- About PFA
- Mission
Learn about our mission and how you can help.
- Success Stories
Animals PFA has helped, as well as testimonials from patrons and supporters.
- Meet our Veterinarians
Learn about our passionate and highly-skilled team.
- Newsletter
Discover our educational resources and events.
- Jobs
PFA is always on the lookout for team players who have a positive attitude.
- Contact us
Find out how to contact us and get in touch.
- Mission
- Services & Programs
- Get Involved
- Make Appointment
Whole Families Program
PFA can help a pet’s human family members and their life circumstances, to achieve the noble goal of keeping whole families together. We recognize that the health of people, animals, and our shared environment are interconnected.
What is the Whole Families Program?
PFA embraces the One Health approach, which recognizes that the health of people, animals, and our shared environment are interconnected. This philosophy informed the creation of our Whole Families Program, which expands the traditional veterinary focus on the animal to include their human family members and life circumstances.
PFA employs an on-staff Social Worker to work with a pet’s human companion when they are experiencing a crisis, and feel they have no other recourse than to surrender their furry family member. These clients obviously love their pets, but their challenges feel so insurmountable that they no longer believe they can safely provide for their animals.
Through our WFP, we’re able to intervene in those moments and support them through their turbulent times. This includes: having a network of volunteer foster homes, contracts with boarding kennels, and one-on-one consultation which connects them to human social services, in order to resolve challenges including (but not limited to): housing insecurity, mental health issues, domestic violence, and/or food insecurity. By talking to pet parents about their family’s needs and worries, we can prevent negative outcomes and help keep whole families together.
If you would like to speak to our staff Social Worker, please contact Lori McGahan, Director of the Whole Families Program, MSW, LCSW:
Resources
Explore a curated list of valuable resources to empower you with knowledge, guidance, and support on your journey towards better pet care and animal welfare.
- Boarding & Pet Food Assistance
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Onyx & Breezy Foundation
The Onyx & Breezy Foundation provides funding and support to:
- Food, medicine and supplies
- Pets of individuals where medical hardship is present
- Helping the dogs of veterans suffering from PTSD
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Magic Bullet Fund
The Magic Bullet Fund helps support pets with cancer. To apply, click here.
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Pet Fund
The Pet Fund works only on non-basic, non-urgent care. This category includes medical needs such as cancer treatment, heart disease, chronic conditions, endocrine diseases, eye diseases, etc. To apply, click here. All applicants are required to contact the Pet Fund by phone at 916-443-6007 before applying for funding.
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RedRover Relief
The RedRover Relief Urgent Care grant program provides financial aid to pets in need of critical veterinary care. Grant decisions are based on medical urgency, financial need, available funding, and eligibility. To apply, click here.
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Animal Population Control Program (APCP)
The APCP allows pet owners to pay just $20 for for their pet’s spay/neuter. Please download and review the program details here. Click here to download the APCP application form.
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Additional Resources for Owners & Families
To find a food pantry near you, please visit: Find a Pantry Near You – CFBNJ
To find help for children, please visit: DCF | Hotlines and Helplines (nj.gov)
To find help for domestic violence victims, please visit: Domestic Violence Information | New Jersey State Police (nj.gov)
To find help for the elderly, please visit: NJ Division of Aging Services Contacts | New Jersey State Police (nj.gov)
WFP in Action
We launched our Whole Families Program on the first Saturday in June 2021 with a free vaccination clinic for the town of Millville. 104 families and 188 pets were served! Volunteers surveyed families to help us learn how the Millville community views their pets and discover any unmet needs or challenges that they were facing. Every single family stated that they consider their pets to be part of the family, and that they depend on their pets for love and emotional support. This was not a surprise for us since we see every day how much our clients love their pets!
Unfortunately, we also learned that three out of every five pets were not spayed or neutered, and 40% had never seen a veterinarian before. Two out of every three families stated that they were unable to afford veterinary care. Others were facing housing- or food-insecurity, while some had pressing pet health needs. We were gratified to be able to offer assistance either directly through PFA or by having our Social Worker connect these clients to traditional social services.
“Three out of every five pets were not spayed or neutered, and 40% had never seen a veterinarian before.”
In this way, PFA is forging novel relationships with human social services providers to resolve human crisis and preserve the human-animal bond.
Donate to the WFP
Your donation paves the way for a world where compassion and care are extended to animals in need, transforming their lives and our shared community for the better.
Success Stories
Experience the heartwarming stories of transformation and triumph in our collection of inspiring success stories.
While Kevin was experiencing homelessness, PFA's social worker assisted Kevin through social service programs and PFA's vets provided veterinary care for his three beloved dogs.
Kevin and Deuce, Bobby & Stella
Read story
"I couldn't ask for a better turnout to keeping my cat in a safe and loving environment. As I transition to find stable housing, it relieves me to know my fur baby is safe, loved and cared for properly."
Kim and Phoebe
Read storyOur Programs
Sweet Pea Fund
Inspired by the sweet senior dog who did not let her past damper her capacity for love and now provides a life-saving legacy to other animals.
Public Policy Advocacy
PFA offers expert consultation to promote humane public policy to elected officials at every level of government. We have successfully advocated for Humane Feral Cat Population Control (TNR) in many NJ counties and municipalities. We also actively advocate for humane legislation in our State Legislature.
Humane Education
The goal of PFA’s Humane Education Program is to engage school-age youths in age-appropriate discussions on topics that relate to how we interact with each other, with animals, and with our environment.