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PetSmart Charities and Meals on Wheels America: Partners in Helping Older Adults and Pets Stay Together

Petsmart Charities Staff Writer — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 21:18:27 +0000

PetSmart Charities and Meals on Wheels America: Partners in Helping Older Adults and Pets Stay Together Petsmart Chari… Mon, 06/01/2026 - 17:18

1 in 5 is too many older adults feeding their pets before themselves
The need behind this work is clear. More than 1 in 5 Meals on Wheels clients report going without food so their pets can eat, and half of seniors with pets say they cannot access preventive or emergency veterinary care, most often due to cost or transportation challenges. These pressures can be overwhelming for older adults who may already be coping with isolation or depression. Community based support can make all the difference — but the list of those waiting for help is long, and that’s why your support for PetSmart Charities is essential.

Your generous donations help older adults remain in the homes and communities they know while continuing to care for the animals they love. Because of this meaningful partnership, the Meals on Wheels Loves Pets program gives grants to local providers who support seniors living on fixed incomes, managing health challenges, or facing transportation barriers — like Sharon, who can no longer drive. These providers deliver pet food and connect older adults to essential pet care resources, including veterinary care, grooming, and supplies. This support eases burdens that might otherwise put both people and pets at risk.

When Kali Mae needed eye surgery, Sharon’s limited resources would have made it impossible to get her that critical care. But thanks to a grant through the Meals on Wheels Loves Pets, Sharon’s local provider, Meals on Wheels Waco, stepped in and connected her to the veterinary support Kali Mae required. Because of this help, the two remain together — happy, healthy, and safe. “I’m blessed,” Sharon says.

A shared vision for the future
At PetSmart Charities, we are proud of our partnership with Meals on Wheels America — proud of what it has already made possible and even more hopeful about what comes next. Together, we’ve set an ambitious goal: ensuring there is a pet program provider in all 50 states by 2028. Through this effort, our grant dollars will help more seniors with pets by supporting local providers that deliver pet services. We will continue working with the Meals on Wheels America team to strengthen and sustain existing providers, expand training, foster collaboration, and build networks that help these services thrive. We’ll also share our expertise in animal welfare and community partnerships to create resources, tools, and mentorship for new programs as they launch.

Every milestone reflects the generosity of donors and supporters who believe — as we do — that helping pets and people stay together strengthens entire communities. Supporting the human animal bond eases loneliness, preserves companionship, and helps older adults remain independent with dignity and love. That kind of impact is worth investing in, and it is only possible because caring people continue to show up for pets and the people who cherish them.

To support more moments of connection, care and hope for pets and the people who love them, visit: petsmartcharities.org/donate

Research conducted by Meals on Wheels America with support from PetSmart Charities

Sidebar: Key Stats

PetSmart Charities renewed its support for the Meals on Wheels Loves Pets grant program through Meals on Wheels America in 2026.
Since the partnership began, more than 17.6 million pet meals have been delivered.
The program supports seniors in communities across the country with a goal to reach all 50 states by 2028, including areas with high need and limited access to services.

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Celebrating Our 2026 Adoption Prep Grantees

Petsmart Charities Staff Writer — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:44:03 +0000

Celebrating Our 2026 Adoption Prep Grantees Petsmart Chari… Wed, 03/18/2026 - 12:44

In 2026, PetSmart Charities is investing $3 million to support animal welfare organizations across the U.S. and Puerto Rico to help them build and grow strong in-store adoption programs.

From medical care and enrichment to safe housing and transportation to PetSmart stores, every step plays an important role in preparing pets for adoption.

These grants help make sure pets get the care they need while they await adoption and create more chances for pets to meet their loving families.

We’re proud to celebrate the organizations selected as our 2026 Adoption Prep grantees:

Because when shelters and rescues have the support they need, more pets find the loving homes they deserve.

Address

United States

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Honoring Our Veterans: Shelter Dogs on a New Mission with K9s For Warriors

Petsmart Charities Staff Writer — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 19:33:37 +0000

Honoring Our Veterans: Shelter Dogs on a New Mission with K9s For Warriors Petsmart Chari… Mon, 11/10/2025 - 14:33

A Shared Mission to Make Life Better

At PetSmart Charities, our mission is to make life better for pets — and the people who love them. This Veterans Day, we’re proud to honor that mission by supporting K9s For Warriors, the nation’s largest provider of trained service dogs for military veterans.

Together with PetSmart and our incredible PetSmart Treats Rewards members, we’ve donated $125,000 to K9s For Warriors. More than $100,000 came directly from members who donated their Treats Rewards points, showing how small acts of generosity can add up to life-changing impact.

From Rescue to Hero

Every K9s For Warriors service dog begins their journey in an animal shelter. These adoptable pets receive expert training and care to prepare them to serve veterans coping with post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, or military sexual trauma.

Thanks to this partnership, two to three adoptable shelter dogs will now have the chance to train for a new purpose — transforming from rescued pets into service heroes. Over the coming months, we’ll be following their stories, celebrating each milestone on their journey to meeting the veterans whose lives they will help change forever.

