Assistance Programs
Please note: The organizations listed below provide assistance to help care for companion animals. Each organization is independent and has their own set of rules and guidelines. The inclusion of a service, organization or program in this listing is NOT an endorsement, recommendation or guarantee of funds. Generally, grants can only cover a small portion of care, so it’s important to check with several sources, as well as try and raise funds on your own.
Most grants require at least these three things when applying:
- A diagnosis by a veterinarian
- Proof that the individual applying has been denied Care Credit or granted limited funds
- Proof that the animal is spayed/neutered or that it will be performed during treatment
Acme Foundation: acmefoundation.org
Helps Lake County disabled and senior citizens with limited funds care for seriously ill cats and dogs
Brown Dog Foundation: www.browndogfoundation.org
For those who have no money immediately available for the care of cats and dogs that are sick or injured and would respond to treatment
Paws 4 a Cure: www.paws4acure.org
Helps dogs and cats with injuries and illnesses
Pet Assistance Inc.: www.petassistanceinc.org
Helps long time pet owners with financial aid for urgent or life-threatening emergencies only
Pets of the Homeless: www.petsofthehomeless.org
Resource center for pet food assistance, wellness clinics, and emergency veterinary care
For emergency vet care, call 775-841-7463 to see if you qualify
Red Rover (formerly United Animal Nations): www.redrover.org
Provides grants around $200 for situations where urgent care is needed for a pet
HSSC COMMUNITY VETERINARY CLINIC AND SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC
HSSC Community Veterinary Clinic provides urgent veterinary care as well as spay/neuter services in a welcoming, nonjudgmental environment for low-income pet owners. Learn more about our Spay/Neuter Clinic and our Community Veterinary Clinic.
SONOMA COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES LOVE ME, FIX ME PROGRAM
This program offers low-cost Spay & Neuter vouchers for qualifying low-income pet owners, as well as microchip and vaccinations if needed. Learn more at the Sonoma County Animal Services website.
ROHNERT PARK ANIMAL SHELTER FREE CAT AND LOW COST DOG SPAY AND NEUTER
The Rohnert Park Animal Shelter offers free cat and low cost dog spay and neuter services to low-income residents of Rohnert Park and the city limits of Cotati.
COMPASSION WITHOUT BORDERS ESPERANZA TRUCK
The Esperanza Truck is a mobile veterinary wellness clinic created to bring bilingual access to low-cost veterinary care to animals in low-income communities. Esperanza Truck sitio en Espanol.
Bond’s Fund: www.frankiesfriends.org/bonds-fund
Providing companion animals and their families with the resources to access the best eye care and ophthalmology services
Bow Wow Buddies Foundation: www.bowwowbuddies.com/apply-for-grant/
This foundation helps families that are unable to afford necessary veterinary care and are in need of financial assistance to keep their dog healthy and in their home.
Harley’s Hope: www.harleys-hopefoundation.org
Financial assistance with major veterinary care, emergency foster care, and additional help for seniors and their companions.
The Joshua Louis Animal Cancer Foundation: www.joshualouis.org
Assisting owners and families of pets who are in need of cancer treatment
The Mosby Fund: www.themosbyfoundation.org
For vet-confirmed critical situations that are non-basic and non-urgent
Onyx and Breezy Fund: www.onyxandbreezy.org
Can apply for financial aid for medical treatment, medication, pet food, and spay/neuter with proof of low income/need
Oscar’s Cause: www.oscarscause.org
Resources for the benefit of pets and strays in need.
The Pet Fund: www.thepetfund.com
Can apply for a one-time grant that match their care category of non-basic, non-urgent care like cancer treatment, heart disease, etc.
The Reidel & Cody Fund: http://riedelcody.org/
Support for pets suffering with cancer – funding for chemotherapy and radiation treatment
ROO: www.livelikeroo.org
Roo provides support and financial assistance to families whose pet faces a cancer diagnosis
STARelief: starelief.org
Programs designed to assist individuals and families, and save pet’s lives
Pet Care Rx: www.petcarerx.com
1-800-Pet Meds: www.1800petmeds.com
Valley Vet Supply: www.valleyvet.com
PET FOOD PANTRY
The Community Action Team (C.A.T.) is a response to the growing call for help from people in our community who struggle to meet their pet’s needs. We are here to help pets and their families stay together and nurture the human/animal bond within our community. Learn more about our Pet Food Pantry services.
PETS LIFELINE PET FOOD PANTRY
Pets Lifeline provides free pet food to those in need. Learn more at the Pets Lifeline website.
KIBBLES OF KINDNESS
The Council on Aging will provide dog or cat food monthly for seniors who cannot afford to buy pet food.
ROHNERT PARK ANIMAL SHELTER PET FOOD PANTRY
The Rohnert Park Animal Shelter runs a limited Pet Food Pantry for those in need of one or two-time help to keep their companion animals fed.
PETS ARE LOVING SUPPORT
Pets Are Loving Support is a non-profit agency organized to improve the quality of life of people with AIDS by preserving and promoting the human/animal bond through the care and maintenance of their animal companions.
DOGS ON DEPLOYMENT
Dogs on Deployment is a national non-profit which provides an online network for service members to search for volunteers who are willing to board their pets during their owner’s service commitments.
GUARDIAN ANGELS FOR SOLDIER’S PET
This Foster Home program has a two-fold purpose, assisting with deploying active duty service members and veterans in specific situations. We find volunteer foster homes within our network and the Military Pet Assistance (MPA) fund to assist Homeless Veterans with veterinary care and temporary pet boarding expenses.
STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
The Assistance Dog Special Allowance (ADSA) program provides a monthly payment of $50 to eligible persons who use a guide, signal, or service dog to help them with their disability-related needs. The allowance is to help pay the costs of food, grooming, and health care for the dog.
APARTMENTLIST.COM
This resource provides a listing of pet friendly available housing in Sonoma County.
CRAIGLIST
Search for local pet friendly housing on Craigslist
ROOMIES
Pet friendly roommate listings for Santa Rosa, Sonoma County
Additional Resources
For community members experiencing hardships, please explore the following resources:
Sonoma County Resource Hub – County of Sonoma Human Services Department
Mon-Fri, 8am – 5pm
Phone: (707) 565-INFO or (707) 565-4636
Email: 565info@schsd.org
English/Spanish help available
211 Information Services – 211ca.org
2‑1‑1 is a free telephone number providing access to local community services. 2‑1‑1 is available in multiple languages, allowing those in need to access information and obtain referrals to physical and mental health resources; housing, utility, food, and employment assistance; and suicide and crisis interventions. 2‑1‑1 also provides disaster preparedness, response, and recovery during declared emergencies.
Adult Protective Services – County of Sonoma Human Services Department, Adult and Aging Division
Adult Protective Services (APS) accepts and investigates reports of suspected abuse or neglect involving older adults age 60+ and adults with disabilities ages 18- 59.
Phone (24 hours): (707) 565-5940 | (800) 667-0404
Senior Resources – Sonoma County Aging + Disability Resource Hub
Resources for counseling, transportation, employment, care management and much more.
Reach a Crisis Counselor – Crisis Text Line
Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis, providing access to free, 24/7 support. Text “HOME” to 741741