Longmont Humane Society secures $150K grant

LONGMONT — The Longmont Humane Society has received a $150,000 grant from the national nonprofit PetSmart Charities to expand access to affordable veterinary care for pets in Longmont and Greater Boulder County.

The grant will enable the organization to hire additional veterinary staff, upgrade equipment at its Well Pet Clinic and offer a wider range of  services to meet the growing needs of the community, according to a press release.

PetSmart Charities has committed $100 million over the next five years toward improving access to veterinary care nationwide. The “Accelerator” low-cost veterinary care grant program supports 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.

“PetSmart’s accelerator grant is helping us immensely by empowering us to be the best low-cost veterinary clinic that we can be for our community,” Russell Hinkle, CEO of the Longmont Humane Society, said in a prepared statement. “Accelerator is a great term for them to use because they are helping us make positive and sustainable changes to our Well Pet Clinic much faster than we would be able to do on our own, and their data-driven approach to create a rising tide of high-performing low-cost veterinary clinics is both smart and exciting.”

The Well Pet Clinic offers comprehensive and affordable veterinary care, including:

• Preventative care: Regular checkups, vaccinations, microchipping and dental cleanings.
• Surgical care: Spay/neuter surgeries, dental extractions and other essential procedures.
• Diagnostic services: Fecal exams, blood work, urinalysis and X-rays to accurately diagnose and treat illnesses.

“Our veterinary system is in crisis,” Kate Atema, director of community grants and initiatives at PetSmart Charities, said in a prepared statement. “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 the families in every community who want the best for their four-legged companions but struggle to meet the cost of vet care. We’re inspired by the incredible work Longmont Humane Society and their Well Pet Clinic are doing to create solutions that will build strong families and a healthy community.”

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