Financing Options

We're Here to Help

In our mission to save and protect animals, The SF/SPCA provides compassionate care to as many cats and dogs as we can. That's why we've implemented innovative programs to make veterinary care affordable to all eligible guardians — and to provide care to homeless animals. 

With the support of our donors and full-paying clients, we offer a number of comprehensive assistance programs for the San Francisco community. These programs allow us to provide spay/neuter surgeries for shelter animals, feral cats and pets of low-income San Francisco residents. We also provide care to all acutely ill or seriously injured animals by:

  • Fully funding their treatment while in our shelter.
  • Offering financial assistance and payment arrangement options for pet owners with limited means.

Such programs translated into $1.5 million in free and discounted medical care in 2007-2008, and the new Leanne B. Roberts Animal Care Center dramatically increases our ability to help animals in need.

Please note that charitable assistance is given on a case-by-case basis. Individuals seeking financial assistance must bring a valid state-issued ID and proof of income.

Our programs include:
Pet-a-Care Senior Discount Program
Emergency Veterinary Care Fund
CareCredit
Free First Medical Exam
Sheltercare Insurance Gift
Spay/Neuter Incentives & Free and Sliding Scale Spay/Neuter

Pet-a-Care Senior Discount Program

The Pet-A-Care Program is the most comprehensive charitable program in the nation for spayed/neutered pets of low-income, San Francisco seniors over the age of 65, providing 50% off all veterinary services for the lifetime of qualifying animals.

Owners can apply on behalf of pets that are already spayed/neutered and are over one year of age. Two pets may qualify for the program for the lifetime of the guardian.

Emergency Veterinary Care Fund

We provide urgent care to acutely ill or seriously injured animals. Financing is available for qualifying San Francisco residents with spayed/neutered pets, or those who agree to spay/neuter their cat or dog during or after treatment.

CareCredit

All clients seeking financial assistance are required to apply for CareCredit as a first step in negotiating a payment arrangement. CareCredit is a credit card that offers a variety of financing options at some healthcare and veterinary facilities. Please visit their website to learn more or to apply online. Applications are also available at our hospital front desk. If approved, you will be required to use CareCredit to pay for your pet's treatment.

  • CareCredit can be applied toward the cost of any hospital services, including routine and emergency care.
  • CareCredit is often the best option for expensive treatments, including dental work.

Free First Medical Exam

The SF/SPCA, in association with the San Francisco Veterinary Medical Association, provides an initial medical exam free of charge to any animal adopted from The SF/SPCA or one of our partner agencies. The appointment must be made within three days of adoption, and proof of adoption is required.

  • This offer includes a health examination only.
  • Guardians are responsible for post-adoption expenses related to medications, vaccines, diagnostics or treatments

Sheltercare Insurance Gift

Every adopter is given a ShelterCare Insurance Policy — health insurance that:

  • Covers a variety of illnesses and accidents that may arise in the 10 days following adoption.
  • Can be extended to 45 days or expanded to include rental property insurance at no extra cost.
  • Adopters can also purchase an insurance plan for longer-term coverage of the costs associated with their pets' medical care. Visit ShelterCare's website for more information.
  • The SF/SPCA uses software that can process these insurance claims directly, reducing the amount that adopters have to pay up-front.
  • Adopters receive 50% off all services at our hospital in the 10 days following adoption.

Spay/Neuter Incentives & Free and Sliding Scale Spay/Neuter

We provide free spay/neuter surgeries for:

  • Pets of homeless San Franciscans. We also offer these services through our work with Vet SOS (Veterinary Street Outreach Services.) Visit their website to learn more:  www.vetsos.org
  • Pets of qualifying low-income individuals.
  • Feral cats, through our Feral Fix Program.

We also offer a variety of spay/neuter surgery discounts for owned cats and dogs in our community:

  • 25% - 100% off for low-income San Francisco residents, determined by the number of people in the household and average monthly income for all household members.
  • 10% off for San Francisco residents, regardless of income
  • 10% off for existing SF/SPCA Veterinary Hospital clients, regardless of income and residency
  • 20% off for San Francisco full-time students, regardless of income
  • 20% off for San Francisco senior citizens over the age of 65, regardless of income
     

Please note that discounts cannot be combined. When applicable, discounts may require proof of the following:

  • San Francisco residency
  • Low-income status
  • Enrollment as a full-time student
  • Senior citizen status

Cats and dogs must be younger than seven years, older than 4 months, and current on vaccines. For animals who have medical conditions that would prohibit a spay/neuter surgery at our clinic, we offer care at our hospital. Clients must first schedule a consultation for hospital surgeries.

Please call our Client Service Representatives at 415.554.3030 to discuss your eligibility for financial assistance.