News
Keep Your Pet
March 07, 2009, 3:55PM MT
By Dori F Gilbert
In tough economic times, people need their pets more than ever.
In tough economic times, people need their pets more than ever.
By Dori Gilbert, Best Friends Network.
People are losing their jobs and they are losing their homes but they don’t have to lose their pets too. Our pets bring us comfort and joy, exactly what we need to get us through hard times. From help finding pet-friendly housing to financial help for veterinary care, there are resources in the Las Vegas area (and beyond) to help you keep your pet.
Pet-Friendly Housing
To find pet-friendly housing in the Las Vegas area, search these websites:
Pet Friendly Rentals in Las Vegas
People with Pets You can also search all over the country at this site.
Low Cost Spay / Neuter
Las Vegas Valley Humane Society: They offer low cost spay and neuter clinics for cats and referrals for dogs. Contact (702) 434-2009 or email lvvhs@cox.net. Financial assistance is also available.
Heaven Can Wait Sanctuary: It's the Pits, free spay/neuter program for Pit Bulls and Pit Mixes. Referrals for other pets. Call (702) 227-5555 to see if you qualify.
Nevada SPCA: They will give referrals for low-cost spay / neuter at veterinary clinics in the Las Vegas area. Call 873 – SPCA.
Low Cost Vaccinations / Microchips
Animal Foundation: Low cost shot clinic. Call (702) 384-3333 for more information.
Dewey Animal Hospital (shares a lobby with the Nevada SPCA): Twice-weekly low cost vaccination and microchip clinics. Call (702) 873-3458 for more information.
Pet Food Assistance
Catholic Charities, Meals on Wheels: They will deliver donated pet food locally to seniors in the program.
C.A.T.S. Inc: They provide free pet food to local nonprofits and individuals fostering or caring for animals other than their own.
Feeding Pets of the Homeless: They provide pet food (and veterinary care) for pets of the homeless and those in need. They have one current pet food collection site in Las Vegas with one more coming soon (see below). As there is no pet food bank in Las Vegas yet, the donated food is given to local nonprofits for distribution. They are in need of more collection sites in the Las Vegas area. If you or a business you know is interested in becoming a collection site, please go here for more information.
Collection Sites:
PrinciPessa pets
3385 S. Durango Dr., #J
Las Vegas, NV 89117
(702) 566-7387
Coming soon: Can Do K9’s
Financial Assistance for Veterinary Care
The following national organizations will help with veterinary care for specific circumstances. Each organization has different criteria and different processes for being approved.
Angels 4 Animals: Their mission is to serve as a guardian angel of pets whose owners are in financial need. They provide funds for veterinary care and microchips through regional veterinary clinics.
Cat in Crisis Inc: They have funds to help owners and nonprofits care for cats with chronic or emergency conditions.
Help-a-Pet: They provide financial assistance for the medical care of pets whose owners are seniors, the children of the working poor, or are physically or mentally challenged.
IMOM (In Memory of Magic): They help with veterinary care for life-threatening emergencies.
Pet Assistance Inc: They help pay the veterinary costs for people in need.
Tails of Hope Foundation Inc: They provide financial assistance for pets with cancer or other life-threatening diseases.
The Pet Fund: They provide financial assistance for non-emergency veterinary care.
United Animal Nation: Their LifeLine Grant Program “provides funding to Good Samaritans, animal rescuers, non-profit organizations and pet owners to help them care for animals in life-threatening situations.”
What You Can Do:
All of these nonprofits are experiencing an increased demand for assistance. If you can, donations of money or goods would be greatly appreciated so they can continue helping those animals and their owners in need.
See more tips and resources here.
Top photo by Kirsten Bole, middle photo by Ana Muller, both courtesy of Feeding Pets of the Homeless.