🐾Best Friend

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For the family you already are.

Keep your
best friend close.

When life gets expensive, complicated, or uncertain, a little help can make staying together possible.

Food. Veterinary care. A safe place to stay. Start with what you need.

United States guide

A growing selection of programs, with extra local detail for Washington and Oregon. Listings show published information, not confirmed openings or guaranteed help.

34 resources to explore

Resource finder

Pet Help Finder

Online · United States

Search by location for lower-cost veterinary care, pet food, supplies, temporary housing, behavior help and other pet support.

Who it’s for
Open to anyone searching for pet-support providers; each listed provider sets its own eligibility.
Cost / support
Free search; provider costs vary.
How to ask for help & what to know

Enter a city, state or ZIP code, select the type of help, then contact a listed provider directly.

A listing is a lead, not a promise of eligibility, current capacity, price or quality; confirm details with the provider.

Resource finder

SpayUSA

United States · national program

Nationwide referral network for lower-cost spay and neuter services for cats and dogs.

Who it’s for
Anyone seeking an affordable spay or neuter referral may use the service; clinic rules vary.
Cost / support
Referral is free; clinics charge discounted rates.
How to ask for help & what to know

Search by ZIP code, complete the referral form when required, or call 800-248-7729.

Participating clinics and appointment availability vary by location; the referral does not make care free.

Public phone: 800-248-7729

Resource finder

Meals on Wheels local pet assistance

United States · national program

Local Meals on Wheels providers may offer pet food or other pet help alongside services for older adults.

Who it’s for
Usually adults age 60 or older with mobility challenges; exact age, need and referral rules vary locally.
Cost / support
May be free, donation-supported or sliding-scale depending on the local provider.
How to ask for help & what to know

Enter a ZIP code, contact the local provider and ask specifically whether pet food, pet care or transportation is offered.

Pet assistance is not offered by every local provider; high demand can mean waitlists and variable response times.

Nonprofit program

Feeding Pets of the Homeless

United States · national program

Pet food locations, wellness clinics and emergency veterinary help for people experiencing homelessness.

Who it’s for
Pet owners experiencing homelessness or qualifying housing instability; emergency veterinary requests require verification of the living situation and active care of the pet.
Cost / support
Food and qualifying care may be free; veterinary awards are conditional and paid to the provider.
How to ask for help & what to know

Use the food-provider map, contact the organization about a wellness clinic, or submit the official emergency-care application.

Applications are reviewed on weekdays, funding and food stock are limited, and the program does not replace immediate emergency care.

Public phone: 775-841-7463

Nonprofit program

RedRover Relief Urgent Care grants

United States · national program

Small gap grants for urgent, life-threatening veterinary treatment when a low-income household cannot cover the full cost.

Who it’s for
Applicant and animal must live in the US; one animal must have a current diagnosis, treatment plan, estimate and favorable outcome, and household income may not exceed $60,000.
Cost / support
Conditional grant, typically about $250-$300; no application fee.
How to ask for help & what to know

Read the guidelines and pre-application questions. Applications close Friday at 4 p.m. Pacific and reopen Monday at 9 a.m.; replies can take 1–2 business days.

No guaranteed funding; excludes completed care, diagnostics, routine care and many ongoing conditions, and cannot bridge gaps of $500 or more. Do not delay urgent veterinary care while waiting for a reply.

Nonprofit program

RedRover Relief Safe Escape grants

United States · national program

Helps pay for temporary pet boarding so domestic-violence survivors can enter shelter without leaving a pet behind.

Who it’s for
A domestic-violence shelter representative must apply on behalf of a survivor in the United States.
Cost / support
Conditional grant for boarding and limited related costs; no application fee.
How to ask for help & what to know

Work with a domestic-violence advocate to plan boarding and obtain an estimate; the advocate submits the application.

Funding is not guaranteed, is mainly for up to 45 days of boarding, and usually does not continue after transition to longer-term housing.

Nonprofit program

The Pet Fund

United States · national program

One-time help for non-basic, non-urgent veterinary treatment that can safely wait through the program's queue.

Who it’s for
US pet owners with income, proof of financial need, a veterinary diagnosis and estimate, and a permanently adopted pet owned for at least six months whose care can wait.
Cost / support
Conditional one-time grant paid directly to the treating veterinarian.
How to ask for help & what to know

Email a description of the pet's medical need first; apply only after staff confirms the case may fit the current wait time.

