PetAid Program

The impetus for BirchBark's creation was Dr. Merrianne Burtch's dream never to see a family forced make the heartbreaking and irreversible decision to say goodbye to a beloved pet simply because they could not afford life-saving veterinary care. And so, BirchBark was born. Since 2013, BirchBark has provided financial assistance to hundreds of families whose pets faced life-threatening or life-compromising illness or injury. Today, PetAid remains a cornerstone of our programming. We are grateful to be able to provide hope and options to the pet families in our community.

How does the PetAid Program work?
The goal of the PetAid Program is to ensure that critical veterinary care is within reach for all pet families. We offer two levels of PetAid grants to pet families, depending on whether your pet has a medical issue that has yet to be assessed by a veterinarian or your pet has an existing diagnosis and you need help to provide life-saving treatment. In cooperation with our Partner Vets, BirchBark provides financial assistance (either a flat amount for initial diagnostics or a percentage of the overall bill, up to 50%, for treatment).

Who can qualify?
PetAid is available to residents of Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito County whose household income is up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level.

At this time, we unfortunately are unable to provide support for routine care (vaccines, routine exams, preventative dental cleanings, spay/neuter surgeries), cancer treatments, long-term care needs, or certain orthopedic surgeries such as TPLO. PetAid recipients must also use one of our Partner Vets, which ensures that we are able to keep costs down and help as many families as possible.

What do I do to get help?
To begin the process of applying for financial assistance, please click here to determine whether the appropriate funding path for you is PetAid Initial Care or PetAid Complex Care, and then review the eligibility guidelines for funding. If you believe you meet the eligibility requirements, continue to the online application!

What can I do if I do not qualify for PetAid?
We understand what a stressful time this may be for you, but do not give up hope. In addition to crowdfunding, there are other options that can help you help your pet. Please see our Resources page for other options.