Frankie's Friends Fund Application

Frankie’s Friends Fund provides financial assistance grants to family owned pets in need of lifesaving emergency or specialty veterinary care whose caregivers cannot afford the full cost of treatment.

This program is designed to help with the treatment of emergency and specialty medical conditions where the pet would otherwise suffer, be euthanized, or relinquished without proper veterinary care.

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, and will not exceed $1000.00 per pet, per household. 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 veterinarian.

If you are in need of more assistance than the Frankie's Friends Fund provides, you may be eligible for help through one of partnering veterinary hospitals. The criteria for assistance remains the same as the Frankie's Friends Fund, however, you can reach out to the nearest BluePearl Veterinary Hospital (BluePearl Hospital locations) to see if 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 professional, 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 Frankie’s Friends funding.

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

The Frankie’s Friends Fund will ask each treating veterinary hospital to provide a 25% discount of services in addition to the funding from Frankie’s Friends.

The animal must be a family owned pet as the Frankie’s Friends Fund 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 in this downloadable PDF.

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 the capability to upload documents to complete the application.
• 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 for assistance, or you can ask 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 together 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.

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. 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.
5. 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 with proof of a good prognosis as determined by a licensed veterinary professional at the treating facility.
• 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.

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 have a life-threatening injury or illness that requires urgent and specific treatment to qualify.
• Assistance is only provided for emergency and specialty veterinary care.
• Pet must have already received a diagnosis and treatment plan from a veterinarian with a good or favorable outcome/prognosis.
• Both the applicant and the animal must live in the United States.

WHAT WE DO NOT FUND

• Office exams or diagnostic testing to determine pet's prognosis
• 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. Frankie’s Friends Fund cannot reimburse anyone for veterinary expenses already paid.
• The cost of vet visits for animals who have not yet been seen by a veterinarian.
• Declawing, ear cropping or debarking surgeries.

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

I have read the above information and agree to the terms of the application.

RULES FOR APPLYING

• The Frankie’s Friends Fund 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.
• Frankie’s Friends Fund 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.
• 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. This expiration date will be communicated to your vet clinic.
• Please understand that while the Frankie’s Friends Fund makes every effort to respond to each application, it is still your responsibility to seek treatment for your pet.

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 Frankie's Friends Fund. Do not continue with the application, and seek additional resources here instead.

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Read through the guidelines.
2. Collect all 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.

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.

Loan payments (include mortgage, car loans, student loans, etc.):

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

All of the following documents must be uploaded and attached to this application to proceed. If you do not have these documents available, please collect them first, and then fill out the application. 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.
2. Pets helped by Frankie’s Friends 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 Frankie’s Friends.

Please attach two photos of your pet.

I UNDERSTAND AND AGREE that, in accepting funds from Frankie’s Friends for my pet, I will pay an identified amount toward my pet’s treatment expenses. I understand I must pay this before Frankie’s Friends funds 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, Frankie’s Friends funds 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 agreement and waiver must be signed by the person(s) seeking funds in order to receive funds from Frankie’s Friends Fund.

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

Applicants for Frankie’s Friends Fund funding agree that Frankie’s Friends 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 Frankie’s Friends Fund.

Frankie’s Friends 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 Frankie’s Friends Fund.

Funding resources are limited, and Frankie’s Friends Fund makes every effort to use limited funds in the most responsible way. Frankie’s Friends Fund does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, or race. Frankie’s Friends Fund 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 Frankie’s Friends Fund 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!