Not for emergencies, routine care, completed treatment, foster or recently rescued animals; a chronic waitlist applies and approval is not guaranteed.

Nonprofit program

Frankie's Friends national fund

United States · national program

Grants for family-owned pets needing lifesaving emergency or specialty veterinary treatment.

Who it’s for
Family-owned pet with a veterinarian's diagnosis, specific treatment plan, estimate and good prognosis; caregiver must be unable to pay the full cost.
Cost / support
Conditional grant of up to $2,000 per pet and household, paid to the veterinarian.
How to ask for help & what to know

Gather the diagnosis, treatment plan and estimate, then submit the official assistance application linked on the fund page.

No reimbursement; excludes initial exams, diagnostics, routine care, euthanasia, strays, rescues and fosters, and some hospital systems with internal funds.

Nonprofit program

Diabetic Cats in Need one-time assistance

United States · national program

Once-yearly insulin or testing-supply help for caregivers of cats diagnosed with diabetes.

Who it’s for
US caregiver of a cat diagnosed with diabetes who explains the need for supplies; the one-time program does not require proof of income.
Cost / support
Conditional donated supplies or limited reimbursement, once per year.
How to ask for help & what to know

Review the supported insulin and supply rules, then follow the one-time assistance instructions on the official page.

The ongoing Compassionate Assistance Program was closed to new applicants when checked; the one-time program supports only specified insulins and supplies.

Nonprofit program

Live Like Roo Foundation

United States · national program

Financial help and care packages for families navigating a pet's cancer diagnosis.

Who it’s for
US families with a pet diagnosed with cancer; medical records are required for grant review.
Cost / support
Conditional grant or care package; care-package shipping donation is requested but inability to pay does not bar a request.
How to ask for help & what to know

Use the official Apply for Help link on the site; do not use the general contact form for an aid request.

Grant review takes about three to four weeks, awards are monthly, and only applicants selected for a grant receive a response.

Resource finder

Safe Havens for Pets

Online · United States

Searchable directory of pet sheltering or referral options for people facing domestic violence or homelessness.

Who it’s for
People experiencing domestic violence or homelessness who need a pet-safe sheltering option; each listed program sets its own rules.
Cost / support
Directory is free; service costs vary by provider.
How to ask for help & what to know

Search the map and contact a listed organization directly; use a safer device if internet use may be monitored.

The Animal Welfare Institute does not provide direct sheltering and cannot guarantee availability or quality at listed programs.

Public phone: 202-459-2184

Resource finder

My Pit Bull is Family housing database

Online · United States

Search for rental housing with inclusive dog policies, including options for families with large or commonly restricted breeds.

Who it’s for
Open to renters searching for dog-inclusive housing.
Cost / support
Free search; rent, deposits and landlord terms still apply.
How to ask for help & what to know

Open the National Dog Inclusive Rental Database and verify the current pet policy directly with the property manager.

Rental policies, vacancies, deposits and insurance requirements can change; inclusion in the database is not a housing guarantee.

Nonprofit program

ASPCA behavioral help

Online · United States

Free guidance for understanding common dog and cat behavior problems and choosing an appropriate qualified professional.

Who it’s for
Open to pet parents seeking behavior information.
Cost / support
Free guidance; professional services found through the guidance may charge fees.
How to ask for help & what to know

Read the behavior guide, identify the type of help needed and use its credential guidance when interviewing professionals.

Educational information is not diagnosis or individual treatment; sudden behavior changes and safety risks should be discussed with a veterinarian or qualified behavior professional.

Resource finder

Rehome by Adopt a Pet

Online · United States

Create a pet profile, review adopter applications and use meet-and-greet and ownership-transfer guidance to place a pet directly.

Who it’s for
Legal adult owner or guardian with authority to transfer the animal. The platform excludes pets classified as dangerous or vicious, with prior bites, or that have caused a human or pet death; read the full terms.
Cost / support
Paid owner listing; the fee varies by pet. Review current listing and adoption-fee terms before posting.
How to ask for help & what to know

Create a complete profile, screen applications, meet in a safe public place and use the provided transfer-of-ownership template.

