About Us
The Cambridge Veterinary Access Fund is a nonprofit founded in 2026 to address financial barriers to veterinary care for cats and dogs in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
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We believe every pet deserves a healthy life, regardless of their family's income and that keeping pets with the people who love them is always worth fighting for.
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CVAF offers two programs: preventive care vouchers for routine wellness visits, and need-based grants for dental and chronic condition care. Both are designed to meet pet owners where they are, without judgment.
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CVAF currently operates under the fiscal sponsorship of Chappy & Friends, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, while we pursue our own tax-exempt status. Donations made through CVAF are tax-deductible.
Why Cambridge
Cambridge is a vibrant city, yet the high cost of living often forces our neighbors to make impossible choices. By focusing our efforts here, we ensure that the local human-animal bond remains unbroken, regardless of a resident’s financial status.Â
We partner with local clinics and community leaders to identify those in need, providing a vital safety net that strengthens the fabric of our neighborhoods. When we support a Cambridge pet, we are supporting a Cambridge family, fostering a more compassionate and resilient community for everyone who calls this city home.
Our Leadership
Elizabeth Bisio
Founder & Executive Director
Elizabeth began her career as an emergency room nurse, where she saw firsthand how financial barriers shape who receives care and who goes without. That experience led her to veterinary medicine; co-founding Tandem Vetcare and spending over a decade working to build systems that make quality care accessible to every patient, human or animal.
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She founded the Cambridge Veterinary Access Fund in 2026 because she knows what it costs when care is out of reach. For too many Cambridge families, the price of a vet visit is the difference between keeping a beloved pet and losing one. CVAF exists to change that.
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Elizabeth also serves on the board of New Eyes for the Needy, founded in 1932 and one of the country's most enduring health access nonprofits. She is a recognized voice in Cambridge civic life and a committed member of the community.