Heads to Tails Hope Fund
The APA has many programs in place to keep people and pets together. The Heads to Tails Hope Fund provides needs-based financial assistance for the benefit of owners of domestic animals for veterinary care beyond routine procedures, including treatment, surgery, and medications. We will consider most requests for needed medical care, including serious chronic health problems. Depending on the level of funding available and the urgency of the needed treatment, the APA will determine whether or not to pay for all or a portion of the animal's care.
PLEASE NOTE: Funding is NOT available for emergency services, care that is already in process or for those that do NOT want to spay or neuter their pet.
What the Heads to Tails Hope Fund Provides
Financial assistance so pet caregivers can access treatment for animals needing veterinary care.
A Hope Fund grant for qualified applicants typically covers up to 50% of the total cost of the estimate and does not exceed $1000.00. Because the Hope Fund does not cover the entire cost of needed care, you may need to apply to multiple funding sources. Here is a link to other veterinary financial aid resources: https://animalfoundation.com/getpet-help/pet-resource-center/Financial-Aid-for-Pets
The APA will use the following criteria to determine whether funds will be disbursed for the animal’s care:
- The financial need of the owner.
- The opinion of the treating veterinarian as to the medical necessity, urgency, and prognosis for the treatment needed.
- The pet is spayed/neutered. The APA can assist with access to spay/neuter surgery.
What is not funded
- Basic care, including but not limited to spay/neuter surgeries, food or pet supplies, deworming, grooming, flea treatments, vaccinations, or routine veterinary care.
- Any bills already paid or procedures already in progress. The Fund cannot reimburse anyone for veterinary expenses already paid. Even if you have not yet paid your bill, if the procedure has been performed or is in progress we cannot cover the bill.
- If the applicant is already on the wait list and the procedure needs to be performed sooner than the funding is available, the bill cannot be covered. Whatever procedure or treatment is required, the medical care must be able to safely wait until the application is approved.
- Animals with other rescue groups.
- Any animals owned by breeders.
- Declawing, ear cropping, or debarking surgeries. The APA strongly discourages these practices.
Prognosis
If treatment is likely to cause an animal suffering with little hope of a good long-term prognosis, we will not cover the procedure. We are not able to cover euthanasia costs in any circumstance. Please note that the APA will not be able to advise you in any way regarding the medical treatment, diagnosis, or prognosis of your animal(s). If you have medical questions about your animal's condition, you will need to consult with your treating veterinarian.
Relief Grants
For ongoing companion animal health issues, such as diabetes or thyroid disease, where lifetime treatment is necessary to keep the animal alive and healthy, applicants must be able to provide the care on an ongoing basis to qualify. For example, if an applicant cannot afford to maintain the needed prescribed treatment, The Fund will not be able to consider the application. Applicants are eligible to apply for one-time funding for ongoing medical needs.
Personal Requirements for Applicants
- You must be able to care for your animals while they recover.
- You must provide proof of income to determine need for financial assistance.
Requirements for Treating Veterinarians
No contributions are ever given directly to individuals. Funding is sent directly to the treating veterinarian(s). Funding resources are limited, and the APA makes every effort to use limited funds in the most responsible way. The Fund does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, or race. The APA Care Fund reserves the right to deny funding to anyone for any reason.
We regret that funding limits us from helping all that apply. It also limits us to helping one individual or family to one time only.