Other Assistance Programs

MISSION: Provides financial assistance to pet owners to save their severely ill or injured pets by providing a lifeline to offset costs of unexpected but necessary medical care.  Eligible and approved pet owners will receive a one-time grant of up to one-half of veterinary care costs up to a maximum grant of $1,500. The level of assistance provided depends upon a number of factors including the type of illness/injury, the course of action needed and the funds available at the time of the request.  At no time does Max’s Helping Paws cover the cost of the entire procedure.

MISSION: Provides temporary shelter and limited veterinary care for stray cats and dogs from the City of Salinas and unincorporated areas of Monterey County as well as Carmel, Castroville, Chualar, Del Rey Oaks, Greenfield, Pebble Beach, Prunedale and Spreckels. Works to find new adoptive homes for pets not claimed by their owners.

MISSION: To be a resource and advocate for senior dogs and senior people on California’s Central Coast. They focus on taking senior dogs from shelters and taking dogs of any age directly from seniors who can no longer care for them due to illness, death, etc.  They focus on helping dogs and people from Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties. They also provide financial assistance to low income pet guardians to help provide veterinary care for both dogs and cats. And they provide temporary assistance to seniors who need help caring for their dog in order not to have to surrender the animal. Assistance includes short term temporary foster care, dog walking, and transportation for the dog to the groomers or vet.

MISSION: Helps feral cats and kittens in Santa Cruz County by offering a free feral Spay-Neuter and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program and offers resources for feral cat colony caretakers and those who want to learn more about TNR.

MISSION: Provides temporary shelter, humane care and limited veterinary services for stray, unwanted, abandoned, mistreated, neglected and injured animals.  This is an open-admission shelter providing animal rescue for Santa Cruz City and County, and the cities of Capitola, Scotts Valley and Watsonville; however, “open-admission” means the shelter will not turn away ANY animal.

MISSION:  Focuses on rescue, adoption, humane education and community assistance. Provides a shelter for unwanted, abused, neglected and orphaned animals, including those in need of socialization, training, medical care or simply more time.  Provides humane education programs for adults and youth, veterinary care assistance to low-income seniors, and a free food bank available to anyone who needs help feeding their animal companions.

BLACKIE’S FUND is offered through the Santa Cruz SPCA and connects senior people with senior pets by providing a waived adoption fee when a great match is found. The fund also provides veterinary care assistance to seniors living on a low fixed income in two ways: 1) free twice-yearly preventative care Wellness Days and 2) a veterinary care assistance grant of up to $500 for private diagnostic and treatment appointments available all year at a Santa Cruz SPCA contracted veterinarian (dental procedures and preventative care are not included in this option).

To benefit from Blackie’s Fund, you must be: 62 years of age or older, on a fixed or low income, able to provide proof of income, and willing sign a contractual agreement.

MISSION: To provide rescue and assistance for domestic animals. Its goal is to significantly reduce the homeless population of domestic animals in South County through safe rescue and adoption services, awareness and education.  Founded in January 2016, the foster-based rescue strives to establish relationships with other rescue agencies and collaborate to save more lives. The rescue both adopts out and transfers out animals.