Background

The Farley Foundation was established by the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) in 2001 and assists people in need by subsidizing the cost of veterinary care for the pets that mean the world to them.

Ontario veterinarians recognize the special relationship that exists between people and their pets. Referred to as the Human-Animal Bond, this phenomenon has been written about and studied for years.

Pets are important to the health and well-being of their owners. This is particularly true for the elderly or persons with disabilities, who depend heavily on their pets for companionship. That’s why the Farley Foundation provides funding for veterinary services to elderly or disabled pet owners who cannot otherwise afford such treatment.

The Farley Foundation believes that it is the responsibility of pet owners to care for, and provide the necessities of life for their pets (including food, regular veterinary care, vaccinations appropriate to the individual pet, palliative and end-of-life care). Anyone considering pet ownership should be aware of the costs affiliated with responsible pet ownership.

What is unfortunate is that pet owners can’t always predict their financial futures.

Many of the pet owners assisted by the Farley Foundation are individuals, who were once completely capable of paying for their pet’s care, but through some unforeseeable circumstance (i.e., accident or illness resulting in a life-long mental or physical disability, loss of income through retirement) now find themselves financially dependent on government assistance.

Other pet owners assisted by the Foundation are individuals who wholely benefit from pet ownership (according to study after study), but financial circumstances would otherwise make it impossible for this group to own pets and benefit from their companionship (e.g., physically and mentally disabled and elderly who may not have many people around them who turn to pets as life companions.)

When establishing its eligibility criteria, the Farley Foundation Board of Directors took into consideration our society’s neediest individuals and today the Foundation proudly supports:

  • Seniors receiving the Federal Guaranteed Income Supplement – GIS
  • Disabled individuals receiving the Ontario Disability Support Payment (ODPS) or the Canada Pension Plan – Disability (CPP Disability)
  • Women at risk of abuse entering registered women’s shelters, and who are participating in the OVMA SafePet Program.
  • Individuals receiving financial assistance through Ontario Works.

The Farley Foundation reviews its eligibility criteria annually to ensure that the greatest number of people and pets possible are assisted through the Foundation, and within the Foundation’s current financial means.