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Your Dog's Friend

A NONPROFIT IN ROCKVILLE, MD WITH FORCE-FREE, POSITIVE DOG TRAINING, WORKSHOPS & ADVICE

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Need Help Paying Vet Bills?

Work with your veterinarian. Ask your primary vet whether any less expensive treatment option is available. Think about getting a second opinion to compare medical cost. Try to arrange a payment plan. Ask whether the practice would accept services in place of cash. Perhaps an extra hand at the reception desk or in the kennel is needed at times.

Consider going to a vet in a less expensive area or locate a veterinary school with a clinic for low-income clients. The American Veterinary Medical Association has a list of schools by state here.

Explore animal welfare organizations that offer help to pets needing medical care. These funding programs typically have specific application procedures, eligibility requirements and may be limited to certain breeds, species, diseases, etc.

Helpful links to various types of financial resources follow:

National Resources

  • American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Helping Pets Fund www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/get_help_from_the_american_animal.html 
    Works with AAHA-accredited veterinary practices to identify pets in need.
  • Hope Fund of Frankie’s Friend http://www.frankiesfriends.com/special-programs/hope-fund-happy-tails/
    Supports pets that would have a good prognosis from a single intervention for long-term recovery to a normal quality of life. Must be recommended by attending veterinarian.
  • Mosby Foundation http://www.themosbyfoundation.org (based in Virginia)
    Assists in the care of critically sick, injured, abused and neglected dogs.
  • SPAY/USA http://www.spayusa.org
    Makes spay/neuter services affordable to those who might not otherwise spay/neuter their pets.
  • The Pet Fund http://www.thepetfund.com
    Provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need veterinary care.
  • Red Rover Relief Grants www.redrover.org/redrover-relief-grants 
    Helps fund specific and immediate emergency vet care for destitute animals suffering from acute, life-threatening injuries or illnesses.
  • Cody’s Club http://www.dogdoggiedog.com/pwcAcodysclub.htm
    Financial help for pets needing radiation treatment.
  • IMOM Inc. (In Memory of Magic) http://www.IMOM.org 
    No longer provides financial assistance, but has a list of financial resources.
  • Best Friends http://bestfriends.org/Resources/Financial-Assistance-For-Pet-Guardians/  A great source for finding financial assistance organizations and online advice.

DOGS – BREED-SPECIFIC ASSISTANCE:

  • CorgiAid (Cardigan Welsh, Pembroke Welsh and corgi mixes) http://corgiaid.org/index.php
    Assists rescue dogs. Applicants must be fostering the dog with intent, once the dog is healthy and a suitable home is found, of rehoming that dog to a permanent home.
  • Labrador Life Line http://www.labradorlifeline.org/
    Assists eligible Labs, owned or in rescue, with medical treatment, transportation needs, boarding costs, or other special needs that will enable the Lab to find a home and to live out life surrounded by people who love the pet.
  • Pyramedic Trust (Great Pyrenees)  http://www.angelfire.com/bc2/pyramedic/summary.html 
    Financial assistance for Great Pyrenees in need of emergency medical care or with a chronic illness.
  • Special Needs Dobermans http://www.doberman911.org/seniors/snseniors.html
    Assistance to eligible Doberman owners and rescuers.
  • WestieMed, Inc. (West Highland White Terriers or Westie mixes) http://www.westiemed.org/aid/guidelines.html
    Monetary assistance toward non-routine immediate medical care, treatment or medications for abandoned, rescued, or recent adoption cases (up to 6 months) and for whom no other funding is available or is insufficient.

DISEASE-SPECIFIC RESOURCES:

  • Canine Cancer Awareness http://www.caninecancerawareness.org
  • Diabetic Pets Fund http://www.petdiabetes.net/fund/ 
  • Fetch a Cure Canines in Crisis program: Richmond www.fetchacure.com/caninesincrisis.html 
    Veterinary care assistance for cancer treatment.
  • Helping Harley Cancer Treatment Grant (for working dogs) http://grants.landofpuregold.com
    Grants of $500 per working dog for oncology-related medical expenses.

