Helping You Care for the Pets You Love
We know that caring for a pet can sometimes come with unexpected financial concerns — and we want our clients to know they’re not alone. Below, you’ll find information on the payment methods we accept, financing options, our hospital’s giving programs, and external financial assistance resources that may help during tough moments.
Payment Methods We Accept
Payment is due at the time services are provided. We accept:
- Cash
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover
- CareCredit
- ScratchPay
- “Pay Your Provider” pet insurance payments (when offered through participating plans)
We’ll always discuss recommendations and associated costs with you before moving forward — no surprises.
Financing Options
CareCredit
CareCredit is a healthcare financing option that lets qualifying clients spread veterinary costs over time, often with promotional financing periods available. It can be used for routine visits, surgery, dental care, urgent care, and more.
ScratchPay
ScratchPay offers simple, transparent veterinary payment plans with no deferred interest. Application is quick, and approval doesn’t affect your credit score.
Penny’s Fund
Helping Pets in Need Receive Medical Care
Penny’s Fund was founded in May 2000 by Genevieve and Mildred Fawley after they made a generous donation to Rialto Animal Hospital in honor of their beloved dog, Penny.
Their gift created something truly meaningful: a fund designed to help pets in desperate need of medical care. Since its beginning, Penny’s Fund has helped provide care for many pets in our community who may not otherwise have had access to the medical support they needed.
Every donation to Penny’s Fund helps support veterinary care for pets who are less fortunate and facing urgent or significant medical needs. Contributions of any size are deeply appreciated and can make a real difference for a pet and family during a difficult time.
How to Donate to Penny’s Fund
Every donation makes a difference. If you would like to contribute to Penny’s Fund, or to a specific family or organization in need, simply call our hospital, and we’ll send you a secure payment link by text or email. Thank you for helping us provide care to pets whose families are facing financial hardship.
Free Shelter Exam for Newly Adopted Pets
Bringing home a newly adopted pet is exciting, joyful, and sometimes a little overwhelming. Whether your new dog or cat came from a local animal shelter or rescue, one of the best first steps you can take is scheduling a veterinary exam soon after adoption. And trying to determine the best place to take your new fur-kid can be even scarier!
This is why, for brand-new families to Rialto Animal Hospital, we offer a free comprehensive physical exam for newly adopted pets from a shelter or rescue. We want you to see what we are about, introduce you to OUR family, and want to help give you and your new family member the healthiest (and happiest) possible start.
Free Shelter Exam Details:
- Must be a new client to Rialto Animal Hospital
- The exam must be scheduled within 7 days of adoption
- Adoption paperwork must be presented at the visit
- Available Monday through Friday by appointment only
- Not valid with other promotions — limit one per pet
Share the Care Referral Rewards
When our clients recommend Rialto Animal Hospital to family, friends, neighbors, or coworkers, it means the world to us — and we’d love to say thank you.
How Share the Care Works:
- Refer a friend, family member, neighbor, or coworker to Rialto Animal Hospital
- Ask them to mention your name when they come in for their pet’s exam
- Receive a $10 account credit for each qualifying referral
- There’s no limit to how many referral credits you can earn
Example: 5 referrals = $50 in account credit toward future care.
Program Details:
- $10 account credit per qualifying referral
- No referral limit
- Referral must be mentioned at the referred client’s visit
- Credits expire after 1 year
- Credits have no cash value and may only be used at Rialto Animal Hospital
Thank you for helping us “Share the Care” with more pets and families in our community.
External Financial Assistance Resources for Pet Care
When veterinary expenses become overwhelming, the organizations below may be able to help. Every program has its own eligibility requirements, funding limits, and application process — we encourage you to contact each organization directly for current information. While we can’t guarantee approval through outside groups, we hope this list helps connect families with the support they need.
Local & Southern California Resources
- Humane Society of San Bernardino Valley — Low-cost spay/neuter and limited financial assistance for qualifying pet owners
- San Bernardino County Animal Care — Spay/neuter vouchers, free adoption initiatives, and reduced-cost wellness events through their Animal Sterilization Assistance Program (ASAP)
- Lange Foundation — Medical care, spay/neuter assistance, and support to help prevent pets from being surrendered, including a San Bernardino Intervention Program
- Actors and Others for Animals — Emergency veterinary financial assistance for qualifying Southern California pet owners
- Animal Health Foundation — Angel Fund assistance through participating Southern California veterinary hospitals
National Resources
- The Pet Fund — Assistance for non-urgent veterinary care, including chronic conditions, heart disease, cancer treatment, and endocrine disease
- RedRover Relief — Emergency grants and resources, including support for victims of domestic violence with pets
- Brown Dog Foundation — Help for pets with treatable medical conditions when owners can’t afford full treatment costs
- The Onyx & Breezy Foundation — Medical hardship assistance, rescue support, and a wide range of animal welfare programs
- Pet Assistance Foundation — Helps locate financial assistance programs and resources to keep pets in loving homes
- Humane World for Animals (formerly The Humane Society of the United States) — Resources for pet owners struggling with veterinary costs, food expenses, or housing challenges
Cancer-Specific Resources
- Magic Bullet Fund — While no longer accepting new applications, their site maintains a valuable list of alternative cancer-related financial assistance resources
Other Ways to Find Help
If you’re navigating a financial hardship, additional support options to consider include:
- Local rescue groups and breed-specific rescue organizations
- Community pet food banks
- Crowdfunding platforms (GoFundMe, etc.)
- Temporary foster support programs
- Friends and family contributions through our pet-specific donation option above
Sometimes combining multiple resources is what makes treatment possible.
Why Community Support Matters to Us
Rialto Animal Hospital has been part of this community since 1959, and we are honored to care for generations of pets and families. We know that every pet has a story, every family has different needs, and sometimes a little extra support can make all the difference.
From helping newly adopted pets start strong, to supporting pets in need through Penny’s Fund, to making it easier for people to contribute toward a loved one’s pet care, our goal is simple: to help pets receive the care they deserve whenever we can.
If you have questions about any of these programs, please contact our team. We would be happy to help.
Pet Insurance
Pet insurance can be instrumental in ensuring that your pet receives the care they need, particularly when emergencies or unexpected health issues arise. The best time to enroll is when your pet is young and healthy. Most policies don’t cover pre-existing conditions, so waiting until your pet is already sick or injured may significantly limit your coverage options.
To learn more about pet insurance, please visit our Pet Insurance page.
A Note from Our Team
We know how stressful it can be when a beloved pet needs care and finances are part of the equation. At Rialto Animal Hospital, we believe pets are family — and we hope the resources on this page provide some guidance during difficult moments.
If your pet is sick or injured, please reach out to our team as soon as possible. We’re happy to talk through your pet’s condition, your options, and any resources that might help.
Call us: (909) 875-6161