When your beloved pet needs urgent medical care and you don't have insurance, it doesn't mean you have to choose between your financial well-being and your pet's health. Calgary has an extensive network of financial support, from charitable programs and grants to innovative financing solutions that allow you to spread payments over years without affecting your credit history. The key to success is knowing where to look for help and how to act quickly in a critical situation.

First steps: assessing the situation and taking urgent action

Determining the level of urgency

When an animal is sick, the first step is to determine the level of urgency. This will affect your budget and choice of financing strategies.

True emergencies that require immediate intervention:

• Poisoning by toxic substances (chocolate, medication, cleaning products)
• Difficulty breathing or persistent coughing
• Convulsions, collapse, or lack of response
• Serious injuries with broken bones or deep cuts
• Continuous vomiting or diarrhea
• Bleeding that won't stop

In such cases, do not waste time — call the emergency clinic, describe the symptoms, and let them know you are on your way.

Estimated costs for emergency care in Calgary

Understanding the approximate costs will help you quickly assess your financial needs:

Typical costs for emergency veterinary care in Calgary (2024-2025):

• Emergency consultation: $120-300

• X-rays and diagnostics: $290-1200

• Blood tests: $90-400

• Overnight hospitalization: $500-1000

• Emergency surgery: $1500-5000+

Specific examples from the experience of Calgary residents:

• Deep cut requiring stitches: $780
• Bone in the jaw (overnight surgery with sedation): $500-600
• Full day of treatment without oxygen therapy: $2200
• Oxygen therapy: additional $700 per day

Charities and financial assistance programs

Task Force Animal Hospital — a revolutionary approach to affordable treatment

In January 2025, Calgary opened its first non-profit veterinary clinic, Task Force Animal Hospital (TFAH), which serves exclusively low-income individuals.

Eligibility criteria for TFAH:

• Income below the Low Income Cut Off (LICO)
• AISH (Assured Income for Severely Handicapped) recipients
• Social assistance recipients
• Referrals from a social worker
• Individuals in personal protection programs

LICO income thresholds for TFAH (2025):

Family size	Maximum annual income
1 person	$31,264
2 persons	$38,922
3 persons	$47,851
4 people	$58,096
5 people	$65,892
6 people	$74,315
7 people	$82,739

Contact: 587-333-3720, cataskforce.org

National Pet Care Fund — federal support

The National Pet Care Fund provides grants of up to $500 (50% coverage up to a maximum of $250 from the fund plus up to $250 from partner veterinary clinics) to cover urgent, non-elective medical expenses.

How to apply:

1. Create an NPCF account online
2. Complete the NPCF Pet Parent status application form
3. Attach your current Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency
4. Wait for approval and further instructions

The fund uses Statistics Canada Low-Income Cut-off (LICOs) tables to determine eligibility for assistance.

Megan's Rescue Efforts Society — Local Support

The organization offers a Low Cost Vet Program for dog and cat owners in Calgary who are experiencing temporary financial hardship.

The program covers:

• Vaccinations to protect against common diseases

• Spay/neuter with numerous health benefits

• Treatment for parasites (internal and external) Important: The program does NOT cover specialized food, long-term medications, or treatment for chronic conditions.

Calgary Humane Society — comprehensive community support

The Calgary Humane Society offers several support programs for pet owners in financial distress.

Food Bank: Free food and supplies for owners in need Contact: 403-205-4455, [email protected]

Emergency Boarding Program: 10-day emergency pet boarding for families in crisis:

• Loss of housing due to fire, flood, or other natural disasters
• Sudden hospitalization
• Admission to a rehabilitation center

A referral from a recognized service agency is required.

Pet Safekeeping Program: 21-day confidential animal boarding for victims of domestic violence.

Additional support resources

Parachutes for Pets:

• Pet Food Bank: free or low-cost pet food
• Safekeeping: barrier-free spaces for pet care Contact: (403) 305-9677, parachutesforpets.com

MEOW Foundation (for cats):

• SNAP Program: subsidized spay and neuter
• Cat Food Assistance Program Contact: (403) 230-6033, meowfoundation.com

Financing and payment plans

ScratchPay — the most popular financing option

ScratchPay is the most common financing option for veterinary services in Calgary, available at most clinics in the city.

Advantages of ScratchPay:

• Instant approval in 90 seconds

• 3 different plans to choose from

• Plans with 0% annual percentage rate (APR)

• Qualification check does NOT affect your credit history

• No hidden fees

• No early repayment penalties

• No deferred interest

ScratchPay features:

• Plan terms: 12-36 months

• Loan amounts: $200-$10,000

• APR: 0-36% depending on credit profile

• Minimum down payment: $15

Example: A 12-month plan for $10,000 with a 5.99% APR will have 12 monthly payments of $860.62 for a total payment amount of $10,327.44.

PetCard — Canadian alternative

PetCard specializes in financing veterinary services in Canada with 25 years of experience.

PetCard Features

• Up to $40,000 available quickly

• No down payment

• Fast response with high approval rate

• Open-ended credit with the option to pay off early without penalties

• Competitive interest rates

• Easy monthly payments for 12-84 months

Process: Apply online in 5 minutes with instant approval

LendCare — Partner with VCA Canada

Many clinics, especially those in the VCA Canada network, offer financing through LendCare.

