Helping Hands Grant

Helping Hands Grant

Funder: Friends of NCVMA Foundation Inc

Geographic Scope: North Carolina

Overview:
The Helping Hands Fund allows NCVMA-member veterinarians to offer financial assistance to clients in need so more pets can enjoy a full life with their families. This fund helps veterinarians provide life-saving services to pets whose owners face financial hardship.

Total Since 2014: $43,465 awarded to help veterinarians provide life-saving services

Eligibility Requirements - Standard Clients

• Application must be made by NCVMA-member veterinarian providing medical services
• Members may only receive one award per year
• Clients must apply for CareCredit or similar third-party payment option (application must be included)
• Clients are permitted to use the fund one time
• Individual animal may benefit from the fund one time
• Pet must have good prognosis (not available for Good Samaritan Pets or those with poor prognosis)
• Pet must be owned (not a Good Samaritan case)

Eligibility Requirements - Homeless Advocacy Groups

• Referral from homeless advocacy group with appropriate paperwork
• Members may only receive one award per year (whether for client or via homeless advocacy group)
• The 50% shared cost concept does not apply to homeless advocacy group clients

Award Criteria

• Maximum award: $500
• Award cannot exceed 50% of total cost for care (standard clients)
• Award cannot exceed amount needed to obtain zero balance on account
• No percentage cap for homeless advocacy group clients
• The goal is to keep owned pets with their family (good prognosis only)

What Is NOT Funded

• Services that have already been performed (exceptions may be granted in emergencies)
• Cosmetic procedures (ear cropping, declawing)
• Good Samaritan Pets
• Pets with poor prognosis

Processing

• NCVMA strives to approve all requests within 48 business hours
• Applications subject to review; assistance is not guaranteed
• Member veterinarian notified of approval and amount awarded via email
• Check made out to hospital of member veterinarian

Post-Approval Requirements

Before funds released, member veterinarian must submit:
• Copy of completed invoice
• Copy of medical record
• Medical record must include: attending veterinarian's name, animal microchip number (if chipped), all services provided
• Invoice must reflect all forms of payment already made and outstanding balance