CancerCare Pet Assistance & Wellness (PAW) Program
Caring for yourself and your pet when you have cancer… CancerCare is here to help.
About the Program
We know the love and support that a pet brings into the lives of people with cancer and their loved ones. Caring for your pet when you have cancer can be challenging, and we are here to help. The Pet Assistance & Wellness Program (PAW) assists people undergoing cancer treatment with the challenges of keeping their cat or dog at home.
Key features of the PAW Program:
- Education focused on caring for your pets throughout your cancer journey, including guides, fact sheets and videos.
- Helping Paws, a searchable online database of low-cost and free pet care services.
- Limited financial assistance to qualified individuals who are in active cancer treatment and share their home with a cat or a dog. This financial assistance will offset some of the expenses associated with pets including pet food; pet walking / sitting and other pet caregiving services; pet boarding fees; veterinarian expenses including vaccinations and appointment fees; flea, tick and heartworm prevention medications; and lab fees.
- CancerCare’s resource navigation, counseling and support groups, all free-of-charge.
For more information on CancerCare’s Pet Assistance & Wellness Program, call our toll-free Hopeline 800-813-HOPE (4673), staffed Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
Circle of Hope
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Friends of PAW
Find Low-Cost/Free Pet Services
Search our pet resources database >>
Featured Video
Oncology social worker Jen Currin-McCulloch and PAW Program Manager Brian Morvant offer guidance for some of the more challenging pet care decisions you could face, such as needing to find a temporary or permanent home for your pet.
Featured Pet Care Education
Guides & Fact Sheets
Guides
Planning for Your Pet’s Future Care: A Guide to Caring for Your Beloved Pet After You’ve Been Diagnosed With Cancer
Planning for Your Pet’s Future Care: A Guide to Caring for Your Beloved Pet After You’ve Been Diagnosed With Cancer
CancerCare offers suggestions for how to have ongoing conversations about your cancer diagnosis and your pet’s care with your own health care team and your pet’s veterinarian; tips for finding low-cost or free pet care support resources; guidance on how to find temporary care support such as a foster home; and comprehensive information so you can be fully informed of all your options should you have to make the difficult decision to find a new home for your beloved pet. View our companion video >>
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Fact Sheets
Living With Your Pet After Your Cancer Diagnosis
Living With Your Pet After Your Cancer Diagnosis
It can be challenging to know how a cancer diagnosis may affect your relationship with your pet. In this fact sheet, CancerCare offers a few health-related tips on living with a pet after your cancer diagnosis.
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What to Know if You Are Undergoing Chemotherapy and Have a Pet
This fact sheet addresses several precautions you should be mindful of to protect you and your pet’s health while you are undergoing chemotherapy.
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What to Know if You Are Undergoing Radiation Therapy and Have a Pet
This fact sheet addresses several precautions you should be mindful of to protect you and your pet’s health while you are undergoing radiation therapy.
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The Benefits of Sharing Your Life With a Pet
Your pet is a beloved family member who gives unconditional love and support. But did you know sharing your life with a pet also has health benefits?
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What Your Veterinarian Would Like You to Know
Your veterinarian is a key member of your health care team. If you are comfortable, let your veterinarian know about your cancer diagnosis, and discuss the topics addressed here.
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Suggested Questions to Ask Your Health Care Provider Team
It is important to talk to your own health care team about your pet. Consider asking these questions at your next appointment.
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Videos
Pet Care Education
Personal Stories
Andrew, Fumiko and Franklin
Watch Dr. Fumiko Chino, a treating radiation oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, share her story of her husband, Andrew, and their cat, Franklin.
Program Overview
CancerCare Keeps Us Together. Narrated by Katie Couric.
CancerCare's Pet Assistance & Wellness (PAW) Program helps people living with cancer and their caregivers care for their pets. Since March 2020, the PAW Program has helped over 3,300 pet owners affected by cancer--and our clients' needs continue to grow. Thank you to Katie Couric, award-winning journalist and cancer advocate, for lending her voice to this important cause.
Press
PAW in the News
- Organization Works with Cancer Patients to Ensure They Can Keep Their Pets
The Animal Rescue Site - Dogs Needing Friends for Health & Cancer Patients Needing Pets for Support
The Pet Buzz Podcast - Cancer Patients Worry About Losing Their Pets
Cancer Health - Owners Diagnosed with Cancer Have Difficulty Paying for Veterinary Visits, Survey Finds
dvm360 - Cancer Patients Can’t Afford Pet Food and Vet Care, CancerCare Survey Finds
Press Release - CancerCare Launches New Resources to Support Pet Owners Impacted by Cancer
Press Release - CancerCare: An Organization With a Personal Touch
Strategies Magazine - PAW Program Provides Aid to Cancer Patients With Pets
Veterinary Practice News - CancerCare Aids Cancer Patients in Caring for Their Pets
The Cancer Letter - How One Nonprofit Aims to Lend a Helpful Paw to Help Patients With Cancer Care for Their Pets
CURE Magazine - $1M Grant To Help Cancer Patients Care for Pets
NJBiz - Caring For Your Pet When YOU Have Cancer
Animal Wellness Magazine - CancerCare's Pet Assistance and Wellness (PAW) Program
The Catnip Times - Advice—and Videos—on Keeping Your Pets if You Have Cancer
Cancer Health - CancerCare and Amie’s Place Foundation Partner To Help Keep Patients With Cancer and Their Pets United
dvm360 - Amie’s Place Partners With CancerCare To Bring Vital Support Services To People Affected by Cancer
Press Release - Edelman’s Shark Tank For Good Event Scores Wins For All Involved
Forbes - Help For Your Pet During Your Cancer Journey: What A Great Idea!
Dr. Len's Blog - Go Small When Working Towards Health Equity
OBR - Q&A: How Do Pets Help Those Coping With Cancer?
Julie Loffredi, National Health & Wellness Content Desk - CancerCare Launches Financial Assistance Component of Pet Assistance and Wellness (PAW) Program to Help Cat and Dog Owners Affected by Cancer
Press Release