Adopt a Pet does not take custody or guarantee an adopter. Owners must disclose health and behavior history, screen applicants, and meet the platform’s eligibility and safety requirements.

Resource finder

Home To Home

Online · United States

Direct rehoming and temporary-foster listings that let pets move between homes without entering a shelter.

Who it’s for
Pet owners and adopters or temporary fosters using a participating community page; local rules and profile review apply.
Cost / support
Free core listing and contact service; optional packages may cost extra.
How to ask for help & what to know

Find a participating organization, create a pet profile and communicate with potential adopters or temporary fosters through the platform.

Coverage depends on participating organizations; pets are not necessarily housed, examined or behavior-evaluated by a shelter.

Resource finder

Pet Peace of Mind program finder

Online · United States

Find participating hospice and health-care programs that coordinate pet care and future placement for seriously ill patients.

Who it’s for
Anyone can look for a local program; pet-care help is for patients of a participating hospice, home-health organization or hospital.
Cost / support
Needs-based help through participating care organizations; ask the local care team about any costs.
How to ask for help & what to know

Use the Find a Local Program link on the official site, then ask the patient’s care team about participation and available volunteer help.

The online finder is accessible nationally, but services are limited to participating care organizations. This is not direct nationwide intake or a promise of local availability.

Public phone: 503-363-0499

Nonprofit program

Concern for Animals

Thurston County · Mason County · Lewis County · Grays Harbor County · WA

Weekly pet food support and help with qualifying non-routine or emergency veterinary costs in southwest Washington.

Who it’s for
Residents of the four listed counties who are in financial need; program-specific screening applies.
Cost / support
Free pet food; veterinary vouchers are conditional and may cover only part of treatment.
How to ask for help & what to know

Review the food-bank or medical-voucher information and contact the Olympia office before seeking voucher-funded treatment.

Local service only; assistance depends on eligibility, partner participation, funding and food inventory.

Public phone: 360-456-8176

Nonprofit program

Oogie's Ohana Pet Food Bank

Bellevue and the surrounding Puget Sound region · WA

Walk-up donated pet food and supplies from Seattle Humane in Bellevue.

Who it’s for
Community pet owners needing support; no government ID or eligibility documentation is required.
Cost / support
Free donated food and supplies.
How to ask for help & what to know

Check the current calendar and inventory, then visit during walk-up hours; a friend or family member may pick up supplies.

Hours, stock, types and brands vary; waits can exceed an hour and prescription food is not promised.

Public phone: 425-649-7566

Nonprofit program

Seattle Humane SPOT temporary care

Seattle Humane service region · WA

Temporary shelter and foster care for pets whose owners face housing insecurity, hospitalization or another personal crisis.

Who it’s for
Pet owners in a temporary crisis who are at risk of surrendering; intake review and an owner or authorized representative's release contract are required.
Cost / support
Temporary care and necessary supplies are provided without a stated client fee.
How to ask for help & what to know

Submit the SPOT intake form; staff reviews the pet's information and arranges an appointment if space and fit allow.

Placement is not immediate or guaranteed, may involve a shelter stay or multiple fosters, and is limited to up to 90 days.

Public phone: 425-373-5380

Public service

Seattle Animal Shelter Pet Food Bank

Seattle · WA

Monthly walk-up dog and cat food distribution for Seattle-area pet owners needing food help.

Who it’s for
Pet owners able to pick up at the Seattle Animal Shelter; the page does not state an application or documentation requirement.
Cost / support
Free donated pet food.
How to ask for help & what to know

Visit on the first Saturday of the month during posted hours; appointments are not required.

Dog and cat food only, brands and flavors vary, prescription food is unavailable, and dates can shift for holidays.

Nonprofit program

Doney Coe Pet Clinic

Clinic in Seattle; serves qualifying Washington residents · WA

Accessible basic veterinary care for qualifying low-income and unhoused people with companion animals in Washington.

Who it’s for
Low-income or unhoused Washington pet owners who provide current qualifying documentation; annual requalification and a two-pet household limit apply to new clients.
Cost / support
$20 requested exam contribution per pet and visit; visits remain free for clients experiencing homelessness.
How to ask for help & what to know

Review eligibility documents and current clinic hours, then attend the Seattle clinic; communication is by email rather than phone.

