Links
Getting Some Financial Assistance
http://redrover.org/index.cfm?navId=163
Many times people need some help to get them through a hard time with veterinary expenses. These groups are aware of how hard it can be to maintain a senior dog. They offer suggestions to help you, and links to financial assistance programs, including disease-specific support groups.
American Animal Hospital Association www.aahahelpingpets.org/home
The heartbreak happens all too often. A pet owner is unable to afford treatment and their sick or injured companion animal pays the price. If the owner is elderly, disabled or on a fixed income, the cost of care may be too much of a stretch for their pocketbook. Perhaps they have been victimized by crime, property loss or a job layoff and are experiencing a temporary financial hardship making it too difficult to afford pet care. And some animals, brought to clinics by Good Samaritans, don’t have an owner to pay for treatment. Whatever the situation, the fact remains the same: When sick or injured animals are unable to receive veterinary care, they suffer. Through the AAHA Helping Pets Fund, veterinary care is possible for sick or injured pets even if they have been abandoned or if their owner is experiencing financial hardship.”
Angels 4 Animals www.Angels4Animals.org
“Angels4Animals, a non-profit organization and a program of Inner Voice Community Services, has a mission to serve as the guardian angel of animals whose caretakers find themselves in difficult financial situations. At Angels4Animals we believe that animal owners should not have to say goodbye to the animals that they love. Our work is accomplished in conjunction with veterinary clinics across the country, eager to assist as many animals, and their owners, as possible. Our services range from financial aid to complete treatment to those pets and pet owners in need.”
Care Credit www.carecredit.com
A credit card company for health care, including veterinary care. “CareCredit, the leader in patient/client financing, has helped more than 3 million patients/clients get the treatment or procedures they needed and wanted. With a comprehensive range of plan options, for treatment or procedure fees from $1 to over $25,000, we offer a plan and a low monthly payment to fit comfortably into almost every budget.”
Help-A-Pet www.help-a-pet.org/home.html
“Our efforts focus on serving the elderly, the disabled, and the working poor. For lonely seniors, physically/mentally challenged individuals and children of working parents, pets represent much more than a diversion.”
IMOM www.imom.org
Mission Statement: “Helping people help pets. To better the lives of sick, injured and abused companion animals. We are dedicated to insure that no companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker is financially challenged.”
The Pet Fund thepetfund.com
“The Pet Fund is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit association that provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need urgent veterinary care. Often animals are put down or suffer needlessly because their owners cannot afford expensive surgery or emergency vet visits. Companion animal owners must often make the difficult decision to put an animal down or neglect urgent medical needs because of the costs involved. The purpose of the Pet Fund is to work towards a future where decisions about companion animal medical care need never be made on the basis of cost.”
United Animal Nations www.uan.org/lifeline/index.html
“The mission of LifeLine is to help homeless or recently rescued animals suffering from life-threatening conditions that require specific and immediate emergency veterinary care. We strive to serve Good Samaritans and rescue groups who take in sick or injured animals. In certain cases, LifeLine can also assist senior citizens and low-income families pay for immediate emergency veterinary care.”
HandicappedPets.com www.handicappedpets.com/Articles/help/
“From time to time, HandicappedPets.com recognizes a caretaker of handicapped pets that need some special attention, and a little extra help. There are those who are so selflessly dedicated to their animal families that they give up a little more than they can afford.”
Here is an article that will help by providing some much needed ideas on dealing with unexpected vet bills:
http://mia-carter.suite101.com/how-to-pay-for-expensive-vet-bills-a70140
Additional Resources:
American Veterinary Medical Association http://www.avma.org/
American Veterinary Holistic Association http://www.ahvma.org/
Alternative Veterinary Medical Association http://www.altvetmed.org/
For a list of State Veterinary Associations that you can download:
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=0+1301&aid=389
Acupuncture Information
http://www.acupuncture.com/animals/dog.htm
http://www.vetinfo.com/facts-myths-canine-acupuncture.html
To find an acupuncturist nearby, check the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture
http://www.aava.org/php/aava_blog/aava-directory/
Senior Dog Resources
http://www.muttville.org/resources
http://www.healthyhappydogs.com/Resources
Best Friends Animal Society Library http://www.bestfriends.org/theanimals/petcare/dogs.cfm
A wonderful resource of articles on dogs http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/plants_animals/dogs/
Dog First Aid http://www.dog-first-aid-101.com/dog-first-aid-resources.html
Canine Cancer resources http://www.cfnaonline.com/caninetimes/resource-center/cancer/cancer.shtml
Pet Insurance
First check out the different insurance companies offering coverage and then decide who will best meet your needs. This comprehensive website covers reviews on companies all over the country.
http://www.petinsurancereview.com/
Activities For You And Your Akita
If you have promised your Akita a vacation, now is a great time to travel together. Here are some online resources that can give you ideas and link you to facilities that will accept your Akita:
http://dogfriendly.com/
http://dogs.about.com/od/travel/a/travelwithdogs.htm
General Resources
Always check out the American Kennel Club and the Akita Club of America websites for interesting and helpful articles:
http://www.akc.org
http://www.akitaclub.org/
Akita Rescue Society of America maintains a website that discusses relevant issues including alternative cancer therapies.
http://www.akitarescue.com/
When The Time Comes…..
When the time comes, and it comes for all of us, think of your Akita first. Are you prolonging suffering? Is there really no hope? Are you making the decision that is right for your dog? The only thing that we, as Akita rescuers ask is that you not drop your Akita off at the nearest shelter. Contact us if you need help to make sure your dog is released from pain and suffering in the most humane way—in your arms. We have seen so many old Akitas abandoned in their last days, dying in a cold dark place surrounded by strangers—it is so hard to think about it and so hard for the dog to be there. Please make its last moment a time of comfort and love. When you think about, you will know you made the right decision.
http://www.specialneedspets.org/euthanasia.htm
http://alexadry.hubpages.com/hub/When-to-put-a-dog-to-sleep
A Good Dog Food Comparison List
An excellent resource to compare dog foods so you are educated before buying food for your senior Akita.
http://www.reviews.com/dog-food/
