A newly registered Canadian charity, the National Pet Care Fund (NPCF), will begin operations on May 1. NPCF is committed to providing grants to help low-income pet owners by subsidizing medical costs for their companion animals.

NPCF will use StatCan’s low-income cut-off tables (LICOs) to determine eligibility. These income benchmarks vary across provinces and territories. Approximately 3.7 million Canadians are estimated to reside at or below the LICO, while, on average, 58 per cent of Canadians own a companion animal.

NPCF’s grants will cover certain non-elective medical treatments, such as surgery (including certain dental surgeries), hospitalization, and diagnostics. Routine exams, vaccinations, foods (regardless of prescription), routine spays/neuters, and general prophylactic dental care will not be covered by NPCF.

Upon approval, pet owners will be able to apply for a maximum grant of 25 per cent of the total cost of the approved treatment. The current grant cap is set at $200; however, this amount may increase in the future.

Veterinarian clinics can also register, at no cost, to the NPCF Vet Partner Program. Participating clinics are encouraged to extend additional financial support to approved NPCF pet parents by fully or partially matching the grant amount through discounts on their services.

Further information about the Vet Partner program and status, grant applications, and online donations is available on the NPCF website.