Services

• Your pet must have an urgent medical condition that requires specific treatment, with a high probability of a positive outcome.
• You must be a current resident living within the city limits of Camas or Washougal and be the owner of a dog or cat that needs treatment.
• You must currently receive some form of government financial assistance, such as food stamps, WIC, Medicaid, SSI, etc. You will be required to sign a form acknowledging that your monthly income meets qualifying limits, and you must provide proof of income if requested.
• All animals in the program must be spayed or neutered, or you must agree to have your animal spayed/neutered within thirty (30) days of treatment unless your pet is medically unable to be altered.
• You must apply for Care Credit. If approved by Care Credit, you must provide proof that all of the credit will be used before WCGHS approves any funds. Or provide proof of denied Care Credit.

• Preventative care, such as vaccines, microchips, or wellness visits, is not covered.
• Routine dental care is not covered; however, critical tooth extractions and/or severe mouth infections may be considered in some cases.
• The fund is not intended to cover the routine cost of chronic medical conditions. Should your pet develop additional medical issues while undergoing treatment, all costs must be approved in advance.
• The fund cannot be used to pay for pre-existing medical bills, previously paid bills, or past-due balances.
• The fund cannot pay for cancer treatment or experimental therapies.

In most cases, applications will be reviewed within 48 hours of receipt, excluding weekends and holidays.

• Contact WCGHS to request a JAR Fund application. You may need to leave a voicemail; if so, your call will be returned within two business days. A signed application must be approved before funding can be authorized.
• A WCGHS representative will contact you to review your pet’s medical eligibility for funding. If approved, you will be asked to select a veterinarian. We will refer you to one of our partner clinics if you do not have a veterinarian.
• WCGHS will contact the veterinarian and approve payment for an initial exam and diagnostics up to the approved amount.
• Once payment approval has been secured, it is your responsibility to contact your veterinarian for an appointment to have your pet seen.
• Once a veterinarian has examined the pet and you have been given a recommended treatment plan and estimate, you must contact WCGHS for final approval before the treatment begins.
• If approved, your veterinarian will treat your pet, and WCGHS will make payment arrangements directly to the clinic. You are responsible for attending any follow-up examinations.

• Applying for the program does not imply acceptance. WCGHS reserves the right to deny an application for any reason and cannot guarantee available funds.
• The fund is limited to one pet per household per year.
• There is a maximum allowance of $1000. You may be approved for less than the maximum allowance, depending on funding availability. You will be required to pay for expenses exceeding the allowed amount.
• WCGHS will contact your veterinarian to make payment arrangements and may ask questions about your pet’s health and the recommended treatment. Funds may be approved or denied based on information we receive from your veterinarian.
• Treatment must begin within seven (7) days of WCGHS application approval.
• Bloodwork or radiographs may be covered on a case-by-case basis.
• The veterinarian providing care for your pet will make treatment recommendations based on your pet’s condition. The decision to follow your veterinarian’s recommendation is up to you; however, WCGHS is not responsible for paying any veterinary expenses beyond the agreed-upon amount.
• Payment will be made directly to the veterinarian who is treating your pet.

Help pets and their people stay together by funding urgent veterinary care for pets in our community whose families are facing financial hardship.

Donate to Veterinary Assistance Fund