Supporting Your Pet’s Health & Well-Being
CARMA
If your pet is experiencing a life-threatening crisis that requires immediate critical care and/or hospitalization, please seek emergency care at the closest emergency veterinary clinic.
Low-Cost Veterinary Care
Companion Animals Requiring Medical Assistance
The CARMA program helps members of our community facing financial hardships or constraints that have encountered an urgent medical situation with their pet.
The goal of this program is to prevent unnecessary surrenders to the shelter or euthanasia due to the financial impact of paying for the service through a veterinarian. The CARMA program is available for pet owners outside of York County but please note, priority will be given to York County residents in times of exceedingly high demand.
Important CARMA Notice
We do not have a separate wellness clinic for owned animals, so all CARMA patients are seen by our shelter medical team. The care of our in-house shelter animals will always come first. Therefore, if we are overwhelmed by the needs of our shelter animals, we may not be able to provide care to as many CARMA patients. We prioritize CARMA patients based on the urgency and severity of the animal’s needs.
What to Expect
CARMA Services
Our CARMA program is NOT free of charge, but thanks to the generosity of our community, the price for these services is greatly reduced. Cost estimates are provided prior to scheduling. Please be prepared to pay the entire bill at the time of service. For surgeries, you will be required to put a 50% deposit down at the time of drop off and pay the remaining balance at the time of pick up. Currently, we are unable to provide payment plans or accept Care Credit.
Restrictions
We cannot help birds, reptiles, and small animals (such as rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, hamsters, rats, etc.) through the CARMA program. Conditions we cannot help through the CARMA program include:
- Pets currently in severe distress or pain (these should go directly to an emergency hospital or urgent care facility)
- Pets in need of oxygen support or having trouble breathing
- Unstable animals requiring intensive 24-hour monitoring, such as those hit by a car
- ACL tears, meniscal tears, or luxating patella repairs
- Complicated surgeries requiring specialized training or equipment
- FIP treatment and monitoring
- Head trauma
- Heartworm disease
- Poison or toxin ingestion
- Orthopedic fractures where pins and plates are wanted (we can perform amputations if the owner agrees)
- Second opinions
- Requests for euthanasia
- Routine dental cleanings and dentals requiring full mouth extractions/stomatitis treatment
- Routine vaccinations, deworming, and preventative care
- Chronic conditions requiring rechecks/follow ups, including but not limited to: diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, thyroid conditions, Cushing’s disease, Addison’s disease, heart failure, seizures, etc.
If you are interested in low-cost microchip, vaccination, and spay/neuter services, please contact our Spay/Neuter Clinic.
Need More Help?
Additional Resources
Search for free or low-cost support services in your area with Human Animal Support Services (HASS). If you are having financial difficulties and your pet is experiencing a non-emergent issue, please consider visiting the low-cost PetVet Wellness Center inside of Tractor Supply.
Do you believe every animal deserves a second chance?
Become a beacon of hope for animals who need it the most.
Your support to the Second Chance Fund covers the extraordinary expenses of lifesaving medical care. But most importantly, your donation brings hope for a brighter tomorrow for these animals.