Frequently Asked Questions
Banfield Charitable Trust (BCT) serves more than 250,000 pets and people every year. Here are resources for specific groups we interact with on a regular basis.
Pet owners Nonprofits working with pets and pet owners Undergraduate students Nonprofit hospices Pet advocates
HELP FOR PET OWNERS AND THEIR PETS
Veterinary care assistance
BCT currently helps financially challenged pet owners offset costs of preventive and emergency veterinary care through Banfield Pet Hospital, a network of 880+ hospitals across the U.S. BCT transfers HOPE Funds and BCT Wellness Plans to the Banfield hospitals directly to ensure that donations are used most effectively and efficiently.
If you are a pet owner in need of assistance with your pet, contact a Banfield Pet Hospital in your area to see if help is available.
You can also review this list of nonprofit organizations who have received BCT grants for local vet care and pet food programs in the last year.
Distribution of pet food and supplies
BCT conducts an annual pet food collection and distribution program called Seasons of Suppers in partnership with more than 800 Banfield Pet Hospitals around the country and community-based organizations working with vulnerable populations such as Meals on Wheels and food banks. This program helps struggling pet owners feed their pets throughout the year. See a map of local partners with pet food distribution programs at the bottom of this page. Requirements to qualify for the program are determined by each local nonprofit.
Other resources for pet owners struggling to afford veterinary care:
HELP FOR NONPROFITS
Banfield Charitable Trust (BCT) provides grants and other assistance to nonprofit organizations that work to keep pets in their loving homes and that address the root causes of the surrender of pets.
Program grants: While we applaud all of the important efforts of pet-assistance organizations, we are committed to supporting prevention programs that keep pets in their current loving homes. Visit our Grants page for full details of our grant programs, eligibility requirements, applications, and deadlines.
Feeding hungry pets: Every November and December, Banfield Charitable Trust partners with Banfield Pet Hospitals across the country to collect pet food to distribute to local Meals on Wheels organizations and other local nonprofits who serve struggling pet owners. If you are a nonprofit working with vulnerable populations who have pets—low-income people, homeless people, and homebound seniors—consider applying for a pet food distribution grant and email us at info@banfieldcharitabletrust.org about becoming a pet food distribution partner.
Other pet-related funding sources:
University of Wisconsin database of pet resources
Animal Shelter Tips: an online resource for pet owners and pet advocates
The Humane Society of the United States
Michigan State University Libraries
UNDERGRADUATES
Banfield Charitable Trust gives scholarships for up to four years to undergraduate students pursuing pet-related careers that strengthen the human-animal bond. Learn about our academic requirements, deadlines and download an application here.
NONPROFIT HOSPICES
Banfield Charitable Trust’s Pet Peace of Mind® equips nonprofit hospices to keep patients and their pets together during the end-of-life journey. Learn more about the program and find a location near you.
As a 501(c)(3), Banfield Charitable Trust (BCT) can only work with nonprofit hospices. BCT provides a program model, start-up funding and all materials to implement the program. This includes training modules for PPOM coordinators and volunteers, marketing and fundraising materials, and ongoing support from our PPOM program manager. If you would like to know more about starting a PPOM program in your nonprofit hospice please email the PPOM program manager Dr. Delana Taylor-McNac at delana.taylor-mcnac@banfieldcharitabletrust.org.
PET ADVOCATES
Whether you are a passionate dog walker, a motivated student, or a veterinarian looking to put your expertise to use outside of work—there are lots of ways you can make a difference in the lives of pets and the people who love them.
Volunteer with a Pet Peace of Mind program—veterinarians, groomers, pet sitters, and dog walker enthusiasts alike are welcomed and needed. Contact PPOM Program Manager Dr. Delana Taylor-McNac at Delana.Taylor-mcnac@banfieldcharitalbetrust.org or contact a local program partner directly to find opportunities.
Volunteer to help feed pets of homebound seniors and other vulnerable populations through the Season of Suppers campaign. Collect pet food and supplies during the months of November and December at your church, school, or workplace and drop them off at a Banfield Pet Hospital near you.
Organize a fundraising event in your home, at work, in your dorm, or community center to benefit vulnerable pet owners who love their pets and rely on them for companionship.
- Host a dinner or house party
- Have a garage sale
- Host a movie night with friends or neighbors with a pet theme
- Organize a dog wash
Read about BCT volunteer and veterinarian Dr. Debora Pettit’s work launching a 5K run/walk benefiting BCT and pets in need.
We need BCT ambassadors to help us spread the word about why pets matter and to help us grow our community of pet advocates!
- Join us on Facebook and share our posts with your friends to help educate others about and celebrate the human-pet bond.
- Email us favorite photos of you and your pets and we may use them on our website and Facebook page. We can be reached at marketing@banfieldcharitabletrust.org.
