To celebrate helping its 10,000th pet, the Farley Foundation is assisting 1,000 low-income pet owners by providing free veterinary exams for their pets
Earlier this year, the Farley Foundation reached a significant milestone by subsidizing the cost of veterinary care for its 10,000th pet. To celebrate, it’s pledging to help 1,000 more.
The Farley Foundation’s 1,000 Pets to Vets initiative will help 1,000 low-income pet owners in Ontario who are unable to afford basic preventive care for their pets, and therefore have not visited a veterinarian. The foundation will cover the cost of their pet’s first veterinary exam, along with any needed vaccinations.
“Establishing a relationship with a veterinarian is an integral part of preventing illness,” says Dr. Matthew Richardson, president of the Farley Foundation. “By focusing on preventive care with this initiative, we can help pet owners in need by putting their pets on the road to good health.”
To qualify for the Pets to Vets program, pet owners must otherwise be eligible for funding from the Farley Foundation, be without a veterinarian and be a first-time recipient of funding assistance from the foundation. Pet owners meeting these criteria can apply through a local veterinarian.
Since its establishment in 2002 by the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, the Farley Foundation has disbursed $4.3 million to assist more than 10,000 pets in need. It helps pet owners in financial need by subsidizing the cost of non-elective veterinary treatments for their sick or injured pets.
“As a veterinarian, every day I see the positive impact that sharing our lives with an animal has on our health and well-being,” says Richardson. “The Farley Foundation helps preserve this bond, which is especially meaningful for people who are facing hardship and rely heavily on their pet for companionship.”
The Pets to Vets initiative is possible due to the fundraising efforts and contributions of veterinarians and veterinary staff across Ontario, generous donations from the public and industry sponsors. Show your support online using #FarleyPetsToVets.
For more information about who we help, visit www.farleyfoundation.org/who-we-help.
Where do I find an application form for my elderly mother, who is 86 and lives in Walkerton, On?
Hi Susan,
Applications for funding must be submitted by a veterinarian. If your mother already has a vet, you can inquire with them. If not, you can contact a local veterinarian and ask about Farley Pets to Vets funding.
I’m on odsp and my cat of 11 years was diagnosed with diabetes in the last 24 hrs he has become very lethargic I don’t have the money for a vet what can I do to help him I got him out of a recycling plant when he was just born and I raised him even cut the umbilical cord he’s my best friend and I’m worried any help would be greatly appreciated
Hi Alfred,
You’ll need to speak with a veterinarian, as only a veterinarian can apply for funding on behalf of a pet owner. You can find a veterinarian near you using this search tool: https://cvo.ca.thentiacloud.net/webs/cvo/register/#/
I hope you can help me. I am on disability and do not have a veterinarian.
My cat is having some problems and needs to be seen by a veterinarian.
I believe I would qualify for the Pets to Vets program but when i called a couple of different veterinarians I was told I had to be a client already so didnt qualify. Any assistance would be appreciated as my cat is ill.
Hi Margaret – We’re very sympathetic to your situation, however the Farley Foundation can’t recommend a veterinarian, nor discuss funding applications with pet owners. Farley Foundation funding requests are submitted directly from veterinary clinics. Up to 800 veterinary clinics in Ontario qualify for Farley Foundation funding assistance. You mention that you’ve called a couple veterinarians – the College of Veterinarians of Ontario has a listing of veterinarians that you can use to search for others in your area. Just visit cvo.org.
Pls I’m looking for help I have a 7 yrs old Chihuahua she teeth are really bad and black I need some help to afford to get them looked at and fixed, I am on odsp and able to financially did it my self, I live in port Colbourn on and I am not aware of clinics her I can take her too
Thank you
Hi Yvette, you will need to speak with a veterinarian about applying for funding, as they apply on your behalf. There are close to 800 veterinary clinics in Ontario that qualify for Farley Foundation funding assistance.
I was just advised even thou I have 3 chihuahuas, and the Farley Foundation help me with one of my chihuahuas with teeth issues, that they will not assist me again with the other chihuahua with the same issie, I’m am on Odsp,, and was on Odsp with my first one,, so my income have not changed and I’m not able to afford to do it my self
I’m recently on OW and was told by my case manager about this since i told her my dog was sick and couldn’t afford to take her to the vet, i called my vet and they said they can only apply once a year and that they had already used it up with someone else, what else can i do?
