Shelters & Rescues
If you are looking to adopt a pet, there are endless shelters and rescues you can contact. Please take a look at our Shelters page for a shelter near you.
If you are looking for a rescue group to adopt from, the internet is a good resource to search for rescues. Some rescues are specific to the species such as dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, rodents, reptiles and more. Other rescues are specific to a breed. There are other rescues that are specific to the size of pet such as small dog rescues. If you search on the internet for the species, breed or size pet you are looking for, you are sure to find your next furry family member. A good resource to look for rescues for adoption is www.petfinder.com.
What to Do if you Lost a Pet
When you discover that your pet is missing:
- Search all areas in and around your house, yard, and neighborhood for several blocks and even miles in all directions.
- Make flyers to post around the neighborhood and at local businesses such as pet supply stores and veterinarian offices. Other businesses may also let you post flyers such as schools, libraries, or other public places. Always ask for permission to post a flyer before doing so. On the flyer, include a photo, description, pet’s name and your phone number or contact info.
- Make sure you tell neighbors that your pet is missing. Word of mouth is important in spreading the word. Plus, tell your mail carrier and other routine delivery persons to be on the look out for your lost pet.
- Physically go down to the local animal shelters to look for your pet as well as check each shelter’s website postings for found pets. It is important to physically check local animal shelters because your pet may look different in his or her picture or may be listed incorrectly as a different breed on the shelter website. Keep in mind that animals can travel far from your home because they can run long distances. Also, for instance, a cat may jump in a delivery truck and get relocated out of the area or a person may pick up your lost pet and take them out of your area. Therefore, be sure to check not only the shelter in your immediate area but surrounding areas as well. In addition, most shelters have a “Lost Pets” registry or bulletin board. And, check with each shelter’s record of animals dead on arrival. /link to shelters/
- Check Craigslist and your local newspaper’s classifieds for “Found Pets” and put a “Lost Pet” listing in each of these resources. (Craigslist has both a pet section and lost & found section that you can post for a “Lost Pet.”) Check Craigslist and the newspaper daily for a few months. It is not uncommon for a pet to be lost for a while before someone find’s them or posts an ad.
- Remember, you should always make sure your pet has current identification in the event he or she is lost. Your pet should wear a collar at all times with your current information and please microchip your pet. Microchipping will allow pet to be returned to you in the event their collar and pet tag are removed while they are lost.
What to Do if you Find a Pet
- If the pet you found has a collar with identification, call the phone number on the pet’s identification tag.
- If you are in a position to take the pet to a veterinarian’s office, take the pet and get the pet scanned for a microchip. If the pet has a microchip, the veterinarian can call the owner and let them know you have their pet.
- If the pet you found does not have a collar with identification or microchip, immediately contact local shelters and report that you have found an animal. The first place a pet owner is likely to look for their lost pet is at the local shelter.
- Post “Found Pet” flyers in and around the neighborhood you found the pet. Include pet description and your contact number or info.
- Run a “Found Pet” ad on Craigslist and your local newspaper.
Financial Aid Resources
Our Animal Rescue Fund has limited funds available to help low-income pet owners with vet bills. (Please see our Animal Relief Fund page for more information and an application for medical assistance.) It is possible for you to secure several contributions from these organizations. In most cases, no organization will cover 100% of the cost for your pet’s urgent care.
Printable version of this list of resources:
This printable list may not be as up-to-date as what is listed here on this page. http://www./ocspca.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Financial_Assistance_Programs.pdf
Helpful Resources for Financial Difficulties:
This website has many ideas for out-of-the-box ways to fund your pet’s care: http://www.thepetfund.com/for-pet-owners/financial-assistance
Care Credit – 0% Interest credit card to be used as payment for veterinary bills
Apply online here: www.carecredit.com
(800) 677-0718, Callers must be at least 21 years old. Press 1 for English, press 2 to apply for a line of credit, press 1 again stating you have received a copy of their credit card agreement, otherwise you will not be able to apply:
https://www.carecredit.com/YourTerms/April2016.pdf
*It is best to ask for double the amount of what you think you will need to care for your pet.
