Shadow’s Veterinarian Relief Trust Details

Purpose: To provide financial assistance for the medical and surgical care of family pets whose owners reside in Chautauqua or Cattaraugus Counties that would mean the difference between life or death to the animal.

How it works: Distribution of funds will be as described below, and based on an application submitted from the veterinarian, along with a copy of the pet’s owner’s latest federal tax return.

Download Shadow’s Veterinarian Relief Trust Brochure

Distribution of funds* as follows:

  1. 80% of surgical care and a follow up surgery if necessary for pet owners earning under $30,000 annual (adjusted for CPI)
  2. 80% of the emergency care for any abandoned or stray animal
  3. 80% of medical and/or surgical care for necessary referrals to specialist for pet owners earning under $30,000 annual (adjusted for CPI)
  4. 80% of spaying and neutering for pet owners earning under $30,000 annual (adjusted for CPI) up to one litter including the mother
  5. 80% of medical and/or surgical care for senior citizen pet owners over the age of 65 earning under $30,000 annual (adjusted for CPI)
  6. 80% of medical and/or surgical care for the unemployed currently receiving unemployment benefits in the last six months (need to show proof of benefits)
  7. 80% of medical and/or surgical care for the disabled receiving SSI (need to show proof of benefits)
  8. 80% of medical and/or surgical care for any veteran’s service animal (Need to show form DD-214)

*Percentage of distribution of funds may change due to the performance of the financial market.

Trust will not pay for the following:

  • Declawing of cats unless if means life or death of the cat
  • Prolonged medical care (i.e., cancer care for terminal pets)
  • Cosmetic surgeries (i.e., cropping of ears, cherry eyes, docking of tails) that does not improve the pets well being

Limit of one application per pet owner, per year, submitted by their Veterinarian.

Veterinarians who would like to apply for funds please see the Veterinarians page.