Whether you live paycheck to paycheck or are able to tuck some earnings into a savings account each week, most of us aren’t immune to the occasional hard time. Job losses and emergencies can come out of nowhere, leaving us to make seemingly impossible decisions about how to best care for our families– including the feline members. Luckily, there are many organizations that are ready to provide advice and support to help keep your cat safe, healthy, and fed while you get back on your feet.
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Veterinary Care
- IMOM (In Memory of Magic) – IMOM was founded in 1998 with one simple mission in mind: help people help pets. Since the beginning they’ve helped over 5,000 animals receive non-routine or emergency care. They also help animals with chronic illnesses.
- The Pet Fund – The Pet Fund provides financial assistance for non-basic care such as cancer treatment, heart disease, chronic conditions, etc.
- The Big Hearts Fund – The Big Hearts Fund helps raise funds to care for animals who have been diagnosed with heart disease.
- Care Credit – Care Credit isn’t exactly financial help, but it’s a line of credit that can help you pace out the payments for expensive care and procedures.
- Pets of the Homeless – Pets of the Homeless is an amazing organization that helps provide medical care, food, and resources for the pets of homeless individuals and families. Their website also maintains a lists of homeless shelters that allow pets.
- Pet Assistance, Inc. – Pet Assistance, Inc. helps finance emergency care for animals that have a good prognosis.
- Banfield Foundation – Use the State Programs tool to find programs and resources specific to the state you live in.
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Food
- Feeding America – Many people don’t realize that most food banks receive donations of cat food as well. Check Feeding America’s website to find a local food bank.
- Prince Chunk Foundation – The Prince Chunk Foundation maintains a Pet Food Assistance Program that can provide you with a 3-month supply of cat food when times are tough.
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Spaying and Neutering
Here are some organizations that offer search tools that you can use to find free or low-cost spay/neuter programs in your area:
Image Source: James Petts via Flickr.com
Other Resources
- Red Rover – Red Rover offers grant programs that can help people and their animals safely escape domestic violence.
- Foreclosure Pets – Foreclosure Pets helps homeowners find temporary (or permanent) homes for their animals while they get back on their feet in the event of a foreclosure.
