SPCA Serving Erie County Receives $100,000 Grant from PetSmart Charities® to Address Lack of Accessible Veterinary Care in Historically-Excluded Communities

August 15, 2024
By: PetSmart Charities® | SPCA Chief Communications Officer Gina Lattuca

The SPCA Serving Erie County has received a grant from PetSmart Charities®  in the amount of $100,000 to address barriers in accessing veterinary care on the east side of Buffalo, specifically in the 14208 area.

Rising costs combined with geographical, cultural and other barriers have left many communities out of the veterinary care system altogether. The Incubator grant program supports innovative and culturally relevant veterinary programs targeted toward historically-excluded communities across the U.S.

While 70% of American households include pets, access to basic veterinary services has not kept pace.  Pets are universally considered important family members and keeping them together requires resources that are often missing. This is particularly felt in many underserved communities where not only cost, but geography and systemic inequities have left veterinary care beyond reach. Early in 2023, PetSmart Charities, the top funder of animal welfare in the country, committed $100 million over the next five years toward improving access to veterinary care. The Incubator grants focus on historically-excluded communities, many of which lack access to community supports, including veterinary services.

The SPCA Serving Erie County, NY has been chosen as part of this year’s Incubator grantees, designed to give veterinary organizations a one-year runway to build relationships with and deepen their understanding of their partner community.

Tasked with enlisting support of local changemakers, the grantees agree to co-creating models of care alongside communities.

“The SPCA Serving Erie County has been a steadfast resource for pet lovers and pet parents throughout western New York and beyond for 157 years,” says SPCA President/CEO Cait Daly. “Though we touch so many lives every day, the fact remains: there are still community members without equal access to the services we provide. Because of PetSmart Charities, we now have the resources to reach even more pet lovers and caretakers, those making every effort to keep the pets they love healthy and safe. Through this grant we can bridge gaps to care, learn what services are truly needed, and hear firsthand what barriers are keeping folks from accessing us. It’s something we’ve wanted to do for so long, and PetSmart Charities helped us make it a reality.”

“Most people today consider pets family, yet nearly one in three Americans face challenges in accessing even basic preventative care such as spay/neuter procedures, vaccinations and annual exams,” said Kate Atema, director of community grants & initiatives at PetSmart Charities of Canada. “While this issue affects families in nearly every community, those who have been historically excluded from human social services are most in need of pet services. We’re proud to be contributing to care that meets the unique needs identified by those living in the communities themselves.”

“We are deeply grateful to PetSmart Charities for awarding us the Incubator grant, which allows our SPCA to reach and support communities where pet resources are scarce,” says SPCA Chief Strategic Officer Stephanie Pepper. “PetSmart Charities’ generosity helps us make a lasting difference in the lives of pets and their families.”

Learn more about SPCA Serving Erie County community and outreach initiatives here >>

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