Rising veterinary costs are a major reason why owners surrender their dogs, while many others forgo necessary medical care for financial reasons, impacting the animals’ health and lifespan. Nonprofits, from SPCAs and universities to local foundations, are working to address this issue by providing affordable care. Some operate state-of-the-art hospitals, while others focus on periodic vaccinations and basic preventative care. Still some other organizations provide vouchers or partner with local veterinarians to deliver free or discounted care, rather than directly offering the service.
To ensure dogs receive essential preventative care, and that owners can afford emergency treatment, nonprofits are working together to expand access to affordable veterinary services. The following successful examples can help dog welfare organizations planning a veterinary clinic.
Jump to: Veterinary Clinic | Other Vet Care Assistance Programs
Veterinary Clinics Offered By Nonprofits
A sample list of affordable veterinary clinics offered by nonprofits, by country.
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Canada
Alberta Helping Animals Society
AHAS Home Veterinary Services offers no-cost veterinary services in Edmonton to qualified clients unable to access regular veterinary care, including wellness exams, vaccines, parasite treatments, and spay/neuter surgeries.
BC SPCA
The BC SPCA operates two animal hospitals and two spay/neuter clinics throughout the province.
Calgary Animal Services
Calgary Animal Services offers a no-cost spay/neuter program for low-income Calgarians’ cats.
East Village Animal Hospital
EVAH operates three locations across Ontario, providing spay/neuter, vaccines, and other veterinary services to low-income households. They offer three pricing tiers based on income.
Edmonton Humane Society – PALS Spay and Neuter Program
Low-income residents of Edmonton and surrounding communities can have their dogs and/or cats spayed/neutered through PALS for only the administration fee. The humane society also operates a mobile PALS unit.
The Humane Society of Kitchener, Waterloo & Stratford Perth
The humane society operates a companion animal hospital and a satellite hospital, offering spay/neuter (cats only), monthly vaccines and microchipping clinic, and nail trimming. It also provides veterinary outreach to those experiencing homelessness.
Humane Society of Greater Niagara
The organization offers high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter services to the public and rescue groups.
Nova Scotia SPCA – Tartan Tails Veterinary Hospital
The Nova Scotia SPCA has established social enterprise animal hospitals in Dartmouth and Cape Breton, providing care for all pet owners.
Nova Scotia SPCA – Yarmouth High Volume Spay & Neuter Clinic
The Nova Scotia SPCA provides high-volume, low-cost spay/neuter services for low-income families at this clinic.
Ontario SPCA & Humane Society
The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society offers basic veterinary services, including physical exams, vaccinations, microchipping, and end-of-life care, to families who cannot afford routine veterinary care.
Paws for Hope Animal Foundation
The organization partners with community agencies, veterinary hospitals, and medical staff to provide free health clinics offering spay/neuter and vaccines to pets of homeless and low-income individuals.
SPA de Québec
The organization offers a low-cost spay/neuter clinic for cats.
Toronto Humane Society
The Toronto Humane Society offers wellness and preventive care, spay/neuter, and dental services through its regular and pop-up clinics.
Windsor/Essex County Humane Society
The WECHS veterinary clinic is self-sustaining, offering daily spay/neuter surgeries and wellness services on select days. Additionally, the clinic offers a surgical pyometra treatment program for eligible pets. The clinic primarily focuses on cats and welcomes everyone, regardless of income.
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Hong Kong
SPCA Hong Kong
SPCA Hong Kong operates eight clinics providing 24-hour emergency care, hospitalization and surgery, and routine healthcare.
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Singapore
SPCA Singapore
SPCA Singapore operates the nation’s only non-profit community animal clinic, providing services, primarily sterilization, to animal welfare groups, independent rescuers, community caregivers, and pet owners needing financial assistance.
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United Kingdom (UK)
List of Free and Subsidised Veterinary Care for London’s Pets
The Mayor of London and Blue Cross compiled a list of free and subsidized services for London residents.
