Giving Back

A safety net for the people and pets who need it.

A Safety Net For Pets CAF PIF Oncology Fund CAF Call to Donate OSVS strives to make veterinary care affordable for every pet owner, but sadly, many pet owners simply cannot afford such care. In an effort to assist some of these owners and help keep these pets as part of their family, OSVS administers a number of assistance funds which are designed to provide financial support to clients in need. OSVS and its staff do not use any of this money for administrative costs; all donated funds go directly toward patient care.

Linda Adams Memorial Fund

The “Linda Adams Memorial Fund” was founded to honor the life and memory of one of OSVS’s long-term employees. Linda was a tireless crusader for animals who fostered over 300+ dogs during the 20 years she worked at OSVS (and ended up keeping about half of these animals when a home couldn’t be found!) Her menagerie usually included animals no one else wanted; older, injured, three-legged, one-eyed, or biting dogs filled her home, but she always seemed to find room in her house and in her heart for all of them. She was also responsible for finding homes and rescue placements for the countless dogs and cats that were turned over, abandoned, and brought to the hospital by Good Samaritans or left at our front door. Linda was a bright light to all who knew her. She was always willing to lend an ear, offer advice, or help someone through a difficult time. Her compassion, generosity, and unwavering dedication to animals continue to inspire us. Today, the Linda Adams Memorial Fund carries that legacy forward by providing financial assistance to owners of ill or injured pets who might otherwise be unable to afford the care their pets need. Available funds are limited, and criteria including a pet’s prognosis and age are just some of the factors that go into assistance decisions. Through this fund, Linda’s compassion lives on, helping pets in need and giving families hope when they need it most. Please send a check to the hospital directly to the Finance and Billing Department labeled “The Linda Adams Memorial Fund” or call to donate directly.

Portrait of a smiling woman with short brown hair, wearing a pearl necklace, in front of a light background, bordered by a blue frame.
Smiling woman sits on a couch with three small dogs on her lap. The background features wood-paneled walls, framed photos, a lamp, and cozy blankets.

Paw it Forward Fund with Frankie’s Friends
To make a tax-deductible donation to help more pets in need of lifesaving care through the Paw it Forward Fund, please Give to PIF here. The Paw it Forward Fund, by Frankie’s Friends, provides financial assistance grants to family-owned pets in need of lifesaving emergency or specialty veterinary care whose caregivers cannot afford the full cost of treatment. This program is designed to help with the TREATMENT of emergency and specialty medical conditions where the pet would otherwise suffer, be euthanized, or relinquished without proper veterinary care. Financial support may be given to families who demonstrate requisite financial need and whose pets would have a good prognosis for long-term recovery to a normal quality of life. The Paw it Forward Fund does not cover primary or preventative care, diagnostic testing, the initial exam, or ongoing monthly medications.

Huge thanks to Drs. Block and Johnson, the founders of OSVS and BSVESS, who felt fortunate to be able to use some of the profits they earned from their practice over 20+ years to create a financial assistance fund to help pets whose owners can't afford veterinary care. They said, “We have always tried to make our services available to as many people as possible but we know that there are still clients with injured or ill pets who cannot afford the type of advanced care that we provide and that some of our patients require. The Paw It Forward Fund is our attempt to keep pets alive, healthy and in loving homes, when unforeseen or unexpected veterinary bills are suddenly encountered.” Logo for Frankie's Friends Charitable Pet Foundation's "Paw It Forward" campaign. It features a blue hand holding a silhouette of a dog and a cat, with the foundation's name and "Paw It Forward" text incorporated into the design.

Meet Susan The Paw it Forward Fund is managed by Frankie’s Friends, a national 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to helping pets in need of lifesaving care.

The Paw it Forward Fund is restricted to qualified families whose pets are being treated at hospitals who’ve agreed to provide a discount on services as part of an established partnership with Frankie's Friends in the following zip codes: 02777 or 02818.

These locations are:
  • Ocean State Veterinary Specialists
  • Bay State Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Services
 A golden retriever puppy lies on green grass, holding a yellow ball with holes in its mouth. The background is softly blurred, featuring trees and greenery. The puppy's ears are perked up, and it looks content and playful.

Meet Susan The Paw it Forward Fund is managed by Frankie’s Friends, a national 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to helping pets in need of lifesaving care.

The Paw it Forward Fund is restricted to qualified families whose pets are being treated at hospitals who’ve agreed to provide a discount on services as part of an established partnership with Frankie's Friends in the following zip codes: 02777 or 02818.

These locations are:
  • Ocean State Veterinary Specialists
  • Bay State Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Services
 A golden retriever puppy lies on green grass, holding a yellow ball with holes in its mouth. The background is softly blurred, featuring trees and greenery. The puppy's ears are perked up, and it looks content and playful.

