Our Mission
DaisyCares was created to help keep pets in their homes by providing emergency veterinary care grants. We understand that pet owners face economic hardship and too often lack the resources to pay for emergency veterinary care for their beloved companions. DaisyCares strives to save pets’ lives by making grants to veterinarians on behalf of qualifying pet owners.
Grant Amount: Up to $1,000
New for 2026: DaisyCares Hope & Health Grant program now provides up to $1,000 per case for emergency veterinary care. Pet owners are responsible for 10% of the total invoice plus any amount exceeding $1,000. Grants are subject to funding availability, and DaisyCares has a limited annual grant capacity.
For over 15 years, DaisyCares has served low-income families in our community through pet food distributions, emergency veterinary care grants, and Project Kindness; responsible pet ownership education. While our long-standing Emergency Veterinary Care grant program provided up to $1000 in assistance and saved countless lives, we recognized it was no longer keeping pace with rising veterinary costs in our service area. In the last 5 years, veterinary costs have increased 20%.
What’s New in Our Enhanced Program:
- Increased Funding: Grants now cover up to $1,000 per case (previously $250)
- Owner Responsibility: 10% of the total invoice plus any amount exceeding $1,000
- Direct Payment: Payment made directly to veterinary hospitals upon discharge
- Client Choice: You can choose any veterinary hospital in our service area
- Emergency Focus: Coverage limited to emergency care with good prognosis (no preventative care or elective procedures)
- Income-Based Approval: Application approval based on financial need and income verification
Application Process
Step 1: Submit Application
Complete the online ‘Apply for Assistance’ application. You must provide:
- Proof of income or financial need
- Emergency veterinary estimate detailing the treatment (not exams/testing only)
Documents can be uploaded with the application or emailed after submission.
Step 2: Grant Review
The Grant Review Committee evaluates your application based on the three approval criteria:
- Financial qualification
- Ability to pay balance
- Positive prognosis
Step 3: Receive Decision
You’ll receive a Letter of Commitment or Letter of Denial via email.
Note: Email address is required to receive notification.
Eligibility Requirements
Who Qualifies:
- Location: Residents of Bexar County and the surrounding counties in Texas
- Income: Low income based on 180% of the HHS Poverty Guidelines (see table below)
- Benefits Recipients: SSI, disability, Medicaid, Medicare, or SNAP (food stamp) recipients
- Employment: Unemployed individuals
- Special Circumstances: Homeless or experiencing medical conditions causing financial strain (cancer, surgery, dialysis, etc.)
Three Approval Criteria
Applications are reviewed and approved based on all three of the following criteria:
- Client qualifies financially based on the guidelines below
- The client can pay their portion – Pet owners are responsible for 10% of the total invoice plus any amount exceeding $1,000
- A positive prognosis is established by the veterinarian – your pet must have a reasonable chance for survival with good quality of life for at least approximately one year following treatment
You Do Not Qualify If:
- Your pet has already been treated and you have an outstanding bill
- You are seeking reimbursement for amounts already paid for emergency veterinary care
- Your veterinarian has agreed to an affordable payment plan
- Your pet does not have a reasonable chance for survival with good quality of life for at least one year
- You have not applied for Care Credit (or have not received a rejection)
- You have been approved for Care Credit
- You could pay the bill but it would place a financial burden on you
- You have previously received financial aid from DaisyCares in the last year
- You are requesting aid for elective surgery (such as age-related cataracts)
Procedures Not Covered
- Exams
- Testing/Exploratory procedures (x-rays, blood work, etc.)
- Routine testing (heartworm tests, etc.)
- Dental care
- Spay/Neuter services
- Flea & Tick treatment
- Euthanasia
Important: DaisyCares ONLY covers your veterinarian’s emergency treatment plans. An established positive prognosis is required. We cannot approve applications for guarded, poor, or fair to poor prognosis.