Limited diagnostics and treatment, clinic schedule only, household pet limit and annual income requalification; not a full-service emergency hospital.

Nonprofit program

Tacoma & Pierce County Pet Food and Supply Pantry

Tacoma · Pierce County · WA

Walk-up donated pet food and basic supplies, with several satellite sites across Tacoma and Pierce County.

Who it’s for
Any community member having difficulty providing food or supplies; some satellite sites are residents-only.
Cost / support
Free donated food and supplies.
How to ask for help & what to know

Visit the main pantry during posted Wednesday or Saturday hours, or confirm access with a listed satellite site.

Inventory is donated and variable; specific brands and medical diets may be unavailable, and some satellite locations restrict access.

Nonprofit program

Pasado's Safe Haven Pet Services

Income-qualified mobile-clinic communities in Washington · Pet food partners in Snohomish County · WA

Low-cost mobile wellness and spay/neuter services plus pet food distributed through local food banks.

Who it’s for
Income-qualified families for mobile veterinary services; food-bank rules depend on the local distribution partner.
Cost / support
Low-cost veterinary services; pet food is distributed through partner food banks.
How to ask for help & what to know

Check the current mobile-clinic schedule or pet-food pickup map and contact Pet Services with program questions.

Not statewide on demand; clinic locations, appointments, food sites and stock vary.

Public phone: 360-793-9393

Nonprofit program

Fences For Fido

Northwest and central Oregon · Southwest Washington · OR · WA

Builds free fences and insulated doghouses for dogs kept outdoors on chains, tethers or in small pens, with related care when needed.

Who it’s for
Families in the service area with a dog living outdoors on a chain, tether or in a small enclosure; requests are prioritized by need and feasibility.
Cost / support
Fence and doghouse are donor-funded and free; related spay/neuter or emergency care may be provided when approved.
How to ask for help & what to know

Read the service-area information and submit the official fence request form.

Volunteer capacity and geography are limited; the organization does not build outside its Oregon and southwest Washington regions.

Nonprofit program

Oregon Humane Community Veterinary Hospital

Portland Community Veterinary Hospital · Oregon Humane training services in Portland and Salem · OR

Portland nonprofit hospital offering preventive, sick, urgent, dental and surgical care with income-based discounts.

Who it’s for
Public veterinary care is appointment-based; reduced veterinary or training fees require qualifying government assistance or household income documentation.
Cost / support
Paid nonprofit care; qualifying discounts typically cover 10%-25% of veterinary care and 10%-50% of training.
How to ask for help & what to know

Book an appointment, use the financial-assistance link in the confirmation and show proof of need at the first visit.

An exam deposit is required, aid is a discount rather than guaranteed free care, and some items are ineligible.

Public phone: 503-285-7722

Nonprofit program

Portland Animal Welfare Team

Portland metropolitan area · OR

Essential veterinary care, medicines, food and supplies for Portland-area people experiencing homelessness or extreme poverty.

Who it’s for
Veterinary services focus on cats and dogs of households experiencing homelessness or below the federal poverty line. Wellness clinics use brief on-site screening and allow up to two pets per household with an adult. Supply-bank access is public.
Cost / support
Qualifying veterinary care is free or low-cost; donated supply-bank items are free while available.
How to ask for help & what to know

Choose the current wellness, medical-care or supply-bank path on the official Get Help page. Scheduled drop-in wellness clinics need no appointment or pre-qualification; medical concerns require a separate appointment. Supply-bank visits need no appointment or screening.

No emergency or urgent care. Wellness clinics have limited first-come capacity; medical appointments may take 6–8 weeks. Donated food and supplies vary and are available once per month.

Public phone: 503-206-6033

Nonprofit program

The Pongo Fund Pet Food Bank

Portland metropolitan area and partner food banks · OR

Supplemental dog and cat food through Portland-area human food banks, partner groups and scheduled warehouse distributions.

Who it’s for
Adults needing supplemental food for their own dogs or cats; partner food banks may set separate rules.
Cost / support
Free supplemental pet food while supplies last.
How to ask for help & what to know

Contact a nearby partner food bank first and call the Pongo Fund for the most current direct-distribution schedule.

