Animals in need are considered on a case-by-case basis.  C.H.A.I.N may help partially or in total with an animal’s emergency treatment, depending on factors such as our ability to raise money through social media, amount of funds available at any given time in the general account, etc.  Applicants for assistance must contact C.H.A.I.N through our email: flchain@yahoo.com or by text to (315) 727-2551.  Generally, the following will apply:

• The pet must have an urgent medical condition which, if not promptly treated, will likely result in death or permanent disability.
• If the pet is owned, the owner must apply for and be rejected from receiving any form of credit, such as that available by *CareCredit* or ScratchPay*.
• The owner is expected to pay a portion of the pet’s care.  GoFundMe accounts payable to the owner are not allowed, nor is any other fund raising activity where the owner directly receives money for the pet’s care.  It is encouraged that the owner post and share the animal’s situation, requesting that donations go directly to the treating medical facility.
• We request that the treating vet or facility be willing to work with C.H.A.I.N in terms of offering discounted services for a non-profit foundation.  If the vet is unwilling to work with us, we may offer to send the pet to one of  our cooperating vets.  Any clinic or vet working with us must be willing to accept donations called into the office for the care of the animal. Owners must give permission for C.H.A.I.N. to discuss their pet with the treating facility and to publish a picture/story of the pet for fundraising purposes.  Unfortunately, we cannot work with UF or any clinic that will not take phone-in donations.
• In very rare cases, we may recommend that the owner surrender the pet to a rescue for treatment.  If the illness/injury was not related to abuse or neglect on the part of the owner, most often, the rescue will allow the pet to be adopted back following medical intervention.
• Our involvement will depend on a treating doctor’s opinion that the pet stands at least a 50/50 chance of survival, and that the quality of life following treatment will be acceptable and free of pain. An additional consideration is that the pet will go back into a safe and loving environment after treatment.
• We will generally pay for an initial vet consultation.  There is no guarantee that we will be able to support subsequent care.
• NOTE: Pets financially assisted by C.H.A.I.N. must have already been sterilized, or owner agrees to have pet sterilized (when medically possible) at the time of veterinary assistance.