Other Animal Welfare Organizations with Financial Assistance Programs
Please know that each organization has its own application process. Some require financial documents to verify financial hardship. Most groups do not reimburse/pledge if the veterinary care has already been provided. It is best to contact each group and find out what their process is exactly.
RUFF – Rescuing Unwanted Furry Friends
Leave a detailed message on their hotline. This is the only way to contact them.
(949) 580-1092
www.ruffrescue.org
Animal Assistance League of Orange County
If case is urgent, send an email to aaloc@aaloc.org with the word “URGENT!” in the subject line. They will send you their application.
(714) 891-7387
www.aaloc.org
Saddleback Valley Humane Society (for people residing in the 949 and 714 area codes only)
Leave a message on their hotline.
(949) 262-5859
www.svhsspca.org
The Ozzy Foundation
maria@ozzyfoundation.org
http://www.ozzyfoundation.org/index.html
Voice for the Animals
Will make $50 pledge even after treatment has been performed as long as pet is still at the animal hospital. Call and leave a detailed message with where the pet is, and what treatment is needed. They do not pledge for diagnostics like x-rays or blood work. They will pledge for treatment and medications.
(310) 392-5153, ext. 1
www.vftafoundation.org
Frosted Faces Foundation
For SENIOR PETS ONLY! MUST complete online application. Can not donate towards diagnostics like hospitalization, blood work, x-rays, or MRI. However, they are able to donate towards surgeries and other treatments and medications.
Call Kelly at (715) 574-6320, or info@frostedfacesfoundation.org
http://frostedfacesfoundation.org
Save Our Strays
FOR HUNTINGTON BEACH RESIDENTS ONLY!
saveourstrayshb@aol.com
(714) 442-1446
The Mosby Foundation
FOR DOGS ONLY! They are not equipped to handle emergencies due to their application process. They can’t help with diagnostics and dentals, and they do not pay for surgery or treatment that has already been performed. Check out their financial aid program here: http://themosbyfoundation.org/apply-for-assistance/
If they have funds available, you must complete their pre-qualification app here: http://themosbyfoundation.org/apply-for-assistance/pre-qualification-app/
(540) 885-2260
Rose’s Fund
MUST COMPLETE ONLINE APPLICATION. Can make a donation for a pet or stray animal suffering from a life-threatening illness, injury, or condition. Can NOT help with dental care, spay/neuter, routine medical care, vaccinations, or cancer diagnosis or treatments.
rosesfund@aol.com
(877) 505-4234
Funding guidelines and application: http://www.rosesfund.org/Application.html
Starfleet Canine Aid Foundation
For dogs only! MUST COMPLETE ONLINE APPLICATION. Can make a donation for an unforeseen medical illness or injury which requires treatment. Can NOT make a donation towards routine veterinary care (spay/neuter, vaccines, dentals) or diagnostics (x-ray, MRI).
shorn@citlink.net
www.starfleetcanineaid.org
Bow Wow Buddies Foundation
For dogs only! Applicants can apply for a grant up to $2,500 and up to 30 days AFTER a procedure has been done, as long as the bill has not been paid yet. Funds cover necessary medical treatments for certain conditions and emergency services. Not available for spay/neuter, dental work, preventative care, ongoing treatments or end of life care.
