Owner Assistance Program

Based on the ASPCA Vet Direct Safety Net Program and in partnership with the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), and the Foundation for the Horse. This program gives veterinarians and rescues an opportunity to help owners who can’t afford some aspects of health care but want to do the best for their equines.

We know a lack of access to affordable veterinary care is often cited as the cause of poor equine welfare and owner relinquishment. To help address that need, in 2018, the ASPCA’s Equine Welfare Department began piloting Vet Direct Safety Net. This program empowers equine veterinarians to locate and provide care to at-risk equines in their communities.

In 2020, ASPCA partnered with AAEP and its Foundation for the Horse to cast a wider net by providing AAEP-member veterinarians in the US financial resources to locate and provide care to at-risk equines in their communities.

Veterinarians are supported for up to $600 one-time per client per horse to provide emergency stabilization procedures deemed appropriate or compassionate euthanasia for horses in need when their owners can’t afford needed medical care. Owners are asked to pay for a portion of the care they can afford.

If your Veterinarian is NOT a member of the AAEP, we encourage you to ask them to join. It’s a yearly fee, and the benefits to them and you can be well worth it. Click the link or have your vet contact Sue Stivers by email or phone (859) 233-0147.
AAEP Membership

Locally, Circle S Mobile Vet is a member of the AAPE and has been helping HAPI Trails through the United Horse Coalition Vet Relief Campaign – helping to offset some of our vaccination costs. This ASPCA Assistance Program helps not only HAPI Trails but individual owners as well.