The Joshua Louis Animal Cancer Fund (“JLACF”) managed by Frankie’s Friends provides financial assistance grants to family-owned pets in need of lifesaving veterinary oncology care whose caregivers cannot afford the full cost of treatment.

This program is designed to help with the treatment of cancer where the pet would otherwise suffer, be euthanized, or relinquished without proper veterinary care. Please note that one of the requirements of this program requires that your pet is under the care of a veterinary oncologist.

If your pet is in need of immediate care, where any delay will put the animal at risk, it is your responsibility and duty to seek care for the pet immediately. There is no guarantee that the fund will provide financial assistance so please do not delay care for your pet while waiting for a response on your application.

Grants are not guaranteed. Due to the large volume of applications we receive, the program is unable to help everyone who applies. Before applying, you must have a clear diagnosis, specific treatment plan in place, and an estimate of the cost of care from a veterinary oncologist who deems your pet is treatable.

If you require additional assistance in excess of what is provided by the JLACF, you may be eligible for help through one of our partnering veterinary hospitals. The criteria for assistance remains the same as the JLACF, however, you can reach out to the nearest BluePearl Veterinary Hospital to see if you your pet and family's situation could qualify for additional assistance through our Hope Fund program instead.

The pet parent is responsible for the cost of the initial exam/assessment by a licensed veterinary oncologist, as well as any diagnostics to determine the pet’s prognosis and course of treatment. These associated upfront costs would not be covered by any potential JLACF funding. In addition, the JLACF does not cover the cost of restaging and/or emergency treatment when due to cancer.

The pet must have a “good prognosis” as determined by a veterinary oncologist to be eligible for assistance.

The JLACF will ask each treating veterinary hospital to provide a 25% discount of services in addition to the funding from the JLACF.

The animal must be a family-owned pet, as the JLACF does not provide assistance for strays, rescue organizations, or fosters.

If your animal requires either basic veterinary care, or care that does not fit our criteria for assistance, you can find Additional Funding Sources here.

 
To proceed to apply for assistance with veterinary care, please agree to the terms of the application by inserting your name below.

This is ONE of SEVEN signatures. Please sign and go onto the next page. I have read the above information and agree to the terms of the application.

 

TO BEGIN YOUR APPLICATION

Read through each section in its entirety before proceeding. 

You will need access to a computer and a printer to complete the application. 

The following application for assistance from the JLACF is available online only and must be completed in its entirety to be considered for assistance. 

All applications will require a printed copy of the completed application and additional required documentation for the application to be considered complete. Incomplete applications will not qualify for assistance. 

• If you do not have a computer with internet access you will need to go to your local library, which should have computers, printers, and internet access available.
• Alternatively, you can ask your veterinarian’s office, friends or family members to assist you.

BEFORE YOU START

You will need to have the following items available to complete the online application. We advise that you gather this information before you begin your online application. Once you have started the online application, you will not be able to return at a later time to complete it. You will have to start over from the beginning with your online application for potential funding.

COLLECT THE FOLLOWING REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

FINANCIAL information:

1. Proof of income
• This can be a copy of check stubs, unemployment benefits, disability benefits, etc. for all working adults in the household where the pet resides.
•  The proof of income must be recent, so only tax forms from six (6) months prior will apply.
• OR a Social Security Statement for the pet-owner
2. Proof of the hardship you claim (if your income exceeds 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.)
3. Proof of application for Care Credit showing denial for funding, or being approved for an amount that is less than the remaining cost of treatment needed.
4. OR a Social Security Statement for the pet-owner
5. AND proof that you own the animal in need of care which can be determined with Adoption/Purchase Papers, Vet Records and/or Rabies Certificates for two consecutive "terms"
6. Documentation of any payments already made to the treating veterinary clinic towards the cost of care, including the cost of the initial exam and any diagnostics prior to treatment, with a balance of the amount needed to complete the pet’s treatment plan.
7. List of additional resources of which the applicant has already applied (ie setting up a gofundme page, applying for other nonprofit organizations’ assistance, help from family/friends, payment plans set up, etc.)