http://www.bowwowbuddies.com/apply-for-grant
Actors & Others for Animals
MUST COMPLETE ONLINE APPLICATION. Read their guidelines here: http://www.actorsandothers.com/emergency_medical_assistance.html
If you qualify based on their guidelines, fill out their application here: http://www.actorsandothers.com/emergency_medical_assistance_app.php
ActorsandOthers@sbcglobal.net
(818) 752-6725
Harley’s Hope Foundation
MUST COMPLETE ONLINE APPLICATION. Read their guidelines here: https://www.harleys-hopefoundation.org/applicationforservices.html
If you qualify based on their guidelines, fill out their application here: https://www.harleys-hopefoundation.org/vetassistanceapplication.html
info@harleys-hopefoundation.org
(719) 495-6083
Onyx & Breezy Foundation
Go online to read about their requirements and download and fax an application. Read their guidelines here: http://www.onyxandbreezy.org/grant-application-faqs.html
If you qualify based on their guidelines, fill out their application here: http://www.onyxandbreezy.org/grant-application.html
info@onyxandbreezy.org
Red Rover aka United Animal Nations
MUST complete online application. Can donate to animals suffering from a life-threatening illness or injury. Can NOT donation towards diagnostics (x-rays, blood work, MRI), routine care (spay/neuter, vaccines), or chronic conditions (diabetes, cancer treatments). Eligibility guidelines and application here: http://redrover.org/relief/urgent-care-grants/
(916) 429-2457
info@redrover.org
STARelief and Pet Assistance
Can assist with expenses related to emergency medical care, emergency boarding, spay/neuter, routine medical care (vaccines, microchip, etc.), and end-of-life services.
(203) 636-0971
care@starelief.org
http://starelief.org/
Angel Fund Grant Program
Financial help for sick or injured companion animals.
http://www.animalhealthfoundation.net/how-we-help/angel-fund.html
The Animal Hospital needs to be a member of the SCVMA. In order to check what vets are members, please click here and type in your zip code to do a search: http://www.scvma.org/find-a-vet/
Friends & Vets Helping Pets
(859) 309-2043
http://friendsandvetshelpingpets.org
Brown Dog Foundation
http://www.browndogfoundation.org/prequal
Pets of the Homeless
Nation-wide animal organization focused completely on feeding and providing emergency veterinary care to pets of homeless people.
(775) 841-7463
https://www.petsofthehomeless.org//
The following is a list of Foundations, Animal Hospitals, or Services that may be able to provide free or low cost surgeries or other services:
Sam Simon Foundation
They perform a variety of FREE surgeries including amputations, ear & eye surgeries, hernias, mass removals, bite wound repair, bladder stone removal, and some exploratory surgeries.
It’s best to email them at clinic@samsimonfoundation.org.
(888) 364-7729
http://ssfmobileclinic.org/free-surgery-clinic
The Pet Care Center
They are a non-profit, full service animal hospital. They perform a variety of low cost services, including PARVO treatment, Pyometra, Orthopedic surgeries, amputations, etc. You do not need to live in a certain county or be low income to receive their assistance.
(323) 294-4030
info@thepetcarecenter.org
http://www.thepetcarecenter.org/
Panorama Pet Hospital
Low-cost Orthopedic Surgeries (ACL, Cruciate Ligament Repair, Luxating Patella)
(818) 786-4300
http://panoramapethospital.com/
The Amanda Foundation
Offers discounts to families in need for surgeries/procedures/treatments for their pets. Each call is taken on a case-by-case basis. Can perform most bone surgeries, but not joint surgeries (ACL, TPLO, FHO).
(310) 550-0101
http://amandafoundation.org
Affordable Veterinary Referral Service (Helps find treatment needed for lowest price)
NOT FOR EMERGENCIES! Calls are returned within a few hours. This agency will refer you to a specific vet in O.C. and will negotiate with the hospital owner to get a lower price for you. This includes Cruciate Ligament Repair, Patella Luxation Surgery, Fracture Repairs, Dental Extractions, Growth/Tumor Removals, and much more!
(714) 206-4717
www.avrs1.com
The following is a list of organizations that provide funding for specific health conditions or diagnoses:
The Pet Fund
For chronic health issues like cancer or heart disease. Not for emergency cases.
http://www.thepetfund.com/
Frosted Faces Foundation
For SENIOR PETS ONLY! Must complete online application. Can help on a repeated basis for chronic issues like diabetes, heart condition, etc.
Call Kelly at (715) 574-6320, or info@frostedfacesfoundation.org
http://frostedfacesfoundation.org
Magic Bullet Fund
Financial Assistance for Cancer Treatment in dogs
http://themagicbulletfund.org
Diabetic Cats In Need
jenna@dcin.info
https://www.facebook.com/pg/DiabeticCatsInNeed/about/
