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Resources to Help Senior Pet Owners
Including Services to Help Care and Pay for Pet Services
Date: March 18, 2009
Author: David Smidt, SeniorDiscounts

National Help Services:

PetsnPatients
PetsnPatients generates a greater national awareness of the positive healing
nature of companion animals for patients enduring health crises to wellness.
They seek to help maintain relationships between patients and their pets during
health crises and are working to develop additional options for pets of newly
disabled patients. Interested volunteers can sign up on their website or on
www.volunteermatch.com.
They seek to become a national network for recruiting additional volunteer foster
homes by partnering with existing pet rescues and social service organizations
and seek to preserve companion pet bonds to help a patient recover when faced
with the most severe health crises by providing temporary foster care. You can
support their mission by purchasing the Limited Edition 2008 PetsnPatients
“Year of Celebration” Calendar. Or consider a Gemteck Personal GPS unit designed
to give caregivers and family peace of mind and increase patient independence
with first responder access while outdoors.
www.petsnpatients.com

PETS911.com
This free network, which is a collaborative effort of
all the animal rescue organizations and services across
the country, is easily accessible through both a
toll-free phone number and website, which promises easy
access to all the local pet information necessary to
instill responsible pet ownership and overcome the issue
of animal homelessness.
www.pets911.com

Pet-Abuse.com
Pet-Abuse.com is a national animal protection organization that researches
and tracks incidents of criminal animal cruelty. They offer a wide range of
service and tools for animal advocates, humane law enforcement,
researchers and prosecutors.
www.pet-abuse.com

Financial Assistance Services:

Actors and Others for Animals
(Serving the Greater Los Angeles, CA, area)
A Southern California community-based organization
serving the greater Los Angeles area. Among other
services, the organization provides financial assistance
for emergency medical procedures for those of limited
income.
www.actorsandothers.com

Los Angeles Animal Services
(Los Angeles, CA)
Administered by the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services, its goal is to
promote and protect the health, safety and welfare of animals and people in the
City of Los Angeles. Seniors aged (62+) living in the City of Los Angeles
qualify to receive a free dog license (must show proof of current rabies
vaccination) and qualify to receive a Spay/Neuter Certificate valued at
$60 for use at participating veterinary hospitals. They are also creating a new
program called Seniors 4 Seniors. This services will match senior pets (age 8 +)
from Los Angeles Animal Care Centers with senior adults (age 62 +). Senior citizens
are then allowed to adopt their new senior companion free of charge.
www.laanimalservices.com

Ashley’s Angel Fund, Inc.
(North Carolina)
A nonprofit organization providing monetary
assistance for veterinary care for dogs with a
life-threatening condition. It was established to make
the decision easier for guardians facing the high cost
of care. By providing financial assistance in time of
critical need, Ashley’s Angel Fund seeks to perpetuate
the bond that exists between people and their pets.
www.ashleyfund.org

The Bearen Foundation
(Eugene, Oregon)
Believes that financial circumstances should not
determine whether a beloved family member lives or dies
and, to that end, offers financial assistance to local
vet offices for qualified individuals who face
veterinary expenses beyond their means.
www.bearenfoundation.org

Dreampower Animal Rescue’s Forever Home
(Colorado)
A program provides assistance to pet guardians in
need of assistance.
www.dreampower-arf.com

Good Samaritan Fund at Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine
Is used exclusively to treat guardianless or special
needs animals that, ideally but not exclusively, also
present a teaching opportunity for the veterinary
students.
www.vetmed.wsu.edu

Pima Animal Care Center
(Greater Tucson area, AZ)
Provides discounts of up to 30% on the adoption of animals, licensing fees and other services.
www.pimaanimalcare.org

Harrison Memorial Animal Hospital
Colorado’s largest non-profit veterinary hospital,
offers veterinary services to individuals, to more than
60 rescue and shelter groups, and to organizations that
are in need of veterinary care for service animals or
therapy animals. A team of seven staff veterinarians and
a pool of referral surgeons offer care for critically
injured animal’s procedures.
www.hmah.org

Help-A-Pet
A nonprofit organization which provides financial
assistance for the medical care of pets whose guardians
are unable to afford the expense.
www.help-a-pet.org

IMOM
Has many different programs to help people with special
needs dog, such as blind or diabetic dogs.
www.imom.org

The Nantucket MSPCA
(Massachusetts)
Offers a number of subsidy programs that provide
financial assistance to pet guardians.
www.mspca.org

Nike Animal Rescue Foundation (NARF)
(San Francisco Bay Area cities)
Has many hospitals and clinics who offer reduced
rates and/or the ability for you to pay your veterinary
bills on a monthly basis.
www.narfrescue.org

NY SAVE, Inc.
Serves the pets of New York City residents living in
Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten
Island by providing funds to low-income pet guardians
whose pets need emergency veterinary care.
www.nysave.org

Pet Samaritan Fund
(Utah)
Provides financial assistance to individuals unable to
afford medical care for their pet(s).
www.petsamaritan.org

Pocatello Animal Control
(Idaho)
Provides discounts on licensing fees.
www.pocatello.us/Animal/Animal.htm

Pets In Need
Provides assistance to low-income individuals for
veterinary care, including spaying and neutering for
their dogs and cats, on a funds-available basis. Also
assists senior citizens with veterinary care. Regular
clinics are held at Senior Centers throughout the area.
Senior citizens can bring their companion pets for an
examination by a veterinarian and vaccinations for only
$10. Low-income seniors can also obtain assistance for
other more comprehensive veterinary care through the
Crockett Memorial Fund.
www.petsinneed.org

