Pet Help in Portland and Southern Maine
In Southern Maine and need help now? For an emergency, go to a 24-hour hospital below and tell them if cost is a barrier. To lower costs, start with the spay/neuter programs and low-cost clinics. For a bill you can’t cover, get a free funding plan.
Want what’s closest to you? Search by ZIP code or your location.
Emergencies and 24-hour hospitals
- Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care (PVESC) - Emergency 24 hours
739 Warren Avenue, Portland, ME 04103 · (207) 878-3121
24-hour emergency hospital in Portland for dogs and cats, open every day of the year. - Maine Veterinary Medical Center (MVMC) - Emergency & Critical Care 24 hours
1500 Technology Way, Scarborough, ME 04074 · (207) 885-1290
24-hour emergency and critical care hospital in Scarborough, with same-day urgent care appointments too.
Spay, neuter and vouchers
- Midcoast Humane - Community Cats Program (TNR vouchers, trap loans, Last Litter)
5 Industrial Parkway, Brunswick, ME 04011; 27 Atlantic Highway, Edgecomb, ME 04556 · (207) 449-1366
Grant-funded spay/neuter vouchers for low-income cat owners and feral colony caretakers in Midcoast Humane's contract towns, humane trap loans for TNR, and a Last Litter program that spays and returns a mother cat free when her litter is surrendered. - United Spay Alliance - Maine Spay/Neuter Referral Map (led by Animal Welfare Society)
Statewide · (207) 292-2424 (Animal Welfare Society)
Free statewide map to find low-cost spay/neuter clinics, voucher and financial-help programs, TNR groups, transport and Feline Fix by Five vets anywhere in Maine; AWS staff help if you can't find a provider. - Friends of Feral Felines (FoFF) - Trap-Neuter-Return
651 Forest Ave (2nd floor, Odd Fellows Building, Woodford's Corner), Portland, ME · (207) 797-3014
Southern Maine volunteer group that traps, neuters and returns feral cats, feeds and monitors colonies, and works with colony feeders under TNR and feeder agreements; also finds barn homes and fosters feral kittens. - Community Spay-Neuter Clinic (Topsham)
321 Lewiston Road · (207) 721-8395
Affordable spay/neuter and vaccines for cats for all pet owners regardless of income, at the Topsham clinic and a Waterville mobile clinic; dog appointments are currently paused. - Animal Welfare Society - Free Feral Cat Spay/Neuter and Trap Loans
46 Holland Road, West Kennebunk, ME · (207) 292-2424 (clinic)
AWS spays/neuters, rabies-vaccinates and ear-tips feral and free-roaming cats trapped in Maine at no cost (FeLV/FIV testing costs extra), and lends humane traps to caretakers with trapping guidance. - Animal Welfare Society - Mother Spay Program
46 Holland Road, West Kennebunk, ME · (207) 985-3244 (main); (207) 292-2424 (clinic)
If your dog or cat has an unexpected litter, AWS spays the mother free at its Kennebunk clinic once the litter is 8-10 weeks old, when you admit the puppies or kittens to AWS for adoption; mom goes home the same day. - ARLGP Spay/Neuter Program
217 Landing Road · (207) 854-9771
Low-cost spay/neuter for cats and dogs for income-qualifying pet owners (on public assistance such as MaineCare, SSDI or unemployment, or under household income limits), with a 'Spay It Forward' option for those who don't qualify.
Low-cost clinics and vaccines
- Animal Welfare Society - Community Veterinary Clinic (Companion Program)
46 Holland Rd, Kennebunk, ME 04043 · (207) 292-2424
Nonprofit shelter clinic in Kennebunk offering general pet care, with discounts on many services for owners on SSI, SSDI, SNAP, TANF, WIC, MaineCare, VA disability or Section 8. - ARLGP Community Clinic at Baxter
449 Stroudwater St. · (207) 887-1280
Affordable nonprofit clinic open to all members of the public for preventive care (wellness exams, low-cost vaccines) and minor injuries and illnesses for dogs and cats; it is not an emergency clinic and doesn't do dental work.
Help paying a vet bill
- Finally Home Senior Dog Rescue - The Sierra Fund
North Yarmouth, ME 04097 · 207-829-3943
Helps Maine owners of senior dogs (about 7 and older) pay for vet visits, follow-ups and medications; income limit applies.
