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About Agnes Fund

Agnes, for whom the program was aptly named, was the beloved companion of a client at the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS. Because of the companionship that Agnes provided, the Agnes Fund was created in order for others to experience the same joys of the human-to-animal bond.

Agnes symbolizes the friendship and love that animals can provide for their owners. Previously a program sponsored by the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF), the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS has adopted and reinvented this service for pets to better the lives of those who love them. Through the Agnes Fund, with the generous help of the Arizona Humane Society, our goal is to improve the lives of the agency clientele by assisting in cost for pet health care that is otherwise not affordable for them.

Services

• Diagnostic and Non-emergency Treatment
  Diagnostic veterinary service designed to evaluate symptoms of illness or injury, which do not appear to be an emergency in nature, and/or provide necessary treatment for the companion animal.
• Spay/Neuter
  The surgical sterilization of cats and dogs.
• Preventative Care
  Vaccinations and flea control.
• Dental Services
  Teeth scaling and professional cleaning.
• Emergency Respite Care
  If in the event the client is hospitalized or too ill to take care of their pet and no other options are available for pet care, financial aid for pet boarding and day care may be available.
• Euthanasia
  Assisted death by injection to alleviate incurable suffering as recommended and administered by a veterinarian.
• Disposal or Group Cremation
  Communal burial for deceased companion animal.
• Information and Referral
  A resource guide of pet care service providers throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area.
• Food Vouchers
  Dog and cat food vouchers available to pick up at the Arizona Humane Society.

FAQs

Q: If I were to receive financial aid from the Agnes Fund, would I have to use the service provider that was recommended to me?
A: No, the client reserves the right to use their own personal pet care service provider if they so choose. However, financial aid will only be provided up to the amount the Agnes Fund referral service would have charged, and if the personal pet care service provider accepts the terms of the Agnes Fund financial aid program.

Q: I am a client of the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS, but my brother isn't. I really love his dog too, so can Agnes Fund pay for his pet care services?
A: No. Agnes Fund will not provide pet financial aid services for people other than qualifying Center clientele. Service requests for the same service and animal(s) under a different client name (whether an agency client or not) will not be considered.

Q: I don't have a car. Do you have any suggestions for transportation with my pet?
A: Each Client is responsible for his/her own transportation. The Center's staff and Agnes Fund volunteers are unable to provide this service.

Q: Does my dog/cat have to be spayed/neutered?
A: Not necessarily, but some of the requirements of the service providers working in conjunction with the Agnes Fund do require that the companion animal be spayed/neutered before any treatment or service can be administered.

Q: I've already paid for the pet care service and just now found out about the Agnes Fund, is there anyway I can be reimbursed?
A: At no time will the clients of Agnes Fund be eligible for any financial reimbursement for services rendered. While unlimited information and referral services are offered through the Agnes Fund, the Center does not guarantee payment.

Q: What happens if my pet dies and I get a new one. Will I still be able to receive financial aid for this new pet?
A: In the event of one or both of the companion animals' death, the Agnes Fund will allow further financial aid to the client for a new companion animal's pet care service.

Q: I have a dog, a cat, a parakeet and a ferret. Can Agnes Fund provide for all of my animals?
A: Unfortunately, the Agnes Fund does not currently have the resources to care for animals other than cats and dogs, nor can we provide service to more than two companion animals per client. However, for the dog and the cat we are able and willing to provide any financial aid necessary for pet care.

For more information, please contact Marge Samson at (602) 307-5330, ext. 3003 or e-mail Marge Sampson.