All Pets Need Vets
There are 40 million Americans living at or below the poverty line.
They are pet lovers just like other Americans, and they have dogs, cats, and other animals in very similar proportions to the rest of the American population. Yet, they often live in areas without veterinary hospitals and other animal-care facilities. Even if they could access them, their ability to pay for medical services for their animals is difficult, despite their wishes to do so. The Animal Wellness Foundation is committed to expanding care options for people who cannot afford to vaccinate, spay-or-neuter, or provide essential medical services for pets. We do that by raising funds to allow our veterinarians to conduct this work in the field and at our clinic. This gaping hole in the medical care matrix for lower-income people is one of the most urgent companion animal issues in the United States. Pets have shortened lifespans because of a lack of care, and many others suffer with conditions that are treatable. There may be 2 million dogs living on puppy mills, but there are tens of millions of dogs and cats living in situations where they are not getting check-ups, vaccinations, or medical attention. That’s why it’s our goal not only to reach out to people and pets in need in Los Angeles, but to expand our program to other parts of the nation to help promote and deliver these services.
The leading cause of dogs being turned over to shelters is owner surrender because of the high cost of veterinary care. The Animal Wellness Centers not only provides life-saving and life-enhancing care for dogs and cats, but it has a partnership with the Animal Wellness Foundation to rescue hundreds of animals and to provide no-cost or low-cost medical treatment, including for veterans and homeless people and their pets. That program helps animals by keeping them in the home and out of the euthanasia room. That’s why we say “Never surrender to killing our pets.”
Ushering in a new era on pain management. Many pets are relinquished or spend their lives in pain because of the high cost of palliative medications. We need to create an over-the-counter pain medication for dogs and cats to relieve their suffering and to keep animals in the home by offering affordable, accessible treatments. Pain management falls into the category of responsible pet care, but it’s more than an act of will. The medication needs to be available to pet owners of every class and region.