Resources

SPAY/NEUTER

Check the Mass Animal Coalition website for spay and neuter information.

Assistance & Low-Cost Programs – MRFRS | The Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society

The Luke and Lily Lerner Spay/Neuter Clinic (LSNC) provides students at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University with opportunities for surgical training while serving pets in need. For low-income pet owners in the surrounding community, the clinic offers a free spay/neuter clinic. Availability is limited and requirements must be met for a pet to be eligible. Check out the Luke & Lily Lerner Spay/Neuter Clinic website for availability and scheduling.

VACCINATIONS

Massachusetts law requires all cats, dogs, and ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (click here to go to their website) works with several nonprofit animal welfare groups to offer low-cost rabies vaccination clinics in cities and towns throughout the state.

Most clinics charge from $5 to $15 for the rabies vaccination.
Microchipping, licenses, and other services are available at some clinics.

VetCo (click here to access VetCo website) also offers low-cost vaccinations for pets at PETCO stores all over the state.

AFFORDABLE VETERINARY CARE – MASSACHUSETTS-BASED RESOURCES

The Shadow Fund New England (508) 681-0800
PO Box 1472.
Lompoc, CA 93436. Phone. (805) 735-3165
MRFRS (Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society) veterinary financial assistance 

 

Merwin Memorial Free Clinic for Animals, Inc.

The Merwin Memorial Free Clinic provides free office visits and free outpatient veterinary services including physical exams, vaccinations, nail-cutting, and free medications for sick animals. The clinic does not schedule appointments. Service is first-come, first-served. Merwin Memorial Free Clinic website
Phone: 617-782-5420
542 Cambridge St.
Allston, MA 02134

Check website for hours of operation (first-come, first-served; arrive at least one hour before closing)

Financial Assistance at MSPCA Angell

Angell Animal Medical Center and Angell West may award assistance for hospitalized, recently hospitalized, or soon-to-be hospitalized Angell patients that meet prognosis requirements, and families that meet the organization’s pre-determined income guidelines.

​Contact the Admitting Office at angelladmittingoffice@mspca.org if you are a client interested in seeing if you may qualify for their Financial Assistance program.

Sampson Fund for Veterinary Care

The Sampson Fund helps pay for medical care for critically ill or injured cats and dogs when their owners cannot afford the cost of treatment. Sampson Fund website
508-240-7387
Service area: Cape Cod and the Islands
Call the Sampson Fund at 508-240-7387
or apply at a Member Hospital
Tufts at Tech Community Veterinary Clinic

Tufts Veterinary School, together with the veterinary assistant program at Worcester Technical High School (WTHS), runs a low-cost primary care pet clinic at WTHS on Skyline Drive in Worcester, MA. Clinic services include vaccinations, checkups, stable urgent care, simple surgeries, diagnostics, and dentistry, all at low cost.The clinic serves pet owners in the Greater Worcester area who cannot afford vet care. To qualify, you must have an ID card from WIC, SNAP, the Worcester Housing Authority or another qualified Housing Authority, or a student ID from WTHS, as well as photo ID. See Tufts at Tech Financial Policies for more information.​Tufts at Tech website
Phone: 508-751-7670
Call for hours and directions
Wellness Waggin’ (part of Animal Rescue League of Boston)

The Animal Rescue League of Boston has partnered with Action for Boston Community Development to offer low-cost pet wellness care for residents of Dorchester, Roxbury and Mattapan. A wellness package is offered that includes a physical, rabies vaccination, distemper vaccination, flea treatment and microchip. Appointments are encouraged. Wellness Waggin’ website
857-350-8720
Appointments
MSPCA – Angell at Nashoba

​The clinic provides discounted spay/neuter services, vaccinations and basic veterinary care.

The clinic has no restriction for people’s area of residence.
Angell at Nashoba website

Monty Tech Veterinary Clinic​

The Monty Tech Veterinary Clinic provides veterinary services for cats and dogs of resource-limited families within the Monty Tech district (Ashburnham, Ashby, Athol, Barre, Fitchburg, Gardner, Harvard, Holden, Hubbardston, Lunenburg, Petersham, Phillipston, Princeton, Royalston, Sterling, Templeton, Westminster, and Winchendon).

The clinic provides subsidized veterinary care that ranges from routine preventative care visits and affordable medications and vaccinations to diagnostic services and dentistry.

To qualify a pet owner must:
​(1)    Present a valid EBT card, issued by the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance, and a matching valid ID
(2)   Reside in one of the towns listed above
​​
Monty Tech Veterinary Clinic website

​Phone: 978-516-0888
218 State Rd. E
Westminster, MA 01473

Check the website for hours of operation. The clinic is by appointment only. To make an appointment, call the clinic directly.

