Apply for Assistance

Before You Apply:

1. We are a NYC based group and can only fund cases in the NYC area at this time.
2. If you are experiencing an emergency, please seek help right away at the nearest veterinary hospital.
3. Positive Tails funds emergency and preventive cases, and is unable to fund treatment for ongoing and chronic conditions.
4. If you have veterinary questions, it is best to contact your veterinarian first and they can help you determine need.

Follow the steps below to apply for assistance:

Download and complete application form

Application form in Spanish: Click for Application Form in Spanish

Complete and return the application (email or in-person) along with the following documents FOR ALL ADULTS LIVING IN THE HOUSEHOLD (unless during an emergency situation wherein application decisions will be made without back-up documentation):

  • Veterinary Estimate
  • One of the following:
    Copy of last year’s tax return filed with the IRS, or
    Proof of Unemployment, Social Security or Disability income, if applicable, or
    3 months of current bank statements

You will not be considered for assistance if any of the following conditions apply:

You have applied for, and been approved for Care Credit and ScratchPay in excess of the estimated cost of procedure.

You have another option available to you to assist with payment such as family, friend, pet insurance, credit card, etc.

Signs of animal abuse that are the cause of the animal’s illness or injuries

Injuries/illnesses that are the result of gross negligence on the part of the client. Or Injuries/illnesses that are the result of surgically altering your animal for unnecessary reasons (declawing of cats, clipping dog’s ears/tails, debarking, etc.)

Requirements for funding approval:

  • Your pet is required to be spayed or neutered to be considered for a Positive Tails grant. You must agree to have this procedure completed at the time of the treatment you are requesting the grant for, or if your pet is not of age or stable enough, to come back within three months to complete this requirement at the expense of Positive Tails.  Failure to do so will result in the transfer of the entire veterinary bill to your name, and you will be required to refund the funding supplied to you by Positive Tails.
  • The illness, injury or condition must be a treatable, yet urgent, condition with a good prognosis following treatment.
  • The family will be required to pay the balance of cost that exceeds Positive Tails funding levels. If this is not possible, an agreement between the veterinary hospital and client should be arrived at, which would be separate from obligations Positive Tails has agreed to.

PLEASE NOTE: If we review your documents and there are missing components, this will increase the time-frame of approving your application.

Once your completed application with supporting paperwork is received, it will be sent to our Granting Committee for review. The Granting Committee will make the final decision on approval or denial of your application, and will decide the funding amount. Positive Tails typically has a response within 24 hours of submitting an application to our Granting Committee.

Grants are subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors, funds available and procedures outlined in the application guidelines.

If Positive Tails is unable to help your animal at this time, please see this list of affordable veterinary options

Any questions regarding our grant process can be directed to Grants Administrators, at grants@positivetails.org.

In the event of a critical emergency with your pet after non-profit business hours, please contact Veterinary Emergency and Referral Group (VERG) of Brooklyn at 718-522 9400, 196 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217, or the nearest veterinary hospital to your location.