How to Obtain Donated Pet Medications

Pet medications can be expensive.

Donated pet medications can be a huge help to any budget. Rescue organizations, shelters and veterinarians offices are places that receive donated pet medications. Sometime it is possible for individuals to obtain them, too. The trick is knowing where to look. Careful planning, asking the right questions and understanding the exact nature of the pet's condition are all ways to make obtaining donated pet medications possible for individuals. Rescues and animal shelters will benefit from this information, too.

Things You'll Need

• Exact diagnosis of the pet's condition
• Financial statement
• 501 (c) 3 certificate from IRS (for shelters and rescues)
• List of drug manufacturers
• Detailed statement of why the medications are needed
• Veterinarian's contact information
• Prescription for the medications, if required

Instructions

1. Veterinarians receive samples of pet medications all of the time. When a pet is diagnosed with a condition that requires expensive medications, ask the vet if there are any samples available. Many times a month's worth of medication can be obtained this way.

2. Look at the manufacturers' names on the medications that are most often used. Check into flea, tick and heartworm preventative, too. Write down the contact information for each company.

3. Prepare a financial statement. For individuals, use the most recent tax return. For rescues and shelters, compile the latest tax returns, financial statements and 501(c) 3 letter from the IRS. Make copies of these documents; never send in originals.

4. Write a letter to each and every manufacturer. State the animal's condition and why the medication is required. Include the veterinarian's contact information in the letter. Include the financial information copied in step 3. Rescues and shelters should use company letterhead. Include a copy of the prescription, if one is required.

5. Follow up each letter with a phone call about a week to 10 days after mailing. Be prepared to explain the situation again. Rescue organizations and shelters should be prepared to offer the tax ID number in order to receive donations.

6. Be persistent. There will be many turn-downs before a company will send out samples. Look into manufacturers of generic medications as well.

7. Ask a veterinarian for help. Many companies will donate more readily to veterinarians' offices.

8. Send out thank-you notes to every company that donates medications. Shelters and rescue organizations should send out receipts that include a tax ID number and dollar value of the donation.

Tips & Warnings

• Working with a veterinarian greatly increases the chances of receiving donated medications.

• Controlled substances like narcotics will not be available for donations.