Lilly Fund Grant

Offers grants of $250 for pit bull-related needs.

Lilly’s Fund website

 Tufts – Cummings School Foster Hospital for Small Animals

The Henry and Lois Foster Hospital for Small Animals is part of Tufts Cummings Veterinary Medical Center. The hospital provides 24-hour care for pets 365 days of the year and offers consultation, referral, and emergency veterinary services for the care of dogs, cats, and exotic pets.

The hospital has no restriction for people’s area of residence.

Foster Hospital for Small Animals website

Phone: 508-839-5395
55 Willard St.
N. Grafton, MA 01536

Community Veterinary Clinic at Mount Ida Campus of UMass Amherst

The community veterinary clinic in Newton offers vaccines and other non-urgent wellness care to the Newton area and surrounding communities. There is an option of sliding scale pricing for qualified families. The clinic aims to provide more affordable vet care in order to allow families to have somewhere to turn for routine care. Services include physical exams, blood work, nail trims, vaccines, and more.

Community Veterinary Clinic at Mount Ida Campus of UMass Amherst
Phone: 617-243-1640
100 Carlson Avenue
Newton, MA 02459

The clinic is currently only open during allotted times on Fridays and is by appointment only. Call or email for more information or to schedule an appointment.

NATIONAL PROGRAMS (GRANT PROGRAMS)

The Pet Lifeline Financial Assistance Program  provides financial assistance to low-income pet owners who are having trouble paying for veterinary care. https://petnewsdaily.com/financial-assistance/​

The Pet Fund provides financial assistance to pet owners who cannot afford expensive surgery or medical treatment that their pets need. Assists in covering medical costs beyond the normal expenses of vaccination, spay and neuter surgeries, food and routine veterinary care. www.thepetfund.com

Red Rover (formerly the United Animal Nations LifeLine Fund) helps pet owners care for their animals in life-threatening situations. www.redrover.org/redrover-relief-grants and domestic violence:  www.redrover.org/redrover-relief-domestic-violence-resources

Brown Dog Foundation offers pet owners in temporary financial crisis an alternative when their pets face a treatable but life-threatening condition or illness. www.browndogfoundation.org

Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance provides financial assistance to cat guardians who are unable to afford veterinary services to save their companions when life-threatening illness or injury strikes. www.fveap.org

Canine Cancer Awareness raises awareness of the prevalence of canine cancer, its effects and treatment options. Helps dog owners pay for veterinary care for dogs with cancer. www.caninecancerawareness.org

The Mosby Foundation assists in the care of sick, injured, abused and neglected dogs through financial support and public education. www.themosbyfoundation.org

Magic Bullet Fund provides financial assistance for canine cancer treatment when the family is financially unable to provide treatment. www.themagicbulletfund.org

God’s Creatures Ministry Veterinarian Charity Fund spreads God’s compassion to all animals God has made according to the scriptures. Helps with up to $50.00 toward vet bills. www.all-creatures.org

Frankie’s Friends provides financial assistance grants to family-owned pets in need of lifesaving emergency or specialty veterinary care whose caregivers cannot afford the full cost of treatment. https://www.frankiesfriends.org

Sierra Delta aims to empower every Veteran, disabled and non-disabled, with access to approved dog training that provides purpose, innovation, and community through the love of dogs. https://sierradelta.com​

MyPetChild.com offers one-time financial grants (up to $200 USD) to pet owners who are experiencing financial hardship. These grants can be applied to the cost of veterinary treatment that is non-routine and non-emergency (e.g. eye surgery, diagnostic testing, dental work). https://www.mypetchild.com/financial-aid-program/

Petco Love
 serves as a leader and valued partner in animal welfare, always focusing on one thing: creating a better world for animals and the people who love and need them. https://petcolove.org

The Binky Foundation
www.binkyfoundation.org

The Onyx & Breezy Foundation
www.onyxandbreezy.org

Paws 4 A Cure
www.paws4acure.org

Pets of the Homeless provide pet food and veterinary care assistance for homeless.
www.petsofthehomeless.org

Rose’s Fund
www.rosesfund.org

Harley’s Hope Foundation
http://www.harleys-hopefoundation.org

PET FOOD

Many Massachusetts food pantries and animal welfare groups offer free pet food to pet owners in need. The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) maintains a list of pet food pantries by region. MSPCA pet food pantry statewide list: http://www.mspca.org/programs/animal-protection-legislation/massachusetts-food-pantries.html
In addition, other local food pantries may have pet food available or may be able to provide it if you ask.

Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem, MA

In some Massachusetts communities, Meals on Wheels partners with local animal welfare groups to provide pet food to homebound Meals on Wheels pet owners. If you receive Meals on Wheels and need pet food for your dog or cat, ask your meal delivery driver if Meals on Wheels pet food is available in your area. For more information visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org

MetroWest Humane Society
 Their community food outreach program is designed to reach out to assist families in need of food for their pets. There are four locations with food – check their website for locations.
https://metrowesthumanesociety.org/communityoutreach.html​

Berkshire Humane Society
214 Baker Rd. Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201
413-447-7878
http://Berkshirehumane.org/pet-food-b
Ginny’s Thrift Shop and Food Pantry
52 Mechanic St. Leominster, Massachusetts 01453
888-530-6779
http://www.ginnyshelpinghand.org/
Pet Partners of the Tri-State
West Stockbridge, Massachusetts 01266
518-781-0362
www.petpartnersberkshires.org
The Pet Pantry
PO Box 333- Last Saturday of every month at Coyle and Cassidy High School
Easton, Massachusetts 02334
www.helpfeedpets.org

PET MEDICATION

GoodRx not only works for human medications but also for pets. GoodRx brings together prices from major online pet medication retailers, local pharmacies and other sources to help find you the lowest prices on all your pet medications. For more information visit their website: https://www.goodrx.com/pets. And to learn more about this resource check out their video.

PetCareRx is a full-service pet pharmacy and pet supply provider. For more information visit their website: https://www.petcarerx.com.

PetMeds® is a licensed to dispense prescription medications in all 50 states. You can find coupons as well as the option for autoship so you can set up automatic deliveries of items you buy regularly so you never have to worry about running low on stock. For more information visit their website: https://www.1800petmeds.com.

RxSaver helps you find Rx coupons at nearby pharmacies so you can save up to 80% on prescriptions. For more information visit their website: https://www.rxsaver.com/blog/how-to-use-rxsaver-to-save-on-pet-medications.

PET BEHAVIOR COUNSELING

If you interested in getting some help or learning more about your cats behavior below is an organization that can help. Please contact the organization directly to learn more about the program.

Dr. Rachel Geller, the author of Saving the World, One Cat at a Time: What I Know About Cats – And Why You Should Know It, Too, offers free cat behavior counseling to pet parents around the world who need help with getting to the root of litter box issues, yowling, aggressive biting and scratching, and more. She is a certified Cat Behavior and Retention Specialist through the Humane Society and Humane Education Specialist through the Academy of Prosocial Learning and a certified Pet Chaplain® through the Association of Veterinary Pastoral Education. Her nonprofit, All Cats All the Time, Inc., is dedicated to preventing the surrender and abandonment of cats by helping pet parents access critical behavior counseling for the cats who otherwise could not afford it. For more information, please visit drrachelcatbehavior.com.

PET SURRENDER OPTIONS

Below is a list of organizations that accept pet surrenders under certain circumstances. Please contact these organizations directly to learn more about their surrender options.

Gifford’s Cat Shelter
www.giffordcatshelter.org

MSPCA
www.mspca.org

MSPCA at Nevin’s Farm
www.mspca.org/adoption-centers/nevins-farm-adoption-center/

Pittie Love Rescue
www.pittieloverescue.org

Worcester Animal Rescue League
worcesterarl.org/programs-resources/surrendering-a-pet/

Animal Rescue League Boston
www.arlboston.org/surrender-an-animal/

Second Chance Animal Shelter
www.secondchanceanimals.org/

OTHER RESOURCES

Important Questions to Ask When Adopting a Dog

This article delves into the essential questions every prospective dog owner should consider when adopting a furry companion. From understanding the dog’s history to assessing compatibility and addressing potential challenges, this resource serves as a valuable guide to ensure a successful and fulfilling adoption process.

Your Comprehensive Guide to Adopting a Dog

How to travel safely with a pet – driving with a pet 
Pet Financial Aid Organizations –
HumaneSociety.org
Pit Bull-Friendly Housing Database – Mypitbullisfamily.org
Assistance Dogs Resources – https://assistancedogsinternational.org/resources
Pet Emergency Planning – Ready.gov
List of Sources for Vet Cost Assistance – Petsforpatriots.org
Pit Bull Resources – lillytheheropitbull.com
List of Resources Compiled by Pets for Patriots – https://petsforpatriots.org/resources/
Pet Owner Guide – couponfollow.com/research/pet-owner-guide
Effects of Air Pollution on Pets – breazy.com/blogs/education/effects-of-air-pollution-on-pets
Ultimate Money Saving Guide for Dog Owners