Blue Cross
Blue Cross animal hospitals provide veterinary care for sick and injured pets whose owners cannot afford private fees. Support is tiered based on the owner’s government assistance.
The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA)
PDSA Pet Hospitals offer free and discounted treatments for pet owners on various benefits. If you receive housing benefits, council tax support, or universal credit with a housing element, your pet will receive free treatment and medication. Those receiving other government benefits are eligible for low-cost treatments and medications, typically 20-30% cheaper than the standard price.
RSPCA
RSPCA offers neutering, microchipping, and vaccinations at their hospitals, branches, and mobile clinics.
United States (USA)
Pet Help Finder
Pet Help Finder offers a comprehensive directory of affordable pet resources, including veterinary care, food pantries and supplies, and boarding and other services.
Other Vet Care Assistance Programs Offered By Nonprofits
A sample list of other vet care assistance programs offered by nonprofits, by country.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
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Canada
Welfare for Animals – List of Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinics
Welfare for Animals maintains a nationwide list of low-cost spay/neuter clinics.
The Brant Animal Aid Foundation
The Foundation supports programs preventing and relieving animal suffering in Brantford and the County of Brant, including financial assistance for pet healthcare and spay/neuter programs.
Cambridge & District Humane Society – Compassion Program
The Cambridge & District Humane Society (CDHS) provides financial assistance for lifesaving emergency or end-of-life veterinary care to family pets whose owners cannot afford the full cost.
The Farley Foundation
The Farley Foundation assists financially struggling pet owners with veterinary care for their sick or injured pets.
Langley Animal Protection Society – Major’s Legacy Fund
Residents of Langley with low household incomes can receive one-time veterinary care assistance through Major’s Legacy Fund.
Langley Animal Protection Society – Spay and Neuter Voucher Program
LAPS offers spay/neuter vouchers for cats to low-income residents of Langley.
National Pet Care Fund
The National Pet Care Fund offers grants to low-income Canadian pet owners to assist with urgent, non-elective medical expenses for their sick or injured companion animals.
Paws for Hope – Better Together Program
The Better Together Program receives referrals from social service and animal welfare agencies to provide veterinary care subsidies to individuals in British Columbia.
Progressive Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) Canada
PAWS Canada offers subsidies for veterinary care, including preventive care, spay/neuter, and essential/urgent care to those households below the income threshold.
Tails of Help
The organization provides financial aid to Alberta pet owners who cannot afford essential healthcare for their sick or injured pets. Applications must be submitted by the veterinary clinic.
Vancouver Humane Society McVitie Veterinary Assistance Program
The McVitie Veterinary Assistance Program provides funding to low-income individuals for emergency veterinary care for their pets.
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United Kingdom
Dogs Trust – Together Through Homelessness
Dogs Trust provides preventive and essential veterinary cost support for dogs belonging to individuals in the UK who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) – Pet Care Scheme
The Pet Care scheme offers affordable cat and dog treatments through participating vets for a small monthly fee, plus other pet health benefits.
United States
Best Friends Spay/Neuter Resource Map
Best Friends’ spay/neuter resource map, compiled by staff and volunteers, highlights close to 700 spay/neuter voucher or assistance programs across the United States.
Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh – H.O.P.E.S. Program
The H.O.P.E.S. (Helping Owners & Pets by Edgar Snyder) Program provides financial assistance for urgent pet care, helping keep pets in loving homes.
Lange Foundation – San Bernardino Intervention Program
The Lange Foundation provides financial assistance for spay/neuter, medical care, supplies, and impound fees to help reduce shelter surrenders.
SPCA of Northern Nevada (NV) – Community Veterinary Care Assistance
Todd’s Medical Fund provides financial assistance for acute, necessary veterinary procedures (e.g., surgery, severe dental work, lacerations, foreign body obstructions) to those who cannot afford them.