the applicant have a limited income, government assistance, or proof of financial hardship as clarified previously in the application guidelines?

  • If you answered no to any of these questions, you don’t meet the criteria for financial assistance from the Treasured Pets Foundation—Do not continue with the application.

If you have read these guidelines and think your financial situation and pet's clinical condition meet the criteria for assistance, please continue with the application process. 

BEFORE YOU START THE APPLICATION:

To complete the application process, you must gather the following required documents for upload at the end of the application:

  • Proof of income: Check stubs from the last 6 months or most recent tax returns, or

  • Proof of receiving government assistance: a Social Security Statement, food stamp card, disability or unemployment benefits for the animal guardian

  • Any previous payments to the existing veterinary clinic towards the cost of care, including the initial exam and any diagnostics before treatment for the animal's current condition and care required.

  • Written veterinary cost/estimate: The cost for the proposed treatment needed.

  • Prognosis: Documentation of a good or favorable prognosis with treatment, as determined by a licensed veterinary professional at the treating facility.

  • Medical Notes: A detailed statement of the animal’s clinical condition, including the medical notes from your veterinarian from the most recent exam and any details explaining the recommended treatment.

WHAT WE DO NOT FUND:

  • Office exams or diagnostic testing to determine an animal's prognosis

  • Basic or routine veterinary care, annual exams, checkups, etc.

  • Food, basic pet supplies, or monthly medications

  • Deworming, flea treatments, or vaccinations

  • Grooming, cosmetic procedures, or dental care

  • Declawing, ear cropping, or debarking surgeries

  • Single treatment of a chronic disease

  • Euthanasia or cremation

  • Treatment of strays, foster animals, or animals that are part of a rescue

  • Treatment of farm animals, animals owned by breeders, animals used for research or commercial purposes of any kind, or any animal that is not a domestic canine (Canis lupus familiaris) or feline (Felis catus)

If your application is submitted Monday through Friday, we should notify you by email within three (3) days of receipt. Applications submitted on holidays or weekends will not be processed until the following business day. If you do not hear back regarding the status of your application within two business days, you may follow up at request.aid@treasuredpetsfoundation.org.

Once the application is approved, you must seek treatment within two weeks. Funds expire and the expiration date will be conveyed to your vet clinic. Please understand that while Treasured Pets makes every effort to respond to each application, it is still your responsibility to seek treatment for your pet.

If you are approved for assistance, we ask you for three things:

  1. To let our donors know what their support means to your family: attach 3 photos of your pet plus a note of appreciation. Describe what it means to you if you are to receive assistance from Treasured Pets.

  2. Animals helped by Treasured Pets are featured on our website under “Joyful Tails.” When your pet is listed, please share the link to let your friends and family know how much Treasured Pets has meant to you and your pet.

  3. When your financial circumstances change, we hope you will “pay it forward” by donating to Treasured Pets and helping the next family needing support.

TREASURED PETS FUNDING AGREEMENT

ALL APPLICANTS UNDERSTAND AND AGREE that, in accepting funds from Treasured Pets for my pet or companion animal, I will pay an identified amount toward my pet’s treatment expenses. I must pay this amount before Treasured Pets remits any funds to the treating veterinary clinic and any discounts will be applied to my invoice as payment. If, for any reason, I do not pay my agreed-upon share of the invoice, or I default on payment as agreed, Treasured Pets reserves the right to withdraw and cancel funding leaving the applicant responsible for paying the entire invoice.

ALL RECIPIENTS AND APPLICANTS UNDERSTAND AND AGREE that Treasured Pets is in no way responsible for the outcome of any medical procedure funded in whole or in part by Treasured Pets, nor is Treasured Pets responsible for the outcome of funding being denied in whole or in part to the applicant(s).

Applicants for Treasured Pets financial aid agree that Treasured Pets will not be liable for any damages or losses because of funding denial or due to the outcome of any diagnosis or treatment financed in whole or in part by Treasured Pets.

Funding resources are limited, and Treasured Pets makes every effort to use limited funds most responsibly. Treasured Pets does not discriminate based on age, gender, religious affiliation, or race. Treasured Pets reserves the right to deny funding to anyone for any reason.

This is the entire contract, and no applicant for funding can modify it. This contract is not assignable. Applicants for funding to Treasured Pets waive all laws in conflict with the above agreement. Applying for financial aid serves as your signature, and states you agree to all terms and conditions. 

If you have questions about financial aid, contact us at request.aid@treasuredpetsfoundation.org