Guidelines

WestieMed Funding Guidelines:

WESTIEMED will accept applications for assistance from any group, organization, or individual who is of legal age (18 years).

Applications may be submitted to WESTIEMED directly by:

Internet application at: http://www.westiemed.com/apply/ or by mail at: 

WESTIEMED, Inc.
27 Savi Avenue
Waterford, CT 06385 

Applications must be submitted no later than sixty days after incurring the final expense.

WESTIEMED will provide monetary assistance toward non-routine medical expenses for West Highland White Terriers (Westies) or Westie-mixes who are abandoned, rescued, or recent adoption cases (up to twelve months) and for whom no other funding is available or is insufficient. We provide funding for immediate medical care, treatment, or medications. Subsequent maintenance care and medications will be the responsibility of the foster caregiver or the person adopting the dog.

Each application will be assessed individually.  These guidelines will be followed to determine if the dog is eligible for assistance from WESTIEMED:

Guidelines for Eligibility

1. The dog requires medical treatment and is in a rescue situation (stray, abandoned, abused, etc.), or a dog that was recently adopted (up to twelve months) from a credible source is in need of medical treatment (see Guidelines 8a-e).
   
2. The dog is a West Highland White Terrier (Westie) or Westie-mix displaying the physical and behavioral attributes of a pure-bred Westie.
   
3. It has been determined that no local rescue or personal funds are available or are insufficient to provide the medical treatment required to bring the dog to a health status compatible with adoption.
   
4. The dog is not terminally ill.
   
5. There is no age limit – each case will be judged as to the quality of future life for that dog.
   
6. No funds will be released without specific assurances that the dog will be spayed or neutered. This is the responsibility of the adopting family through their own finances or with the help of local rescue organizations. However, in some instances, funds may be provided for spaying/neutering in conjunction with other procedures.
   
7. Applications for the treatment of congenital orthopedic conditions will be considered with the following additional requirements:
   
   1. If the funding request is for surgery and the veterinarian has assessed the condition and is of the opinion that the dog’s quality of life and/or adoptability will be significantly compromised without surgery, as opposed to other maintenance treatment options.
      
   2. WESTIEMED may require the applicant to seek a second opinion and further evaluation to ensure that the suggested surgery or treatment is the only option for ensuring a good quality of life for the dog.
      
   3. The dog must be symptomatic. That is, the diagnosis was not made only from routine x-rays. The dog must be showing signs of dysfunction. Applications for funding must include a description of the symptoms being displayed by the dog.
      
   4. WESTIEMED does not wish to suggest “bargain shopping” for veterinary care. With Vet expenses being what they are, all options for surgery should also be explored by the applicant (vet schools, a vet that will give a larger rescue discount, etc.). WESTIEMED reserves the option of offering partial funding.
      
8. WESTIEMED will not provide funding for any medical treatment for established personal pets. However, in the following cases funding will be considered for recently adopted dogs if the application meets all other WESTIEMED guidelines:
   • INDIVIDUAL RESCUES: An individual has rescued a dog that was injured or ill at the time of rescue and would like to provide a permanent home for the dog, or it is determined by a veterinarian that the dog needs medical treatment for a condition that was not readily obvious at the time of rescue.
     
   • ADOPTION THROUGH A HUMANE SOCIETY OR SHELTER, or other RESCUE ORGANIZATION: A dog that appeared healthy or had a minor illness/injury has been adopted from a shelter or rescue organization and, after adoption, it becomes apparent that the dog’s condition was serious, or it is discovered that the dog needs medical treatment for a condition that was not readily obvious at the time of adoption.
     
   • In all ownership situations, funding applications will be considered on a case by case basis, taking into consideration the severity of the illness/injury and the details of the rescue.
     
   • PLACEMENTS THROUGH A RESCUE ORGANIZATION: An ill or injured dog has been taken in by an established rescue organization. A permanent home is found for the dog during the funding application process, or a home is found before the organization had an opportunity to start the funding application process. The assumption here will be that, in the absence of an adoptive home, the case would have met all WESTIEMED funding guidelines, and that the adoption would have been seriously jeopardized if the assistance were not available.

Once you’ve determined your dog meets our funding criteria, you may wish to read our application procedures and submit an application.