The Satchel's Helping Hand Program 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 be relinquished without proper veterinary care. If your pet is in need of immediate care, where any delay will put the animal at risk, it is your responsibility and duty to seek care for the pet immediately. There is no guarantee that the fund will provide financial assistance so please do not delay care for your pet while waiting for a response on your application. Grants are not guaranteed, and will not exceed $1000.00 per pet, per household. Due to the large volume of applications we receive, the program is unable to help everyone who applies. Before applying, you must have a clear diagnosis, specific treatment plan in place, and an estimate of the cost of care from a veterinarian.

Read through each section in its entirety before proceeding. You will need access to a computer and the capability to upload documents to complete the application. Incomplete applications will not qualify for assistance.

You will need to have the following items available to complete the online application. Once you have started the online application, you will not be able to return at a later time to complete it.

FINANCIAL information:
1. Proof of Income (for ALL working adults in the household)
* This can be a copy of check stubs, unemployment benefits, disability benefits, etc. for all working adults in the household where the pet resides.
* The proof of income must be recent, so only tax forms from six (6) months prior will apply.
2. Proof of application for Care Credit or Scratch Pay showing denial for funding, or being approved for an amount that is less than the remaining cost of treatment needed.
3. Documentation of any payments already made to the treating veterinary clinic towards the cost of care, including the cost of the initial exam and any diagnostics prior to treatment, with a balance of the amount needed to complete the pet’s treatment plan.
4. List of additional resources of which the applicant has already applied (ie setting up a gofundme page, applying for other nonprofit organizations’ assistance, help from family/ friends, payment plans set up, etc.)
CLINICAL Information:
1. Copy of a written cost estimate for the needed procedures and/or treatment with a written prognosis as determined by a licensed veterinary professional at the treating facility.
2. A detailed statement of the pet’s clinical condition. Any abuse and/or neglect-related requests will automatically be denied as it is our top priority to ensure safe, responsible pet ownership.

Assistance is only provided to family-owned pets. Grants are only awarded for one pet, per household, per lifetime. Pet must have a life-threatening injury or illness that requires urgent and specific treatment to qualify. Assistance is only provided for emergency and specialty veterinary care. Pet must have already received a diagnosis and treatment plan from a veterinarian with a good or favorable outcome/prognosis. Both the applicant and the animal must live in the United States.

1. Office exams or diagnostic testing to determine pet’s prognosis
2. Basic veterinary care, food or basic pet supplies (deworming, grooming, flea treatments)
3. Routine veterinary care: annual exams, checkups, spay/neuter
4. Vaccinations
5. Cosmetic procedures
6. Euthanasia or cremations
7. Dental care
8. Treatment of farm animals, animals owned by breeders, or animals used for research or commercial purposes of any kind.
9. Declawing, ear cropping, or debarking surgeries.

* Satchel's Helping Hand Program sends funding directly to the treating veterinarians ONLY IF your application is approved and treatment is scheduled. No contributions are EVER given directly to individuals.
* Satchel's Helping Hand Program will not reimburse for “paid invoices” and will not consider reimbursement situations of any kind. If you have already paid your veterinarian for services, please seek other arrangements for assistance.
* Incomplete requests will be automatically denied, specifically, if any piece of required documentation is not included, we will not be able to assist.

If you answer no to any of these questions, you will not meet the criteria for financial assistance from the Satchel's Helping Hand Program. Do not continue with the application, and seek additional resources here instead.

Read through the guidelines. Collect all necessary documentation. If you are ready to begin the application, and believe your pet/family meets the criteria for assistance, proceed to the application on the next page.

Because our program offers financial assistance, you must disclose the combined household income of all adults. This includes those sharing a residence - whether you are in a relationship or just roommates. This is how we qualify each applicant into our various programs.

All of the following documents must be uploaded and attached to this application to proceed. Applications without these documents will not be considered completed and therefore will not be processed or approved for assistance. There are no exceptions.

If you are approved for assistance, we ask you for three things: To let our donors know what their support means to your family: attach 2 photos of your pet plus a note of thanks. Describe what it means to you if you are to receive assistance from the Satchel's Helping Hand Program. Pets helped by the Satchel's Helping Hand Program are featured on our website and social media. Please share the link to let your friends and family know just how much the Satchel's Helping Hand Program has meant to you and your pet. When your financial circumstances change, we hope you will “pay it forward” by helping the next family in need by donating to the Satchel's Helping Hand Program.

I UNDERSTAND AND AGREE that, in accepting funds from the Satchel's Helping Hand Program for my pet, I will pay an identified amount toward my pet’s treatment expenses. I understand I must pay this before the Satchel's Helping Hand Program and hospital discounts will be applied in payment to my invoice. If for any reason, I do not pay my agreed-upon share of the invoice or if I default on payment as I have agreed, Satchel's Helping Hand Program funds and matching discounts will be withdrawn and I will be responsible for paying the entire invoice.
I have attached all of the required documentation and agree to the terms of the application.