Guidelines


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If you are seeking financial assistance, please carefully read the guidelines before applying:

  • Paws 4 A Cure cannot assist with charges incurred prior to approval of application and receipt by the veterinarian of the Acceptance Letter;

  • Since Paws 4 A Cure relies on donations from the public, you need to use whatever funds that are available to you;
  • Paws 4 A Cure cannot pay for treatment in advance;

  • Paws 4 A Cure cannot pay a deposit;

  • Paws 4 A Cure cannot reimburse the applicant for any payments made to the veterinarian;

  • The grant is a one-time grant for emergent veterinary care, we cannot make continuous payments for ongoing services;

  • Paws 4 A Cure will not hold reserved funds in a pet’s account for more than 60 days. If an invoice is not received within 60 days, the funds will be redistributed to the General Fund.

  • If the applicant has CareCredit, they MUST use it first. Paws 4 A Cure cannot reimburse for a CareCredit payment or any other payment made;
  • Paws 4 A Cure cannot pay on an invoice showing no balance due;

  • Paws 4 A Cure cannot pay for diagnostics (testing). A diagnosis is required before you apply for assistance;

  • 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;

  • Paws 4 A Cure will pay only up to the invoice balance due;

  • Paws 4 A Cure will only make payment to a veterinarian, clinic or hospital. Funds are never disbursed to an applicant; 

  • Paws 4 A Cure does not provide financial assistance for vaccinations, spaying/neutering, preventative care or euthanasia.

You do NOT qualify for financial assistance through Paws 4 A Cure under any of the following circumstances:

  • You are not a resident of the United States of America;
  • You cannot prove ownership of the dog or cat.
  • You do not provide Paws 4 A Cure with all the required documents;
  • You have been approved for the entire amount needed by CareCredit;
  • Your veterinarian will not accept payment from Paws 4 A Cure;
  • Your pet is being held at the veterinary office until payment is made;
  • You are seeking reimbursement for a paid bill;
  • You are seeking reimbursement for a Care Credit balance;
  • You are seeking payment for an outstanding bill;
  • Your veterinarian has agreed to a payment plan with you;
  • You are looking for help for an animal other than a dog or cat;
  • You are a breeder, rescue group or shelter;
  • Your pet requires testing to determine a diagnosis;
  • You cannot prove hardship;
Please keep in mind, Paws 4 A Cure can only assist qualified applicants and assistance is only provided with non-routine veterinary care. This means that Paws 4 A Cure does not provide assistance for spaying/neutering, vaccinations, routine dental care, routine office visits or euthanasia.
What is routine dental care?
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.
We are unable to provide inbound/outbound phone calls at this time. However, most all answers to your questions can be found nearby in our support center. We encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for the quickest and most up to date information.
Read our Frequently Asked Questions prior to applying for assistance.

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. Please do not rely on a Paws 4 A Cure grant only. **

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. You must CC Paws 4 A Cure on your emails to the newspaper or TV stations. You must provide the links to the online news media articles if they create an article on their websites. If you do not fundraise for your dog or cat's veterinary care, Paws 4 A Cure will not send payment to the veterinary practice.

Before your application for financial assistance can be reviewed, you are required to email or fax the following documents for all members of your household that are over 18 years of age. Do not mail your documents, it delays the process.

You MUST prove hardship. 
Below is a list of documents that are acceptable proof of hardship

  • **REQUIRED** Copy of your license or ID for all members of your household over 18 years of age.

  • Last pay stub (if employed) for all members of your household over 18 years of age.

  • All pages of your latest tax return for all members of your household over 18 years of age.

  • Copies of your last statement for all members of your household over 18 age of age.

  • Copy of your SSI or SSDI benefit letter or, proof of any federal or state assistance or, unemployment benefits letter or, W2 or 1099 from employer for all members of your household over 18 years of age. 

  • Copy of your approval/denial letter from CareCredit (if your veterinary office accepts) for all members of your household over 18 years of age. 

  • Your most recent CareCredit statement (if applicable) for all members of your household over 18 years of age. 

  • A copy of the front and back of your pet’s insurance card (if applicable). 

  • Any document that proves that you cannot afford the veterinary care on your own.

  • Letter of hardship (explanation why you cannot afford the treatment on your own).

For your protection – before sending any documents to Paws 4 A Cure, please black out all occurrences of account numbers and/or social security numbers. 

