COMMUNITY PET FUND

The Community Pet Fund (CPF)was established by Ark Valley Humane Society (AVHS) and Chaffee County Community Foundation (CCCF) to provide funding for life-saving veterinary care to Chaffee County pets.

See details and eligibility criteria below. Questions can be directed to Anna Hendricks at Chaffee County Community Foundation: Anna@chaffeecommunity.org; 719-204-5071.

Pet owners needing assistance with spay/neuter services for their cats or dogs should visit AVHS's low to no-cost Community Spay and Neuter Program: https://www.ark-valley.org/services/spay-neuter-programs/

2 Funds are available:

  • Community Pet Fund: The Community Pet Fund (CPF) is available to cover 50% of the veterinary cost, up to $500 per animal, for treatment of care for emergency or life-threatening illness. CPF is available for pets with a good prognosis but have been suddenly affected by an accident or life-threatening illness.

  • Low Income Community Pet Fund: The Low Income Community Pet Fund (LI-CPF)is an extension of the CPF that offers additional uses of funds to verified low-income and unsheltered pet owners in Chaffee County. Funding is available up to $500 per animal. No matching funds from the pet owner are required. Funds may be used for emergent care with a positive prognosis and/or preventative care.

PLEASE NOTE: You MUST be a Chaffee County resident to apply.

Community Pet Fund (CPF) - Regular

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Applicant is the owner of the pet

  • Applicant is a resident of Chaffee County, Colorado

  • If approved, funding is available to cover 50% of the veterinary cost, up to $500 per animal. The pet owner is responsible for additional treatment expenses, if any. 

  • Use of funds:

    • Emergent care that has a good prognosis:

      • Treatment for a life threatening or debilitating condition that the pet currently has OR was recently treated for (within the last 30 days).

      • Conditions must be treatable, with the pet likely to survive one or more years following the prescribed treatment. 

      • Funding may include diagnostics, including but not limited to necessary pre-surgical x-rays or bloodwork to determine if the animal can survive necessary surgery/treatment. 

    • Funds are available to all companion animals

  • CPF funding IS NOT for vaccines, routine health exams, routine blood work, preventative dental cleanings, or spay or neuter procedures.

Low-Income Community Pet Fund (LI-CPF)

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Applicant may be the owner of the pet OR a referring agency staff member filling out the application on behalf of the pet owner

  • Pet owner must reside in Chaffee County, CO

  • Pet owner must provide proof of low income status. Pet owners can provide a letter of referral stating their low-income/unsheltered status from a local human service agency (email to CCCF is sufficient) OR a referring agency staff member can fill out the application/speak with CCCF on behalf of the pet owner.

      • Referring agency examples: Law enforcement, a human services agency such as Chaffee County Hospitality, the Department of Human Services, Solvista, church, The Mission, The Grainery, the Caring & Sharing Resource Center, etc.

      • Pet owners can also show proof of enrollment in CO assistance programs such as SNAP, Health First Colorado/Medicaid, Social Security Disability, etc.

  • If approved, funding is available up to $500 per animal. No matching funds from the pet owner are required. The pet owner is responsible for additional treatment expenses, if any. 

  • Use of funds:

    • Emergent care that has a good prognosis:

      • Treatment for a life-threatening or debilitating condition that the pet currently has OR was recently treated for (within the last 30 days).

      • Conditions must be treatable, with the pet likely to survive one or more years following the prescribed treatment. 

      • Funding may include diagnostics, including but not limited to necessary pre-surgical x-rays or bloodwork to determine if the animal can survive necessary surgery/treatment. 

    • Preventative care:

      • LI-CPF funds CAN be used for vaccines, routine health exams, routine blood work, and preventative dental cleanings.

    • End of life care:

      • LI-CPF funds CAN be utilized to provide affordable access to humane euthanasia of pets to Chaffee County pet owners facing financial hardship that would otherwise preclude them from accessing humane euthanasia.

        • Pet owners that utilize the LI-CPF for euthanasia services can be referred to AVHS for no-cost cremation services (cremation services are no ashes back only).

    • Funds are available to all companion animals