Veterinary care access impacts families in every community in the country. Nearly 1 in 5 pet parents in Canada have wanted or needed preventive care but have not been able to access it due to affordability or inability to get an appointment. Without regular veterinary care, minor pet health issues often become bigger, costlier problems; and preventable diseases can be passed on to people and other pets. Pet parents may be forced to relinquish their beloved pets to animal shelters or be forced to watch them suffer when they can’t access treatment. With pets being universally recognized as beloved family members, the challenges posed by a lack of access to veterinary care can have a profound impact.

PetSmart Charities of Canada estimates it would cost more than $5 billion annually to bridge the gap for pets currently receiving no vet care. More needs to be done to expand availability of lower-cost services, build access for remote communities and ensure there are enough veterinarians able to perform a variety of services through clinics and urgent care centres. To help lead the charge, the nonprofit is taking a leadership role in marshaling partners and stakeholders to develop and execute solutions to solving the gap in veterinary care access.

“The challenges facing the veterinary care system are vast and varied and no single organization can solve them alone,” said Aimee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities of Canada. “Through PetSmart Charities of Canada’s commitment, we plan to invest further in our partners and build new alliances to innovate solutions across the entire system, while also funding long-term solutions already in place such as low-cost vet clinics. We’re confident this approach will produce sustainable change within the veterinary care industry. Our best friends deserve access to adequate health care like any family member.”

While affordability remains the most prominent barrier to veterinary care, additional challenges contribute to the current veterinary care gap, including:

• Veterinary Shortage:  Pet ownership is steadily on the rise with nearly 60 per cent of Canadian households owning a pet, but statistics show that the need for veterinary care is not keeping pace.
• Veterinary Deserts and Cultural Inclusion: Within remote and underserved regions, veterinary practices are difficult to find close-by, making trips to the veterinarian costly and sometimes impossible. Additionally, as veterinarians are currently listed among the top five least diverse professions, cultural divides can often occur between clients and veterinarians, discouraging some pet parents from seeking care.
• Economic Challenges: The cost of living has spiked heavily, and with the Consumer Price Index up 6.8%, already strained lower-income households especially feel the impact. Pets whose pet parents cited not being able to afford medical care made up more than 15% of owner-relinquished animals at shelters. Between 2.5 and 7.5 percent of Canadian pets live in food insecure households, making it especially difficult for pet parents to cover vet expenses.
• Regulatory Challenges: Nationwide, fragmented and varied veterinary regulations pose challenges to the development of easy, efficient and consistent solutions such as telemedicine and even to establishing low-cost clinics.

Through an $18 million commitment of funding over the next five years, PetSmart Charities of Canada will take a multifaceted approach to improve access to adequate veterinary care for all pets, including:

• Funding solutions across the system of veterinary care – from investing in new and more affordable types of clinics to working directly with providers to help them overcome challenges in care delivery.
• Supporting innovative solutions such as new telehealth care and remote service models.
• Partnering with universities and thought leaders to research the evolving needs of pets while developing innovative, cost-effective ways to deliver care.
• Expanding access to lower-cost veterinary care through sustainable nonprofit clinics.
• Developing community-based models led by local changemakers to improve access to veterinary care to underserved communities through an emphasis on their unique challenges.

For more information on how PetSmart Charities of Canada is working to expand access to veterinary care nationwide or to help support initiatives like this for pets and their families, visit PetSmartCharities.ca.

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After a decline in shelter intakes resulting from the pandemic, shelters are seeing a steady return to pre-pandemic operating volumes with animal intakes on the rise[1]. Some shelters and animal rescue organizations are struggling to secure resources and volunteers to care for pets as they wait longer for loving homes of their own. Finding families to consider adoptions are urgently needed, and PetSmart Charities of Canada and its more than 160 animal welfare partners are poised to help.

While the holidays can be festive and joyful for some, many can feel isolated or lonely during the season. While there is no simple solution, those who can manage the responsibility could benefit with the companionship of a pet to love. There are many benefits to the human animal bond, people are said to be happier and healthier in the presence of animals. According to the Human Animal Bond Research Institute, the presence of a pet could result in decreased blood pressure, reduced anxiety and enhanced feelings of well-being. Adopting a pet not only can be a benefit to the animal, but also to pet parents. Adopting a new family member now may be ideal timing ahead of the holidays.

“Earlier this year, PetSmart Charities of Canada celebrated a milestone of 350 thousand pet adoptions since 1999, thanks to our network of local animal welfare organizations, the support of our donors and our relationship with PetSmart,” said Aimee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities of Canada. Together, we hope to have our best National Adoption Week yet, especially for the thousands of pets currently waiting for loving homes. For these animals, the gift of a loving family is the only item on their holiday wish lists.”

During National Adoption Week, potential pet parents can visit their local PetSmart store to interact with adoptable pets from animal welfare organizations facilitated by PetSmart Charities of Canada. Visitors will have the chance to spend time with animals, including cats, kittens, dogs, puppies, and various small pets in a safe and spacious area. Staff and volunteers will be on hand to help potential adopters learn more about the pets they are interested in and ensure they feel confident in caring for them.

Those who aren’t quite ready to expand their family can still make a big impact by donating to help pets in need at PetSmartCharities.ca.  Potential adopters also can find their match when the time is right by visiting PetSmartCharities.ca/adopt-a-pet to search for adoptable pets, adoption centres and events.

PetSmart Charities of Canada National Adoption Week Details:

PetSmart Charities of Canada partners with local animal welfare organizations to bring adoptable pets, including cats, kittens, dogs and puppies into nearly every PetSmart store across Canada.

Dates: November 7 – 13, 2022

Locations: Please visit PetSmart.ca to find a participating store near you.

