Through this program, pet owners can apply for a Buddy Care Grant to help cover the costs of life-saving canine medical care. Grant requests will require the recommendation and cooperation of a licensed veterinarian, the complete diagnosis and recommended course of treatment, a positive prognosis, shared financial responsibility and financial statements demonstrating hardship.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

The Animal:

• Have a life-threatening injury or illness that requires urgent and specific treatment. This generally excludes preventative care, hip dysplasia, ligament repair, heartworm or eye conditions, alternative care, chiropractic care, cosmetic and elective procedures.
• Prognosis must be good to excellent.
• Must be spayed or neutered.
• Must be 10 years of age or under at the time of treatment.

The Pet Owner:

• Demonstrate that financial hardship will prevent the pet owner from following the recommended course of treatment.
• The pet owner must be able to pay for 25% of the proposed treatment. If the funds are not available, we recommend applying for Care Credit. Care Credit offers zero interest and low monthly payment options to fund needed medical treatment. Care Credit provides a lifesaving option for pet owners needing financing for veterinary medical care. For more information, visit Care Credit online at http://www.carecredit.com/vetmed/.
• Be a legal resident of the United States.

The Veterinarian:

• Must be willing to speak with a case manager from Buddy Care Foundation and provide an itemized estimate upon request.
• Must discount the final bill a minimum of 25%.
• Must be willing to accept a check from Buddy Care Foundation.

You are ineligible if:

• The animal's treatment has been completed.
• The animal's medical needs are for ongoing conditions or treatments (such as diabetes or chemotherapy), testing or diagnostic work (such as X-rays, MRI or bloodwork), routine care (such as spay/neuter, vaccinations, dental care or annual exams).
• The injury/illness could have been prevented through standard routine care (except animals rescued within six months of application date).
• You are the recipient of a previous Buddy Care Grant.

Additional Requirements:

• All animals that receive a Buddy Care Grant must be spayed or neutered. If an animal is not spayed/neutered at the time funding is given, it will be sterilized at the time of the procedure if the treating veterinarian determines that it will not jeopardize the health of the animal. If sterilization cannot be performed at the time of initial treatment, the owner will agree to have their animal sterilized within a set time frame determined by the treating veterinarian (based on the health of the animal).
• Owners are required to provide photographs of their pets (before, during and after treatment) to the Buddy Care Foundation, and permission to use success stories for promotional purposes, without restriction.

Pet owners will be required to submit the following:

• A fully completed estimate including the total bill, treating hospital discount of at least 25 percent, owner contribution amount and origin, care credit approval (if applicable) and the amount requested from the Buddy Care Foundation. The estimate should also include all necessary follow up care.
• Medical records showing the diagnosis, prognosis and recommended course of treatment.
• Previous year 1040 tax form for all adults responsible for caring for the animal, statements of current income and any other documents that show proof of financial hardship.
• Results of credit applications (Care Credit, CitiHealth, etc.)

Once the completed application and all supporting documentation is received, your case will be reviewed. In most cases we will notify you of our decision and/or request additional information within 48-72 hours.

Due to the overwhelming number of applications we receive, we cannot help everyone. Decisions are based upon several factors, including: medical urgency, financial need, available funding and eligibility.

Funding Limitations:

• Veterinary practices are eligible for up to 5 case fundings per calendar year. Practices may submit as many applications as necessary to reach the annual funding limits.
• Families and/or individuals are limited to one lifetime grant approval.
• Maximum grant eligibility is $500.00 per case.