When the Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon opened their doors they quickly recognized that not all pet-parents could afford the quality of advanced medical services they provide. Since then, healthcare prices have continued to rise and economic euthanasia has become more prevalent throughout the veterinary industry. In response, VRCCO partnered with the Veterinary Care Foundation to establish a philanthropic fund dedicated to bridging this gap. 

The VRCCO Care fund was created to help financially constrained, neglected, and abused animals access the critical veterinary care necessary to thrive. What started as emergency financial assistance for pets in crisis, quickly grew into a lifeline for families facing heartbreaking choices. 

Through the generous support of donors and community members, the VRCCO Care Fund raised nearly $200,000 in two years, helping countless pets receive the advanced treatments and procedures that allow them a second chance at a long and healthy life. Additionally, more than 300 pets have benefited from rehabilitation therapy to enhance their recoveries, these resources made possible by funding.

However as the Care Fund grew, so did its vision. The challenges facing pets and their families extend beyond emergency care, they also include access to the advanced treatments, innovations in medicine, and the resources veterinarians need to provide the best possible outcomes. 

To meet this broader mission, the VRCCO Care fund is currently evolving into PetsForward, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. PetsForward will build on years of community support and philanthropic success to create a larger platform for impact, supporting both pets in need and advancing access to innovative veterinary care options.

PetsForward is not just a fund, but a growing movement dedicated to compassion, progress, and the advancement of animal care. PetsForward will continue to be the heart of the Care Fund by ensuring pets in financial need get the urgent care they require, but it will also take bold steps to move veterinary medicine forward. With your support, we can ensure that every animal, regardless of financial means, has access to the high-quality medical care they deserve.  

Your contribution will help us wag our way forward by supporting the next chapter of the VRCCO Care Fund. 

Move PetsForward Today:

$25 – First Step: Give a little love that leaves a lasting mark.

$50 – Meaningful Advance: Help provide food, comfort, medication or supplies.

$100 – Bold Stride: Support an urgent exam or diagnostics for a pet in need.

$250 – Lasting Leap: Give pets a real shot at recovery through testing and treatment.

$500 – Taking the Lead: Cover part of a life-saving procedure or specialty care.

$1,000+  –  Wagging the Way Forward: Make a true difference in the treatment of a pet in need of care.