Chapel Hill Review

Orange County issued the following announcement on Sept. 15.

Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) is proud to announce their new Veterinary Care Assistance Program. This program was created to assist Orange County residents who are having difficulties affording veterinary care, especially due to challenges during COVID-19, and to help keep more pets in their homes with their families.

This veterinary care fund will be available to Orange County residents based on their needs and ability to meet income criteria. Obtaining this assistance would require collaboration with local veterinarians or specialists, and may cover full or partial expenses for treatable, non-emergency care, such as skin and ear conditions (including allergies and flea/tick treatment), dental issues, arthritis and other painful conditions, upper respiratory infections, vomiting and diarrhea, urinary tract infections, minor surgeries, etc. Due to time constraints, time-sensitive, life-threatening conditions will not be considered (such as emergency surgery for foreign bodies, emergency orthopedic issues, etc.). Currently, these funds are not available for routine, preventative care such as yearly visits to a veterinarian.

By visiting https://www.orangecountync.gov/2538/Veterinary-Care-Assistance-Program, Orange County residents may obtain more information and fill out a form to apply for assistance. While OCAS will work to help as many residents as possible, it is important to note that this assistance will only be available to Orange County residents as long as funds are available.

OCAS is currently asking for help to fund the Veterinary Care Assistance Program by encouraging donations online at https://gf.me/u/yny6qw. Monetary donations can also be mailed to the Animal Services Center at 1601 Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516.

OCAS would like to thank the community for their help, patience, and understanding as they try to manage and maintain services while protecting staff and members of the public during the current COVID-19 pandemic. For more information about OCAS and operations details, please visit www.orangecountync.gov/animalservices. For up-to-date information on COVID-19, please visit www.orangecountync.gov/2332/Coronavirus-COVID-19.

Original source: https://www.co.orange.nc.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=586