Supplemental rather than full-time food support; schedules and stock change, and it cannot supply multiple families through one household pickup.

Public phone: 503-939-7555

Nonprofit program

DoveLewis discounted exams

Portland · OR

Reduced-price scheduled veterinary exams for financially qualifying households in the Portland area.

Who it’s for
Households approved through the financial-aid application with proof of income or government assistance.
Cost / support
$75 discounted exam; qualifying humane euthanasia is free; other care is not included.
How to ask for help & what to know

Complete the official aid application and, if approved, book an available Friday-Sunday appointment with a 50% deposit.

Discount covers the exam only, not diagnostics, surgery or hospitalization; approval, funding and appointment availability are required.

Public phone: 503-228-7281

Nonprofit program

Companion Animal Medical Project

Central Oregon · OR

Monthly food, wellness, vaccination and limited urgent-care support for pets of unhoused people in Central Oregon.

Who it’s for
Core veterinary and spay/neuter services focus on sheltered or unsheltered pet owners experiencing homelessness; some food help also addresses financial hardship.
Cost / support
Qualifying clinic services and food are free; urgent assistance is conditional on funding.
How to ask for help & what to know

Check the monthly clinic calendar; urgent-care cases generally must first be seen at a CAMP clinic.

First-come food and limited appointments; urgent aid depends on funds, and long-term care and dental services are unavailable.

Nonprofit program

Wellness Waggin'

Northern Nevada service area of Options Veterinary Care · NV

Volunteer van rides for pets whose guardians have no feasible way to reach an Options Veterinary Care appointment.

Who it’s for
Established Options Veterinary Care patients whose guardians lack feasible transportation.
Cost / support
Grant-funded transport; confirm any current charge when requesting a ride.
How to ask for help & what to know

Call Options Veterinary Care at 775-499-3700 to ask about qualification and scheduling.

Pilot serves established Options patients only, transports the pet rather than the owner, and depends on volunteers and scheduling.

Public phone: 775-499-3700

Optional, everyday choices

These are commercial products and services, not financial aid. Best Friend may earn a commission when you use a partner link. Buying something is never required to use this guide.

Paid partner · commercial offer

BillSaver

Online · United States

Paid partner that negotiates eligible household bills; savings could free room in a pet-care budget.

Who it’s for
Customers with bills and providers supported by BillSaver.
Cost / support
Commercial service; if no lower rate is negotiated, the partner listing says the customer pays nothing.
How to ask for help & what to know

Use Best Friend's tracked partner link and review current terms before enrolling.

This is commercial savings help, not pet aid; results and eligible bills vary, and Best Friend may earn money from the referral.

Paid partner · commercial offer

US Mobile

Online · United States

Paid mobile-service partner offered as a possible way to reduce a recurring phone bill.

Who it’s for
Customers with a compatible device and coverage where they live and travel.
Cost / support
Commercial mobile plans; current prices and fees are shown by US Mobile.
How to ask for help & what to know

Use Best Friend's tracked referral link and compare coverage, device compatibility and total plan cost before switching.

This is a commercial phone service, not pet aid; savings and switching time vary, and Best Friend may earn money from the referral.

Paid partner · commercial offer

CrowdHealth

Online · United States

Paid partner offering a human health-cost-sharing membership; it is not health insurance and does not cover veterinary care.

Who it’s for
People who meet CrowdHealth's current membership requirements.
Cost / support
Paid membership with separate member funding responsibilities and current terms set by CrowdHealth.
How to ask for help & what to know

Use Best Friend's referral link and read the current membership, sharing and payment terms before joining.

CrowdHealth is not health insurance and is unrelated to pet medical bills; savings are not guaranteed, and Best Friend may earn money from the referral.

Paid partner · commercial offer

DASH Dog Food

Online · United States

Commercial dog food sold by a paid partner; orders through this link return a portion to Best Friend.

Who it’s for
Dog owners in locations DASH currently serves.
Cost / support
Paid commercial dog food; current price and any new-customer offer are shown by DASH.
How to ask for help & what to know

Use Best Friend's partner link and review current ingredients, feeding guidance, price, shipping and subscription terms.

This is a commercial purchase, not donated food or veterinary advice; no lifespan or medical benefit is promised, and Best Friend receives a portion of orders.

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