Veterinary Care Support
Finding help with veterinary care
Photo by Dogs Homes of Tasmania
Veterinary care can be difficult to access when cost, personal circumstances or location create barriers. This directory lists CANA members and other organisations that may provide low-cost veterinary services, financial assistance or other practical support to eligible pet owners.
Services, eligibility requirements and availability vary, so please contact each organisation directly for current information. Organisations listed as not affiliated with CANA are included for information only. CANA cannot endorse or recommend their services.
CANA Members
Animal Welfare League Queensland Community Vet Clinics
https://www.awlq.org.au/vet-clinics/
Provides accessible, low-cost veterinary services through clinics in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Ipswich. Eligible pet owners may also receive payment support or direct financial assistance for emergency and life-threatening veterinary care.
Lort Smith (VIC)
https://lortsmith.com/support-services/
Provides discounted veterinary services for eligible concession card holders in Victoria, as well as diagnostic assistance, interest-free loans and compassionate care funding for eligible emergency cases.
Cherished Pets Foundation (VIC)
https://www.cherishedpetcare.com.au/foundation/crisis-care
Provides veterinary social services and case-by-case assistance with veterinary care for vulnerable people and their pets in the Geelong and Bellarine regions of Victoria. Crisis support and assistance with veterinary bills are generally accessed through a case manager or healthcare professional.
Organisations offering support not affiliated with CANA
Pet Medical Crisis
https://petmedicalcrisis.com.au/
Helps pensioners and families experiencing financial hardship meet the cost of urgent veterinary care for pets in crisis, primarily in Victoria.
PetSafetyNet
Helps eligible pet owners experiencing financial hardship access free veterinary telehealth and a limited range of subsidised urgent or essential treatments in selected areas of the Hunter, Central Coast and Mid North Coast regions of NSW, and throughout Tasmania.
The Stay Foundation
https://www.thestayfoundation.org/
Supports vulnerable people and families with pet food and supplies, access to essential preventive pet care and emergency pet boarding in the Hunter and Central Coast regions of NSW.
Pets Of The Homeless
https://www.petsofthehomeless.org.au/how-we-help/vet-care
Helps eligible Victorians experiencing financial hardship access subsidised or fully funded veterinary care, including routine treatment, diagnostics, dental care and urgent surgery. Access requires a referral from a support worker or community service organisation.
Pets in the Park
https://www.petsinthepark.org.au/
Provides free veterinary care for pets belonging to people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness through volunteer-run clinics across Australia. Access requires a referral from a community service caseworker or support worker.
Safe Pets Safe Families Vet Crisis Fund (SA)
https://safepetssafefamilies.org.au/vet-crisis-fund/
Provides pre-approved assistance to individuals and families experiencing financial hardship so their pets can receive urgent veterinary care through approved partner clinics in South Australia.
ACT Pet Crisis Support
Provides vulnerable and low-income pet owners with access to essential veterinary care through the Tiny Vet Clinic and financial assistance for urgent or life-threatening treatment through local veterinary clinics. Services are available in the ACT and surrounding region, including Queanbeyan.
Perth Vet Bill Assistance
https://www.perthvetbillassistance.com/
Helps owners experiencing severe financial hardship across Western Australia meet the cost of urgent treatment for sick or injured pets after other funding and payment options have been exhausted.