Planned PEThood of Georgia Receives $150,000 Grant From PetSmart Charities to Improve Accessible Veterinary Care

Planned PEThood of Georgia is thrilled to announce it has been selected as a recipient of the Accelerator Grant by PetSmart Charities. We’re one of ten recipients of this tremendous grant this year. This generous funding will allow us to grow our affordable wellness clinic while we work tirelessly to help families in need receive the very best care for their pets. We truly value the trust PetSmart Charities has placed in Planned PEThood and our services.

Fifty million pets in the U.S. experience a lack of access to even basic veterinary care. Rising costs and other barriers mean these pets struggle to access services such as spay/neuter procedures, vaccinations, and critical medical and preventative care. With as many as 70% of households now including pets, this issue affects families in nearly every community.

PetSmart Charities has committed $100 million over the next five years toward improving access to veterinary care. The “Accelerator” low-cost veterinary care grant program is a key part of this effort. These grants support the expansion of low-cost veterinary care by funding growth and operations for up to four years for nonprofit clinics looking to expand their services, serve their communities better, and inspire other veterinary providers by sharing their experiences.

The grant made to Planned PEThood of Georgia in the amount of $150,000.00 will support the expansion of our low-cost wellness clinic. Planned PEThood plans to utilize the funds to grow its affordable care veterinary practice. In conjunction with the experts from PetSmart Charities, Planned PEThood will improve process efficiencies and expand their current wellness/vaccine appointments to include affordable sick pet care. Planned PEThood will continue to offer their affordable spay/neuter services and work tirelessly to help families in need receive the very best care for their pets. The anticipated impact on local pets and families includes increased affordable veterinary options for pet parents and their pets, helping to keep pets happy, healthy, and with their families.

“Planned PEThood is one of the few providers of low-cost vaccines and spay/neuter services in our area. So, for us, PetSmart Charities’ Accelerator Grant is truly a lifesaver. All too often families are forced to choose between medical care for their pets and food and shelter for their families. Planned PEThood is fighting to keep families together – to keep pets with the families who love them, and out of overcrowded animal shelters. Thank you, PetSmart Charities, for supporting our critical mission to reduce pet overpopulation and keep pets in loving homes.” – CJ Bentley, CEO of Planned PEThood of Georgia.

One of the pets recently assisted by Planned PEThood was Coco, a sweet, playful dog who came to us severely matted and in pain. Her newly adoptive mom needed help with vaccines and…what to do about poor Coco’s coat? Our initial exam revealed Coco’s fur was matted too close to the skin and Coco would need to be sedated to groom, as it would be too painful to groom Coco awake. Coco’s mom had not planned for such an expensive haircut and her concern was apparent. How could she help her new dog? Fortunately, our team was able to sedate and groom Coco who is now finally free of matted fur. Coco’s mom was so grateful for our help – as was Coco who can now walk and play pain-free.

Overwhelmingly, people consider their pets important members of the family. Pets make a significant impact on the health and wellness of the people they love. This grant will enable more families to get the preventative and standard care that ensures their pets thrive at home and stay out of shelters.

“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% of pet-owning families. We need innovative solutions that make veterinary care affordable for families in every community who want the best for their four-legged companions but struggle to meet the costs of veterinary care. We’re inspired by the incredible work Planned PEThood of Georgia is doing to create solutions that will build strong families and a healthy community.”