Frequently Asked Questions

  • The Inner Pup’s services are available for low income pet owners who are not otherwise able to access care. As a non-profit, The Inner Pup subsidizes the cost of care for each pet that we see. If you are able to afford veterinary care through traditional vet clinics or local low cost vet clinics, we are extremely appreciative of you reserving TIP’s veterinary services for those most in need.

    We understand that each family’s situation is unique and for that reason, we do not have strict income guidelines. As a general guideline, our goal is to serve pet owners who receive government assistance, live below 200% of the federal poverty line, and/or are experiencing extenuating circumstances that prevent them from accessing vet care.

    While we do not currently require proof of low income for any of our services, but we reserve the right to ask for it even if you have used our services in the past. 

    The Inner Pup provides services specifically for owned pets. We are not able to assist with fosters or provide services to rescues/shelters/etc. If you are fostering a pet, please contact the organization you are fostering through to arrange care. If you are fostering a stray or found pet that is not affiliated with a rescue organization, we highly suggest getting in touch with a local rescue to get support finding that pet a permanent home, and extra help caring for them until then.. 

    If you have questions or concerns about a specific situation, we always welcome pet owners to reach out to us directly at info@theinnerpup.org or at our text only line: 504-321-3442.

  • It is your responsibility to keep track of the records you receive - clients receive the only paper copy of their records at clinics. If you have lost your records, you can email us to request an e-mail or text confirmation of what your pet received, and when your pet is due back. If a veterinarian is requesting this information, they can email info@theinnerpup.org. Please note records requests will be responded to in 5 business days.

    Make sure to include your name, phone number, and your pet’s name, as well as the date of the visit you need information for if you have it. If your pet may have been registered for the clinic they attended under another member of your household, please include this information as well.

  • TIP’s mission to support pet owners is inspired in part by the belief that pets bring joy into our lives that everyone deserves, but also because when owners cannot take care of pets our rescue and shelter system is so overwhelmed that often there isn’t anywhere else for them to go. TIP does not require pets to be spayed or neutered in order to receive services, but we do strongly encourage it. We realize that not all pet owners have had the opportunity to receive spay/neuter services, or may want more education on the topic, and we are happy to point you in the right direction! 

    Spaying and neutering pets prevents more than accidental pregnancy. Spayed females have a significantly lower risk of developing cervical cancer, mammary cancer, and pyometra - all costly and dangerous illnesses that are very preventable. Neutered males have a significantly lower risk of developing testicular cancer or prostate disease, and a lower risk of suffering “elopement” related injuries like being hit by a car due to the increased likelihood of escaping the home.

    While we do not require pets to be altered to receive services, we cannot provide services to anyone who is planning a pregnancy for their pet with the intent to sell those puppies or kittens. The Inner Pup’s services are subsidized by donors and sponsors with a goal of preventing owner surrender in response to the truly dangerous overpopulation crisis that we are facing. Client copays do not cover the full cost of services that TIP provides, and therefore TIP operates at a deficit for each animal helped. We are always happy to help pet owners in need to keep their pets in their homes. Thank you for understanding TIP’s policies!

  • The Inner Pup subsidizes the prices of services for pet owners via donations, grants, and volunteer time. The actual cost of the services and prevention that TIP provides far exceed what we charge clients. Clients only pay a small portion of the actual cost of services in each of TIP’s programs, including our Heartworm Zero and Wellness Clinics, Veterinary Assistance Grant Program, and Training Voucher Program.

    For this reason, we kindly ask that pet owners only use TIP’s services if they have no other option to help us reserve these resources for the people who won’t be able to get care any other way.

    If you are unable to pay for traditional vet care but are able to pay more than the listed price of TIP services, we gratefully accept additional donations. Every dollar donated to TIP goes straight back into the programs that keep pets in homes.

