16 national programs that help pay vet bills anywhere in the US, and how CareCredit and Scratchpay work. Every detail comes from each program's own website. Updated September 2026.
Which charities help pay vet bills anywhere in the US?
These groups take applications from pet owners across the US. Most want a diagnosis and a written estimate from your vet before you apply, and most won't pay back a bill you already paid. None can promise a grant, so read each one's rules and apply to more than one.
Pays your vet
Frankie's Friends National Fund
Frankie's Friends
Who qualifies
Owners of family pets who cannot pay the full cost of emergency or specialty care and can show financial need. Strays, foster pets and rescue groups do not qualify.
What it pays for
Grants toward lifesaving emergency or specialty treatment. It does not pay for the first exam, tests to find out what is wrong, dental work, shots, spay or neuter, monthly medicines or euthanasia.
How much
Up to $2,000 per pet, per household
How to apply
Fill out the online application. Your pet must already have been seen by a vet, with a clear diagnosis, a treatment plan, a good outlook and a written cost estimate.
Good to know
No payback for bills already paid
Not for pets treated at hospitals with their own aid funds, such as Banfield, BluePearl, VCA or Veterinary Emergency Group
Pet must have a good outlook with treatment
Do not wait for an answer before getting urgent care
Pet owners in the U.S. with a household income of $60,000 a year or less. Rescuers and people who took in an animal in crisis can also apply.
What it pays for
A small grant toward urgent treatment for one animal with a life-threatening injury or illness. It does not pay for exams, tests like X-rays or blood work, routine care, ongoing conditions like chemo, or follow-up visits.
How much
Usually $250 to $300
How to apply
Answer the short pre-application questions online. If your case fits, you get a link to the full application. You need a diagnosis, treatment plan and cost estimate from the vet who will treat your pet.
How long it takes
1 to 2 business days, often the same day
Good to know
Must apply before most of the treatment is done
Not for bills already paid or care already finished
Cannot help if $500 or more is still needed to start or continue treatment
Care must be needed within 10 days and done in one visit or hospital stay
Pet must have a good outlook with treatment
One grant per household, ever
Application closes Friday 4 p.m. and reopens Monday 9 a.m. Pacific time
Online application only; your vet clinic can apply for you
Pet owners in the U.S. with an animal that needs care for a serious but non-urgent problem. You must show proof of income.
What it pays for
A one-time grant for non-urgent care such as cancer treatment, heart disease, long-term conditions, hormone diseases and eye diseases. It does not help with emergencies, urgent care like broken legs or tests, or basic care like shots, dental work, spay or neuter.
How to apply
First email info@thepetfund.com with a description of your pet's medical needs and a phone number. Only fill out the online application if staff tell you to. Have proof of income, a written vet estimate and your vet's license number ready.
How long it takes
There is usually a wait list, so your pet's care must be able to wait.
Good to know
No emergencies or urgent care
Care must be able to wait the length of the wait list
Email first; applications sent without staff approval are not processed
One-time grant
Pet must already be adopted
Paid only after approval and once treatment is scheduled
Recent pay stub or benefits letter needed; tax forms not accepted
Dog owners, families, nonprofit rescues and government shelters. One dog per calendar year.
What it pays for
A one-time grant for serious problems like a broken leg, amputation, cancer treatment or a heart defect. It does not cover preventive care, spay or neuter, dental work, long-term illness, ongoing treatment or end-of-life care. New applications are on hold right now.
How much
Up to $1,500; average $1,100
How to apply
New applications are on hold. When open, apply online with a photo of your dog and a current estimate from your vet.
How long it takes
Applications are reviewed twice a month. Checks go out within 5 business days after each review.
Good to know
Applications currently paused
Only for treatment not yet done
Must have a current vet who gives a written estimate
Dog and cat owners in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Guam who can show real financial hardship. You do not have to be low-income. New applications are on hold right now.
What it pays for
Help for any illness or injury, including prescription medicine, insulin, heartworm treatment and wheelchairs. It does not cover spay or neuter, shots, flea, tick or heartworm prevention, routine visits, euthanasia or cremation.
How to apply
Applications are closed for now; check back after October 14. When open, first ask your vet if they will work with a nonprofit, then send the online application with proof of hardship. Paws 4 A Cure then sends a packet to your vet.
How long it takes
Usually within 24 hours after all papers from you and your vet are in
Good to know
Applications currently paused
Diagnosis and treatment plan needed first
No help with past bills or care already paid, including CareCredit or Scratchpay
Is there help for a certain illness, breed or kind of owner?
These funds help only one group: pets with cancer or an amputation, one breed, or owners such as service-dog partners, military families and people who are homeless. If yours fits, apply here as well as to the general funds above.
Dachshunds
Dachshund World Charities grants
Dachshund World Charities
Who qualifies
Owners of sick or hurt dachshunds with a good outlook who have used up their own money and credit. You must say whether you applied for CareCredit.
