Rehoboth Beach, DE, September 8, 2023 – Humane Animal Partners (HAP), a statewide animal welfare organization with adoption centers in Rehoboth Beach, Wilmington, and Stanton/Christiana, recognizes the financial strain many pet owners and animal caretakers face when it comes to accessible veterinary care. That’s why HAP, working in partnership with the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement (DANA) and PetSmart Charities® will its fourth free wellness and vaccination clinic in Sussex County this month. This clinic comes on the heels of HAP’s first three free wellness clinics, held over the past several months throughout Sussex County.
The free clinic is scheduled for Thursday, September 21 in Milton. Held at CHEER Milton (24855 Broadkill Rd. Milton, DE) from 11 AM – 2 PM, the clinic will provide free vaccines including DHPP, FVRCP, Bordetella, and Rabies, as well as microchips and general deworming. Comprehensive wellness exams will also be available. The clinic is first come, first served.
HAP’s free clinics are made possible through their ongoing partnership with the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement (DANA) and a generous $188,000 grant awarded by PetSmart Charities® in 2022. As part of this two-year project, DANA is supporting HAP in conducting research on Sussex County pet owners’ specific needs, and how to best deliver programs that increase these pet owners’ access to affordable veterinary care. Consultants hired by DANA have assisted in conducting interviews and surveys with community members, veterinarians, and other stakeholders to determine where veterinary needs are greatest.
Also critical to the success of this of this research mission is the Delaware Veterinary Medicine Association (DVMA), which works to ensure that any service model employed by HAP complements local veterinarians’ work rather than causing competition for them.
Nearly 50 million pets in the United States 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.
Patrick Carroll, CEO of Humane Animal Partners states, “We are thrilled to continue this exciting collaboration with PetSmart Charities and DANA to deliver critically needed animal care to underserved communities in Sussex County.” Carroll continues, “From a veterinary care standpoint, Sussex County suffers from a critical deficit of services, including limited 24-hour care and limited appointment availability in the county. And as in many low-income communities, the cost of services is also a significant barrier for many families.”
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. 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.
“This support goes a long way in helping pet parents gain access to the care they need to keep their pets healthy and at home,” said Kelly Balthazor, Senior Manager of Community Grants at PetSmart Charities. “We’re thankful for the important work these animal serving organizations are doing together to meet these critical needs for veterinary care. Ultimately, loving homes with healthy pets help build more thriving communities.”
