Pet Help in the Columbus Area
In Columbus 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: Dayton. Cincinnati. Cleveland.
Emergencies and 24-hour hospitals
- MedVet Columbus - Emergency & Specialty Care 24 hours
300 E. Wilson Bridge Rd., Worthington, OH 43085 · 614.846.5800
MedVet's original hospital, providing 24/7 emergency care, urgent care and specialty services including critical care, cardiology, internal medicine, oncology, neurology, surgery and veterinary social work for central Ohio pets.
Spay, neuter and vouchers
- Columbus Humane Community Cat Initiative (TNR)
3015 Scioto Darby Executive Ct, Hilliard, OH 43026 · 614-777-7387
Low-cost Trap-Neuter-Return for community cats: spay/neuter, rabies vaccine and ear tip, with optional add-ons (other vaccines, tapeworm, flea/tick/ear mite treatment, FeLV/FIV testing) for cats coming in for surgery. Held every Friday for 35 cats per week. Not for pet cats.
Low-cost clinics and vaccines
- Columbus Humane Essential Care Center - Subsidized Veterinary Clinic
3772 South High Street · (614) 777-7387
Nonprofit clinic for dogs and cats of families facing money problems, with fixed low prices (cat and dog wellness exams with vaccines) and reduced-cost euthanasia; it asks people who can use a private vet to keep doing so.
Veterinary hospitals and clinics
- Frank Stanton Veterinary Spectrum of Care Clinic (Ohio State)
Columbus · (614) 292-1573
Ohio State's primary-care teaching clinic for dogs and cats, where senior vet students work under faculty vets; it gives estimates before treatment and accepts CareCredit, and it is open to the public with no referral needed. - Franklin County Dog Shelter Emergency Dog Boarding During Extreme Cold
4340 Tamarack Blvd., Columbus, OH 43229 · 614-525-3400 ext 1
Free, short-term emergency boarding at the Franklin County Dog Shelter for dogs whose owners are entering Franklin County warming centers during extreme cold and dangerous winter weather. - Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center - Hummel Trueman Hospital for Companion Animals
601 Vernon L. Tharp Street · (614) 292-3551
Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine's specialty and emergency teaching hospital for dogs and cats, open 24 hours a day, every day; most specialty care comes by referral from your regular vet, and the page lists no income-based discount.
Pet food
- Columbus Humane Pet Food Pantry
3772 South High Street · (614) 602-6700
Free supplemental dog and cat food and cat litter, by appointment, for households living paycheck to paycheck or getting government assistance; each household can come once every 30 days and needs ID. - Franklin County Dog Shelter Community Pet Pantry
4340 Tamarack Blvd., Columbus, OH 43229 · 614-525-3647
Free pet food for Franklin County pet owners experiencing temporary financial hardship, plus a self-serve Community Pet Supply Shed outside the shelter (left of the lost dogs entrance) open 24 hours a day where neighbors can take free supplemental pet supplies with no appointment or registration.
Keeping your pet, end-of-life care and pet loss
- Pickaway County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center
21253 Ringgold Southern Road, Circleville, OH 43113 · (740) 474-3741
County dog warden office and shelter that enforces Chapter 955 of the Ohio Revised Code, picks up strays, investigates dog bites and livestock kills involving dogs, reunites lost dogs with owners and adopts out unclaimed dogs. Offers dog licensing, lost and found dog reports, fostering, volunteering and a shelter wishlist. - Franklin County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center (Columbus)
4340 Tamarack Blvd, Columbus, OH 43229 · 614-525-3647
County dog shelter and adoption center. Dogs only. - Franklin County Dog Shelter End-of-Life Services
4340 Tamarack Blvd., Columbus, OH 43229 · 614-525-3647
Reduced-cost, post-surrender end-of-life services for dogs of Franklin County residents because of untreatable injury or illness, poor quality of life, advanced age or unsafe temperament. Staff support owners through the decision. - Ohio State Veterinary Medical Center - Honoring the Bond Program
601 Vernon L. Tharp Street · (614) 247-8607
Free veterinary social work for owners of animals being treated at the Ohio State Veterinary Medical Center, including help with quality-of-life and euthanasia decisions, grief support resources and a yearly remembrance ceremony; only for VMC clients. - Columbus Humane Adoption Center (Hilliard)
3015 Scioto Darby Executive Ct, Hilliard, OH 43026 · 614-777-7387
Columbus Humane's adoption center for cats, dogs and other animals; no appointment needed to visit. - Columbus Humane Animal Support Center (Surrender & Counseling)
3015 Scioto Darby Executive Ct, Hilliard, OH 43026 · 614-777-7387 ext. 208
Helps people and animals in need by finding a solution together: supplies and equipment so people can keep their pets, temporary support or guidance, help rehoming a pet, intake of many types of stray animals (stray dogs go to Franklin County), and owner-requested euthanasia when appropriate. Each situation starts with an appointment that includes a veterinary exam. - Union County Dog Warden
Union County, Ohio
County dog warden that enforces Ohio Revised Code 955 in Union County and responds to dogs running at large, animal bites, rabies testing and quarantines. Impounded dogs are housed at the Union County Humane Society, 16540 County Home Road, Marysville, which also handles adoptions and cruelty or neglect concerns at (937) 642-6716. The Dog Warden does not accept owner surrenders or provide private euthanasia.
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 Ohio 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.