COOKEVILLE – One of the most common reasons pets are surrendered to local shelters is the lack of affordable pet wellness, training and education programs. Due to cost and other barriers, pets in under-resourced communities often do not have access to basic veterinary care such as spay/neuter services, vaccinations, dental care and other medical and preventative care.
With a $36,000 grant from PetSmart Charities, The Humane Society of Putnam County aims to support pets and pet parents in need of these services by providing approximately 300 pets with low-cost, subsidized spay/neuter and basic veterinary services, based on financial need.
“This is an expansion of a long-standing spay/neuter assistance program that the Humane Society of Putnam County has offered for over twelve years now,” said Jennifer Farley, director. “This program allows us to expand the services that we are able to provide financial assistance for, assisting the pets already coming through our clinic. We have partnered with Copeland Veterinary Hospital to refer patients whose needs are greater than our capabilities, which will allow many pets to receive the help that they so desperately need. We are thrilled to have been chosen by PetSmart Charities for this incredible opportunity to help the residents of Putnam County.”
“This collaborative effort will remove many of the barriers pet parents face when trying to provide their beloved pets with basic care,” said Kelly Balthazor, regional relationship manager at PetSmart Charities. “This initiative is a testament to the positive impact made when community-minded organizations work together. We’re proud to support the Humane Society of Putnam County in providing vital resources for the pets and people of Putnam County.”
Since 1994, through its partnership with nearly 4,000 humane societies, SPCAs and pet rescues across North America, PetSmart Charities has helped more than 9.4 million pets to find loving homes via its in-store adoption program in over 1,650 PetSmart® stores. The leading funder of animal welfare has also donated nearly $430 million, to positively impact communities, to connect people and pets, to help preserve families and to improve access to veterinary care through initiatives like this with the Humane Society of Putnam County.
For more information about the Humane Society of Putnam County, visit their website at www.humanesocietyofputnamcounty.org or call (931) 372-2728.
