When people can't afford their pet's medical expenses, sometimes they have to give them up to shelters, according to the SPCA of Northern Nevada.
“One of the main reasons people call us to surrender their pets is because they can't afford a major medical procedure,” said Executive Director Jill Vacchina Dobbs, J.D. “It’s heartbreaking to watch families tearfully surrender a beloved family member because of medical costs. Pets don’t deserve to be separated from loved ones because of money."
In more extreme cases, some animals have to be put down. Dobbs said she found herself in that exact situation years ago.
"When I was younger there was a medical procedure I couldn't afford to have on one of my dogs and it was the most devastating experience, that I couldn't afford this surgery." said Dobbs.
Her black Labrador-Retriever, Zinger, was euthanized. The love of her pet inspired Dobbs to fight for animal welfare. Her career at the SPCA has fulfilled her desire to help animals in Northern Nevada.
Help was needed even more so during the pandemic, as families struggled with various financial hurdles. That's when the SPCA started a pilot program called Todd's Medical Fund. The program helped people that couldn't afford their pet's medical expenses. Pet owners would get their animals the care they need with the SPCA's community partners and veterinary services. In 2021, the program expanded so people could apply for the program regardless of where the animal is receiving veterinary services.
The program, like the organization, is donor funded.
To donate to the SPCA of Northern Nevada you can click here.
"A couple of years ago we started putting money aside to our general fund to help people when we could. During the pandemic we were fortunate enough to have some great fundraising initiatives thanks to our great marketing team." Dobb said.
Todd's Medical Fund only covers acute (non-recurring) necessary medical procedures such as surgery, non-prophylactic dental procedures, laceration repair and foreign body obstruction removal.
To qualify, applicants must be a permanent resident of Northern Nevada and must have a combined household income at or below $52,000, a written estimate of costs from the treating veterinarian and must be able to afford at least 20 percent of the total medical bill.
The fund also covers end-of-life care including humane euthanasia and communal cremation.
Dobb's said, "We're here to help empower pet guardians to give the care and love that they need and to keep them together, not because shelters are bad but because loving families are better -- and people deserve to get to keep their loving family members who just happen to be furry."
You can apply for the fund here.
The SPCA wants to credit Todd Denton for its latest efforts. Denton was a community member that passed away last December. He was generous to animal organizations in Northern Nevada, as he loved all animals and was passionate about helping pets in the community.
"I get a little choked up and a little emotional but I know wherever Todd is he is beyond proud of this program, because he went through a lot of struggles in his own life and he loved doing good by pets and he loved advocating for them." Dobbs said.
