About Us
Our story
A decade ago, the goal was simple: save more pets.
Founder Dr. Rand Wachsstock tried his best to help clients who came into his referral center who couldn’t afford the care their pets needed. Over his forty-year career in emergency veterinary medicine, he has met thousands of dedicated pet owners who wanted to do anything they could - but couldn’t, for whatever reason, afford the financial burden facing them. Dr. Wachsstock and his team knew they had the skills necessary to save these pets. But without the financial resources to cover necessary care, pet parents had no choice except to euthanize a beloved family member. Weighing heavily on the hearts and minds of himself and his team, they had to do something.
Out of a desperate need to solve this all-too-common problem, Dr. Wachsstock’s original goal of saving more pets transformed into Compassion Animal Project’s mission to Keep Families Together. As a 100% donor-funded, nonprofit organization, loving pet parents nationwide are granted funds to help pay for their pets' much-needed emergency, critical care, and specialized veterinary care. Saving more pets means more sloppy kisses, happy tails, and more time together.
Our mission
Through donations from compassionate individuals and organizations, we provide financial relief to loving pet owners unable to afford lifesaving emergency, critical care, and specialized veterinary care for their pets at risk of economic euthanasia: Ultimately, Keeping Families Together.
Our vision
To harness the power of compassion to help create a world where finances are never a determining factor in our pets’ health and survival.
Our founder
Dr. Rand Wachsstock has always believed in the power of compassion. The compassion he has for animals is what led him to begin practicing emergency medicine in 1984. An accomplished veterinarian of over forty years, Dr. Wachsstock, has helped countless animals and their families, working hard to help make comprehensive state-of-the-art medical care readily available to all pets.
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His compassion has remained his driving force as a highly respected veterinarian. Dr. Wachsstock's unwavering belief in empathy coupled with action fuels his commitment to Compassion Animal Project. Founded and launched by Dr. Wachsstock in 2021, this national nonprofit organization is the culmination of his life’s work: serving pets in need and unleashing hope for their families.
Dr. Rand S Wachsstock, DVM
Founder
Frequently asked questions
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What conditions qualify for grants from Compassion Animal Project?We provide financial grants for pets needing emergency/critical care or specialized veterinary care. Pets must have been seen by a veterinarian within the past two weeks and had the veterinarian confirm that their condition has a greater than 70% chance of a successful outcome with treatment.
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Do I have to apply for both CareCredit and ScratchPay? What if I am denied?To qualify for a Compassion Animal Project grant, you must apply for both CareCredit and ScratchPay. You must be prepared to accept at least 20% of the credit line offered. Denial of CareCredit and ScratchPay does not disqualify you from a Compassion Animal Project grant. Please include approval or denial decision emails or letters when applying. Please note that applying to these services does not adversely affect your credit rating (as stated by CareCredit and ScratchPay via their websites).
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What doesn't CAP cover?Initial exam/consultation fees, routine veterinary care (i.e., vaccinations, spay/neuter, etc.), services (diagnostics) that have already taken place and/or treatments completed before CAP approval, conditions with a poor or guarded prognosis (i.e., kidney failure, etc.) Compassion Animal Project reserves the right to deny applicants for other conditions not listed above.
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If I would like to mail in a donation, where should I send it?Checks can be addressed to Compassion Animal Project and mailed to: ​ Compassion Animal Project 1601 Willow Lawn Dr, Ste 304 The Shops at Willow Lawn #1276 Richmond, VA 23230
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