What it pays for
Urgent vet care. Smaller amounts for dental surgery, medicine, food, shots and flea or tick control, spay or neuter if you are out of work, and cremation. It does not cover cancer care, cataract surgery, or IVDD spinal surgery or MRI.
How much
One-time grant up to $1,000 per household
How to apply
Apply online, or email the form to help4dwc@gmail.com. You need a Facebook Messenger account; all talks happen in a Messenger group chat. Send a vet estimate when you can.
How long it takes
There is a waiting list. For an emergency, go to an emergency vet now.
Good to know
No cancer, cataract or IVDD surgery cases
No payment for past bills or debt
Dental up to $750, medicine or food up to $500, shots and flea care up to $200 a year, spay or neuter up to $250, cremation up to $150
Pet owners who are homeless: living in a shelter, on the street, in a tent or vehicle, in a short motel stay, couch surfing, or in housing without power or water. Veterans in a VA housing program also qualify. A social worker, shelter staff or similar person must confirm your living situation.
What it pays for
Emergencies like bleeding, animal attacks, being hit by a car, broken bones, trouble breathing, not eating for over a day, or eating something toxic. It does not cover cancer, diabetes, long-term medicine, routine checkups, or old bills.
How to apply
Apply online, or email the paper form to evc@petsofthehomeless.org. Have the name and phone number of the agency that can confirm where you live. A case manager will call or email you and set up care at a clinic they choose.
How long it takes
Applications are reviewed in order, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm Pacific. Paper forms take longer.
Good to know
Up to 3 pets per owner
No payback for past treatment
Shots and spay or neuter only if needed to get into housing
Surgery estimates over their limit are not covered
Owners of family pets with cancer who cannot pay the full cost of treatment. The vet must expect a good outcome.
What it pays for
Cancer treatment, like chemo or surgery. It does not pay for the first exam, tests to find out what is wrong, routine care, or bills you already paid. It does not help strays, foster pets or rescue groups.
How to apply
Fill out the Frankie's Friends online application. First get a diagnosis, a treatment plan and a cost estimate from a vet who has seen your pet.
Good to know
No payback for bills already paid
Not for pets treated at hospitals with their own help funds, such as Banfield, BluePearl or VCA
Needs a clear diagnosis and a good outlook from your vet
Families whose pet has a cancer diagnosis and who need help paying for care. Dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets and horses have been helped.
What it pays for
Grants toward the cost of your pet's cancer care. They also mail a free cancer care package and have a separate fund for comfort items and outings for dogs in hospice.
How to apply
Fill out the online form. You must send medical records that show the diagnosis and the treatment plan. Bills and estimates alone do not count as medical records.
How long it takes
Review takes 3 to 4 weeks. Grants are given out once a month. You only hear back if you get a grant.
Good to know
Medical records with a diagnosis are required
Only people who get a grant are contacted
If you are not chosen, you stay in line for the next month
Owners of elderly, disabled or injured pets who get government aid, such as disability, SSI, TANF, food, housing or unemployment help.
What it pays for
A free new or used pet wheelchair (rear support or full support). It does not pay vet bills and does not give slings.
How to apply
The owner fills out the online form with the pet's health details and the vet's advice, a photo of the pet, and a paper with your name and address that shows you get government aid.
How long it takes
Applications are reviewed once a month, and everyone gets an answer after the review.
Tripawds Amputation Surgery Assistance Program (ASAP)
Tripawds Foundation
Who qualifies
Pet owners in the U.S. or Canada with low income whose dog or cat needs, or just had, leg amputation surgery. You must be on public aid like SSI, SSDI, TANF, SNAP, WIC or Medicaid, or earn at or below 225% of the federal poverty level.
What it pays for
Part of the vet bill for leg amputation surgery only.
How much
Up to $1,000 per grant, three grants a month
How to apply
Apply online. Upload proof of public aid or your latest tax return, and an itemized estimate or receipt for the surgery. You must also write at least 250 words about your pet, with photos. Your story will be posted on their website.
How long it takes
Apply within 60 days after surgery. Grants go first come, first served, and you get an email if chosen.
Good to know
Leg amputation only
Not if you got another Tripawds grant in the past 90 days
Your application is dropped if a fundraiser already covered the surgery
If approved before surgery, they pay your vet directly after surgery
International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP)
Who qualifies
U.S. IAADP Partner Members who have a disability, work with an adult guide, hearing or service dog, and face severe money hardship. You must have joined at least 45 days before your vet applies.
What it pays for
Treatment for a sudden, treatable illness or injury that keeps the dog from working or could cut its working life short. It does not cover routine care, minor problems or conditions the dog already had.
How much
Capped yearly amount; you pay the first $100 of each request, and requests must be at least $200
How to apply
Your vet applies for you. Do not contact the program yourself, or you will lose the chance to get a grant. Written approval is needed before treatment, except in a real emergency reported the next business day.