  • In order to be as accessible as possible, TIP offers five (5) different ways to pay at our clinics! We have no preference how you pay, so please pick whatever is easiest for you:

    1) Pay with Cash - Exact change only, please!
    2) Pay with Venmo - we are @theinnerpup
    3) Pay with Zelle - use info@theinnerpup.org
    4) Pay with Cash App - use $theinnerpup
    5) Pay by credit card - visit our payment portal to do so

    Please do not pay before arriving at a clinic unless you’re asked to do so - we do not provide refunds if you pay for the clinic and do not attend, or if show up after the line is closed.

General Information
FAQs

Emergency Care - FAQs

  • Creating an emergency care plan is a critical step to take in responsible pet ownership. Pets don’t have the luxury of calling an ambulance that takes them where they need to be in order to get help. In an emergency, they’re relying on YOU, and the last thing you want to be doing when your pet is having an emergency is trying to figure out what clinics are even open! Having a piece of paper kept in a safe place, or a note in your phone with the following information can help to make sure your pet gets the care they need as fast as possible: 

    1. The Name, Phone Number, Address, and Hours of two Local Daytime Veterinary Clinics for daytime emergencies

    2. The Name, Phone Number, and Address of one 24/7 Emergency Vet Clinic for overnight or weekend emergencies 

    3. Who is going to bring your pet to the vet in an emergency & how they’re going to do that (this could always be you, or it could mean chatting with friends, family members or neighbors who have access to a vehicle to ask if they’d be willing to help you in a situation like this BEFORE it’s needed)

    4. If needed: Who is going to take care of human babies, other pets, or people you regularly take care of in the event that you need to leave to bring your pet to the vet in an emergency

  • Overnight OR Critical Care (meaning that you believe your pet will die if they don’t see a vet RIGHT NOW):

    1. Put your pet in the car and start driving to your nearest emergency clinic

    2. Call the clinic while you’re driving and let them know what’s happening with your pet and that you’re on your way

    3. Go straight to the emergency clinic

    4. Be upfront about any cost limitations you may have - remember, emergency clinics are NOT low cost. You can ask about payment plans or Angel Funds to see what financial help is available

    Walk-in emergencies and clinics that operate outside of daytime business hours often require additional fees to handle emergencies. This allows clinics to have a Veterinarian available to provide lifesaving care in between regularly scheduled appointments, or overnight. Sometimes these cannot be avoided because your pet needs care NOW or because your pet is having an emergency that needs medical attention on a weekend, or overnight when no other clinics are open. 

  • The Inner Pup is not able to assist with emergencies, please review your options for emergency care in this section

    1. and ask if they can fit you in today. If they say yes, head over. Be transparent about what you might be able to afford, and ask about payment plans or Angel Funds to see what financial help is available

    2. If the first clinic you call does not have a same-day appointment available, call other clinics around you to ask about their availability

    3. If you aren’t able to find a local vet clinic that can see your pet the same day, use the instructions for Overnight or Critical Care above

    It’s important to know that a same-day appointment at a regular or low cost vet clinic will not reduce the cost of care that your pet needs, but it may be lower cost than using an emergency clinic. Please note some clinics do charge a same day fee for emergency or urgent care appointments.

Routine Care; Vaccines, Wellness Exams, Heartworm & Flea Prevention
FAQs

  • The Inner Pup is only able to provide flea prevention to clients who are currently receiving heartworm prevention with TIP. If your dog is an existing client with a current ProHeart12 shot who is due for their next 6 months of flea prevention, we are happy to provide that during our Make Up Clinic dates. Make sure to email us in advance at info@theinnerpup.org with the following information: 

    1. Your name & your dog’s name

    2. The date of your dog’s last visit

    3. Your dog’s current weight (Flea prevention is dosed by weight. If your pet has gained or lost weight, they may need a different dose than what they received last!)

    If your dog is overdue for more prevention, you will be required to attend a clinic offering Heartworm Prevention where you’ll receive both heartworm and flea prevention. 

    If you need JUST flea prevention because your dog is already current on heartworm prevention through another vet, that can be purchased over the counter, or through your regular vet clinic. Due to the flea burden in our region, we HIGHLY recommend using prescription flea medication whenever possible. 

