The program for 2024 is made possible by the generous donations from the Haida Gwaii Animal Hospital, Gwaii Animal Helpline Society donors, the Tow Hill Foundation, and participants’ contributions.
The program will run for as long as funds allocated to the program are available. GAHS reserves the right to pause the program when funds are exhausted.
Funds are limited. To stretch these funds to support as many families in need as possible, please contribute as much as you can afford. You must contribute a minimum of $50 towards the procedure/treatment. Your contribution will help extend the program.
To be eligible for the program, you must be the guardian of the animal for whom you are applying. A vet must deem the situation urgent or an emergency. You must qualify under a, b, or c.
(a) You are solely on income assistance (short-term disability; long-term disability, social income assistance, employment insurance, old age security guaranteed income supplement) and this is the only income in your household; or
(b) You are unemployed and do not/will not have an income at the time of the surgery; or
(c) You are working part-time but still meet the definition of low income according to the most current Low-Income Cut-off for rural areas + 10% to account for the fact that these statistics are normally a year or two behind the current cost of living.
Low-Income (Household Gross) Cut off rates:
- 1 person $20,225 + $2,022 = $22,247 per year or $1,854 per month
- 2 persons $25,178 + $2,518 = $27,696 per year or $2,308 per month
- 3 persons $30,953 + $3,095 = $34,048 per year or $2.837 per month
- 4 persons $37,582 + $3,758 = $41,340 per year or $3,445 per month
- 5 persons $42,624 + $4,262 = $46,886 per year or $3,907 per month
Application Process
- Fill out an application.
- Once your application is received, you will be contacted to determine eligibility within two business days. If you do not hear back within two days, please contact us to ensure that we have received your application.
- GAHS requires a copy of the estimate for the treatment. If you are approved,GAHS will email you and the Haida Gwaii Animal Hospital confirmation of approval and the amount GAHS will cover. If you are not approved, we will contact you to explain why that is the case.
- If, due to the urgent nature of the situation, you are unable to apply and wait for approval, you may apply as soon as you are able but no later than two calendar weeks after the procedure/treatment occurred. However, you must be aware GAHS does not guarantee that you will be approved.
- The application process is complete once you receive your confirmation. You will need to make your appointment for your animal’s treatment directly with the HG Animal Hospital 250-557-4468.
- If you require a follow up appointment, you must fill out another application. GAHS will cover up to a maximum total of $600.00 per household per year. Please eliminate any duplication in the layout where it’s not necessary.