We Care Because You Care
Tails of Help is dedicated to providing financial assistance for pet owners who find themselves unable to afford essential health care for their ill or injured pet. Approved by the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association, Tails of Help assesses qualified applications and provides funds to assist with care of the family pet.
Applications are made by participating veterinarians, and are determined by available funds and meeting the program criteria for financial and medical need. If the application is approved, funds are disbursed directly to the treating clinic.
- All applications for Tails of Help assistance are made directly by participating veterinary clinics.
- We do not keep a listing of participating clinics.
- Any Alberta clinic can participate at any time.

FAQ Topics
Who Is Tails Of Help?
In 2013, Tails of Help was established as a charitable foundation with the approval of Council of the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA). This foundation is arms-length to the ABVMA and has received Charitable Organization status with the Canadian Revenue Agency.
How Does Tails Of Help Work?
Tails of Help is dedicated to providing financial assistance for pet owners who find themselves unable to afford essential health care for their ill or injured pet. Approved by the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association, Tails of Help assesses qualified applications and provides funds to assist with care of the family pet.
How We Help Veterinarians
Veterinarians are often faced with tragic situations where pets are surrendered or euthanized because of financial distress. Clinics provide significant pro bono services, but cannot bear the entire burden alone. Tails of Help is dedicated to providing financial support to qualified pet owners who find themselves in need of essential veterinary care.
Fundraising and Administration
It is our objective to keep all related administration costs below 20 per cent of the total funds raised in our first year of operation and to reduce this percentage as we develop our capacity and capability in the organization.
How We Help Owners
Qualified Alberta pet owners who find themselves unable to afford essential health care for their ill or injured pet will be eligible for applications to be made by their veterinary clinic.
Frequently Asked Questions

Tails of Help charitable activities will be delivered through participating Alberta veterinary practices. Veterinarians and animal health technologists are essential to program success. As well, Tails of Help encourages ABVMA members, animal rescue and shelter groups to become involved as volunteers in the Tails of Help activities with respect to education, and the reduction of root causes leading to forced and unnecessary surrender or euthanization of pets due to an owner’s financial hardship.
When financial hardship strikes, ill or injured animals are often left untreated, suffering, surrendered, or even euthanized.
Tails of Help strives to reduce the burden on animal shelters, humane societies and social services in the province by keeping pets healthy and with their loving families.
Tails of Help will be measuring results in this program and will report back to donors. We have developed rigorous standards of excellence for performance in all aspects of our operation as a registered charitable organization.