Assistance & Low-Cost Programs - MRFRS | The Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society

Please note that this is a listing of MRFRS programs and other local and national assistance providers but it is by no means complete. If you know of other low-cost clinics or programs, please email us at info@mrfrs.org to let us know so we can share the information with other pet owners in need!

Spay/Neuter Assistance

Sunday Feral Spay/Neuter Clinics

Once a month, MRFRS offers a TNR (Trap Neuter Return) Clinic at MSPCA's Nevins Farm in Methuen, MA. Sunday clinics are for trappers and caretakers of FERAL (un-owned, free-roaming or ''wild") cats only. No owned or pet cats will be accepted. Spay, neuter, and other services are available by reservation only. Please see our calendar to find scheduled clinics and register by emailing sundayclinic@mrfrs.org.

The Catmobile

The Catmobile program covers the North Shore, South Shore, Central MA, Metrowest, Merrimack River Valley, and greater Boston areas. Our package includes a brief exam, spay/neuter, rabies vaccination for cats over 12 weeks of age, FVRCP vaccination, and a nail trim.
Get details or make a Catmobile appointment.

SpayMass

Visit the Mass Animal Coalition SpayMass Website to search for a local provider in the state of Massachusetts.

Boarding Assistance

The Bridge Program

Are you experiencing an emergency situation that prevents you from caring for your cat for a period of time? MRFRS's Bridge Program provides boarding for cats whose owners are in perilous circumstances. Is this program an option for you? Please email info@mrfrs.org for more information.

Behavioral Assistance

MRFRS does not employ a Certified Behaviorist. If you need information on how to identify and manage feline behavior problems we recommend the following resources:

The ASPCA’s Common Cat Behavior Issues resource pages. www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues

If your cat has more challenging behavior issues than addressed at the links above, consider seeking out a certified behavior consultant, a certified applied animal behaviorist or a veterinary behaviorist. These professionals can assess a cat’s history, temperament, environment and reaction to various situations to help everyone involved understand what it will take to manage or correct the behavior. Here are several options for finding a behaviorist or behavior consultant:

You can find a certified behavior consultant through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.
To learn more about finding a certified behaviorist, talk to your vet or go to the website for Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists.
You could consult a veterinary behaviorist, a veterinarian who has undergone extensive training and education in animal behavior. The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists lists their members on their website.

Talk to your veterinarian, who may have access to a veterinary behaviorist through the laboratory service he or she uses.
Behavior services at Tufts / Cummings school of veterinary medicine: https://vetmed.tufts.edu/behavior-service/consultations-training/.
American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior: https://avsab.org/behavior-consultant/category/cat-behavior-consultant/

Medical/Veterinary Assistance

MRFRS Low-Cost Rabies Clinics

The MRFRS also runs low-cost rabies vaccination clinics for cats and dogs each year in March and October, as well as another clinic in the summer months. Email info@mrfrs.org for more information, or join our mailing list to receive web blast updates. For low-cost vaccines other than rabies, or clinics at other times of year, check out VetCo vaccine clinics, run at PetCo locations.

Captain Courageous Fund

The Captain Courageous Fund was established in honor of Captain, a Newburyport waterfront feral cat who was injured in a tragic accident and had to be euthanized. The Fund was set up to ensure that there would be money available to care for sick and injured feral cats when a good Samaritan comes to the rescue. Caretakers can apply to the fund for reimbursement for emergency care by calling 978-462-0760 or email ferals@mrfrs.org.

Feline Assistance Resources and Support [FARS]

This program offers subsidized veterinary care for low-income cat owners who live in the Massachusetts area. The mission of the FARS Program is to help cat owners currently facing financial hardships keep pets who would otherwise be surrendered to a shelter or euthanized due to the owner’s inability to afford treatment for illness/injury.

We provide this assistance through the generous support of private donors, and grants from groups like the Banfield Foundation, Fuller Foundation, and Carlee Charitable Trust. Click here to apply.

Grant Programs for Serious Injuries & Emergency Care

Please refer to each program's page for information and how to apply. Some require you to provide a veterinary estimate BEFORE they will pay for care; some will pay after the fact. Some require your veterinarian to apply; some you can apply for yourself. MRFRS does not administer any of these programs.

The Shadow Fund (*primarily for residents of MA Merrimack Valley)
Paws 4 A Cure
Pet Care Assistance (*note that this is only for animals treated at MSPCA-Angell)
Red Rover Relief Grants
Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance (For feline vaccine related sarcomas only.)
Brown Dog Foundation
Fairy Dog Parents
Diabetic Cats in Need (*this program is in the process of ending its support)
Care Credit (*note that this is a credit card program to help owners pay for vet care in installments)
Veterinary Partner.com (this is a website listing low-cost resources)

Lower-Cost Clinics in Massachusetts

Angell at Essex (Danvers, MA)
Merwin Memorial Free Clinic (Allston, MA)
Angell at Nashoba (Westford, MA)
Tufts at Tech Community Veterinary Clinic (Worcester, MA)
Second Chance Animal Services (Three veterinary hospital locations in North Brookfield, Springfield and Worcester, MA -- offering full-service low-cost vet care to qualified individuals)
North Attleborough Animal Clinic (North Attleboro, MA -- a full-service vet with reasonable prices)
Animal Advocates (North Dartmouth, MA)
Pet Partners (Fall River, MA)

Self Fundraising

Many people have had successful conducting their own online fundraising campaigns for funds for surgery for a beloved pet. Check out Go Fund Me for an example of such a site. This can be a great source of additional funds to bridge the gap between grant funding and total cost of surgery.

Pet Food & Supply Resources

Many local food pantries carry food for pets in addition to food for people! If you need help feeding your pets, contact PAWsitive Pantry. PAWsitive Pantry has partnered with more than 130 human food pantries and over 130 retailers to secure and distribute pet food.