Healing Together

For many veterans, the transition back to civilian life can be isolating and difficult. A trained service dog offers more than support — they offer companionship, security, and renewed confidence.

These life-saving partnerships prove what we’ve always believed at PetSmart Charities: the human-animal bond has the power to heal, inspire, and transform lives.

Join Us in Making a Difference

You can help fund programs like this by donating at checkout in PetSmart stores or giving directly online. Every gift helps make life better for pets and the people who love them.

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2024 Impact Report

Petsmart Charities Staff Writer — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 21:16:19 +0000

2024 Impact Report Petsmart Chari… Wed, 09/10/2025 - 17:16

Together we made the world a better place for pets and those who love them. We’re proud to share our 2024 Impact Report and invite you to see how your support made a difference.

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PetSmart Charities & Meals on Wheels America: Celebrating 15 Million Meals

Petsmart Charities Staff Writer — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 23:24:26 +0000

PetSmart Charities & Meals on Wheels America: Celebrating 15 Million Meals Petsmart Chari… Fri, 08/22/2025 - 19:24

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Many Pet Owners Interested in Non-Traditional Veterinary Care Options

Petsmart Charities Staff Writer — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 22:12:38 +0000

Many Pet Owners Interested in Non-Traditional Veterinary Care Options Petsmart Chari… Tue, 04/29/2025 - 18:12

The recently released PetSmart Charities-Gallup State of Pet Care Study revealed the rising costs of veterinary care are pressing many U.S. pet owners to seek more convenient and affordable options for their cats and dogs. Those may not always mean the traditional trip to the vet, and it's exactly why PetSmart Charities has committed significant funding to support for innovative care models.

According to the study, about four in 10 pet owners say they would be interested in each of three non-traditional veterinary services — including community clinics, in-home visits or telemedicine. Accessibility to services such as these remains a barrier and more can be done to connect pet parents with solutions that meet their needs.

Despite this interest, relatively few reported having used these avenues of care, with only 16% of pet parents having ever visited a community clinic, 8% participating in a telehealth appointment and 8% receiving a home vet visit. This could be from a lack of services available, and why we continue to encourage local leaders to identify and/or create new models based on specific needs of their community.

Pet parents across demographic groups — regardless of age, race, and income — express interest in non-traditional care options. However, groups who were least likely to visit the veterinarian in the past year express above-average interest in community clinics. These included more than 48% of pet owners aged 18 to 29, and 47% of those living in households earning less than $60,000 annually. There are not significant differences by subgroups in interest for home visits and telehealth appointments. Increasing the availability of telemedicine may provide pet parents with a lower cost option or reduce geographic barriers to accessing care.

Among those pet owners who previously declined traditional care because it was not practical for them or their pets, 46% say they were not offered a more convenient option.

Pet Parents Also Consult Non-Veterinary Sources for Care

When their pets are sick or injured, most pet owners (81%) still seek guidance from a vet, either in person or remotely. But vets are not the sole source of information for many pet owners — 44% of pet owners say they consult online resources for their pet’s health, and 22% seek advice from friends or family. While these sources can be of help, there are times when a health issue could become more significant without appropriate guidance.

Just over one in six (17%) rely solely on non-veterinary sources for pet health advice. This is especially true of groups who are most likely to say they have declined or foregone veterinary care in the past, including young, low-income or Black pet owners.

Bottom Line

As pet healthcare costs rise and more pet owners make the difficult choice to forgo needed care, we need a broad coalition of stakeholders in business, philanthropic and nonprofit spaces to advocate for and create solutions. Pet parents are interested in non-traditional care options that meet the needs of their pets and budgets.

Use of these types of services remains limited, perhaps because they are not widely available or not discussed as alternatives to traditional veterinary office visits. These unique services and models can mean more veterinary teams won’t have to turn away patients due to finances, and instead offer viable solutions. Expanding community-based, mobile, or telehealth solutions could help bridge this care gap and ensure more pets receive the treatment they need. And that’s good for pets, for people and for veterinary teams that want to help.

Learn more about how the PetSmart Charities-Gallup State of Pet Care Study works.

Survey Methods

Results for the PetSmart Charities-Gallup State of Pet Care study are based on a combined web- and mail-based survey conducted with 2,498 dog and cat owners in the United States. Gallup surveyed 2,307 U.S. adults who indicated they currently owned at least one dog or cat via a web-based survey Nov. 13-20, 2024. Gallup also surveyed an additional 191 dog and cat owners via a mail-based survey Dec. 2, 2024-Jan. 9, 2025, to reach pet owners who may not have access to the internet.

Gallup used the Gallup Panel to randomly select respondents to participate in the study. The Gallup Panel is a probability-based panel of U.S. adults who are randomly selected to join the panel primarily through address-based sampling (ABS), as well as random-digit-dialing (RDD) telephone surveys.

