Paws 4 A Cure is accepting applications from individuals and families. Unfortunately, at this time Paws 4 A Cure is not accepting applications from rescue groups, shelters or breeders.
Requests for financial assistance received via email, US mail or through the Contact Us page are not accepted. You MUST complete the online application.
Paws 4 A Cure is an all-volunteer non profit organization dedicated to helping families that are in need of non-routine veterinary financial assistance for their dog or cat. Paws 4 A Cure provides financial assistance throughout the United States only with veterinary care for all illnesses and injury treatment which also includes medication, insulin, Heartworm positive treatment and medical equipment such as wheelchairs.
Please be advised that Paws 4 A Cure cannot assist with charges incurred prior to approval of application and receipt by the veterinarian of the Acceptance Letter. 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.
We are unable to provide inbound/outbound phone calls. However, most all answers to your questions can be found nearby on this page. We encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for the quickest and most up to date information.
Because donations to Paws 4 A Cure are 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 for financial assistance is approved, you may not receive all of the funds for which you apply. Please be advised that the maximum assistance available from Paws 4 A Cure is up to $500. This is a one time grant.
** We strongly urge you to apply to several different financial assistance programs along with applying to Paws 4 A Cure, links to which can be found on our Helpful Resources page to help you get closer to your goal. Please do not rely on a Paws 4 A Cure grant only. **
Before you continue, please be aware that YOU MUST be the owner and person the pays for the dog or cat's veterinary care.
Steps to the Application Process
Part One
The applicant will contact the veterinary practice that is treating their dog or cat and ask them if they work with nonprofit organizations for financial assistance. If they say yes, read on.
The applicant is responsible for providing the Veterinary Packet on the next page to the veterinary practice that will be performing the treatment or direct them to the Veterinary Professionals page. The applicant is not to write on the any of the veterinary documents. The Veterinary Packet is for the veterinary practice to complete. The veterinary practice should email or fax their documents directly to Paws 4 A Cure.
The applicant must read the guidelines and policies thoroughly.
The applicant will gather all of their required documentation to prove hardship.
The applicant will complete the online application on page 3 of 3.
Once the application for assistance is received, the application goes into Incomplete Status.
The application for assistance will not be responded to until the applicant's proof of hardship documentation is received by Paws 4 A Cure.
Proof of hardship definition: a financial hardship situation is one that forces you to either decide between meeting basic living expenses or paying your bills. To prove this, a creditor requires information about your income and expenses.
** If you are seeking financial assistance, please carefully read the entire contents of this page then click Next Page - Guidelines. It is imperative that you read each section before completing the online application on the last page. **
Please do not fill out the online application if you are not going to follow through with the application process. Every application needs our attention, by you not submitting in your documentation, it takes us away from those that do. If your required documentation is not received within 72 hours of your online application being submitted, your application will move from pending status to closed status and you will have to re-apply for assistance.
Part Two
The applicant will email or fax their required documents for all members of your household that are over 18 years of age to Paws 4 A Cure IMMEDIATELY after completing the online application for financial assistance.
The applicant required documentation is received.
The applicant's application will go into Pending Status.
The applicant will receive an email acknowledgement that their application has been received.
Part Three
If all of the applicant's proof of hardship and the treating veterinary practice's required documentation are received, Paws 4 A Cure will start the application review.
The applicant MUST apply to several different financial assistance programs along with applying to Paws 4 A Cure to get the closer to their goal. Links can be found on our Helpful Resources page. DO NOT RELY ON A PAWS 4 A CURE GRANT ONLY
Decisions are based upon several factors, including: medical urgency, financial need, available funding, and eligibility. Due to the overwhelming number of applications we receive, we cannot help everyone.
Paws 4 A Cure requires our approved applicants to share the fundraising page that is created for them so that we can try to replenish the funds that are used to fund their dog or cat. If you are approved, you are REQUIRED to fundraise by sharing the fundraising page that Paws 4 A Cure creates with your friends, family and local news media to generate donations for your dog or cat's veterinary care. We do make exceptions, especially for domestic violence situations.
Part Four
If the application for assistance is approved
The applicant will receive an approval email with an acceptance letter that they are to provide to the treating veterinary practice before the treatment is performed. The veterinary practice will also be blind copied on the email.
The applicant's dog/cat will receive the veterinary treatment if they have enough funding.
The applicant will complete the requirements so that Paws 4 A Cure can create your dog or cat's fundraising page that will be in the acceptance email. Paws 4 A Cure cannot use your already existing GoFundMe page. If the requirements are not received, Paws 4 A Cure is unable to fundraise for the applicant’s dog or cat therefore, no payment will be released and you will be responsible for the charges.
Once the approved applicant receives the email that the Paws 4 A Cure fundraising page is complete, we ask that each approved applicant helps to fundraise for their dog or cat's care by sharing the fundraising page that Paws 4 A Cure creates to bring in much needed funds so that we can continue to help those in need. The applicant can help fundraise by sharing the fundraising page that Paws 4 A Cure creates with their friends, family and local news media to help generate donations for the applicant dog or cat's veterinary care. If you do not want to share the fundraising page with your local media you will need to explain why.
The applicant must provide Paws 4 A Cure with the links to the online news media articles if they create an article on their websites.
The veterinary practice will email or fax the detailed invoice to Paws 4 A Cure.
Paws 4 A Cure will send a check via the U.S. mail to the veterinary practice within 30 days following receipt of an itemized invoice emailed or faxed by the veterinary practice.