Pets to Vets funding is different than regular Farley funding, so mention it specifically. If they don’t know about it, they can email us at info@farleyfoundation.org to learn more.
What amount of donation is acceptable for the Farley Foundation Funding? I’m a pet owner and I would like to be able to know my dog will be taken care of in case of an emergency? Thank you
From Cali Jones aka Chihuahua
You don’t have to donate to receive funding from the Farley Foundation. Veterinarians apply on behalf of low-income pet owners on a case-by-case basis.
I desperately NEED this; I’m a single mom and my 7 year old other baby girl, a pug/beagle mix has severe dental issues and needs 4 teeth pulled. I can not afford this in any way and was going to try and raise the money for this vet bill. She has THE worst breathe possible and rotting teeth. It must be a struggle for her to eat. She also has several large bumps on your body and some are pus filled and some are not. I am terrified she has some form of cancer. I adore my dog but with child support and govt support, her dental bill is far more than I can afford. I’ll volunteer at a local shelter to help out if we can help my girl. She is the most loving beautiful dog and she is a rescue from a puppy mill. She was abused as a puppy and I’d do anything to help her. I work 4 days a week bc I am FULL of arthritis and fibromyalgia and even that is far too many days. Please please please consider my girl Nikki
Hi Michelle – If you’re interested in applying for funding from the Farley Foundation, you’ll need to speak with your veterinarian, as only a veterinarian can apply on behalf of a pet owner. You can visit this page for more information and to learn more about who we help: farleyfoundation.org/who-we-help.
How does this work
Hi I’m just curious if I’m even able to i just got a kitten shes only 3months old no veterinarian yet and I’m on odsp and she just cut her leg pretty bad.. can i still apply
Hi Amanda – You’ll need to speak with a veterinarian, as only a veterinarian can apply for funding on behalf of a pet owner. You can find a veterinarian near you using this search tool: https://onlineservice.cvo.org/webs/cvo/register/#/
I asked my vet office about the Farley Foundation, and they said the Farley Foundation has run out of money. What exactly does that mean?
Hi Karen – The Farley Foundation hasn’t run out of money. But like any charity that relies on donations, there are funding criteria and limitations in place to allow as many vets as possible to help as many animals as possible. It’s possible that your veterinarian has reached their funding maximum for the year.
Hi you guys have help me before if my vet is to contact you my boy isn’t eating and it’s been about 2 weeks and I only have literally 150 in my bank he needs medication and a vet visits would I qualify again I’m on odsp and a have a screenshot of my computer file
Hi Brandie – You’ll need to speak with your veterinarian about Farley funding, as only a vet can apply on behalf of a pet owner.
My poor dog his nail is going in his paw it’s infected red red bleeding he can’t walk on it and he’s vomiting I am so scared to lose him.
Where can I get help?
I’m in ODSP as I’m disabled since my brain injury I am begging for someone to help me.
Hi Sheri – You’ll need to speak with a veterinarian, as only a veterinarian can apply for funding on behalf of a pet owner. If you don’t have a veterinarian, you can find one near you using this search tool: https://cvo.ca.thentiacloud.net/webs/cvo/register/#/
This funding does not benefit the customer because it has a really poor managing system. I live in Mississauga and my pet needs to do surgery to remove a tumor. I went to a few different animal hospitals and quote the price. The vet gave me the price of $1,700 before I told him we want to apply for “The Farley Foundation”. Then they tell me there are some extra fees and the price goes right up to $2,700 for no reason. However, I failed to apply for the funding because I am getting the CERB, and they suddenly said they will give me a discount and it goes back to 1,700. I’m so sorry to say that but your funding will never help the one who really needs it but got scammed by the animal hospitals.
Hi Binary,
To help more pet owners, Farley funding was made available to pet owners receiving the CERB benefit only while that program was operating. We understand how stressful it is when a pet is injured or sick and the owner is on a limited income, which is why the foundation was established. The decision to apply for funding on behalf of eligible pet owners resides with each veterinary practice – funding applications are submitted by veterinarians and eligibility criteria is in place for veterinary practices and pet owners to keep the foundation sustainable. As a charity, we help as many pets as possible with the donations we receive.