Wellness plans and packages

Some clinics offer wellness plans with installment payments:

Legacy Veterinary Clinic offers wellness plan packages for puppies and kittens with 12 months interest-free installments:

Puppy Wellness Plan includes:

• 3 preventive exams with full vaccinations

• Additional consultations for health concerns

• Pre-surgery blood work

• Spay/neuter

• Microchip

• 3 dewormings

• 6 nail trims

• 10% discount on all additional services

Veterinary schools and training programs

University of Calgary Community Care Clinic

The University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is launching a Community Care Clinic at the Spy Hill Campus, where students will provide services under the supervision of experienced veterinarians.

Planned services:

• Physical examinations
• Vaccinations
• Spaying/neutering
• Dental care

The clinic will work with shelters, rescue organizations, and social services to provide care for animals from vulnerable populations.

CUPS Partnership Program (historical experience)

Although the program was only active in 2016, it demonstrates possible models of cooperation between veterinary schools and charitable organizations.

Veterinary students provided free examinations and preventive care:

• vaccinations
• nutritional advice
• parasite prevention for low-income CUPS residents.

Crowdfunding and community support

GoFundMe — the most popular platform

GoFundMe has a special section for raising funds for veterinary care for pets, with a community of over 50 million people.

Advantages of GoFundMe:

• 0% platform fee for organizers

• Special section for animal treatment

• Support from friends and family

• Wide range of resources for effective fundraising

The average cost of surgery for animals is $2,000-3,000, making crowdfunding a realistic option.

Real examples from Calgary:

• Shorty's Medical Bills: emergency surgery to remove an 8 cm mass from the spleen

• Emergency vet bills for Archibald: owner on AISH asked for help to treat a potentially fatal condition

• Vet bills for King: fundraising after a dog was stolen and injured

• Help pug with vet bills for Cosmo: treatment for liver failure

• Help pay Vinnie's vet bills: retired owner with insufficient insurance coverage

Specialized platforms

• Waggle: a specialized platform for veterinary crowdfunding
• Vet Corner Angels: a popular Meta group that mobilizes to help pet owners

Practical strategies for negotiating with clinics

Talking to your vet about financial options

Most veterinary clinics understand financial constraints and are willing to discuss options: Ask about:

• Income-based sliding scale pricing
• Third-party financing options
• In-house payment plans
• Compassionate care funds
• Cash payment discounts

Prioritizing treatment

If you have a limited budget, discuss the following with your veterinarian:

• Which procedures are critical for survival
• What can be postponed
• Lower-cost treatment options
• A step-by-step treatment plan with a breakdown of costs over time

Preventive strategies for the future

Create an emergency fund for your pet

Once the current crisis has been resolved, consider creating a special fund for future veterinary expenses:

• Set aside $30-50 each month in a high-yield savings account

• Consider a separate account specifically for veterinary expenses

• Set up automatic transfers to build up savings over time

Long-term wellness programs

• Annual packages with installment payments
• Discounts on preventive care
• Early detection of problems to reduce future expenses

Regional and provincial resources

Free spaying and neutering from the City of Calgary

The City of Calgary, through the Fair Entry program, provides free spaying and neutering for cats for low-income residents.

Eligibility requirements:

• 18 years of age or older and a Calgary resident
• Cat ownership
• Calgary city license
• Referral through the Fair Entry Program
• Eligible once every 12 months

Tails of Help — Provincial Support

Tails of Help provides financial assistance to pet owners across Alberta for basic veterinary care.

Note: As of August 2025, applications are temporarily suspended due to limited funds.

Recommendations for Ukrainian immigrants

Documents and proof of income

To participate in most programs, you will need:

• Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (can be requested by calling 1-800-959-8281)
• Proof of social assistance or AISH
• Citizenship or residency documents

Language considerations

Most programs operate in English. If necessary:

• Ask friends or community members to help with translation
• Contact immigrant support organizations
• Use Google Translate for basic information

Cultural understanding

The Canadian system encourages people to seek help—it is not a sign of weakness, but rather a use of available community resources. Do not hesitate to take advantage of programs for which you qualify.

Conclusion: Action plan in a crisis

Immediate actions:

• Assess the level of urgency and contact the appropriate clinic
• Mention financial constraints when making an appointment
• Request a cost estimate before treatment
• Discuss financing options on site

Short-term solutions:

• Apply for ScratchPay or PetCard for immediate financing
• Contact Task Force Animal Hospital if you meet the income criteria
• Create a GoFundMe campaign for difficult cases
• Contact Calgary Humane Society for support

Long-term planning:

• Create an emergency fund for future veterinary expenses
• Consider insurance for young/healthy animals
• Establish a relationship with a veterinarian for preventive care
• Research wellness programs for routine care

Remember: Not having insurance doesn't mean you don't have options. Calgary has one of the most developed support networks for pet owners in Canada. The key is to know your options and act quickly. Your pet can get the help they need, even if finances are tight.