BirchBark protects and honors the human-animal bond by financially aiding low-income pet guardians who cannot afford emergency vet care, and supports all families with education and pet loss grief support programs.
This project is our core initiative: to reduce financial barriers that prevent loving families from accessing life-saving care for their pets. Local veterinarians reduce costs for our clients, allowing BirchBark to channel the compassion and generosity of our community to ensure veterinary care for economically vulnerable families.
When a pet’s health crisis has a good prognosis, BirchBark provides life-saving urgent care. Behind every BirchBark case is a family whose bond with their pet is threatened by economic euthanasia. Whether it’s a teen’s only companion, a senior’s quiet friend, or a child’s therapy pet, when crisis strikes, a life hangs in the balance.
This Santa Cruz Gives season, our goal is to fund at least 60 urgent veterinary cases, each of which costs an average of just over $800.
With the amazing support Birchbark offered, we were able to go forward with a life-saving surgery for my cat. Without it, he would no longer be here with us. Birchbark’s support meant everything to us. Our cat is our family, and now BirchBark is too.
Anonymous, Watsonville
