Funding

All funding is raised locally in Lane County, Oregon and all funding is dispersed locally. We are unable to help individuals outside of Lane County.

If you are in need of assistance and live outside of Lane County, please refer to the list at the bottom of this page or the link for Other Resources on how to find help.

If you are a Lane County resident, please visit one of your local vets. The Bearen Foundation is willing to work with ANY Lane County vet.

In 2007, we approved a total of $5,462.75 in funding requests to help 44 families in Lane County. Of these approvals, we disbursed a total of $4,362.75 to 34 families. (approved requests sometimes do not result in disbursements for a variety of reasons. The Bearen Foundation monitors these approvals in case the pet receives treatment at some point in the future.)

We thank the following Vet Offices for their participation in our funding program in 2007:

• Amazon Park Animal clinic
• Bailey's Veterinary Clinic
• Banfield Pet Hospital
• CatCare Limited
• City Center Cat and Bird Clinic
• Companion Animal Hospital
• Cottage Grove Veterinary Clinic
• Emergency Veterinary Hospital
• Eugene Animal Hospital
• Forest Valley Vet Clinic
• McKenzie Animal Hospital
• Oregon Veterinary Referral Associates
• Santa Clara Animal Hospital
• Veneta Vet Hospital
• The Veterinary Hospital
• West Eugene Animal Hospital
  
  Since our inception in 2000, we have disbursed a grand total of $14,914.08 to over 24 veterinary practices throughout Lane County, helping 177 families. Clinics that have used our services in previous years include, The Ark Veterinary Hospital, Cascade Animal Hospital, Creswell Veterinary Clinic, Emerald Valley Veterinary Clinic, Mohawk Veterinary Hospital, South Hills Veterinary Clinic, Q Street Animal Hospital and Westmoreland Animal Hospital.

We offer five levels of funding based on the estimated cost of treatment:

Level 1: $25 for estimates of $50 - $100
Level 2: $50 for estimates of $101 - $200
Level 3: $100 for estimates of $201 - $500
Level 4: $150 for estimates of $501 - $1000
Level 5: $200 for estimates over $1,000

We take all requests and recommendations directly from veterinarians:

1) Having evaluated the animal's treatment needs and the client's financial situation, the veterinarian can call The Bearen Foundation directly and recommend financial assistance for the client.

Attention veterinarians: Please refer to the "Client Eligibility Criteria" prior to contacting us with a referral. We rely solely upon the veterinarian's assessment for funding disbursement.

2) If funds are available, The Bearen Foundation will authorize direct payment to the veterinarian who can then notify the client that he/she has received this funding.

Attention clients: Once you have been notified that you will recieve funding, you must fill out the "Acceptance Agreement" and return it to The Bearen Foundation, in order for funds to be released.
Please Note: The acceptance agreement is not an application.

If funds are not available, the request will be declined; however, the request may be resubmitted in the future. Please understand that The Bearen Foundation's funds are extremely limited.

We sincerely hope you will find that our new procedures will help us all to more effectively promote responsible pet care.

You Might Also Try:

• Asking your vet about a payment arrangement.
  
• Asking your vet to accept a dated check.
  
• Asking about the absolute minimum treatment your vet can provide to keep costs down but still help your pet.
  
• Contacting several vets for estimates. Some vets are less expensive than others and can offer a first exam free.
  
• Borrowing from friends, family members, a bank or other lending institution.
• Tapping the equity in a car or house.
  
• Applying for CareCredit, a special veterinary credit card available only through vets.
  
• Asking your employer for an advance.
  
• Taking a short-term second job.
  
• Some "fundraising" of your own... have a bake sale at your church; put donation jars in local stores; have a garage sale, etc.
  
• Selling or consigning: CDs, clothing, furniture...
  
• If you have high debt and are paying a lot of interest, you might try asking your lenders if they can reduce the interest or waive late/over-limit charges to bring down your monthly payment. Explain your situation. Stick to your arrangement. Use the money you save to help your pet.

...Or Visit Some of These "Other Resources"

They may be able to help.