HOW WE HELP
We Do
- Serve the canine rescue community knowing that many of these beloved dogs come from backgrounds that often put them at greater risk for serious injury and illness.
- Support requests for medical/veterinarian assistance that average from $500 to $2000. (This is a lifetime maximum per household/family.)
- Require a copy of an adoption certificate or official document confirming your dog was rescued and was not purchased through a breeder, pet store or any other non-rescue outlet or organization.
- Require access to your licensed veterinarian and an official estimate of medical services to be provided, to confirm all medical claims.
- Require a signed release of liability prior to processing payments for approved applications.
- Require a minimum of three to five business days upon receipt of a thoroughly completed application, to review, process and fund qualified grant requests.
We Do Not
- Provide emergency funding. If your dog requires immediate, emergency or lifesaving medical assistance for which you need financial assistance, please contact Scratch Pay or Care Credit.
- Require a positive prognosis.
- Offer assistance for routine or preventative diagnostics. medication or medical care (such as vaccinations, annual checkups, dental procedures, etc.)
- Offer assistance or fund maintenance medication for common disorders such as Addison's, Cushing's, Diabetes, etc. However, CARAAF will review applications for advanced, non-routine treatment, surgery or hospitalization that may be required as a result of complications from one of these (or other) conditions.
- Offer assistance for preliminary diagnostics.
- Have age minimums or limits for the dogs we serve.
- Reimburse individuals for payments made for veterinary services previously received. (CARAAF will only make direct payments to licensed veterinarians, in good standing.)
- Offer grants to or fund other nonprofits.
- Require beneficiary funds to be paid back. Payments made to veterinarians on behalf of applicants are not loans. We do hope that if a family is able to pay it forward in the future, they will consider making a donation to CARAAF to help support other families with beloved dogs who also have serious medical needs.
How to Receive Assistance
- Review the criteria above to be sure you pre-qualify for assistance. Please note, meeting the basic application criteria does not assure your request will be approved or funded.
- Complete our simple, online application by clicking the link below. Please note, this form is only enabled during open application periods.
- Someone from our team will personally review your request and contact you within 72 hours with any questions.
- Applications are typically reviewed and processed within 5 – 7 business days (and sometimes sooner.)
- We evaluate each application individually and thoroughly. Needs are prioritized and fulfilled based on availability of funds and other criteria that remains at the sole discretion of the CARAAF advisory committee.
- CARAAF assumes no responsibility or liability for consulting, advising or providing funding, diagnostic or medical care to applicants and their dogs.