What is the “Companion Cares” program?
The goal of the Companion Cares program is to help owners needing assistance to care for their animals, living near the areas we contract to serve. Partnering with Lucky Paws Midwest, the focus of the program during 2023 is to create a volunteer network to assist in the transport of pets owned by members of the community to grooming and/or veterinary appointments. We regularly encounter pets in loving homes, with an owner that is able to pay for care but is elderly or disabled and unable to drive their animal to appointments. The Companion Cares program connects pet owners with ‘care volunteers’ to solve this problem of transportation.
(This program does not apply to stray animals part of animal control services)
How do I become a “Care Volunteer” to transport owned animals?
If you live near one of the areas we serve and wish to help transport animals owned by community members, read the requirements listed below and complete the form at the bottom of this page.
Care volunteers must complete & submit the contact from in full
Care volunteers must provide a safe vehicle for transportation of the animal to and from the appointment
Care volunteers are responsible for safely handling the animal
Care volunteers are responsible for communicating with the owner regarding all needs and logistics of transport
How do I request help from Companion Cares for a volunteer to transport my animal?
If you have an animal that needs transportation to & from a grooming or veterinary appointment, read the requirements listed below and complete the form at the bottom of this page.
Animal owners must complete & submit the contact from in full
Animals must be friendly & safe to handle
Animas must be transported in a safe crate provided by the owner or the care volunteer
Owners are responsible for scheduling their grooming/vet appointment with their clinic or groomer of choice.
Owners must pay in advance of their vet/grooming appointment, we are unable to cover the costs for these services.
How does the program work?
Companion Animal Control maintains a contact list of care volunteers that have been approved for the program. When a request for help from an owner is received by us a photo of the animal, a ‘care case number’ and a description of the transport help needed will be posted on our website & Facebook page. If you are an approved care volunteer, submit a contact from on our website including the ‘care case number’ to let us know you are available to help the owner. We will then reply to a care volunteer with the owner’s contact information. From that point, it is the responsibility of the care volunteer and the owner to communicate and make arrangements for how to help the animal.
Frequently asked questions:
A ‘care volunteer’ can I write off my mileage on my taxes?
Yes, you can since this program is in partnership with Lucky Paws Midwest, a 501c3 non-profit.
Is Companion Animal Control or Lucky Paws Midwest pay for the care of these owned animals?
No, at this time we are unable to cover the cost of this care. If you need discount veterinary care please check out our veterinary care resource page.
Who assumes liability for this program?
The owner and the care volunteer assume all liability, Companion Animal Control and Lucky Paws Midwest assume no liability, do not oversee conversations between the owner and care volunteer. We do not complete background checks and do not make any guarantees regarding either parties involved. Owners and care volunteers should use their best judgement to ensure the safety of both people and animals.