CLINICAL information:

• Copy of a written cost estimate for the needed procedures and/or treatment from your veterinary oncologist.
• Proof of a good prognosis as determined by your veterinary oncologist.
• Name and address for your treating veterinary oncologist.

  • This will be included on your online application form.

  • If you do not have this information available, wait to fill out your online application until you have obtained this information.

 

• A detailed statement of the pet’s clinical condition. Any abuse and/or neglect related requests will automatically be denied as it is our top priority to ensure safe, responsible pet ownership.

This is TWO of SEVEN signatures. Please sign and go onto the next page. I have read the above information and agree to the terms of the application. 

 

 

ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES

• Assistance is only provided to family owned pets.
• Grants are only awarded for one pet, per household, per lifetime.
• Pet must already have a diagnosis of cancer and under the primary care of a veterinary oncologist.
• The JLACF does not pay for office exams or diagnostic testing.
• Pet must have a good or favorable outcome/prognosis with treatment for its cancer, as determined by a licensed veterinary oncologist.
• oth the applicant and the animal must live in the United States.
• Proof of substantial financial hardship must be provided.
• Applicant must show proof of application and denial for Care Credit, or approval of an amount that is less than the remaining cost of care needed to treat the pet.
• The applicant must attempt to find funding through their own means, personal contacts, and other assistance programs before applying. See our suggestions for fundraising.
• If a grant is awarded, the grant recipient must be willing to provide updates and photos to the JLACF.

WHAT WE DO NOT FUND

• Basic veterinary care
• Food or basic pet supplies
• Deworming
• Grooming
• Flea treatments
• Routine veterinary care: annual exams, checkups, etc.
• Vaccinations
• Cosmetic procedures
• Monthly medications
• Single treatment of a chronic disease
• Euthanasia or cremations
• Dental cleanings
• Treatment of strays, foster animals, or animals that are part of a rescue
• Treatment of farm animals, animals owned by breeders, or animals used for research or commercial purposes of any kind
• Any bills already paid or procedures already in progress. The JLACF cannot reimburse anyone for veterinary expenses already paid. 
• The cost of vet visits for animals who have not yet been seen by a veterinarian.

(Applicants must already have taken their animals to a veterinarian for diagnosis and must have a written estimate for the needed procedures.) 

• Declawing, ear cropping or debarking surgeries.

This is THREE of SEVEN signatures. Please sign and go onto the next page. I have read the above information and agree to the terms of the application.

RULES FOR APPLYING

• The JLACF sends funding directly to the treating veterinarians ONLY IF your application is approved and treatment is scheduled.
• No contributions are EVER given directly to individuals.
• The JLACF will not reimburse for "paid invoices” and will not consider reimbursement situations of any kind. If you have already paid your veterinarian for services, please seek other arrangements for assistance.
• Incomplete requests will be automatically denied, specifically if any piece of required information is left blank or any of the required documentation is not included, we will not be able to assist. All fields are required on the application, including the clinic's email address. 
• The JLACF does not discriminate on the basis of the pet parents’ age, sex, or race and reserves the right to deny funding to anyone for any reason.
• You must be on a low or limited income and show documentation of substantial financial need to qualify for assistance.
• The fund is limited to one pet per house and your lifetime. Once you use the JLACF, you will not be able to receive assistance from it again. It is a one-time use only.
• The application must be filled out completely and legibly. Incomplete applications or those that we cannot read will not be considered or processed.
• Make sure you leave a valid and working phone number and email so we may respond to your request with any updates.
• If your application is submitted Monday through Friday, it is our goal to notify you by email within two (2) days of receipt. Applications submitted on holidays or weekends will not be processed until the following business day.
• If you do not hear back regarding the status of your application within two business days, you may follow up at helprequests@frankiesfriends.com .
• Once the application is approved, you must seek treatment within two weeks. Funds do expire one year from the date of the grant. This expiration date will be communicated to your vet clinic.
• Please understand that while the JLACF makes every effort to respond to each application, it is still your responsibility to seek treatment for your pet.
• No application for funding will be considered without a complete, signed application and all required documentation previously listed.
• All forms must be scanned and emailed to the JLACF at helprequests@frankiesfriends.com at the conclusion of the application process.
• Applications are not considered complete until all forms are received. Applications that are sent with missing parts or incomplete information will be denied.