    The Inner Pup is not able to guarantee a specific type of flea prevention, and cannot write prescriptions for flea medication that we do not have in stock. The flea prevention we purchase can vary month to month. However, we always ensure that all flea prevention TIP provides is current (not expired), FDA approved, and veterinarian approved.

     If your pup is allergic to fleas and MUST have the pill form of flea prevention, or you’ll need prevention before our next make- up clinic date, you’ll need to purchase that from a local vet clinic. You can find a list of local low cost vet clinics HERE. 

    Thank you for understanding!

  • Yes! You can switch from monthly prevention to ProHeart at any time, or vice versa. However, you should make sure that you switch on the day that your dog is due for more prevention or sooner. Even just one day without heartworm prevention can put your dog at risk of heartworm disease!

  • The Inner Pup hosts Cat Clinics once every three months. You can find the most up to date cat clinic information HERE

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About TIP Clinics - FAQs

  • The Inner Pup is not a traditional veterinary clinic nor do we have a facility, which means TIP’s services are delivered as pop up clinics. Due to this method of service delivery, our dates can vary depending on when the locations we partner with are available.

    Generally speaking, we host large scale Heartworm Zero clinics and cat clinics once every three months.

    Some programs, like Make Up Clinics and Heartworm Happy Hours, happen monthly on the same date and time each month.

    Looking for the next date for a specific program? You can use the “Services” drop down menu to find it! Each program's webpage will include information about its upcoming events, so simply find the program you’re looking for and visit its page for more information. Our website is the first place we update when a clinic is scheduled.

  • Our website always has the most up to date information about our next heartworm clinic: https://www.theinnerpup.org/next-hw-prevention-clinic

    If there is information that says “TBD” or “TBA” that means details are not confirmed yet. Our website is the first place we update with new clinic information, so please don’t email us to ask for additional details if something is listed as “TBD” or “TBA” - we won’t have any additional information to give you!

    If you’d like to get emails and texts when upcoming clinics open up, you can sign up for our client alerts by clicking HERE. 

    If your dog is due for more prevention before our next clinic or if you just missed our last one, we hold Make Up Clinics on the third Thursday of each month. You can learn more about those HERE. 

  • The Inner Pup is not a rescue or shelter and we do not house pets. TIP’s goal is to keep pets in their homes with their people and therefore we do not offer rescue or rehoming services.

    Our goal is to offer whatever resources we can to help people keep their pets at home if at all possible. If you’ve already explored our local resources for veterinary assistance, training assistance, and support with food or supplies, and still need to surrender your pet - you’ll want to reach out to local rescues and shelters to make sure that your pet lands somewhere safe. 

    Please know that starting this process sooner rather than later is essential, and there will likely be a waitlist no matter where you go. It is always helpful if you, a friend, or family member are able to house your pet until they find a new home. Once you sign surrender paperwork with a shelter or rescue organization, you will be releasing ownership of your pet, even if they remain in your home until they are placed with another foster or family.

    If you're planning to surrender your pet to a no-kill or private rescue, please be aware that these organizations are allowed to decline pets entirely based on their capacity. Municipal shelters are “open intake” which means that they can not decline a surrender, but there is typically a sizeable waitlist. We recommend reaching out to multiple organizations and being honest about your situation and your timeline. 

    Shelters and rescues RARELY accept walk-in surrenders. Once you know what organizations you’d like to work with, fill out their posted surrender form and wait for a response, or reach out to them directly to ask about their process.  

    For more information, you can find re-homing tips HERE

    You can find  templates that include the information you’ll want to give a shelter or rescue about your pet to set them up for success HERE (Dogs) and HERE (Cats)

    HERE is a list of local New Orleans Rescues that you can contact directly.

  • Yes! Unless otherwise specified, pets must attend. Additionally, please bring any prior medical records for your pet, if you have them. If you have attended a TIP clinic with us before, make sure to bring your records from your last visit. We do not have the ability to look up your medical records during our pop up clinics. 

