Growing community-led access to veterinary care for underserved pet parents

The “Incubator” grant portfolio addresses urgent needs in historically excluded communities

By:  Aimee Gilbreath, president, PetSmart Charities

Imagine a close-knit neighborhood—home to a large population of Spanish-speaking residents.  They love their pets and often share in caring for them, but there has never been a veterinary clinic located in the community. The closest one is 45 minutes away, and transportation can be expensive. Then there is a language barrier, too. Plus, a well-meaning veterinary nonprofit team came through and met with local leaders once, made some promises, and never followed through. Still, pets need veterinary care to continue to give their people companionship that makes life better for both.

“Historically excluded” communities such as the one described are those for which systemic inequities continue to create barriers to services such as veterinary care, right alongside access to health care and other social services. Cost, transportation, language and distance can make veterinary care less accessible for families. It’s why as part of the $100M commitment PetSmart Charities made to build pathways to more accessible veterinary care, the “Incubator” grant portfolio was developed.  This funding supports grantee animal welfare organizations that identify near-by Tribal, Latinx, Black, Indigenous and Pacific Islander cohorts to work together and create locally relevant ways to help close those gaps.

This innovative multi-year grant program offers culturally mindful and unique benefits not found in standard grantmaking. Combining tailored program support, technical assistance and peer learning through Communities of Practice, grantees are invited to work alongside community members to shape and test ideas that build on local strengths and priorities.

The work starts with listening to trusted local community leaders, who bring deep knowledge of their community’s strengths, priorities and existing networks. We believe communities know best what will work for them. Grantees build on that local knowledge and on the relationships and resources already in place, then work alongside residents to shape plans and connect people with services and support. The goal is to strengthen local relationships, organizational capacity and leadership so communities can sustain or adapt solutions over time. Community ownership and locally defined measures of success guide the work.

Each approach is different. Some grantees bring recurring clinics and wellness services to familiar neighborhood spaces. Others combine veterinary care with other supports such as pet food, transportation, language access, home-safety assistance, crisis fostering or referrals to human services. Pets can often be an entry point for other needed services for their people, because the conditions affecting people’s access to food, housing, transportation and education can also affect their ability to care for their pets.

Early examples show how community-centered approaches are in demand. Michigan Humane’s Clark Park One Health clinic served more than 450 pets with vaccines and microchips. While there, their human companions could also access flu shots and other health and human services. In Maryvale, Arizona, the Arizona Animal Welfare League’s “Promotoras” (translated: in Spanish, refers to female community health or outreach workers) model trained 50 community members to share pet safety and access-to-care education. Both efforts connect families with support in ways that fit their communities.

Another Incubator grantee, Erie County SPCA, serving a predominantly Black community, appreciated the time given to forge relationships. Early outreach, including door-to-door engagement, did little to build trust or bring the intended community to events. Erie SPCA came to understand that historical trauma had contributed to mistrust of institutions. In response, the organization shifted its approach: showing up consistently in trusted community spaces and working alongside established partners, leaders and stakeholders made all the difference.

Building those relationships has taken time, and the work is ongoing. Erie SPCA is beginning to see more community participation—evidence that investing in genuine connections can help make services more responsive and accessible.