This is FOUR of SEVEN signatures. Please sign and go onto the next page. I have read the above information and agree to the terms of the application.

If you answered no to any of these questions, you will not meet the criteria for financial assistance from the JLACF Fund. Do not continue with the application, and seek additional resources here instead.

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Read through the guidelines.
2. Collect the necessary documentation.
3. If you are ready to begin the application, and believe your pet/family meets the criteria for assistance, proceed to the application on the next page.

This is FIVE of SEVEN signatures. Please sign and go onto the next page. I have read the above information and agree to the terms of the application.

Please check each box that applies to your current situation (if TRUE, check the box):

Because our program offers financial assistance, you must disclose the combined household income of all adults. This includes those sharing a residence - whether you are in a relationship or just roommates. This is how we qualify each applicant into our various programs.

ATTACH THE FOLLOWING REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

All of the following documents must be uploaded and attached to this application to proceed. Applications without these documents will not be considered completed and therefore will not be processed or approved for assistance. There are no exceptions.

 

FINANCIAL Information

CLINICAL Information

If you are approved for assistance, we ask you for three things:

1. To let our donors know what their support means to your family: attach 2 photos of your pet plus a note of thanks. Describe what it means to you to have this financial assistance from the JLACF Fund.
2. Pets helped by the JLACF are featured on our website as “Happy Tails.” Please share the link to let your friends and family know just how much Frankie’s Friends has meant to you and your pet.
3. When your financial circumstances change, we hope you will “pay it forward” by helping the next family in need by donating to JLACF.

 

Please attach two photos of your pet.

I UNDERSTAND AND AGREE that, in accepting funds from JLACF for my pet, I will pay an identified amount toward my pet’s treatment expenses. I understand I must pay this before the JLACF and hospital discounts will be applied in payment to my invoice. If for any reason, I do not pay my agreed-upon share of the invoice or if I default on payment as I have agreed, the JLACF and matching discounts will be withdrawn and I will be responsible for paying the entire invoice.

I have attached all of the required documentation above and agree to the terms of the application.

This is SIX of SEVEN signatures. Please sign and go onto the next page. 

This agreement and waiver must be signed by the person(s) seeking funds in order to receive funds from the JLACF.

All recipients and applicants of the JLACF agree that the JLACF is in no way responsible for the outcome of any medical procedure funded in whole or in part by the JLACF, nor is the JLACF responsible for the outcome of funding being denied in whole or in part to the applicant(s).

Applicants for the JLACF funding agree that the JLACF will not be liable for any damages or losses as a result of either being denied funding or because of the outcome of any diagnosis or treatment funded in whole or in part by the JLACF.

The JLACF and its employees do not make any representations or warranties, expressed or implied, regarding applications for funding or awarding of funding, and are released and not liable for any costs, damages, and expenses, including attorney fees arising from any claims, damages, or liabilities asserted by third parties arising from application for or receipt of funds from the JLACF.

Funding resources are limited, and the JLACF makes every effort to use limited funds in the most responsible way. The JLACF does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, or race. The JLACF reserves the right to deny funding to anyone for any reason.

This is the entire contract, and no applicant for funding can modify it. This contract is not assignable. Applicants for funding to the JLACF waive all laws in conflict with the above agreement.

If you have any questions about your pet’s funding, please contact Frankie’s Friends at 888.465.PETS or helprequests@frankiesfriends.com.

Best of luck to you and your pet!