Everything you need to know about applying for financial aid
How AFE's Grant Program Works: A Plain-Language Walkthrough of the $1,500/Year Assistance Process
We hear a version of the same story often: a senior wants a companion animal, or has already fallen for one at a local shelter, and the only thing standing in the way is the cost. Not the willingness to care for a pet. Not the desire for companionship. Just the math of an adoption fee, a first vet visit, and a bag of food landing on a fixed income all at once.
That's the gap Animals for Elders exists to close. Our grant program covers up to $1,500 a year in approved pet expenses for adults 70 and older, and we know the process can feel like a mystery from the outside.
So here's exactly how it works, from who qualifies to what happens after you hit submit.
Who Can Apply?
The program is open to adults aged 70 or older who live in Minnesota and are adopting, or have recently adopted, a companion animal through a participating shelter or rescue partner, such as Ruff Start Rescue. Applicants also need to demonstrate a financial barrier that makes it hard to cover adoption or ongoing pet care costs on their own.
You don't have to apply alone. A family member, caregiver, or social worker can submit an application on someone's behalf, as long as it's done with that person's knowledge and consent.
How we confirm the need for financial aid:
AFE runs a grant-style assistance program, which means we do a financial need review before approving funding. We keep this part as simple as we can. To verify eligibility, applicants can provide any one of the following:
Proof of participation in a means-tested program, such as Medicaid or Medical Assistance, SNAP, SSI, or Section 8/HUD housing assistance
A recent Social Security Benefit Statement or documentation of pension or retirement income
A signed Self-Certification of Financial Hardship form, confirming that household income is at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level, or that pet-related expenses create a real financial strain
If none of those are available, AFE may ask for a single recent bank statement as an alternative. What we will never ask for is a full tax return or a Social Security number. Whatever documentation you do share stays with AFE, is kept confidential, and is used only to evaluate the application.
What the grant covers
Approved applicants can receive up to $1,500 per calendar year toward:
Adoption fees, paid directly to the shelter partner
Post-adoption pre-approved veterinary care
Ongoing pet expenses, including food, supplies, and preventative care
Because the program runs on limited funding, AFE accepts a set number of new applicants each calendar year, reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. If you're considering applying, it's worth doing so as early as you can.
How to apply
Applications are submitted online at animalsforelders.org/application-form
To apply, you'll need:
Proof of age, such as a government-issued ID
Proof of adoption or intent to adopt, like an adoption confirmation, adoption application, or shelter receipt
Financial need documentation (see above)
A description of the expenses you're requesting help with
Once you submit an application, someone from AFE will follow up by email or phone to gather any additional information and let you know the decision.
What happens after you apply
Here's the timeline you can expect once a complete application is in hand:
Initial review: within 10 business days of submission
Pre-approval of additional expenses for applicants who are accepted into the program: within 5 business days
Reimbursement processing, once an approved expense is submitted: within 14 business days
A quick but important note: adoption fees are handled a little differently. You become an approved applicant before you adopt so we can pay the adoption fee directly to the shelter. Every other expense, whether it's a vet visit or a bag of food, needs to be pre-approved before you make the purchase. That means submitting a receipt or a vendor quote for review first. Once it's approved, we'll reimburse you by ACH transfer or check.
If an application or expense request comes in incomplete, we'll follow up to ask for what's missing, and the review clock restarts once we have everything we need. That's the main reason applications sometimes take longer than expected, so gathering your documents up front is the best way to keep things moving.
The role of shelter partners
You may hear about AFE from a shelter or rescue before you hear about us directly. Partners like Ruff Start Rescue can let you know the program exists, share basic information about how to apply, and, with your permission, provide supporting details AFE might request, such as confirmation of an adoption or an estimate for care costs.
Our shelter partners never collect or handle your personal or financial information. That part stays between you and AFE, every time.
Ready to apply, or want to help someone who is
If you're a senior considering adoption, or you know one who is, the application only takes a few minutes to start. And if you'd rather support the program than apply, every grant we fund comes from donors who believe a fixed income shouldn't decide whether someone gets to have a companion animal in their life.
Apply here, or reach out to us directly at hello@animalsforelders.org with any questions.
