Brant County SPCA working to address lack of accessible veterinary care in historically excluded community with support from PetSmart Charities of Canada
The Brant County SPCA has received a grant of $60,000 from PetSmart Charities of Canada™ to address challenges in accessing veterinary care for pet owners living in Six Nations.
Rising costs combined with geographical barriers have left many communities out of the veterinary care system altogether. This grant program supports innovative and culturally relevant veterinary programs focused on Indigenous communities, which have been historically excluded from veterinary care.
Early in 2023, PetSmart Charities of Canada, the top funder of animal welfare in the country, announced an $18 million commitment over the next five years toward improving access to veterinary care. The “Incubator” grant program, focused on changing how to support veterinary care in historically excluded Indigenous communities, is a significant pillar of that commitment.
“We’re committed to our local community and ensuring all pet lovers can enjoy the unconditional love of a pet. We’ve been collaborating with community leaders in Six Nations and the Six Nations Food Bank for years providing pet food and resources to support pet owners. We’re looking forward to continuing to work alongside local community leaders and veterinarians to help create community-driven solutions to overcome barriers to veterinary care,” explains Robin Kuchma, executive director of the Brant County SPCA.
Many of the calls the Brant County SPCA receives on a weekly basis are from people who love their pets but are faced with rehoming them because they cannot afford veterinary care or treatment. All pet owners want the best for their pets, Kuchma goes on to share,
“We’re committed to doing all that we can, with the resources we have, to keep families together and prevent families from having to rehome their pets.”
While nearly 60% of Canadian households include pets, access to basic veterinary services has not kept pace. This is particularly felt in Indigenous communities that have additional barriers beyond cost, including cultural barriers and a lack of veterinary services in the vicinity. In Indigenous regions, pets play important roles in their communities, but accessing resources to keep animals healthy can be challenging.
With reconciliation considerations integrated into the approach, grantees will build relationships and assess specific needs before helping to design long-term veterinary services. This ensures that communities that have been left out are deliberately included in deciding how and when they will access the healthcare they need for their pets.
“Nearly 1 in 5 Canadians struggle to access 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 support an innovative approach that meets the unique needs identified by those with lived experiences that have struggled to gain access to veterinary care themselves.”
About the Brant County SPCA
The Brant County SPCA is dedicated to all animals through prevention, promotion, and protection. The Brant County SPCA is a not-for-profit organization that has been providing animal protection and welfare services in the City of Brantford and the County of Brant for over 50 years. The shelter, located at 539 Mohawk St in Brantford, was built in 1969 and has provided a home for homeless animals ever since. These services include providing care and shelter for homeless animals, pet adoptions, emergency boarding services, low-cost spay/neuter clinics, microchip clinics and humane education. Animals that receive these services include, but are not limited to cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, and birds.
About PetSmart Charities of Canada™
PetSmart Charities of Canada 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 country, PetSmart Charities of Canada helps thousands of pets connect with loving families each year. PetSmart Charities of Canada 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, thousands of generous supporters help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities of Canada directly at PetSmartCharities.ca, while shopping at PetSmart.ca, and by using the PIN pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart stores. In turn, PetSmart Charities of Canada efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its role as the leading funder of animal welfare in Canada, granting more than $25 million since its inception in 1999. Independent from PetSmart LLC, PetSmart Charities of Canada is a registered Canadian charity. To learn more visit www.PetSmartCharities.ca.
Donate today to Pets for LifeDonate here: https://www.brantcountyspca.com/give-now
