Eligibility Criteria
In order to qualify for funding, the following conditions must be met:
1. The Pet Owner Must Qualify for Funding
Pet owners must fall into one of the four categories to be eligible for Farley Foundation funding:
| Seniors | Receiving the Federal Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) |
| Disabled individuals | Receiving the Ontario Disability Support Payment (ODSP), or |
| The Canada Pension Plan Disability Payment (CPP Disability) | |
| Participants of OVMA’s SafePet Program | Women at risk of abuse who are entering a registered women’s shelter in Ontario, and who are participating in OVMA’s SafePet Program. |
| Pets in care facilities for seniors | Pet is owned by the following types of facilities in Ontario: Supportive Housing - For seniors who require minimal to moderate levels of personal care and support to live independently. Retirement Homes - Privately owned rental accomodations for seniors who require minimal to moderate levels of personal care and support to live independently. Long-term Care Homes - Designed for people who need the availability of 24-hour nursing care, supervision or higher levels of personal care. |
| Participants of Ontario Works | Individuals receiving financial assistance through the Ontario Works program. |
Funding is limited to $1,000 per pet owner (and per household) per year. Pet owners who have benefited from $1,000 in funding in any given calendar will no longer be eligible for funding within that year.
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2. The Veterinary Clinic Must Qualify for Funding
In order to be able to access Farley Foundation funding for their clients, veterinarians must be members of the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA). (Membership in the association is not mandatory in the province of Ontario.)
Veterinary clinics may apply for up to $1,000 per clinic, per calendar year on behalf of pet owners.
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3. The Pet’s Condition Must Qualify for Funding
The Farley Foundation subsidizes only the non-elective (emergency/necessary, not routine) veterinary care of pets. The provision of vaccinations, routine examinations, pet food (for example) are considered to be a regular part of responsible pet ownership and are therefore not eligible for funding.
Veterinarians apply on behalf of pet owners so that the veterinarian may explain the nature of the suggested treatment to the Foundation’s administrators.
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4. Other conditions
a. The pet owner must have a pre-existing veterinary-client-patient-relationship (VCPR) with the practice seeking funding on behalf of that pet owner.
b. The Farley Foundation seeks to assist the neediest pet owners. As such, pet owners who have any other way to pay for veterinary care do not qualify for funding (e.g., credit card, other financing options)
c. Whenever possible, applications for funding should be submitted prior to the pet’s treatment. In some cases, (over the weekend for example), veterinary clinics may submit an application up to 72 hours after the treatment was provided.
d. Applications for funding will not be approved for veterinary care that has already been provided and paid for.