    Please have your dogs leashed and secure in a harness or collar that they cannot slip out of. Cats should be in a closed carrier. If you need assistance handling your pet, or need assistance to fit their collar or leash, let us know when you arrive!

  • The Inner Pup offers Heartworm Zero Clinics every 3 months and Make Up Clinics on the third Thursday of every month. Please plan ahead to make sure you attend one of the above options before your pet is overdue for prevention!

    If you’re unable to attend a TIP clinic, you’ll need to make an appointment at a local vet to receive prevention. You can find a list of low cost area resources by clicking here.

  • Please wait to attend a clinic until your pet is due for more prevention. It’s dangerous to give prevention before a pet is due and we are not able to give prevention early, even if that timing is more convenient for you.

  • The cost of all services provided at our clinics and through our grant programs are heavily subsidized, so we are not able to provide additional discounts. 

    If you are experiencing temporary financial hardship that prevents you from attending a TIP clinic due to the cost, please reach out to info@theinnerpup.org and we will do our best to find a solution.

    TIP is not able to permanently waive fees for any households, we thank you for understanding the client copays required for TIP’s heavily subsidized services allows TIP to continue providing services to our community!

  • The Inner Pup can help with some types of medical care, but The Inner Pup is NOT a veterinary clinic. If your pet is in need of urgent or emergency care, seek help from a licensed veterinary clinic immediately. Scroll up for information on what to do if your pet is having an emergency.

    The Inner Pup offers heartworm and flea prevention at our Heartworm Zero Clinics, Make Up Clinics, and Cat Clinics. TIP also offers Heartworm Treatment services. 

    Some pets may qualify for additional, non-routine medical care via TIP’s Veterinary Assistance Grant Program. You can find information about the program and apply for assistance by clicking HERE

  • The Inner Pup only provides services for owned pets. If you’re planning to keep this animal in your family permanently, and you are otherwise eligible for our services, you’re welcome to use them!

    If you’re not sure about whether or not you can keep this animal, or know that you would like to help find them a new home - you can reach out directly to local New Orleans Rescue organizations that may be able to help. 

    HERE is a list of local New Orleans Rescues that you can contact directly.

  • The Inner Pup offers a dog training assistance grant for eligible pet parents.This grant subsidizes 90% of each lesson cost with one of our trainers. You can learn more and apply for that grant HERE. Once that application is received, we’ll do our very best to get back to you within 5 business days via e-mail.

    If you’re approved, we’ll pair you with the best trainer for your needs. Your confirmation e-mail will include instructions for booking with that trainer, and how to submit your co-pay for those lessons. 

  • Heartworm disease is fatal if untreated, so the first step is getting your dog started on treatment!

    The Inner Pup offers a softkill treatment program for heartworm positive dogs. Your pet will need to attend 3 appointments over the course of 13 months during our Heartworm Happy Hour (held on the first Wednesday of each month). The client copay for Heartworm Treatment is $150 and is paid in installments (generally $50 at each of the three visits).

    If you are interested in enrolling your dog, please fill out the Heartworm Treatment Inquiry form on our website: https://www.theinnerpup.org/heartworm-treatment

    Once our team receives this, our Heartworm Treatment Director will reach out in 2-3 business days to go over your pet’s medical history, discuss if TIP’s treatment is the right fit for you and your pet, and answer any questions you have. If you decide that you’d like to enroll your pet, our Treatment Director will help you do so and will schedule your pet for an appointment at our next Heartworm Happy Hour.

  • The Heartworm and Flea Prevention provided by The Inner Pup are prescription medications that must be prescribed by a licensed veterinarian affiliated with TIP. The Inner Pup is not a pharmacy and cannot fill prescriptions written by other veterinary professionals. If you are looking to fill a prescription written by your own veterinarian, we recommend Chewy, Costco, or using your veterinarian’s recommended pharmacy.