Veterinary hospitals and clinics
- Animal Welfare Society Stay@Home
46 Holland Road, Kennebunk, ME, 04043 · (207) 985-3244 x160
York County pet owners in a hard spot can get pet food through partner pantries, temporary emergency pet boarding, and lower-cost vet care. - Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care (PVESC) - Specialty Services
739 Warren Avenue, Portland, ME 04103 (dermatology and ophthalmology at 2255 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04102) · (207) 878-3121
Specialists in cardiology, internal medicine, neurology, oncology, surgery, dermatology, ophthalmology and more for pets with complex conditions. - Maine Veterinary Medical Center (MVMC) - Specialty Services
1500 Technology Way, Scarborough, ME 04074 · (207) 885-1290
Specialty hospital offering internal medicine, neurology, oncology (including clinical trials), surgery, cardiology, radiology, ophthalmology and rehab.
Pet food
- First County Food Pantry (York County)
5 Swetts Bridge Road, Alfred, ME, 04002 · (207) 459-2232
York County families can get free groceries on Tuesdays and Fridays in Alfred; pet food is not listed on the site, so ask first. - Community Outreach Services Food Pantry (Kennebunk)
19 Park Street, Kennebunk, ME, 04043 · (207) 985-3844
Arundel, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport families can register to shop a free market-style food pantry; ask about pet food. - Scarborough Food Pantry
167 Black Point Road, Scarborough, ME, 04074 · (207) 883-2342
Scarborough-area families can choose free food twice a week; ask about pet food. - ARLGP Pet Food Pantry
217 Landing Road · (207) 854-9771
Temporary pet food help for households in need: register once online, then submit an order form each time, for pickup Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday, 3-5pm, at the Westbrook shelter.
Keeping your pet, end-of-life care and pet loss
- Angel Fund of Maine
6 Pomerleau St Ste 102, Biddeford, ME
Nonprofit that helps pet owners facing financial hardship pay for end-of-life care and aftercare. - Haven Veterinary Hospice and Senior Care
Southern Maine and southeastern New Hampshire · 207-361-7145
Certified hospice vet offering in-home hospice, quality-of-life consults and euthanasia for pets in southern Maine. - Tranquil Waters Aquamation
6 Pomerleau Street, Biddeford, ME 04005 · (207) 815-2512
Water-based (flameless) pet cremation in Biddeford with private or communal options and pickup from home or your vet. - Vet At Your Door - In-Home Euthanasia
Portland to Waterville, Biddeford to Sanford, Lewiston-Auburn, Bath-Brunswick, Farmington/Rangeley area · (207) 536-8387
Mobile vets offering in-home euthanasia, quality-of-life visits and aftercare across much of southern and central Maine plus parts of Franklin County. - Animal Welfare Society - End of Life Care
46 Holland Rd, Kennebunk, ME 04043 · (207) 292-2424
Shelter clinic in Kennebunk offering cost-effective pet cremation and, case by case, in-clinic euthanasia. - Finally Home Senior Dog Rescue - Intake for Senior Dogs
616 New Gloucester Road, North Yarmouth, ME 04097 · 207-829-3943
Senior dog sanctuary that takes in dogs about 7+ from Maine owners who can no longer care for them (for example due to illness or age) and keeps them for life; intake is closed while they are full. - Finally Home Senior Dog Rescue - Teddy's Friends Fund
North Yarmouth, ME 04097 · 207-829-3943
Helps Maine owners with low incomes pay end-of-life costs for senior dogs. - Lap of Love - Portland, ME
Portland and surrounding towns (travel fee may apply) · (207) 553-3776
In-home euthanasia, hospice and telehospice for dogs, cats and some exotic pets in Portland and nearby towns. - Maine Veterinary Medical Center - Pet Loss Support (Veterinary Social Worker)
1500 Technology Way, Scarborough, ME 04074 · (207) 766-8880
Grief support from MVMC's veterinary social worker, including a virtual monthly pet loss support group.
Paying for a bigger bill
Ask any hospital about payment plans, CareCredit or Scratchpay, and apply to more than one assistance program. Ways to pay a vet bill in Maine lists the programs that are open now, and a free funding plan puts them together for your pet, with a free fundraiser page if you want one.