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Paws 4 A Cure is currently accepting applications for financial assistance from individuals in need. Please note, we are unable to provide assistance to rescues or breeders at this time.
Paws 4 A Cure provides financial assistance to dogs and cats for the treatment of all illnesses and injuries throughout the United States. This includes medication, insulin, Heartworm positive treatment and medical equipment such as wheelchairs.
Paws 4 A Cure does not provide assistance for spaying/neutering, vaccinations, flea/tick, Heartworm preventative medication, preventative care, routine dental care, routine office visits or euthanasia.
Routine dental care includes dental cleaning with anesthesia, and may include extractions, as needed for the treatment of tartar, plaque & gingivitis. Non-routine dental care refers to the treatment of atypical dental conditions, such as fractured teeth, abscesses and oral masses.
Financial assistance is available only for veterinary practices within the United States. Paws 4 A Cure cannot remit payments to veterinary practices located outside of the U.S.
We do not cover charges incurred prior to the application being approved and the veterinary practice receiving the official Acceptance Letter from Paws 4 A Cure.
Steps to the Application Process
- Contact the Veterinary Practice
The applicant must contact the veterinary practice treating their dog or cat’s illness or injury to ask if they are willing to work with nonprofit organizations for financial assistance.
If they confirm, please proceed to the next steps.
- Obtain the Veterinary Practice's
Email Address
The applicant is responsible for collecting the veterinary practice’s email address and including it on the application. - Review Guidelines and Policies
The applicant must carefully read the full guidelines and policies outlined in the application packet before submitting any documentation. - Gather Proof of Hardship
Documentation
The applicant will collect the required financial documentation to prove hardship.
Examples of acceptable documents are listed on page 4 of the application packet.
- Submit Application and
Documentation Together
Paws 4 A Cure will not respond to applications until both the completed application and proof of hardship documentation are received. - Veterinary Packet Sent to
Practice
Once the application and documentation are received, Paws 4 A Cure will email the Veterinary Packet to the treating veterinary practice. The practice must complete and return the packet along with a detailed estimate for the treatment still needed. - Apply to Additional Assistance
Programs
To maximize potential funding, applicants are encouraged to apply to multiple financial assistance programs in addition to Paws 4 A Cure.
A list of other resources can be found on our Helpful Resources page.
- Follow-Up from Paws 4 A Cure
After receiving the completed Veterinary DX/Treatment Information form and treatment estimate from the veterinary practice, Paws 4 A Cure will email the applicant with follow-up questions based on the veterinary documentation to determine eligibility and possible grant amount.
Important Note About Diagnosis and Treatment Plans
If your dog or cat does not yet have a diagnosis and treatment plan, please speak with your veterinary practice to see if they offer—or can refer you to—low-cost or free clinics that can help you obtain one.
You may also wish to contact your local Humane Society or animal welfare organization for additional resources and assistance.
A diagnosis and treatment plan are required before Paws 4 A Cure can consider your application for financial assistance.
Definition of Proof of Hardship
A financial hardship occurs when an individual or household is unable to meet basic living expenses due to a lack of sufficient income or unexpected financial strain. In such cases, individuals may be forced to choose between essential needs—such as food, housing, and utilities—and other obligations, including medical or veterinary expenses.
To demonstrate financial hardship, applicants must provide documentation that clearly shows their current income and monthly expenses. This may include pay stubs, government assistance statements, rent or mortgage bills, utility bills, and bank statements. This information allows Paws 4 A Cure to evaluate whether the applicant qualifies for financial assistance based on genuine need.
Funding Decision Criteria
Decisions are based on several factors, including medical urgency, financial need, available funding, and eligibility.
Please note: Due to the overwhelming number of applications we receive, we are unable to assist everyone. We encourage applicants to explore additional resources listed on our Helpful Resources page to maximize their chances of receiving support.
If the
Application for Assistance Is Approved
- Approval Notification
The applicant and the treating veterinary practice will receive an approval email along with an official acceptance letter before the treatment is performed. - Fundraising Page Requirements
The approved applicant must complete the requirements outlined in the approval email so that Paws 4 A Cure can create an official fundraising page.
Please note: We cannot use existing fundraising platforms such as GoFundMe or others. Only fundraising pages created by Paws 4 A Cure are eligible.
If the required materials are not received, no fundraising page will be created, no payment will be released, and the applicant will be fully responsible for all veterinary charges.
Exceptions may be made in special cases, such as domestic violence situations.
- Veterinary Treatment
The dog or cat will receive veterinary treatment once sufficient funding is available. - Sharing the Fundraising Page
Once notified that the fundraising page is complete, the approved applicant is REQUIRED to actively share the page with friends, family, and community members to help raise funds.
If additional funding is needed, applicants are encouraged to reach out to local news media or community groups for further support. - Veterinary Invoice Submission
The veterinary practice must email or fax a detailed, itemized invoice to Paws 4 A Cure after the treatment has been performed. - Payment Disbursement
Upon receipt of the invoice, Paws 4 A Cure will process the payment and mail a check directly to the veterinary practice within one week (unless delayed by holidays or postal issues). - Health Updates
The approved applicant must provide periodic updates on the pet’s health status to Paws 4 A Cure.
Because donations to Paws 4 A Cure are currently at a critical low, and applications for financial assistance are at an all-time high, our funds are extremely limited. As a result, if your application is approved, you may not receive the full amount requested.
Please note that the maximum grant available from Paws 4 A Cure is up to $400, and this is a one-time grant.
Important:
We strongly encourage you to apply to multiple financial assistance programs in addition to Paws 4 A Cure to help you reach your funding goal. A list of helpful organizations can be found on our Helpful Resources page.
Please do not rely solely on a grant from Paws 4 A Cure.