Helping Paws Foundation

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Apply for Help

Helping Paws assists military families in need with urgent veterinary issues at our participating clinics. We work to help supplement costs you can’t cover, so we recommend reaching out to other organizations and family for additional funding. For a list of resources, click Additional Resources.

To Qualify for Help:

  • Pet is ill or injured in San Diego County (we do not help with routine care like spay/neuter or dental cleanings)
  • Owner is an active duty service member, veteran or immediate family member, such as a spouse or widow.
  • Applicant is in financial hardship ​

​How to Apply:

  • Complete the Help Request Form
  • Call the Mohnacky Animal Hospital closest to you and set up an appointment. Tell them you have filled out a foundation application for assistance and your pet’s exam will be free.
  • Bring military ID with you and any veterinary records you may have.
  • We’ll work with your vet to determine how much financial assistance we can offer (funding is issued directly to your provider).
    • Please note that we do not provide funding for treatment that has already occurred. Helping Paws will communicate how much we can help as quickly as possible. If you choose to proceed with treatment prior to receiving a decision on a grant amount from a Helping Paws representative, you will be responsible for the cost.

    *We will not consider incomplete applications*

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​ *IF YOU DON’T APPLY FOR SCRATCH PAY OR CARE CREDIT:  You must show proof of financial hardship by emailing us a screenshot of current balances for checking and savings. If you don’t have a bank account, you can provide: a 1040 tax form, Social Security income, Unemployment, or government assistance paperwork. Email this to kimberlydanker@helpingpawssandiego.org.

At the Time of Your Pet’s Exam:

  • One of our veterinarians will examine your pet, make a diagnosis and create an estimate of cost.
  • Once there is an estimate, we ask the clients to apply to either Scratch Pay or Care Credit to see if one of these businesses might provide partial or complete coverage for your pet. This can be done while you are still at the office.
  • Regardless of whether you qualify for any coverage with these businesses, the Helping Paws Foundation can make an almost immediate determination regarding coverage for part or all of the estimate.

​Terms

  •  Your application must be complete to be considered.
  • If you do not apply for Scratch Pay or Care Credit, you will be asked to provide proof of financial hardship.
  • Applicants pay what they can toward the pet’s treatment.
  • Applicants will be asked to fill out a testimonial after their pet has been treated.
  • Applicants agree on the Request Form that the foundation may use their story, photos and video on our website and social media.
  • The Helping Paws Foundation does not provide funding for treatment that has already occurred or if you proceed with treatment before you receive a decision on a grant amount from the foundation. 
Helping Paws Foundation