Our Mission & Vision
Knowing the demand for subsidized veterinary care can far exceeds the financial resources of many clients who are experiencing emergency medical needs for their pets, the Veterinary Medical Center Animal Assistance Fund (VMCAAF) was founded.
It was the vision of the Veterinary Medical Center of Long Island to establish a direct way to help critically ill patients and their owners afford access to cutting edge referral & critical care emergency services in times of need.
Make a Donation
The Animal Assistance Fund allocates 100% of all donations for the treatment of pets requiring emergency or urgent care whose owners demonstrate financial need at the Veterinary Medical Center of Long Island.
How It Works
The Veterinary Medical Center Animal Assistance Fund is managed by a fund administrator appointed by the Veterinary Medical Center of Long Island (VMCLI) and all monies will be distributed as the result of a collaborative decision making process among the Leadership Team at VMCLI, and the fund administrator.
VMCAAF funds are available to clients whose pet is in need of emergency treatment, catastrophic care or for special circumstances under which life-altering treatments are necessary. It is not intended for use for routine, health maintenance, elective tests or surgical sterilization.
Proper client evaluation and patient need will be key to the fair and efficient allocation of funds. This is the primary responsibility of the VMCLI Hospital Administrator and the VMCLI Leadership Team.
VMCAAF will cover a maximum of 80% of the total cost of treatment. The client will be responsible for 20% of the total cost of treatment, with the expectation that an up-front payment of 20% of the consented estimate will be made in good faith. Exceptions can be made to this rule only with approval from the VMCLI Hospital Administrator.
The VMCAAF Fund Administrator is responsible for the processing of assistance request paperwork and will maintain all records, including but not limited to balance sheets, financial statements, completed application forms and monthly reports.
Criteria for VMCAAF Eligibility
Proudly, the Veterinary Medical Center Animal Assistance Fund will meet those needs by distributing available funds equally and fairly, based on financial need and will follow the below clearly established criteria.
Clients
All clients requesting assistance must first complete and submit a Care Credit application to see if alternative financing is available. If the client is approved for CareCredit, these funds must be used toward the care of the patient before any further financial consideration can be made by the VMCAAF. The client must demonstrate and document financial need to be eligible for VMCAAF assistance. Proof of financial need includes Medicaid, Section 8 housing, disability and two months of consecutive bank statements
Patients
The medical condition of the animal must have a reasonable prognosis for recovery. As a rule, the fund will only cover short term, immediate treatment, or emergency surgery. Follow-up and/or continuing care will not be covered under VMCAAF. These funds may only be used for services provided by the Veterinary Medical Center of Long Island. Funds cannot be used to subsidize treatment or care obtained from another veterinary hospital, facility or pharmacy.
It is the veterinarian’s duty to ensure that all standards of care are followed.