Unexpected vet bills?
We could help.

Rochester Hope for Pets offers awards to Rochester area pet owners who need assistance with veterinary expenses for unexpected or emergency health situations.

Apply for assistance
A person giving a high five to a cat, who is reaching out with its paw. The scene appears to be indoors with soft lighting.

What we can help with

  • Emergency or diagnostic surgery that could be life saving.

  • Labwork, radiographs, X-rays, etc.

  • Dental procedures to remove growths or provide a better quality of life.

  • Euthanasia or group cremation if terminal.

What doesn’t qualify

  • This includes annual exams, routine vaccines, preventatives, or fecal testing.

  • Any spay/neuter surgeries or post-surgery needs.

  • Ongoing prescription food or medication refill costs.

  • Costs associated with private or semi-private cremation services.

How to apply

  • View of a city skyline across a body of water with a dock in the foreground during sunset.

    Rochester local

    Live within 40 miles of Rochester or be an existing patient at a Rochester vet.

  • Person holding a gray tabby cat in their arms, with the cat relaxing on their lap.

    Vet exam

    Have your veterinarian complete an initial exam and provide a diagnosis or treatment plan.

  • A person holding a receipt and looking at it, with a smartphone on the table nearby.

    Official estimate

    Get an official estimate from your veterinarian for the treatment or surgery.

  • A person wearing a light blue shirt is writing on a sheet of paper with a black pen, with other papers on the dark-colored table.

    Completed application

    Fill out and submit our application for financial assistance.

Apply now

Success stories

  • A person holding a black and white puppy with a white stripe on its face, in front of a Christmas tree.

    Bandit

    This sweet boy fell down the stairs and needed to have his leg amputated. RHFP was able to make Bandit’s life-saving surgery possible.

    Read Bandit's Story
  • A ginger and white cat lying on a white bedsheet with a black and white background, one eye half-closed.

    Monkey

    Monkey was rescued with a broken jaw. Rochester Hope for Pets was able to help with funding for his much needed dental care.

    Read Monkey's Story
  • A tabby cat sleeping curled up on a brown fabric surface.

    Lucky

    Lucky’s mom reached out for a grant to help with diagnostic testing. Thanks to RHFP, she was able to get an ultrasound appointment.

    Read Lucky's Story
  • A German Shepherd puppy sitting on the step of a fire truck labeled "WEBSTER 10 FIRE DEPT." surrounded by firefighter gear, including a helmet with the number 387, a jacket, and a yellow fire hose.

    Charlie

    Unable to use his hind legs, a small grant for Rochester Hope for Pets allowed Charlie to get the surgery he needed to walk again.

    Read Charlie's Story

 FAQs

 

  • We provide financial assistance to families and their pets within a 40-mile radius of Rochester, NY. This included all of Monroe county and portions of the following counties: Wayne, Ontario, Livingston, Orleans, Genesee, Seneca, and Yates!

  • We try to respond to inquiries as soon as possible, especially in emergency situations, however, it may take us up to 48 hours to make a decision. Approved or denied, you WILL hear from us via email regarding your application!

  • Each application we receive is reviewed by our board and given consideration based on the funds we have available and the prognosis for the pet.

  • Depending on which veterinary hospital you are a patient at, we will either pay the hospital directly upon completion of the procedure or release funds to the hospital which they will use to pay your bill.

    If you have already paid in full yourself, we will issue a check to you for reimbursement in the amount of your award.

  • We are not an emergency vet or rescue, and therefore are unable to physically help an animal in crisis. If you need immediate help, please see our list of emergency veterinary clinics in the Rochester area.