Every loving pet parent wants to give their dog the best care possible. It really hurts to see your pet in pain, believe me I know. Worse yet, if our faithful canine companion is diagnosed with cancer, which may be fatal. We want to pull out all the stops to get the treatment that is the most likely to help your pooch to turn the corner and get firmly on the path to remission, while minimizing their pain or discomfort.
What if you can’t afford the treatment your beloved pet desperately needs? That feeling of helplessness is one of the most gut-wrenching emotions you’ll ever experience. The reality is that the medical costs to treat cancer in dogs can be staggering sometimes but don’t despair, there are financial resources out there that you can tap into. While we don’t offer direct financial assistance for pets’ medical care, we’ve done the legwork and compiled a few options for you to consider.
Founded by Laurie Kaplan and named after her Siberian Husky, Bullet who was diagnosed with Lymphoma, this non-profit organization is dedicated to helping both dogs and cats with the cancer treatment they need, if you cannot afford to pay for the treatment. Families applying for assistance must complete the process to verify diagnosis and the need for financial assistance. Magic Bullet Funds are not available for emergency use as the process takes from one to four weeks.
Live Like Roo is a non-profit founded by Sarah Lauch and named after a shelter dog she adopted that turned her life upside down! Live Like Roo supports dogs and their owners through a cancer diagnosis by providing financial and emotional assistance. Families must go through an application process and provide medical records. Grants range from $500 to $1500.
This non-profit organization is a part of Camp Bow Wow. They offer funds up to $2500 to cover necessary medical care that a family might not be able to afford. Families must go through an application process and provide veterinary treatment plans and prognosis.
Zeus Oncology Fund
Zeus is a survivor of Adenocarcinoma and a successful rescue story. This Fund named in his honor, is a registered nonprofit that helps dogs needing cancer treatment. The Zeus Oncology Fund only helps dogs that have been rescued that have been spayed/neutered and have ended up in a foster home or permanent home. Families and rescues must go through an application process to be approved for a grant.
Paws 4 A Cure is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to helping families that need non-routine veterinary financial assistance for their dog or cat.
The all-volunteer organization accepts applications from individuals and families who own a dog or cat that require veterinary care for illness or injury. Expenses that may be covered also include medication, insulin, Heartworm positive treatment, and medical equipment such as wheelchairs.
At the moment, donations to Paws 4 A Cure, like many other non-profits, are much lower than normal and there are more applications for financial assistance than ever, therefore the funding they can offer is extremely limited. As a result, if you are successful in getting your application for financial assistance approved, you may not receive the full amount for which you applied. The maximum assistance anyone in a Paws 4 A Cure one-time grant is $500.
It is important to note that Paws 4 A Cure does not provide assistance for any routine care, such as vaccinations, spaying/neutering or flea/tick, Heartworm preventative medication, routine dental care, and euthanasia. You are advised to ask your veterinary practice for low cost or free clinics offering this type of care.
The Pet Fund is a registered non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals in the United States who need veterinary care.
The Pet Fund works only on non-basic, non-urgent care. This category includes medical needs such as cancer treatment, heart disease, chronic conditions, endocrine diseases, eye diseases, etc.
They typically have a waitlist for assistance. Eligible pet owners can apply for a one-time grant which must be for their pets with medical needs that match their care category and waitlist time.
Poodle Angels is a tax-exempt organization that aims to help poodles in a medical crisis receive the veterinary care they need. They rely solely on donations to render this assistance.
Through their Poodle Angel Vetcare Program, they raise funds to help pay for veterinary bills, which are paid directly to licensed veterinarians for individuals and families that cannot otherwise afford the necessary veterinary care, including medical, surgical, and emergency care for their beloved poodles.
This is a credit card company for health care, including veterinary care. There are several plan options for treatment or procedure fees from small amounts up to over $25,000. They reportedly offer plans and low monthly payments to fit your budget.
You can even avoid interest on purchases of $200 or more with certain shorter term financing options of 6, 12, 18 or 24 months when you make the minimum monthly payments and pay the full amount due by the end of the promotional period.
Check whether a location where you intend to make a payment accepts CareCredit.
Scratchpay is a patient financing solution rather than a credit card. Monthly payment amounts on your pet-specific loan depend on your term length, the amount financed, and APR.
Final Thoughts
We know it’s incredibly disturbing to hear the vet tell you that your furry friend has cancer. Investigating the treatment options and considering the cost can weigh you down.
The best course of action is to thoroughly research each of the options we’ve presented for potential financial support. We have compiled this list as a courtesy only but the services we’ve shared should not be considered a recommendation of any organization.
Your veterinarian or your local veterinary oncology specialty practice may be a good place to start when you want to learn about the sources of financial assistance in your area for your pet’s cancer care.
We hope this article helps to make your pet’s journey to recovery a bit smoother.
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Thank you for your suggestions. Our Jack just got diagnosed and it’s emotionally and financially draining.
Yes especially when it just comes out of no where. One minute your dog is active, eating, sleeping, alert and three weeks later……and then gone. Ebony black lab/blue healer who was 11 yrs old. Sweet and gentle. Everyone loved her. I have been educated on bone cancer…and so much more.
Good information on your site.
If I ever get another dog, will be more aware before…..
This a great source. This might be to late for us. We find out hopefully tomorrow. Wish I would of came across this a month ago. We have been going through the ringer with our dog. Waiting on 2 weeks for his cytology results it’s ridiculous. Once it’s ,can’t read do it again. Do again… Wait. Vet has no results after 4 days.
Thank you for the hope of help. Our 3 yr. Old golden was just diagnosed with lymphoma. It is truely devistating. We were quoted 7k. We just dont know what to do!
My dog was diagnosed with lymphoma over the weekend, with his ER and internal medicine bill totaling around $7,000 and his chemo treatments projected to total between $7,000 and $8,000 over the course of the next few months. If I didn’t have pet insurance (I have PetsBest) and CareCredit I don’t know what I would do.
I rescued a 12 year old dog and got her surgery 2 times. She is so fantastic and unfortunately she was attacked by another dog Jan. 1, 2023. THINGS HAVE GONE DOWNHILL SINCE. I spent 412 dollars for her after attack. Now she has diarrhea again and is not doing well. She had surgery for a stem cell tumor at Cornell 2 years ago and has been doing well. My heart is broken and I can not afford more. She is not suffering now but I fear for the near future. I am very grateful for the information and chance to put this into words.
Lori, I am so sorry to hear this. It is so hard when they are sick. I hope she will pull through. I love to hear that she is a 2 year survivor also.