??For Immediate Release??
THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF GREATER KANSAS CITY RECEIVES $75,000 GRANT FROM PETSMART CHARITIES?
January 27th, 2024— Kansas City, Kansas – Fifty million pets in the U.S. experience a lack of access to even basic veterinary care. Rising costs and other barriers mean these pets struggle to access services such as spay/neuter procedures, vaccinations and critical medical and preventative care. With as many as 70% of households now including pets, this issue affects families in nearly every community.
PetSmart Charities has committed $100 million over the next five years toward improving access to veterinary care. The “Accelerator” low-cost veterinary care grant program is a key part of this effort. This grant supports the expansion of low-cost veterinary care by funding growth and operations for up to four years for nonprofit clinics looking to expand their services, serve their communities better and inspire other veterinary providers by sharing their experiences.
The grant made to The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City in the amount of $75,000.00 will support the expansion of their Affordable Care Clinic. The anticipated impact on local pets and families includes:
- Increasing the number of animals they will see through their clinic annually
-Improving the current clinic landscape in order to provide more services to the community
-Expanding clinic services to include more specialty surgeries, provide more spay/neuter clinics, and vaccine clinics to better serve the community
"We are deeply grateful to PetSmart Charities for their generous grant, which will enable us to make significant strides in addressing the crucial issue of limited access to veterinary care,” said Sydney Mollentine, President & CEO at The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City. This funding not only enhances our clinic's capabilities but also reinforces our dedication to the well-being of pets and their families in the Greater KC area."
Overwhelmingly, people consider their pets important members of the family. Pets make a significant impact in the health and wellness of the people they love. This grant will enable more families to get the preventative and standard care that ensures their pets thrive at home and stay out of shelters.
“Our veterinary system is in crisis,” said Kate Atema, director of community grants and initiatives at PetSmart Charities. “Rising costs are putting standard veterinary care out of reach for as much as 50% of pet-owning families. We need innovative solutions that make veterinary care affordable for the families in every community who want the best for their four-legged companions but struggle to meet the cost of vet care. We’re inspired by the incredible work The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City is doing to create solutions that will build strong families and a healthy community.”
Learn more about the services offered by The Humane Society of Greater by visiting our website at www.hsgkc.org.