Pet Food Pantry

The APF partners with the Schenectady Inner City Ministry (SICM) Food Pantry to provide free pet food for those in need of temporary assistance. We regularly supply donated cat and dog food and cat litter as we have it available. You can help. The APF accepts unopened, not out-of-date packages of all types of dog and cat food and cat litter for this program. It may be dropped off during the shelter’s regular business hours or at the SICM pantry. This program is open to residents of Schenectady County. The SICM Food Pantry is located at 839 Albany Street in Schenectady. There are no income requirements, but you must bring an ID when you go. For more information and hours, call the Food Pantry at (518) 346-4035 or visit their website. Please Note: Food is not distributed at the APF. You must go to SICM to receive it.

Veterinary Assistance

The APF offers low-cost spay and neuter for cats and dogs through our Community Spay/Neuter Clinic. We are unable to provide other types of veterinary care for owned pets.

Guardian Domestic Violence Program

Pet Guardian, our partnership program with the YWCA of Schenectady, is for pets belonging to women affected by domestic violence. Pet Guardian provides a safe place for the animals while their owners are in transition to a new home. The goal of Pet Guardian is to enable victims to leave abusive situations without leaving their pets behind. This program also provides basic veterinary care to these animals, including spay/neuter and vaccinations as needed, free of charge. For more information, please contact the YWCA at (518) 374-3386 or visit the YWCA website. You may also contact the APF at (518) 374-3944, ext. 112.

Veterinary Bills Financial Assistance

Do you need help with veterinary bills for urgent care or to save your pet’s life? Here is a list of organizations that provide financial assistance.

  • The Pet Fund provides financial assistance for pet owners who are unable to afford non-urgent, non-basic care (i.e. cancer or heart disease treatment).
  • Red Rover provides financial assistance for owners whose pet is in a life-threatening situation that requires urgent and specific care.
  • Rose’s Fund provides assistance to pet owners who cannot afford to provide care for their pet that is ill and has a good prognosis, and who have already applied for a Care Credit Card.
  • Care Credit provides financing options with interest free promotional periods. Care Credit Cards are accepted by over 25 veterinary offices in the Schenectady area.
  • The Magic Bullet Fund provides assistance to owners of dogs that have been diagnosed with cancer and cannot afford treatment.
  • Brown Dog Foundation provides financial assistance for owners whose pet is in a life-threatening situation.
  • Land of Pure Gold provides financial assistance to owners of working dogs who have been diagnosed with cancer. Applicants must have been active, full-time working dogs at the time of cancer diagnose. The working dog must have been in one of the following fields: assistance, detection, search & rescue, law enforecement, military work, or animal assisted therapy. Dogs must be trained and certified in their field.
    Click here for a printable version of this list

    Rabies Clinics

    By state law; dogs, cats and ferrets must be vaccinated against rabies. Low-cost and/or free rabies vaccination clinics are offered by each county’s Health Department. Find your county below to see their rabies clinic schedule for 2018.

    Albany Fulton Montgomery Rensselaer Saratoga Schenectady Schoharie Washington

    Please check with your county for requirements, day-of schedule, cancellations, or fee changes.