SERVICE DOGS:

  • The Assistance Dog United Campaign www.assistancedogunitedcampaign.org/vouchers.html
    Funding in order to purchase service dogs for people with disabilities.
  • Assistance Dogs Special Allowance Program http://www.cdss.ca.gov/cdssweb/PG82.htm a monthly allowance to help pay for food, grooming, and health care for assistance dogs.
  • Helping Harley Cancer Treatment Grant (for working dogs)http://grants.landofpuregold.com
    Grants of $500 per working dog for oncology-related medical expenses.
  • International Association of Assistance Dog Partners http://www.iaadp.org/iaadp-membership-benefits-vcp.html
    Help for assistance dogs if a sudden illness or injury requires high cost veterinary intervention.

CATS:

  • Cats in Crisis http://www.catsincrisis.org
    Offers grants for cats with kidney disease, thyroid disease or cardiac conditions, or neurological conditions or mobility impairments such as Cerebellar hypoplasia, paraplegia, and limb malformations.
  • Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program http://www.fveap.org 
    Medical costs for life-threatening illness or injury. Limited to recipients of State Medicaid, Medicare, or Social Security only income; a public assistance program; or unemployment benefits.
  • SPAY/USA http://www.spayusa.org/about/about.asp
    Affordable spay/neuter services.

PAYMENT PLANS AND FUNDRAISING:

  • CareCredit http://www.carecredit.com/vetmed/loans
    Offers short-term, interest-free payment plans. Check with your veterinarian for availability.
  • VetBilling.com http://www.vetbilling.com
    Interest-free payment plans through veterinary practices participating with VetBilling.com.
  • Pet Chance www.petchance.org
    Helps with online donations to pay for medical expenses.
  • GiveForward http://www.giveforward.org/
    Helps set up a personal fundraising page. Charges a small percentage of funds raised.
  • God’s Creatures Ministry Veterinary Charity http://www.all-creatures.org/gcm/help-cf.html 
    Grants limited to $50.00. Help for personal local fundraising ventures for ‘pets’ or animal(s): a “Walk a Mile” form and a general donation form.
  • Wish Upon a Hero http://www.wishuponahero.com/
    Fundraising campaign assistance.

Local Resources

 (DC Metro Area)

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA:

  • Capital Animal Care Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic http://members.petfinder.com/~VA146/index.html
    Pet food, supplies and spay/neuter assistance.
  • PETS-DC http://www.petsdc.org/
    Veterinary care assistance programs for senior, disabled or ill pet owners.
  • Humane Rescue Alliance http://www.humanerescuealliance.org/medical-care 
    Pet food and supplies, discounted veterinary care including spay/neuter and vaccination assistance.

MARYLAND

  • Animal Advocates of Howard County: Ellicott City www.animal-advocates.org 
    Spay/neuter assistance.
  • Animal Welfare Society of Howard County: Columbia https://awshc.org/Vet_Services.html
    Low-cost spay/neuter, vaccines, exams and consultations.
  • Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County http://www.awlmc.org/
    Spay/neuter assistance.
  • Caroline County Humane Society: Ridgely http://www.carolinehumane.org 
    Pet food, spay/neuter assistance.
  • Frederick County Humane Society: Frederick http://www.fchs.org 
    Pet food, spay/neuter assistance, assistance for necessary veterinary medical care.
  • Humane Society of Charles County: Waldorf www.humanesocietycc.org 
    Spay/neuter assistance.
  • Montgomery County Animal Services & Adoption Center: Derwood  http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/animalservices/ Rabies clinics.
  • Spay Now Inc.: Graysonville www.spaynow.org 
    Spay/neuter and vaccination assistance.
  • Talbot Humane Society: Easton http://www.talbothumane.org/ 
    Pet food, spay/neuter assistance.
  • Spay Spa & Neuter Nook: Davidsonville www.spayspa.org
    Low-cost spay and neutering services.

