Grants for Low Income Seniors and Those with Disabilities

Grants for Unexpected Pet Care

Sometimes pets who are well cared for are injured or develop serious, unanticipated illnesses.  Lab work, intensive care, and surgery can be very expensive.   Sometimes pets have terminal diseases and owners must consider euthanasia, which can also be very costly.

For those on limited fixed incomes, paying for the unexpected pet care can seem impossible. While many veterinary hospitals have credit programs, some do not. Some senior pet owners who are on fixed incomes choose not to have credit cards to avoid debt. They will not qualify for a new credit.  Some veterinary clinics are not in a position to advance credit.

Often friends and/or family can come to the rescue, but often there is no help available.

ElderPet has a Grant Program for situations like this for responsible pet owners.  Pet owners who wish to look into this program should do the following:

  1. Take the pet to a veterinarian for examination and probable diagnosis. The owner is expected to make arrangements and pay for this initial visit. 
  2. Get an estimate for the recommended diagnostic tests and treatment(s) or surgery.
  3. Contact ElderPet and describe the problem and give or email ElderPet an estimate of total costs. (ElderPet does not cover costs for vaccines, spays or neuters, parasite prevention, or grooming. Responsible owners should budget for these items.) The owner should be ready to provide financial information and references if we require.
  4. ElderPet Loans are usually in the range of $500.00 but the final amount is determined on a case- by- case basis. ElderPet will let the caller know the amount we can offer.
  5. Once the owner has assured they can cover the whole cost, ElderPet will contact the veterinarian and make direct payment arrangements.
  6. ElderPet pays the veterinarian upon dismissal of the animal.

Notes: Our population served is low, fixed income seniors and people with disabilities and their pets in the Strafford and Seacoast Rockingham counties. This is not set up to be a "convenience" loan program. If you do not fit our target audience or need more funds than we can provide, there are other organizations: New Hampshire Pet Aid (http://NHPetAid.org), List from NHVMA

ElderPet will be happy to consult with pet owners, social workers, or veterinarians about this program on individual basis.