February 27, 2022— Key West, FL – Nearly 50 million pets in the U.S. cannot access even the most basic veterinary care. Due to cost and other barriers, pets in under-resourced communities often do not receive essential services such as preventative care, vaccinations, spay/neuter services, dental and other medical care. In the U.S., 70 percent of homes include pets.  As research continues to reveal the benefits of the human-animal bond, a movement is underway to connect pet parents to the health care their pets need to keep them and their families healthy.

With a $50,000 grant from PetSmart Charities, the Florida Keys SPCA will support pets and pet parents in need of these veterinary services by providing affordable spay and neuter surgeries through travel veterinarians to the residents of the Middle and Lower Keys. Nearly 300 pets will be impacted by this grant, helping to reduce overpopulation of unwanted animals and the number of those animals that enter our shelters.

“Providing an affordable option for spay/neuter is a large part of the mission of the Florida Keys SPCA,” said Tammy Fox, Executive Director of the Florida Keys SPCA. “Helping to educate families on why altering animals is vital to our community, assisting in strengthening the human/animal bond by keeping animals with their families and controlling overpopulation in the Middle and Lower Keys is our responsibility, and we want to make sure all pet owners have a low-cost alternative.”

According to the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute, pets make a significant impact in the health and wellness of the people they love. This grant funding will help more families in need receive the veterinary care that ensures pets live long, healthy lives.

“Pets are integral members of families,” said Kelly Balthazor, Senior Community Grants Manager at PetSmart Charities.  “It’s our mission to make lives better for pets, and that includes supporting local connections to affordable veterinary care. The benefits of parenting pets shouldn’t belong exclusively to those with privilege. IF we can alleviate some financial burden, it’s another step in keeping pets and people together.”

To learn more about our services we provide go to https://fkspca.org/what-we-do/clinic-services/ or contact our Clinic Team directly at clinic@fkspca.org.

###

About the Florida Keys SPCA
The Florida Keys SPCA is the largest animal welfare organization in the Florida Keys serving the Lower and Middle Keys from MM0-MM70 with 2 locations in Key West and Marathon. The Florida Keys SPCA is dedicated to promoting the humane treatment of all animals through compassionate care, adoption, education, population control and humane law enforcement.

Florida Keys SPCA: fkspca.org

Social: Facebook.com/fkspca   • Instagram.com/floridakeysspca

About PetSmart Charities®
PetSmart Charities is committed to making the world a better place for pets and all who love them. Through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart® stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, PetSmart Charities helps up to 600,000 pets connect with loving families each year. PetSmart Charities also provides grant funding to support organizations that advocate and care for the well-being of all pets and their families. Our grants and efforts connect pets with loving homes through adoption, improve access to affordable veterinary care and support families in times of crisis with access to food, shelter and emergency relief. Each year, millions of generous supporters help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities directly at PetSmartCharities.org, while shopping at PetSmart.com, and by using the PIN pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart® stores. In turn, PetSmart Charities efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its role as the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, granting more than $500 million since its inception in 1994. Independent from PetSmart LLC, PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization that has received the Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for the past 18 years in a row – placing it among the top one percent of rated charities. To learn more visit www.petsmartcharities.org.

Connect with PetSmart Charities on Social Media:

Instagram: @PetSmartCharities

Twitter: @PetSmartChariTs
Facebook: Facebook.com/PetSmartCharities
YouTube: YouTube.com/PetSmartCharitiesInc

Media Contact:

Florida Keys SPCA                                                               24-Hour PetSmart Charities            Tiffany Dunsmore                                                                            Media Line:  623-587-2177
305-294-4857
tiffany@fkspca.org