The mission of the FARS Program is to help Massachusetts area 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.
PLEASE NOTE: FARS DOES NOT ASSIST IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS! If you are experiencing an emergency with your cat, call a local veterinarian!
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.
PLEASE NOTE: FARS DOES NOT ASSIST IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS! If you are experiencing an emergency with your cat, call a local veterinarian!
Program Guidelines
Please read the program guidelines carefully before filling out an online application below. If you have questions, please call MRFRS at 978-462-0760.- Applications will be qualified based on financial need.
- If we initially approve your application, we may require proof of your income or proof that you are receiving public assistance.
- An applicant may receive assistance once per calendar year (though the assistance may cover more than one visit to a vet if required for treatment).
- FARS funds are for a cat’s medical problem, not for routine care. (Routine care includes, but is not limited to: spay/neuter, vaccines, flea treatments or exams.)
- We may not be able to cover the entire cost of any given situation. Each case is reviewed individually, and we reserve the right to cover only a portion of the care needed.
- Sometimes, in the course of treating a cat with an injury or illness, a vet may also diagnose a short-term or chronic problem which may require significant financial resources to provide appropriate medical care. Given the limited resources of FARS, the financial cap on awards and the once-a-year award limitation, FARS cannot support ongoing medical costs for cats with certain diagnoses that are beyond the scope of the original FARS award.
- In some cases, applicants may need to look for additional assistance from other sources (and will be expected to do so if the cost of care exceeds FARS limit). We are glad to offer suggestions on fundraising and other groups. In cases where the estimated costs for caring for the cat exceed the FARS award, the cat owner must cover the initial costs and FARS will cover the final costs.
- The FARS program will make all payments directly to the veterinarian handling the case. We will not reimburse any expenditures you may have made before receiving FARS assistance.
- Multiple cats from the same household needing assistance will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
- We require all FARS applicants to use an MRFRS approved veterinarian. The applicant is responsible for transportation costs associated with using an MRFRS approved veterinarian.
- Most awards will be for $300 or less. Under special circumstances, the program can award up to $1,000. All awards are paid directly to the veterinarian.
- FARS awards are valid for up to six weeks.
- The FARS program cannot respond to emergencies. Applications take up to 14 days to process. If you are experiencing an emergency with your cat, please seek alternative resources for care.