Veterinary Assistance Programs

We've compiled financial aid assistance programs for rabbit and small pet owners in Southern California and nationwide. These programs can help with emergency veterinary care, specialty treatments, spay/neuter costs, and ongoing medical needs.

Important: We are not affiliated with any programs listed below. Requirements and eligibility change frequently—please verify current information directly with each organization before applying.

Quick Guide: Which Program is Right for You?

Emergency/Life-threatening: Angel Fund, Frankie's Friends, RedRover Relief, Pet Assistance Inc.

Specialty eye care: Bond's Fund

Seniors (65+) or disabled: Mary Edna Boydston Fund

Non-urgent care: The Pet Fund

Low-income assistance: PAWS/LA, Actors & Others, Animal Assistance League of Orange County

Spay/neuter only: Peter Zippi Fund, San Clemente Spay/Neuter Program

Important Reminders

  • Act quickly for emergencies - Don't delay care while waiting for grant responses

  • Verify eligibility - Requirements change frequently

  • Get diagnosis first - Many programs require clear diagnosis and treatment plan

  • Your vet may need to apply - Some programs require veterinarian applications

  • No reimbursements - Most programs don't reimburse payments already made

  • Grants not guaranteed - High demand means not everyone receives assistance

  • Be prepared to contribute - Many programs require owner contribution

National Grant Programs

  • For: Emergency and non-urgent veterinary care

    Eligibility: Southern California residents whose veterinarian is a SCVMA member

    How it works: YOUR VETERINARIAN must apply (not you directly)

    Grant amount: Varies by hospital

    Notes: Most participating vets limit grants to existing clients

    Action:Find if your vet is a SCVMA member, then ask them to contact SCVMA about applying for a grant.

    More information

  • For: Ophthalmic conditions requiring specialist treatment

    Eligibility: Families with financial need whose pets have good prognosis

    What's covered: Specialty eye treatment only (not preventative care, diagnostics, initial exam, or ongoing medications)

    How it works: Payments made directly to veterinarian, never to individuals

    Notes: Does NOT reimburse payments already made

    Action: Have your pet seen by a licensed veterinary ophthalmologist first. Find an ophthalmologist

    Apply for Bond's Fund

  • For: Veterinary services for seniors and disabled persons

    Eligibility: Seniors (65+) and disabled persons in Los Angeles or Orange County

    How it works: YOUR VETERINARIAN must apply (not you directly)

    Notes: Vets who are SCVMA members contact SCVMA; non-members contact Animal Health Foundation

    More information

  • For: Emergency or specialty lifesaving veterinary care

    Eligibility: Family-owned pets with emergency/specialty medical conditions

    Grant amount: Up to $2,000 per pet, per household

    What's covered: Lifesaving emergency and specialty care

    Notes: Does NOT reimburse payments already made. No guarantee of assistance. If your pet needs immediate care, seek treatment immediately—don't wait for application response.

    Apply here

  • For: Lifesaving (not life-prolonging) veterinary treatments

    Eligibility: Individuals/families up to 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines

    What's covered: Curable diseases (tumors, broken bones, expensive medication, post-surgical prosthetics)

    What's NOT covered: Routine care, diagnostics (ultrasound/MRI), preventative measures

    Notes: Pre-approval basis only. Does NOT fund treatments already completed.

    Apply here

  • For: Pets needing veterinary care when owner cannot afford it

    Notes: If emergency, bring pet to closest emergency vet or primary vet immediately

    Apply here

  • For: Various animal welfare needs including medical hardship

    What's covered: Medical equipment, research, treatment where hardship present, medication, pet food, spay/neuter

    Eligibility: Case-by-case basis

    More information

  • For: URGENT OR LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCIES ONLY

    Grant amount: $100-$350

    What's covered: Emergency procedures at independent, privately owned, or low-cost hospitals

    What's NOT covered: Emergency hospitals, chains, franchises, vet school hospitals, corporate specialty hospitals (too expensive)

    Eligibility: Longtime pet owners who have always cared for pet but cannot afford emergency. Owner MUST contribute.

    What's NOT covered: Unnecessary blood work, routine care, costly diagnostics (MRIs, CT scans), ongoing illness

    Notes: Does NOT help once procedure is already done. Need written estimate from vet first.

    More information

  • For: NON-BASIC, NON-URGENT CARE ONLY

    What's covered: Medical care above and beyond basic care but NOT urgent treatment

    Notes: CANNOT FUND EMERGENCIES. Has chronic waitlist due to high volume. If you have an emergency, this fund cannot help.

    Action: MUST email description of animal's medical needs to info@thepetfund.com with phone number BEFORE applying. Staff will advise on waitlist time and eligibility. Applications sent before staff approval will not be processed.

    More information

  • For: Urgent veterinary care (small funding gap)

    Grant amount: Typically around $250

    Eligibility: Must have clear diagnosis and treatment plan from veterinarian before applying

    Notes: Cannot help everyone due to high volume

    Apply here

Los Angeles County Programs

  • Location:
    11523 Burbank Blvd
    North Hollywood, CA 91601

    Phone:

    (818) 755-6045

    Services:

    • Reduced cost spay/neuter vouchers (must apply)

    • Medical assistance (must apply)

    • Pet food pantry
      Website

  • Location:
    150 W. 24th Street
    Los Angeles, CA 90007 

    Phone:
    (213) 741-1950; ext. 120 
    Coordinator: Omar Olivares

    Email:
    info@pawsla.org

    Services: FREE to qualified clients (people with AIDS/HIV+, veterans, seniors) on case-by-case basis:

    • Subsidized veterinary care

    • Pet food & supplies

    • Grooming assistance

    • Temporary foster care

    • Dog walking

    • Litter box maintenance

    Website

  • Location:
    7720 Gloria Ave
    Van Nuys, CA 91406

    Phone:
    (818) 901-0190; ext. 35

    Email:
    vetclinic@petorphans.org

    Services:

    • Reduced cost spay/neuter vouchers

    • Wellness exams (by appointment only)

    Website

  • Location:
    1560 Pacific Coast Hwy
    Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

    Phone:
    (310) 379-1264

    Services: Reduced cost spay/neuter vouchers for all residents

    Website

  • Location:
    1902 A Lincoln Blvd #202
    Santa Monica, CA 90405

    Phone:
    (310) 392-5153

    Email:
    info@vftafoundation.org

    Services: Helping Friends Program for seniors, people with disabilities, terminal illnesses, and individuals on fixed incomes

    Website

Orange County Programs

  • Location:
    15102 Jackson St.
    Midway City, CA, 92655

    Phone:

    (714) 893-4393

    Email:
    aaloc@aaloc.org

    Services:

    Website

  • Phone:
    (714) 964-4445

    Email:
    info@OCAnimalallies.org

    Services:

    • Reduced cost spay/neuter vouchers at participating hospitals

    • Financial aid for critical care (low-income residents)

    Website

  • Eligibility: Residents of San Clemente, Dana Point, Capistrano Beach, or Monarch Beach ONLY

    Services: Reimbursement for spay/neuter only (no other medical expenses)

    Notes: Must submit within 90 days of spay/neuter. Cannot be combined with other offers.

    Apply here

Additional Resources

Need more options?

Need help finding a program that fits your situation? Contact us and we'll do our best to point you in the right direction.

Email: info@bunchiaburrow.com
Phone: (714) 485-8383 (text preferred)