Pet Help in the Cape Cod Area
In Cape Cod 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. Nearby: Boston. Worcester. Springfield.
Emergencies and 24-hour hospitals
- Cape Cod Veterinary Specialists - Buzzards Bay (24/7 Emergency) 24 hours
11 Bourne Bridge Approach · (508) 759-5125
An emergency and specialty animal hospital at the Bourne Bridge in Buzzards Bay, open 24/7 for emergencies, with critical care and board-certified specialists. Emergency services include small mammals. Martha's Vineyard vets refer island emergencies here.
Spay, neuter and vouchers
- A Helping Paw Humane Society - Low Cost Spay/Neuter Certificates
Southeastern Massachusetts and New Hampshire
A Helping Paw sells discounted spay/neuter certificates to qualified low-income pet owners and feral cat caregivers for use at participating veterinarians. It does not perform surgery itself. Appointments can take 4-8 weeks or longer to get. - MSPCA-Angell Clinic Cape Cod - Spay/Neuter Program
1577 Falmouth Road
One-day spay/neuter and vaccination packages for dogs and cats, including surgery, rabies and distemper vaccines, nail trim and microchip. Subsidized package pricing is offered to people in financial need. The clinic accepts Massachusetts Animal Fund vouchers. Appointments are Monday-Friday and are currently being booked several months out.
Low-cost clinics and vaccines
- MSPCA-Angell Clinic Cape Cod - Low Cost Urgent Surgical Care
1577 Falmouth Road
Low-cost outpatient surgery for urgent medical conditions for qualifying low-income pet owners, including spay for pyometra or dystocia, amputations, wounds and lacerations, eye removal, bladder stone removal, mass removal when quality of life is affected, and polyp removal. It is not an emergency facility and does not offer hospitalization. - Animal Shelter of Martha's Vineyard Annual Rabies Clinic
1 Pennywise Path · (508) 627-8662
An annual rabies vaccination clinic, usually held the first Saturday of April at the Animal Shelter of Martha's Vineyard and the West Tisbury fire station. Pets get a rabies vaccine and a quick check from the vets, and island animal control officers are on hand for dog licensing.
Help paying a vet bill
- Hubbard's Cupboard Fund for Vineyard Animals Veterinary Care (Animal Shelter of Martha's Vineyard)
1 Pennywise Path · (508) 627-8662
A fund created in 2018 to pay for veterinary care for animals, mainly those adopted through the Animal Shelter of Martha's Vineyard by island residents, so they are not lost or surrendered for lack of care. It covers animals regardless of disability, sickness, age or terminal illness when the family seeks veterinary help. The shelter's separate Suzie Fund covers animals in the shelter with major medical issues. - The Sampson Fund for Veterinary Care
Cape Cod and the Islands · (508) 240-7387
An all-volunteer fund, running since 1986, that helps pay for veterinary care for critically ill or injured pets on Cape Cod and the Islands when owners cannot afford treatment. It works with member animal hospitals that negotiate a reduced bill; the owner pays a small percentage and the Fund pays all or most of the rest. It also helps sick or injured strays. Member hospitals include Cape Cod Veterinary Specialists (Buzzards Bay and South Dennis), Falmouth Animal Hospital, Deer Run Veterinary Services, Hyannis Animal Hospital, Barnstable Animal Hospital, Cape Cod Animal Hospital, Brewster Veterinary Hospital, Animal Hospital of Orleans, Eastham Veterinary Hospital, VCA Pleasant Bay, Leach Animal Hospital, Oceanside Animal Hospital, Veterinary Associates of Cape Cod and Veterinary Wellness Center of Provincetown.
Veterinary hospitals and clinics
- Cape Cod Veterinary Specialists - Dennis
79 Theophilus Smith Road · (508) 398-7575
The South Dennis location of Cape Cod Veterinary Specialists offers emergency care on a limited schedule plus specialty appointments on weekdays. Emergency services include small mammals. The Buzzards Bay location is open 24/7.
