East Bay SPCA Receives $1 Million Grant to Expand Veterinary Services

EAST BAY — The East Bay SPCA has received a $1 million grant from PetSmart Charities to expand its affordable veterinary services for pet owners facing financial hardships.

The funding is part of PetSmart Charities’ $100 million, five-year commitment to improving access to veterinary care nationwide.

With the rising costs of pet healthcare, many families struggle to afford essential services such as spay/neuter procedures, vaccinations, and critical medical care.

The grant will allow East Bay SPCA to increase funding and capacity for its Humane Advocacy department, which provides high-quality, accessible veterinary services to families in need.

Additionally, it will help the organization recruit and train more veterinarians to meet the growing demand for low-cost pet healthcare in the community.

The funding will also support the expansion of telemedicine services and Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) training, further broadening the organization’s ability to serve pet owners efficiently.

"We know that families in our communities love their pets, but need affordable, accessible services in order to provide them with the basic care they need," said Allison Lindquist, President of East Bay SPCA. "Accessible veterinary care and services are critical to allowing families to keep their beloved pets with them and keep them safe and healthy. We are incredibly grateful to PetSmart Charities for providing this generous grant to support our mission of transforming the lives of cats and dogs by enriching the human-animal bond."

ALSO SEE: 3 Orphaned Mountain Lion Cubs Taken In By Oakland Zoo

With nearly 70 percent of U.S. households now owning pets, the demand for affordable veterinary care has never been greater.

Many families consider their pets integral members of their households, and access to basic medical services is essential to ensuring animals remain healthy and out of shelters.

Expanding veterinary resources will help families keep their pets at home rather than surrendering them due to financial constraints.

PetSmart Charities’ Accelerator grant program is designed to support nonprofit veterinary clinics as they grow their services and improve access to care.

The initiative also aims to inspire other veterinary providers by sharing best practices in delivering low-cost services.

The funding from this program will allow East Bay SPCA to expand its impact and address the growing crisis in affordable pet healthcare.

"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-percent 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 East Bay SPCA is doing to create solutions that will build strong families and a healthy community."

The grant will help strengthen the bond between pets and their families while reducing the number of animals surrendered due to financial difficulties.