Senior Canine Rescue Society
Is able to help with medical expenses and/or
sponsorship in some cases in Canada. The organization
has Canadian charitable status, and, as such, can fund
only Canadian-registered charities.
E-mail: [email protected]

Sue Freeman¹s Guide to Rescue Cats
This Web site contains a list of pet
financial-assistance resources in Los Angeles and the
surrounding area.
http://rescueguide.com

Volunteer Services For Animals (VSA)
(Rhode Island)
An organization of volunteers dedicated to animal
well-being and the promotion of the human-animal bond
through programs of education, advocacy, and assistance.
VSA provides financial assistance to pet guardians for
veterinary care.
www.volunteerservicesforanimals.org

Rescue Groups Matching Senior Dogs with Senior Companions:

The Pets for the Elderly Foundation
The Pets for the Elderly Foundation is a non profit organization that
“makes donations to animal shelters throughout the United States to enable them to
provide elderly persons a companion pet at no charge.” This foundation will cover fees
charged by the shelter which may include: the adoption fee, spay or neuter cost, immunization
shots, and follow-ups to make sure the relationship is thriving. Currently over 55 shelters
participate in the program. The Foundation has found homes for over 4,500 pets.
http://www.petsfortheelderly.org

PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare Society)
PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare Society) provides a “Seniors for Seniors”
program where mature cats and dogs (typically over 7 years of age) are placed with qualified
senior citizens who are 60 years of age or older. The PAWS “Seniors for Seniors” program
offers a special reduced adoption fee of $35, and includes many benefits to help seniors who
are living on a fixed income. New pets will be spayed or neutered and will receive their first
set of vaccinations. Participants will also receive a certificate for a free health examination
by a veterinarian of the participant’s choice.
http://www.paws.org/cas/adopt/seniors.php

Springer for Seniors
Springer for Seniors is a program sponsored by the English Springer Rescue
America organization. This program matches older Springer Spaniels with seniors across the US.
The organization waives the normal adoption fee of $250 and provides support for the new owner.
http://www.springerrescue.org/springers_for_seniors.html

Pets for Seniors
Peoria, IL
Organized in late 1999, this group of volunteers specializes in matching senior
humans (age 62 and older) with senior pets.
www.petsforseniors.org

The Hinsdale Humane Society
Hinsdale, IL
A 53-year-old not-for-profit agency dedicated to the care and adoption of unwanted and
abandoned animals and the offering of humane education programs to prevent suffering
and neglect. There Friends for Life Program places animals six years of age or older
with seniors 65 years of age or older at no charge.
www.hinsdalehumanesociety.org

Indiana Petite Paws Rescue Angels
Northwest Indiana
Rescuing toy dogs from Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio. Focusing on the
rescue of the Yorkshire Terrier, but no paw too small. Offering a “seniors for seniors” program.
Volunteers and members available statewide.
www.petitepaws.org

Nike Animal Rescue Foundation
Northern CA
Northern California-based program that matches seniors (over 62 years of age)
with senior dogs (over 6 years of age).
www.narfrescue.org

North Shore Animal League
Port Washington, NY
Special services and fee-free adoption are offered by the North Shore Animal League
via their “Seniors for Seniors” program.
www.nsal.org

Humane Society’s S.A.I.N.T. Program
Goshen, NY
Matches senior citizens with senior companion animals carefully
and with concern for the well-being of all.
E-mail Diane Novack: [email protected]

7 Bells Sanctuary
Cole Camp, MO
A senior dog rescue that operates a program called “Senior Pets for
Senior Homes.” The program sends senior dogs out into the field to
visit senior care centers. The senior adults in the care centers become
acquainted with the dogs, and the dogs become familiar with medical equipment
and not fearful of it. The group’s goal is to encourage permanent adoption
of the pets into senior homes or homes with a low-energy lifestyle.
www.7bellssanctuary.petfinder.com

The Sanctuary for Senior Dogs
Cleveland, OH
Has a “Senior Dogs for Senior People” program available.
www.sanctuaryforseniordogs.org

Senior Mutt Match
San Diego, CA
The mission of Senior Mutt Match is to help promote the adoption of senior dogs
(ages five and older) from shelters and rescue groups in the San Diego community.
They educate the San Diego community in general and senior citizens specifically,
about the wonderful benefits of adopting a senior dog.
www.seniormuttmatch.com

South East Dallas Humane Society
Dallas, TX
Has a “seniors for seniors” program that waives their customary adoption
fee and all veterinary fees. Spay/neuter, heartworm
testing, de-worming, vaccinations, and any necessary veterinary medical attention
are all included for free.
www.sedhs.org

Midwest Boston Terrier Rescue
Boston, MA
Has a program designed to bring rescued Senior Boston Terriers and Seniors together
in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. To allow more senior people
(60 years of age or older) to adopt the senior dogs (6 years of age or older),
the placement fee is reduced for those who qualify. All of the rescued Bostons
are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, heartworm tested and all known medical
conditions are addressed and treated as appropriate before placement.
All of our placements are done by application.
www.midwestbtrescue.org

Informational contributions by:
Association of German Shepherd Rescuers, Inc.
The Senior Dogs Project

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