Right click on the files below to Open Link In New Tab.
Applicant Packet.pdf Applicant Packet.pdf
Size : 1419.859 Kb
Type : pdf
We ask that you please do not complete the online application if you are not going to complete the application process by submitting in your proof of hardship. It takes us away from the time that could be spent on pending applications.
Please provide the Veterinary Packet below to the treating veterinary practice (you must provide to the treating veterinarian or direct them to the Veterinary Professionals page. To be completed by the veterinarian office only, do not write on the veterinary forms). 

Paws 4 A Cure will need some information from your treating veterinarian about your dog or cat before reviewing your application. The required veterinary packet can be found below or on the Paws 4 A Cure Veterinarian Information page. The treating veterinary practice must be notified that a representative of Paws 4 A Cure is given permission to speak with the office regarding the animals veterinary care including diagnosis and treatment options.

The required veterinary documentation is to be emailed or faxed by the veterinary practice directly to Paws 4 A Cure, not by the applicant. They should not mail the documents.
Required documentation from the treating veterinarian:
  • Veterinary Packet
  • Estimate of service
  • Office notes
Right click on the files below to Open Link In New Tab.
Veterinary Packet.pdf Veterinary Packet.pdf
Size : 418.986 Kb
Type : pdf

Your completed documentation can be sent either by you or by your veterinarian, using one of the following methods:

  • Via fax (866) 799-5166
  • Scanned as a pdf and emailed to grants@paws4acure.org 
  • Do NOT mail your documents. It slows down the process.
Image files must be legible (not blurry). The documentation must be close-up for Paws 4 A Cure to read. We cannot process your application if we cannot read them.

Scanners and faxes are available at copy stores, libraries, business offices and at your veterinary practice.
You must continue reading until you reach the online application. Do not just email Paws 4 A Cure for assistance, you MUST complete the online application and provide your proof of hardship. 

Read our Frequently Asked Questions prior to applying for assistance. All of your questions should be addresses on the FAQ page.

Care Credit
If your treating veterinarian does not accept CareCredit, please disregard this section of the application process. CareCredit is not a grant, it is a medical/veterinary credit card.

If your vet accepts CareCredit, you are required to apply to CareCredit to maximize your funding potential.

“CareCredit offers Special Financing and low monthly payment options, no up-front costs, and no pre-payment penalties so you can keep your pet healthy and happy”. – quoted from the CareCredit website

If you are accepted through CareCredit, you are required to use that balance before Paws 4 A Cure can assist with financial assistance.

Since Paws 4 A Cure relies on donations from the public, you need to use whatever funds that are available to you.

You may apply for CareCredit online via their website at http://www.carecredit.com/vetmed/.

Since Paws 4 A Cure is not affiliated with CareCredit, you will need to provide a copy of your approval/denial letter or take a screenshot of your approval/denial on your computer or phone. We cannot call CareCredit. 
Scratch Pay offers simple and affordable payment plans for large veterinary bills. Apply for Scratch Pay and check your interest rate any time without affecting your credit score. Completing the application and accepting the loan terms takes just a couple of minutes and can be done from your cell phone or computer. Scratch Pay can help get your pet the care they need. If your vet has not yet signed up for Scratch Pay, ask your vet to join Scratch for free. 
For information about Scratch Pay click here: https://www.scratchpay.com
Ways to raise money on your own
Set up a GoFundMe fundraising page 
"GoFundMe is an American for-profit crowdfunding platform that allows people to raise money for events ranging from life events such as celebrations and graduations to challenging circumstances like accidents and illnesses." https://www.gofundme.com/

Set up a Waggle fundraising page
"Waggle Crowdfunding for Pets provides you, your team and your community a new tool and insights to help raise funds and get your pet treated.

We exist because we believe in a world where no pet is euthanized for financial reasons. We are a group of passionate animal lovers. And we know how easy it is to be down on your luck, to fall through the cracks, the have to choose between your pet and paying your bills. So we set out on a mission to change the way pet safety nets work.

To solve this problem, we had to innovate. Waggle is a revolutionary crowdfunding model. Transparent, purposeful, and unprecedentedly successful. Its power exists in collaboration – we work side by side with you to create and run successful fundraisers. 100% of funds go directly to your pet’s care. To do this, we have brought together some of the finest minds in the veterinary profession and pet industry. And we’re going to help you save your pet’s life."

For more information about Waggle click here: https://waggle.org

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