BirchBark Foundation - PetAid Program

Hours: Monday-Friday 9 am - 5 pm; office visits by appointment.

What it is

Help paying vet bills

Type of help

Charitable assistance

Where

Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties

Status

Accepting applications

Checked

on the official website, November 5, 2026

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Grants toward veterinary care for low-income pet owners, given through BirchBark's Partner Vets: a flat amount for initial diagnostics, or a percentage of the treatment bill (up to 50%) for a diagnosed condition. It does not cover routine care (vaccines, routine exams, dental cleanings, spay/neuter), cancer treatment, long-term care or some orthopedic surgeries such as TPLO.

Checked on the official website · November 5, 2026 What this means
An independently researched listing, not a statement of partnership or endorsement.

Good to know

• Who can use it: Residents of Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties with household income up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level. Care must be at a BirchBark Partner Vet.
• How to get started: Use the Apply for Assistance page on the website to choose PetAid Initial Care or Complex Care, review the eligibility guidelines and complete the online application. Help line 831-471-7912.

Emergency? Call your veterinarian or the nearest 24-hour emergency hospital now, and tell them if cost is a barrier. Emergency signs and poison hotlines

If cost is the barrier: Paying for Care compares grants, payment plans and fundraising, and a free funding plan puts them together for your pet.

Also from this organization

• BirchBark Foundation - Pet Loss Grief Support · Santa Cruz

Other help near Santa Cruz

• Other help Santa Cruz SPCA · Santa Cruz · under 1 mi
• Pet food Santa Cruz SPCA - Heather's Pet Food Pantry · Santa Cruz · under 1 mi
• Vet clinic Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter - Safekeep Emergency Boarding · Santa Cruz · 1 mi
• Spay/neuter Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter - Planned Pethood Spay/Neuter Events · Santa Cruz · 1 mi
• Low-cost care Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter - Healthy Pets for All Free Vaccine Clinics · Santa Cruz · 1 mi
• Emergency SAGE Veterinary Centers - Campbell (24-Hour Emergency) · Campbell · 20 mi

Every listing in the Santa Cruz guide → · All 570 programs in California →

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Sources

BirchBark Foundation - PetAid Program official page, checked November 5, 2026.

Published by Sean Arenas, Help My Pet · How we check listings