If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a hundred times: the last year has been ruff. Pets and their parents both have been feeling the effects of quarantines, shutdowns, anxiety…WOOF. We could all use a little help these days. For anypawdy in need, and for any reason, we’ve put together the following guide of pet resources in and around the Twin Cities.
Veterinary Assistance Pet Resources
Nopuppy should go without needed healthcare due to cost. Here are some clinics that offer no- or low-cost vet care options.
Mission Animal Hospital
Eden Prairie’s Mission Animal Hospital makes accessible veterinary care its number one priority by offering low-cost wellness check-ups, urgent care, and surgeries. You must meet income guidelines for their subsidized pricing, but they have recently expanded their program to include pet parents affected by COVID-19 related wage loss. Visit their website for more information.
Vetco
Hosting low-cost vaccination clinics at 20+ Petco locations around Minnesota, Vetco makes booking appointments easier than getting pup out of bed for a w-a-l-k. Vetco holds clinics most weekends and occasional weeknights with no additional exam fees. Visit their website for more information.
City of Minneapolis Resident Services
Two-legged Minneapolis residents and their four-legged frens can take advantage of affordable vaccinations and microchipping on most Mondays and Wednesday between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Pets must be licensed. Visit the website for more information and to complete an appointment request form.
VeTouch
Operated by University of Minnesota veterinary students, VeTouch is a student club that provides basic pet care and nutritional support to low or no-income Twin Cities families. All students work under the guidance of licensed vets and certified vet techs as they gain valuable clinical experience. VeTouch offers clinics once a month, and you can find more information on their website or on Facebook.
MARS Veterinary Services
Based in Brooklyn Park, MARS is a non-profit, inexpensive veterinary clinic affiliated with Midwest Animal Rescue & Services. Follow along on their Facebook page to stay up to date on the latest events, like nail trim and microchip days, obedience training classes, vaccine clinics, and more!
ValueCare Veterinary Clinic
ValueCare Vet Clinic in Chaska gives back to the Twin Cities pet-loving community by operating their own Veterinary Care Charitable Fund. All of the proceeds go toward the welfare of animals by ensuring that medical care is affordable and available to the hoomans who care for them. Visit their website for more information.
In-Home Vet Care
If we learned anything this year, it’s that having safe, flexible healthcare is more important than ever. And since we haven’t figured out a way to administer rabies shots via Zoom (sorry pups), our pets need flexibility too! Here are a few organizations that offer in-home veterinary care in the Twin Cities area.
3 Pound Cats
Don’t worry doggos, 3 Pound Cats offers in-home care for both cats and dogs at discounted rates for their senior pawrents! 3 Pound Cats partners with local veterinary clinics to provide full-service care. Visit their website to find more information.
Natural Pet Vet
The Natural Pet Vet mobile veterinary clinic brings safe, holistic, and compassionate pet care straight to your door. Dr. Lori Ballinger has been caring for pets in the northeast metro area for 12+ years. Call 651-387-6180 or email to schedule a private appointment. Visit their website for more info.
MnSCASD
Minnesotans Supporting Companion Animals for Seniors and the Disabled is a registered 501c3 organization that provides a variety of essential services to the northern metro area. Along with facilitating the adoption of companion animals and helping make pet supplies available, they also provide free or very low-cost, in-home vet care to seniors and disabled persons on fixed incomes. Visit their website for more information.
Food Pantries
No person, pup, or any other furry friend should ever have to go hungry. Thankfully there are a few food pantries in the Twin Cities that look out for our pets as well!
Grace Lutheran Church
Grace Lutheran’s Little Kitchen Food Shelf stocks dog and cat food to feed the companion animals of those in need. Pre-registration for new clients is required, and the food shelf is open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon, and Tuesday and Thursday evenings between 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Visit their website to register and to find more information.
People & Pets Together
People & Pets Together operates an emergency food shelf for residents of Minneapolis, and stocks dog and cat food, pet care items, and even a limited supply of food for the smol pets of individuals and families in crisis (hi bird, fish, and guinea pig friends!). No appointments necessary—your address and eligibility will be determined during your first visit. Find more info on their website.
North Minneapolis Pet Resource Center
Started by our frens at My Pitbull is Family, North Minneapolis Pet Resource Center is on a mission to keep pets at home with their hoomans. Each month, they provide families in need with supplemental pet food and supplies. While supplies are available monthly, community members are always welcome for vet referrals, resources, and advice. Sniff out their website for more information.
Animal Humane Society
In addition to the two locations above, the Animal Humane Society has compiled a list of several free pet food distribution locations around St. Paul and Minneapolis. All locations are first-come, first-serve, and you can find further information about hours and registration for each spot here!
Know of any other Twin Cities pet resources looking out for pups and their peeps in their times of need? Howl at us in the comments below or reach out to us in our Facebook group.
Featured photo: Animal Humane Society