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During these special weeks, PetSmart Charities of Canada invites hundreds of local animal welfare organizations to bring adoptable pets into PetSmart stores across the country.

Since 1999, more than 350 thousand pets have been adopted through PetSmart Charities of Canada. Over the past decade, there has been a steady increase in the save rate in animals shelters across Canada. Still, it’s estimated that one hundred thousand pets find themselves in shelters each year, in need of loving homes to do what they do best – love people.

The bond between pets and people continues to influence health and wellness. Today, nearly 60% of Canadian homes include pets, and 88% of pet parents consider them important members of the family. The benefits of adopting pets include:

• Pets give unconditional love and companionship.
• Interacting with pets reduces feelings of stress and isolation.
• Giving a home to a pet in need lends purpose in life during significant changes such as retirement.
• Caring for pets teaches values such as responsibility and compassion to children and youth.
• Playing with pets increases movement and activity and can encourage pet parents to spend more time outdoors during colder months.

“Pets love us like no one else,” said Aimee Gilbreath, President of PetSmart Charities of Canada. “And even though Canadians are more in love with their pets than ever, shelters across the country are still full, and many struggle with staffing shortages. National Adoption Week is a great time to connect with our animal welfare partners who’ll help you make the perfect match. Think of it as your way of giving back – and there is no better return on that investment!”

Maze was one such kitten in need of a home and people to love. CARMA (Cat Rescue Maritimes) in Fredericton, New Brunswick was contacted about a kitten who was born with a deformity that left her without a tail, unsteady on her feet and unable to use a litter box. But that didn’t stop CARMA from getting Maze the love and care she needed to live a happy, full life. Maze found her home with two loving parents who had previously fostered two adult cats and five kittens for CARMA, and with special needs cats of their own, they were the perfect fit.

Those who aren’t ready to adopt a pet can still help pets in need by making a financial donation online at PetSmartCharities.ca.

PetSmart Charities of Canada’s National Adoption Week Details

February 28 – March 6: Hundreds of animal welfare organizations will bring a host of adoptable shelter pets, including cats, kittens, dogs, puppies, and various small pets into nearly every PetSmart store across Canada.

Locations: Nearly every PetSmart location across Canada. Visit PetSmart.ca to find a store near you.

SOURCE PetSmart Canada

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This unique partnership will bring together three facilities under one roof. The 24,000 sq. ft. Peterborough Animal Care Centre will be home to the Peterborough Humane Society’s Adoption & Education Centre and Regional Spay and Neuter Clinic, as well as the Ontario SPCA Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre. Construction is well underway and slated to be completed at the end of 2022. Fundraising is ongoing and PetSmart Charites of Canada’s support moves both PHS and the Ontario SPCA even closer to their goal.

$75,000 of the grant will go towards the Ontario SPCA Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre. The Dog Rehabilitation Centre will be custom built to help dogs who need more support and individualized care than an animal centre can provide. It will contain a number of unique features, including a real family living room to help dogs practice living in a home environment.

“We are grateful to receive this grant from PetSmart Charities of Canada to help bring the Provincial Dog Rehabilitation Centre to reality,” says Dr. Stephanie Black, Chief Veterinary Officer with the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. “Once complete, this centre will fill a critical and significant gap in current services by addressing the individualized needs of dogs most difficult to adopt.”

PHS will use grant funds to purchase medical equipment required for the regional high-volume spay/neuter clinic within the new centre. The Spay/Neuter Clinic (which will serve the public as well as other animal rescue organizations) will provide up to 25 surgeries a day, helping 5,000 pets and their families each year.

“PetSmart Charities of Canada has been a phenomenal partner on this journey to the new centre,” shares Shawn Morey, Executive Director at Peterborough Humane Society. “Their support brings us that much closer to being able to raise the bar in animal care in our community and beyond.” 

PetSmart Charities of Canada has cumulatively contributed over $421,000 towards the innovative new animal care facility located at 1999 Technology Dr. in Peterborough.

 “We recognize the need for accessible health and wellness services for pets, which is why we are excited that the new Animal Care Centre will help bring those services to the Peterborough community,” says Dani LaGiglia, Senior Community Grants Manager at PetSmart Charities of Canada. “Not only will the centre help more pets find homes, but it will help more pets receive the care they need to support their health and wellbeing.”

For more information, or to donate, visit www.ourpetproject.ca and ontariospca.ca./dogrehab

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Ushering in a new year with an updated direction, PetSmart Charities of Canada is opening broader funding to help improve access to affordable veterinary care, alleviate pet food insecurity and support disaster response. Robust support for adoptions will continue to serve the more than 100,000 pets entering shelters each year.

“Today, we celebrate the significant impact we’ve made improving animal welfare, together with PetSmart customers, donors and partners,” said Aimee Gilbreath, president at PetSmart Charities of Canada. “The advances in public awareness around the ‘adopt, don’t shop’ movement helped millions of animals find loving homes. But we’re also beginning a new chapter, investing in the improved health and welfare of pets and the people caring for them. We’re forming new alliances in the human services sector to support the integration of serving pets alongside people in need. We believe people from all walks of life should enjoy the benefits of including a pet as part of the family. And when pet parents face crises, we know it’s in their best interests to address the needs of the entire family.”

To date, PetSmart Charities of Canada has:

• Funded more than $25 million in grants to support adoption, co-lodging for people with pets experiencing homelessness and domestic violence, advanced veterinary education, spay/neuter services, disaster response and much more.
• Helped more than 350,000 (or some 30,000 annually) animals find loving homes through in-store adoptions with local partners.
• Supported more than 160 local animal welfare organization (AWO) partners.

SOURCE PetSmart Charities of Canada

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