Guidelines


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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. **

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.

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;

  • You must be a resident of the United States and the veterinary practice must be in the Unites States;
  • 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;

  • 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;

  • 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 only make payment to a veterinarian, clinic or hospital. Funds are never disbursed to an applicant; 

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

  • Paws 4 A Cure cannot pay on an invoice showing no balance due;

  • Paws 4 A Cure does not provide financial assistance for vaccinations, spaying/neutering, preventative care or euthanasia.
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 (FAQ) page for the quickest and most up to date information. Read our Frequently Asked Questions prior to applying for assistance.
If the application is approved, the applicant must supply a photo of the dog/cat and their story for a fundraising page to be created by Paws 4 A Cure. 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. 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.

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. You do not have to provide all of the documents, you just need to prove why you cannot afford to pay for the veterinary care on your own.

    • Copy of your license or ID for all members of your household over 18 years of age (required)

    • Copies of your most recent bank statement for all members of your household over the age of 18. (required) 

    • A letter explaining why you cannot afford the treatment on your own. (required)
    • Last pay stub (if employed) for all members of your household over 18 years of age.

    • A copy of your latest tax return for all members of your household over 18 years of age. 

    • If you are on SSI, SSDI or Unemployment - a 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 and 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).

    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. If they show, please be ensured that your private information will not be shared.

    Right click on the files below to Open Link In New Tab.
    Applicant Packet.pdf Applicant Packet.pdf
    Size : 663.446 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. T    he 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
    The Veterinary Packet is to be completed by the veterinary practice that is treating the patient. Do NOT write on the form
    Right click on the files below to Open Link In New Tab.
    Veterinary Packet.pdf Veterinary Packet.pdf
    Size : 1319.81 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
    Below are some ways to fund raise for your dog or cat's veterinary care along with applying for assistance:
    • Have a garage sale or yard sale
    • Have a bake sale
    • Sell your clothes and household items on 

    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

    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/

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