Happy Tails Paw It Forward helped Oreo receive lifesaving care and hospitalization for enterocolitis. This is a note from Oreo’s family. “Thank you for helping Oreo. We are grateful and thankful that you are able to help us save my sweet angel’s life and bring her back home filled with joy and happiness of being with her rightful owners who love and care for her so deeply. Thank you.”

— Oreo’s Family A small black and white puppy with floppy ears is sitting on a blanket in a car seat, wearing a red and white sweater. There's a water bottle in the door pocket and a rope chew toy partially visible in the corner.

Meet Susan Paw It Forward helped Leo receive a lifesaving endoscopy to remove a sewing needle he ingested. This is a note from Leo’s family. “I just want to thank you whether or not we are approved for all of the kindness you offer. To my 3 children and I Leo is family, he is another child of mine and a sibling to my kiddos. Leo was our first new fur member and he loves us so much and we love him so much. This procedure will save him and the risks of not doing the procedure are high for perforating an organ/stomach/intestines. We would be so grateful for any assistance with Leo’s procedure so that we can take our baby home safe and healthy . We will pay it forward when we are able to, and would appreciate anything you could do. Thank you again.”

— Leo's Family A child sleeps peacefully with their head resting on a fluffy gray cat. The cat's eyes are closed, and it looks content, nestled against the child. The scene captures a cozy moment of companionship and trust between the child and the cat.

Meet Susan Paw It Forward helped Leo receive a lifesaving endoscopy to remove a sewing needle he ingested. This is a note from Leo’s family. “I just want to thank you whether or not we are approved for all of the kindness you offer. To my 3 children and I Leo is family, he is another child of mine and a sibling to my kiddos. Leo was our first new fur member and he loves us so much and we love him so much. This procedure will save him and the risks of not doing the procedure are high for perforating an organ/stomach/intestines. We would be so grateful for any assistance with Leo’s procedure so that we can take our baby home safe and healthy . We will pay it forward when we are able to, and would appreciate anything you could do. Thank you again.”

— Leo's Family A child sleeps peacefully with their head resting on a fluffy gray cat. The cat's eyes are closed, and it looks content, nestled against the child. The scene captures a cozy moment of companionship and trust between the child and the cat.

Paw It Forward helped Friend receive lifesaving surgery for a urinary blockage. This is a note from Friend’s family. “My cats name is Friend because he is a friend to all, humans, dogs cats, etc. He truly is everyone’s friend, he is a very sweet boy and my family would be devastated if we could not help him. There are no words that could express our gratitude. We are would be blessed.”

— Friends's Family A grey and white tabby cat with a pink nose lounges on a brown couch, stretching out its front paws on a fluffy, white throw. The cat appears relaxed and is looking directly at the camera. A remote control is partially visible to the left.

John Montanaro Oncology Fund

This fund was established following the untimely death of Rhode Island native, John Montanaro III. John’s legacy of generosity and concern for animals was forged after his own pet was diagnosed and treated for cancer at OSVS. John sadly passed away from leukemia at 19 years of age but donations to this fund will help make cancer care more affordable for some of the patients seen by our oncology service.

The John Montanaro Memorial Garden was completed in the fall of 2011 and was dedicated in the spring of 2012. It is a quiet place for owners to sit and reflect when they have a pet being treated at OSVS or to grieve following the loss of a beloved family pet.

A landscaped garden with a circular stone path, central rock garden, lush plants, and a white gazebo with a swing, next to a brick building under tall trees and a partly cloudy sky.
A neatly landscaped garden with a curved stone path, green lawn, various shrubs, and a gazebo. A sign reads, “John Montanaro III Memorial Garden.” Rocks and colorful plants decorate the area.
A landscaped garden features a winding stone path, vibrant flower beds, a small pond with rocks, and a white gazebo surrounded by trees and shrubs. A brown sign is staked in the grass near the path.

The Companion Animal Foundation

The CAF Was founded over 10 years ago to help low-income pet owners whose pets require veterinary care. This is a tax deductible, IRS-recognized non-profit organization that has helped care for and treat hundreds of animals who otherwise would have gone without care or been euthanized. Donations are distributed to veterinarians who are members of the Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association for them to use at their discretion and based on fund availability.

The CAF is not administered by OSVS. To donate or for eligibility information please visit www.companionanimalfoundation.org or call 401-521-7387.

The Companion Animal Foundation

The CAF Was founded over 10 years ago to help low-income pet owners whose pets require veterinary care. This is a tax deductible, IRS-recognized non-profit organization that has helped care for and treat hundreds of animals who otherwise would have gone without care or been euthanized. Donations are distributed to veterinarians who are members of the Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association for them to use at their discretion and based on fund availability.

The CAF is not administered by OSVS. To donate or for eligibility information please visit www.companionanimalfoundation.org or call 401-521-7387.