Pet food
- A Helping Paw Humane Society - Pet Food Pantry
Southeastern Massachusetts and New Hampshire
A volunteer-run "virtual" pet food pantry that delivers dry cat and dog food to pet owners in urgent need in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, which helps people without transportation. Deliveries are usually one-time; seniors and people with chronic health issues on fixed incomes can often get more. It does not provide special diets or premium brands. Small food pantries can also request food for a Feed-A-Pet event. - MSPCA Cape Cod Community Outreach and Pet Food Pantry
1577 Falmouth Road · (508) 815-5324
The MSPCA's Cape and South Shore outreach program offers free pet food and pet care supplies, free pet health and behavior information, community vaccination clinics, low-cost spay/neuter, and free transportation of pets (not owners) to veterinary appointments based on availability. A monthly pet food pantry with dry cat and dog food is held at the Cape adoption center while supplies last.
Keeping your pet, end-of-life care and pet loss
- MSPCA Cape Cod Adoption Center
1577 Falmouth Rd · (508) 775-0940
The MSPCA-Angell adoption center in Centerville takes in owned animals as well as stray cats and small animals, and places dogs, cats and other pets for adoption. It also offers lost and found pet help and new pet owner guides. - Town of Barnstable Animal Control
1189 Phinney's Lane · (508) 790-6274
Barnstable Animal Control, part of Marine & Environmental Affairs, enforces the town's dog control regulations, including the town-wide leash rule and waste pickup, handles dog licensing (renewals due January 1), and shares coyote, rabies and wildlife information. It covers Hyannis, Centerville and the other villages of Barnstable. - Animal Rescue League of Boston - Cape Cod Animal Care & Adoption Center (Brewster)
3981 Main Street (Rte 6A) · (617) 426-9170 x305
ARL's Tom Kingman Memorial Campus in East Brewster has served Cape Cod animals since 1921, offering intake and surrender, shelter care, behavioral assessment and adoption. It has a stable and paddock for large animals and livestock. ARL's Healthy Moms, Happy Litters spay/neuter program can be signed up for here. - Animal Shelter of Martha's Vineyard
1 Pennywise Path · (508) 627-8662
A nonprofit shelter in Edgartown that finds homes for Martha's Vineyard animals. Owners can surrender pets at no cost during business hours after a behavioral assessment; the shelter brings surrendered animals up to date on vaccines, spay/neuter, flea and worm treatment and microchips. It can also help re-home a pet while it stays in its own home, lends or sells cages and carriers, keeps a lost and found log, and supports the island's animal control officers. The shelter says it can offer pet food, bedding and crates to owners who need supplies. It is not an emergency facility. - Edgartown Animal Control
Town of Edgartown · (508) 939-1782
Edgartown Animal Control supports the health and well-being of the town's domestic animals, handles lost dogs and animal concerns, and works with the town Health Agent on barn inspections for livestock. All dogs six months and older must be licensed each year with a current rabies certificate. - Falmouth Animal Services (Animal Control)
Town of Falmouth · (774) 836-3945
Falmouth's Animal Services Division promotes public safety and humane treatment of animals, responds to sick or injured wildlife and domestic animal complaints, and enforces dog licensing, vaccination, restraint, barking and tethering laws. Report lost and found pets to Animal Control. - Oak Bluffs Animal Control
Town of Oak Bluffs · (508) 560-9127
The Oak Bluffs Animal Control Officer works within the Oak Bluffs Police Department and handles animal concerns in town. - Plymouth Animal Shelter (Town of Plymouth)
2199 State Road · (508) 888-1186
A town facility that houses Plymouth Animal Control and a small shelter. Animals in its care are available for adoption after an application and screening, including a veterinary reference check. Donated pet supplies and food are used at the shelter or passed on to rescue groups and community members in need. - Tisbury Animal Control (Vineyard Haven)
66 High Point Lane · (508) 696-4209
The Town of Tisbury's animal control office in Vineyard Haven handles dog licensing, leash and barking-dog bylaws, and animal concerns, and shares pet disaster-preparedness and pet poison information. - Wareham Animal Control (Department of Natural Resources)
48 Marion Road · (508) 291-3100 ext. 3183
Wareham's Animal Control Division enforces license, vaccination and leash laws, promotes humane treatment of domestic animals, handles nuisance and aggressive animal problems and all domestic animal complaints, and inspects kennels. The Animal Control Officer is also the town's Animal Inspector. After hours and on weekends, calls are handled by Department of Natural Resources staff.
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 Massachusetts 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.