Financial Assistance Programs

We're Here to Help

In our mission to save and protect animals, the SF SPCA provides compassionate care to as many cats and dogs as we can. That's why we've implemented innovative programs to make veterinary care affordable to all eligible guardians — in addition to providing care to homeless animals.

With the support of our donors and full-paying clients, we offer a number of comprehensive assistance programs for the San Francisco community. Such programs translate into millions of dollars of subsidized veterinary care annually, and the Leanne B. Roberts Animal Care Center dramatically increases our ability to help animals in need.

To qualify for financial assistance you must meet these basic guidelines:

• Provide proof of San Francisco residency.
• Demonstrate financial need and provide proof of income.
• Be willing to have all animals in your household spayed/neutered if they are not already.
• Have kept up with your payments if you have received financial assistance from us before.

To apply for payment arrangements or an emergency care grant, you must also:

• Have applied for, and exhausted, CareCredit.
• Have an urgent or life threatening case.

If you do not meet any of the above requirements, the SF SPCA Veterinary Hospital will not be able to provide you with financial assistance. Financial assistance is given on a case-by-case basis. If you don't meet the above guidelines, download "Financial Assistance Referrals," [2] a list of other financial assistance programs for which you may qualify. For more information, contact us at 415-554-3030.

Our programs include:

• CareCredit
• Payment Arrangements
• Pet-a-Care Senior Discount Program
• Emergency Care Grant
• Free and Sliding Scale Spay/Neuter
• New Adopter Assistance [3]

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CareCredit

All clients seeking financial assistance are required to apply for CareCredit, a credit card that offers a variety of financing options at some healthcare and veterinary facilities. CareCredit is provided by GE Capital. GE Capital controls the approval process and clients must pay the financial institution directly. Only if a pet guardian does not have access to any credit can the SF SPCA provide direct financing through a payment arrangement for urgent veterinary care.

Please visit the CareCredit website [4] to learn more. If you may be in need of financial assistance, please apply online [5] or over the phone before you come in, to expedite your visit. We can also process applications in our office. To apply for CareCredit in our office, you must bring the following:

• A valid government issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID card, passport, or military ID), and;
• A second form of ID that is a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover debit or credit card. Other secondary forms of ID cannot be accepted.

If approved, you will be required to use your CareCredit card to pay for your pet's treatment if you don't have another way to pay in full.

• CareCredit can be used to pay for any products or services at our hospital.
• CareCredit is often the best option for expensive treatments, including dental work, as the card allows up to an 18-month period with no interest.

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Payment Arrangements

We provide urgent care to acutely ill or seriously injured animals. Financing is available for qualifying San Francisco residents with spayed/neutered pets, or those who agree to spay/neuter all household pets during or after treatment. San Francisco pet guardians in need of payment arrangements are required to bring:

• A valid government issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID card, passport, or military ID), and;
• Proof of San Francisco residency (driver’s license, state ID card, utility bill, lease agreement, or mortgage receipt), and;
• A form of payment to leave on file for monthly payments (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover debit or credit card bearing the name of the pet guardian who is presenting the animal).

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Pet-A-Care Senior Discount Program

The Pet-A-Care Program is for a comprehensive financial assistance program for spayed/neutered pets of low-income, San Francisco seniors over the age of 65, providing 50% off all veterinary services for qualifying animals.

Owners can apply on behalf of pets that are already spayed/neutered and are over one year of age. Two pets may qualify for the program for the lifetime of the guardian. To apply for Pet-A-Care, a guardian must provide the following, in addition to their completed application:

• A valid government issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID card, passport, or military ID), and;
• Proof of San Francisco residency (driver’s license, state ID card, utility bill, lease agreement, or mortgage receipt), and;
• Proof of income (3 most recent months of bank statements showing all deposits or copy of last year’s tax return)

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Emergency Care Grant

Our Emergency Care Grant Program is designed to support responsible low-income pet guardians with unexpected expenses for urgent veterinary care. Qualifying low-income San Francisco residents with spayed/neutered pets, may be eligible for a partial grant towards the cost of their pet's emergency care provided at the SF SPCA Veterinary Hospital. The grant has no cash value and is not transferrable to other practices. To apply for an Emergency Care Grant a guardian must provide the following, in addition to their completed application:

• A valid government issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID card, passport, or military ID), and;
• Proof of San Francisco residency (driver’s license, state ID card, utility bill, lease agreement, or mortgage receipt), and;
• Proof of income (3 most recent months of bank statements showing all deposits or copy of last year’s tax return)

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Free and Sliding Scale Spay/Neuter

Read more [6] about our spay/neuter services, fees, and discounts on our Spay/Neuter Clinic page.

Please call our Client Service Representatives at 415.554.3030 to discuss your eligibility for financial assistance.