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What is the New Jersey Veterinary Foundation?

The New Jersey Veterinary Foundation (NJVF) assists veterinarians in celebrating the special relationship shared between people and animals, known as the human-animal bond. Over the years, the Foundation has developed animal welfare programs, supported various other existing programs that contribute to the well-being of animals and enhance the human-animal bond, and provided scholarships and loans to New Jersey veterinary students. The NJVF was established on May 20, 1975.

Why give to the NJVF?
Caring and Compassion-
Your contribution will benefit the welfare of animals:

Statewide Spay-Neuter Program
The NJVF augments New Jersey's unique, statewide low-cost spaying/neutering program, known as the Animal Population Control Fund. As a nation-wide model for reducing the number of unwanted dogs and cats, the program is responsible for a 50% reduction in the number of animals euthanized in New Jersey shelters since the program's inception in 1984 and has provided for more than 120,000 surgeries.

To be eligible for a $10 copayment (which covers an examination of the pet, spay/neuter surgery, any necessary immunizations, and post surgical care) at any of the participating veterinary hospitals, individuals must participate in one of nine specific New Jersey public assistance programs:

1. Food Stamps
2. Supplemental Security Income
3. Aid to Families with Dependent Children
4. General Public Assistance
5. Medical Assistance (Medicaid)
6. Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged & Disabled
7. Rental Assistance
8. Lifeline Utility Credit
9. Tenants Lifeline Assistance

New Jersey residents may be eligible for a $20 copayment, regardless of income, if they adopt a dog or cat from the following types of facilities:

1. Licensed New Jersey shelters, and municipal, county, or regional     pounds
2. New Jersey holding or impoundment facilities that contract with NJ     municipalities
3. Nonprofit New Jersey animal adoption referral agencies

Stray/Abandoned Animal Care
This program helps sick or injured stray/abandoned domestic animals. Medical care is provided to the animals at no cost to the Good Samaritans who find them and bring them to a participating veterinarian for assessment. Animals are placed for adoption following medical treatment. Donations to the program only reimburse veterinarians for a portion of their medical supplies.

Grief Counseling Pet Loss Grief Counseling
We currently support Pet Friends, a non-profit pet loss counseling service located in Moorestown, NJ.  The service is available to all New Jersey residents by calling 1-800-404-PETS.  Pet Friends provides compassionate counseling to assist grieving pet owners when a pet has died or been diagnosed with a chronic or life-threatening illness; has run away or suffered an accident; must be relinquished due to unforeseen circumstances; or when pet owners have overwhelming feelings of guilt or sadness.

Therapy Animals
This fund supports pet-assisted therapy programs and promotes the positive role of therapy animals in our lives. Contributions encourage activities that provide comfort to recipients of pet-assisted therapy and education to those unfamiliar with the work of animals in therapeutic roles.

Disaster Assistance
This cooperative program provides for the care of pets whose families are experiencing personal tragedy resulting from a natural disaster such as a fire or flood. A network of local participating veterinary hospitals has been formed to treat these pets on a completely voluntary basis.

Animal Hall of Fame
This wonderful event began in 1995 and recognizes the powerful bond that exists between people and animals. Animals are honored in four categories: Hero -- animals that have saved or preserved human life; Professional -- trained assistance animals; Companion -- animals that have provided a benefit to their human companions or community; Therapy -- trained animals performing therapeutic or rehabilitative services.

Education
The education of a veterinarian requires a total of eight years of college training. Since New Jersey does not have a school of veterinary medicine, residents must attend veterinary schools out-of-state or in foreign countries, resulting in higher tuition costs. Some students graduate as much as $100,000 in debt and others are forced to drop out because of limited financing. Since its inception, the Foundation has issued more than 500 grants and loans. Assisting worthy students to receive a veterinary education enable them to return to New Jersey and bring state-of-the-art medicine to animals, which benefits our animal population and public health.

To make a donation- Click here for a donation card you can print out and mail.

How can I help?

Contributions to the NJVF are made by people who respect and care about animals and their health and well-being.

Memorial Gifts - Many veterinarians and clients contribute to the Foundation in memory of a beloved pet and in honor of family members and friends.
Bequests - Individuals may bequeath gifts to the Foundation by naming it in wills, insurance policies or trusts
Corporate Gifts - Corporations and organizations can donate to the Foundation to recognize individuals, or for specific causes.

All contributions to the New Jersey Veterinary Foundation are tax deductible. Contributions may be designated for specific programs or be given to the general fund.