VIRGINIA:

  • Animal Welfare League of Alexandria: Alexandria http://alexandriaanimals.org/site/PageServer?pagename=petowners_spayneuterresources 
    Spay/neuter assistance.
  • Animal Welfare League of Arlington: Arlington www.awla.org 
    Spay/neuter, vaccination and microchip assistance, assistance for emergency veterinary care.
  • Capital Animal Care Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic: Northern Virginia  http://members.petfinder.com/~VA146/index.html 
    Pet food, supplies and spay/neuter assistance.
  • Fauquier SPCA: Warrenton www.pwspca.org 
    Spay/neuter assistance.
  • Humane Society of Culpeper: Culpeper www.adoptculpeperpets.org 
    Spay/neuter assistance.
  • Humane Society of Loudoun County: Purcellville www.hslcva.org 
    Spay/neuter assistance.
  • Humane Society of Fairfax County: Fairfax http://www.hsfc.org/ 
    Pet food.
  • Share the Love Pet Food Bank www.sharethelovenc.org/
    Pet food for animal shelters and low-income families..
  • Spay Inc.: Northern Virginia http://www.spay.org 
    Spay/neuter assistance.

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yourdogsfriendtraining

Nonprofit that educates & supports dog parents in MD, NoVA, DC, & beyond.
Force-free dog training
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Your Dog's Friend
Early to mid Feb Puppy Party sessions are posted f Early to mid Feb Puppy Party sessions are posted for registration! 🐶 🎉 
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Link in our bio or visit YourDogsFriend.org/Puppy-Party. 
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#puppyplay #puppyparty #funforpuppies #rockvillemd #dcpuppy #mocopuppy #newpuppy #puppyparents #positivereinforcement #puppytraining #puppybehavior #confidencebuilding
Last Saturday’s webinar with @jwdogtraining all Last Saturday’s webinar with @jwdogtraining all about small dogs is up on our YouTube channel! Catch it if you missed it, watch it again, or share with friends! Link in bio. 😀
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#smalldogs #tinypup #littledog #happypup #certifiedtrainer #kpactp #dogtraining #positivereinforcementdogtraining #keepyourdogfeelingsafe #dogbodylanguage #dogbehavior #dogtraining #pomeranian #papillon #chihuahua #shihtzu #yorkie #bichonfrise
Puppy friends, we’ve just added a >20 lb Puppy P Puppy friends, we’ve just added a >20 lb Puppy Party for this Wed Jan 27 at 3pm with @metropolitandogllc ! 
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Go to link in bio or YourDogsFriend.org/Puppy-Party to learn more & register.
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#puppyparty #puppysocialization #happypuppies #dcpup #mocopuppy #rockvillepuppies
Friends with or expecting new puppies, we are sorr Friends with or expecting new puppies, we are sorry that the start dates for Puppy Kindergarten got so far out for a while there! We have new openings as soon as Tues Feb 2nd right now and would love to e-meet you and your puppy! Link to register for online Puppy K is in our bio, along with a link to read about some of the benefits of online training. 
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#onlinepuppykindergarten #puppykindergarten #puppyk #newpuppy #newdog #rescuepuppy #happypuppy #cutepuppy #positivereinforcementdogtraining #onlinepuppytraining #joinusfromanywhere #puppymom #puppydad #welcomehomepuppy
Free “Low Stress Handling at Home” webinar Sat Free “Low Stress Handling at Home” webinar Sat Feb 6 at 2PM ET with @abwellnesscenter Veterinary Behaviorist Dr. Amy Pike! 🙌
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Veterinary Behaviorist Dr. Amy Pike will explain how to handle your dog for everyday maintenance – like grooming, brushing teeth, giving pills, etc -in a way that will reduce your dog’s anxiety. High anxiety in these and other situations could potentially cause both immediate and longer-term behavior problems. If that surprises you, come hear why.

Speaker: Amy Pike, DACVB, @abwellnesscenter 

To register, visit link in bio or go to YourDogsFriend.org/Free-Webinars
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#freewebinar #lowstresshandling #lowstresshandlingathome #veterinarybehavior #veterinarybehaviorist #fearfree #grooming #nailcare #dognailtrim #dognailcare #doggrooming #dogtoothbrush #doghusbandry #fearfreedoggrooming
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