#United States #Vancouver #Veterinary Care #Impact Report #Banfield Foundation

Banfield Foundation’s 2024 Impact Report

The Banfield Foundation has recently unveiled its 2024 Impact Report, showcasing significant strides made in veterinary care accessibility for pets in under-resourced communities. With an impressive total of $2.9 million allocated through 512 grants, nearly 550,000 vulnerable pets benefited from various services aimed at alleviating barriers to veterinary care.

Mobilizing Veterinary Care

The heart of the Foundation's mission revolves around delivering preventive care where it is needed the most. In 2024, the focus was to enhance resources within communities facing accessibility issues due to geography or economic factors. This initiative primarily targeted both urban inner cities and rural areas, particularly in Appalachia and Native Nations, highlighting the challenges many families face in accessing veterinary services.

The Banfield Foundation’s Care Knows No Boundaries program played a crucial role in this effort, funding volunteer veterinary teams that provided vital services, including spay and neuter operations, in hard-hit communities. The foundation worked closely with various organizations like Michigan Humane Society and PAWS Chicago to organize pop-up clinics and offer door-to-door transport solutions for families unable to take their pets to clinics.

Mobilizing People and Resources

A standout aspect of the Foundation’s operations is its collaboration with the Mars Veterinary Health network, which helped deploy skilled veterinary professionals to diverse areas. In total, 61 veterinarians and veterinary technicians volunteered over 3,055 hours to provide care for vulnerable pets across various locations.

One noteworthy achievement included missions to Hawaii and Saipan, where volunteers partnered with local organizations to deliver much-needed veterinary services. In Hawaii, for example, teams worked with the PetFix program on the Big Island, addressing the critical issue of pet overpopulation, while in Saipan, the Banfield Foundation helped establish the island’s first veterinary clinic in over a decade, responding to the urgent need for animal care in the area.

Bridging Community Gaps

A significant barrier to accessing veterinary care remains transportation, especially for low-income families who find it difficult to reach facilities. The Banfield Foundation partnered with community groups to create a network that supports low-cost or free veterinary services through organized transportation, ensuring no pet is left without care due to logistical challenges.

The partnership with the Saipan Humane Society is a testament to the Foundation's commitment. Financial contributions allowed the organization to open a new clinic and significantly enhance veterinary services, leading to over 1,100 spay and neuter surgeries since the partnership commenced. With a staggering 20,000 stray animals on the island and a large percentage of residents living below the poverty line, this initiative has been life-altering.

Impact Numbers Speak Volumes

The Banfield Foundation's efforts resulted in substantial positive outcomes reflected in the following statistics:

• - 512 grants awarded to partner organizations and institutions, including emergency relief efforts in response to disasters.
• - 135,022 pets helped through preventative wellness checks and medical services, spanning 36 states, Puerto Rico, and Saipan.
• - Approximately $125,060 distributed as disaster response grants to support healthcare initiatives for pets affected by adverse weather events.
• - A total of 543,212 pets helped through various grant programs.
• - A sum of $2,924,007 disbursed, furthering its mission of creating a better world for pets.

Looking Forward

As the Banfield Foundation continues its work, it remains dedicated to breaking down barriers to veterinary care, all while fostering partnerships that support the health and wellbeing of pets within underserved communities. The 2024 Impact Report not only highlights incredible achievements but also emphasizes the ongoing need for such initiatives across the United States and beyond.

For those interested in learning more about the Banfield Foundation, exploring volunteer opportunities, or contributing to its cause, more information is available at BanfieldFoundation.org.