Vet care options & funding

Vaccinations

Massachusetts law requires all cats, dogs and ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources works with several nonprofit animal welfare groups to offer low-cost rabies vaccination clinics in cities and towns throughout the state. 

Most clinics charge from $5 to $15 for the rabies vaccination. Microchipping, licenses, and other services are available at some clinics.

https://www.mass.gov/service-details/rabies-clinics

Vetco offers low-cost vaccinations for pets at PETCO stores all over the state. Here are some Western MA links:

  • Petco – 45 Holyoke Street Holyoke, MA (413) 539-9197
  • Petco – 1694 Boston Road Springfield, MA (413) 543-2085

  • Petco – 440 North Main Street East Longmeadow, MA (413) 486-6020

Pet Vet & VIP Pet Care

Pet Supplies Plus

  • 175 Memorial Ave West Springfield, MA 
  • Phone: (413) 747-0660

Smithland Supply

  • 140 West Street Ware, MA 
  • Phone: (413) 967-3684

Smithland Supply

  • 433 Center Street Ludlow, MA 
  • Phone: (413) 583-2904 

Smithland Supply 

  • 142 N King Street Northampton, MA 
  • Phone: (413) 585-1170

Smithland Supply

  • 335 Russell Street Hadley, MA

  • Phone: (413) 584-7511 

Dave’s Soda and Pet City 

Tractor Supply

  • 2 College Hwy Southampton, MA 
  • Phone: (413) 527-556

Vet Care – For Western Ma

Dakin Humane Society

Dakin holds low-cost vaccine clinics, Clinic Plus (for non-urgent, common pet health issues), a large spay/neuter clinic. They also provide humane euthanasia and offer a pet food pantry. Click here to find out more information.

Phone: (413) 781-8000

Second Chance Community Veterinary Hospitals

Full-service veterinary care for all with subsidized pricing for households with income 150% of the poverty level or less. Contact Second Chance Animal Services to find out more information.

North Brookfield Community Veterinary Hospital

Springfield Community Veterinary Hospital

Vet Care – Outside of Western MA:

Massachusetts Animal Coalition provides an excellent vet care resource list for other parts of the state.

Vet Care Financing/Funding Options

Grant Programs and Other Resources – Nationwide

  • Bow Wow Buddies provides medical care funds to individuals struggling to cover their veterinary bills for serious ailments.
  • Brown Dog Foundation offers pet owners in temporary financial crisis an alternative when their pets face a treatable but life-threatening condition or illness.
  • Frankie’s Friends provides financial assistance grants to family-owned pets in need of lifesaving emergency or specialty veterinary care whose caregivers cannot afford the full cost of treatment. This program is designed to help with the treatment of emergency and specialty medical conditions where the pet would otherwise suffer, be euthanized, or relinquished without proper veterinary care.
  • Help-A-Pet provide financial assistance nationwide for the medical care of pets whose owners are unable to afford the expense.
  • Land of Pure Gold Foundation provides cancer treatment grants for working dogs (e.g., assistance, search and rescue, animal-assisted therapy, etc.) 
  • Magic Bullet Fund provides financial assistance for canine cancer treatment when the family is financially unable to provide treatment. 
  • The Mosby Foundation assists in the care of sick, injured, abused and neglected dogs through financial support and public education.

  • Paws 4 A Cure provides financial assistance throughout the United States to those who cannot afford veterinary care for their furry family members. They help dogs and cats with all illnesses and injuries. 

  • The Pet Fund provides financial assistance to pet owners who cannot afford expensive surgery or medical treatment that their pets need. They cover medical costs beyond the normal expenses of vaccination, spay and neuter surgeries, food and routine veterinary care. 

  • Red Rover provides financial assistance, resources and support to low-income individuals and survivors of domestic violence and their pets, so families can escape abuse together and stay together. Includes Urgent Care grants, Emergency Boarding grants and more.

  • The Reidel & Cody Fund provides funding for owners who have a pet diagnosed with cancer and cannot afford to pay for the treatment.

  • Rose’s Fund provides financial assistance, to pet owners and Good Samaritans who have an animal with a good prognosis for a healthy life, but are at a financial loss.

Fundraising/Financing Resources and Suggestions

  • Care Credit – ask if your veterinarian accepts this credit card; apply here. 

  • Start a GoFundMe. 

  • Waggle puts together a crowdfunding profile for your pet where people can donate directly to your pet’s cause.