Good to know
Members only
Dogs under 18 months and retired dogs are not eligible
Treatment should add a year or more to the dog's working life
Ongoing medicine: one request per quarter, up to a 3-month supply
Emotional support animals and pets are not covered
Partners of full-time working dogs with cancer in the U.S. or Canada. The dog must have been working full time when diagnosed, in service, detection, search and rescue, police, military or therapy work. Any breed can apply.
What it pays for
Cancer treatment costs.
How much
$1,000 per dog
How to apply
Download the paper application and mail it with all required papers. Then email them that you downloaded it, with your dog's job, life story, cancer diagnosis and photos. Your application is not accepted until you send that email.
How long it takes
Paid within 14 days after they get an application that meets the rules.
Good to know
Must prove the dog was professionally trained and certified
Emotional support, comfort and visiting therapy dogs do not qualify
Applications pausedMilitary families and veteransPays your vet
Veterinary Assistance Program (VAP)
Dogs on Deployment
Who qualifies
Active duty service members E-5 and below, honorably discharged veterans with at least two years of active duty, and military spouses or dependents facing hardship while the service member is deployed or getting service-related medical care.
What it pays for
Emergency surgery, life-saving treatment, tests and imaging, treatment for serious injury or sudden illness, and life-sustaining medicine. It does not cover shots, wellness exams, or spay and neuter.
How to apply
Apply online with your service details, your pet's information and a cost estimate from your vet. Applications are closed for now; check back at the start of each month.
How long it takes
Up to two weeks.
Good to know
Applications currently closed
Priority to single-income homes and families with dependents
A credit card for health and pet care, issued by Synchrony Bank. You use it to pay the vet, then pay the card back each month.
Apply online, by phone at (800) 677-0718, or at a vet that takes it. You can check online first if you are likely to be approved, and that check does not hurt your credit score. If you then apply, the bank does a hard credit check, which can lower your score a little. You must be 18 or older.
No interest if paid in full within 6, 12, 18 or 24 months, on purchases of $200 or more. You make minimum monthly payments. If any of the balance is left at the end, you owe all the interest back to the purchase date.
Fixed monthly payments at a lower rate: 24 months at 17.90%, 36 months at 18.90% or 48 months at 19.90% on purchases of $1,000 or more; 60 months at 20.90% on purchases of $2,500 or more. Interest is charged from day one.
Not every vet offers every plan. Ask your vet which ones they offer.
The standard interest rate is 32.99% a year for new accounts, or 39.99% after missed payments. A late payment costs up to $41.
CareCredit's no-interest offers are deferred interest, not zero interest. Interest adds up in the background the whole time. Pay the full amount before the offer ends and it is wiped away. Miss by even a little and you owe all of it, going back to the day of the vet visit. In CareCredit's own words:
“No interest will be charged on the promo purchase if you pay it off, in full, within the promo period. If you do not, interest will be charged on the promo purchase from the purchase date.” (source)
Example: Say your vet bill is $1,000 and you put it on a 12-month no-interest CareCredit plan. Pay about $84 a month and the bill is gone in a year with no interest. If even $1 is still owed when the year ends, you are charged interest back to the day of the visit at 32.99%. That could add around $180, and up to $330 if you had paid nothing off.
To stay safe, divide the bill by the number of months in the offer and pay at least that much every month, not the minimum payment on your statement.
How does Scratchpay work?
A loan for one vet bill, not a credit card. Loans in the U.S. are made by WebBank through Scratchpay (Scratch Financial). You pay it back in fixed monthly payments.
Apply online at scratchpay.com from any phone or computer, before or at the visit. Most people get a decision right away. Ask your vet for a cost estimate first.
12 to 24 monthly payments, for bills of $200 to $10,000.
Interest Waived Offer on some 12 or 18 month loans: make every payment on time and pay off the whole loan by month 6, and the interest you paid is credited back. Not everyone is offered this plan.
You only see the plans you are approved for.
Soft credit check only. Applying and accepting a plan does not hurt your credit score. Your payments may be reported to the credit bureaus.
Interest rates run 0% to 36%.
$15 down payment. No penalty for paying early. Late fees apply and vary by state; they are listed in your loan papers.
No deferred interest. Interest is part of each fixed payment. If you miss the Interest Waived Offer, you just keep paying the regular loan.
CareCredit and Scratchpay terms checked on Sep 25, 2026. Rates change, so read the terms on the offer you get before you sign. We are not a lender and don't earn anything if you apply.
Where can I find help paying a vet bill near me?
Local funds, shelters and clinics often help faster than national groups, and some pay for care the national funds won't. We list them city by city:
We read each program's own website and application rules by hand and write down only what it says. Each card shows the date we checked it. We don't take money from any program or lender listed here. Funds open and close often, so read the program's own page before you apply.