AVMF charitable fund opens to all AVMA members

Supporting financially struggling clients and treating neglected pets just got easier.

Starting in 2021, the American Veterinary Medical Foundation’s Veterinary Care Charitable Fund will expand, reimbursing any practicing AVMA member providing low- or no-cost veterinary services for in-need clients and pets.

More than 1,400 practices have enrolled in the VCCF since the program debuted in 2015.

In 2020 through October, the AVMF program awarded 694 grants totaling $237,090 to provide veterinary care for 724 animals. Grant awards have ranged from $100 to more than $2,500, depending on the medical treatment provided, with an average grant of $325 per animal.

The AVMF found that, of the VCCF grants requested and received since March 2020, on average, 25% or more had to do with financial hardship related to COVID-19.

To provide funding broadly across the profession beyond the practice enrollment model, the AVMF is adding an open, national model for awarding reimbursement to any practicing AVMA member.

“Expanding the program by adding an open, national fundraising model will allow the AVMF to provide support for charitable care to any AVMA member across the U.S.,  dramatically expanding program scope and increasing access to veterinary charitable care for many more pets,” said Dr. John Howe, AVMF board chair.

Among those who have been served through the VCCF are military veterans; seniors living on a fixed income; low-income earners or those experiencing financial hardship, including pet owners affected financially by the COVID-19 pandemic; and victims of domestic violence.

“We anticipate that opening the VCCF to all AVMA members will dramatically increase participation,” Dr. Howe said. “The number of practices utilizing the VCCF program has the potential to grow from the 1,400 currently enrolled into several thousands.”