Gallup weighted the obtained sample to match national demographics of gender, age, race, Hispanic ethnicity, education and region for the population of U.S. dog and cat owners. This was achieved by weighting all respondents who entered the survey — including those who indicated they did not currently own a dog or a cat — to demographic weighting targets of the total U.S. adult population, based on the 2024 U.S. Current Population Survey. Respondents who indicated they did not currently own a dog or cat were then removed from the dataset prior to analysis.

For results based on the total sample of 2,498 U.S. dog and cat owners, the margin of sampling error is ±2.6 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. Margins of error for subgroups are larger. The reported margin of sampling error includes computed design effects for weighting. In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls.

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High Veterinary Care Costs Got You Down? You’re Not Alone

Petsmart Charities Staff Writer — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 17:24:53 +0000

High Veterinary Care Costs Got You Down? You’re Not Alone Petsmart Chari… Wed, 04/16/2025 - 13:24

We know your love for your pet has nothing to do with the balance of your checking account. But for so many pet parents, sticker shock at the veterinary office is real. You want to do your best to take care of your pet’s health — after all, they’re family. And today the costs have gotten out of reach for many.

If you’re experiencing this, you’re not alone. PetSmart Charities estimates that 50 million pets in the U.S. lack access to the care they need — and they deserve better. Healthy pets influence heathy homes and families, and the consequences of going without needed care can be dire to pets, their people and communities.

To assess the scope of the crisis, we commissioned Gallup to conduct research to learn how pet parents are experiencing veterinary care and any related barriers. This data will help us make meaningful investments through our grant funding and influence the evolution of veterinary care through more affordable, flexible and accessible options. Since no organization can resolve this crisis alone, we are sharing the data with key stakeholders across the veterinary and animal welfare space, so together, meaningful changes can be made.

More than Half of U.S. Pet Owners Forgo Recommended Veterinary Care

The results from our 2025 PetSmart Charities-Gallup State of Pet Care Study: Pet Parents’ Assessment of American Veterinary Care reveal a pressing issue to which so many can relate. The study discovered more than half of U.S. pet owners, 52%, report having declined care or skipped needed veterinary care.

Among those who have declined services or skipped veterinary visits, 71% cite financial considerations as the key factor—whether they couldn’t afford it or didn’t think it was worth the cost. Across age, race and income levels, at least two-thirds of pet parents report that financial limitations prevented them from getting needed veterinary care.

That includes Wendy, whose pets provide comfort and companionship, not only for her but also for her two young sons, while her husband is away serving in the armed forces. And while they both work, the rising cost-of-living forces them to make tough choices to meet all of their financial obligations. That means sometimes they skip veterinary visits, which breaks her heart. She’s not alone, and neither are you.

Veterinarians' Perspectives are Critical

Sustainable solutions for this complex problem will require many ideas, commitments and contributions from all those who care deeply about the well-being of pets, and the people that love them. Because veterinarians see how rising costs impact their patients — and their own practices and teams — their experiences are critical considerations. PetSmart Charities teamed up with Gallup for a second time in 2025 and surveyed veterinarians for the State of Pet Care Study: Veterinarian Perspectives on American Veterinary Care. The results show a profession committed to animal wellbeing but strained by financial, operational and emotional pressures.

Veterinarians' are Financially and Emotionally Impacted, Too

Veterinarians are feeling the strain of the growing gap between the cost of care and what many pet parents can afford. Nearly all veterinarians—94%—say clients’ financial challenges limit the care they can recommend. While most vets (64%) say they do offer lower-cost alternatives, that perception doesn’t always match what many pet owners report.

This tension weighs heavily on veterinary teams, who must strike a difficult balance between compassion and managing their businesses. Emotionally, the burden is significant: 73% struggle when clients can’t pay, and nearly three in four say that euthanasia driven by financial constraints is among the most painful parts of their work.

The findings reveal a system under strain, where affordability, expectations, and rising costs converge. PetSmart Charities remains committed to solutions that expand access to care, support veterinary teams, and ensure families have meaningful choices for their pets’ health.

How We’re Doing Our Part

The magnitude of this issue can’t be overstated. We estimate it would cost more than $20 billion annually to provide adequate care for all pets currently receiving none. No single organization can tackle or resolve that sizeable gap alone. But we can all do our part.

As a leader in animal welfare, PetSmart Charities made a significant commitment—$100 million—to address barriers preventing people from getting veterinary care for their pets. We know it is critical that our dollars support initiatives that reach beyond the initial investment. Our focus prioritizes support for programs and research to deliver lasting change across the industry, including:

Expanding affordable veterinary care

Low-cost veterinary care clinics can help people access care they can afford. PetSmart Charities grant funding helps existing low-cost clinics expand to serve more pets and their people. These efforts focus on efficiency and cost reductions that benefit pet parents while maintaining sustainable business operations. To date, 34 non-profit organizations have received these grants to help expand their clinics.

Support for historically excluded communities

Many communities across the country have never had access to regular veterinary care. Charities partners with providers to support the co-creation of veterinary programs to ensure that historically excluded communities can bring their pet to the vet too – sometimes for the first time.

Grant funding to examine single service models

Narrowing the scope of what a clinic offers allows for teams to create consistent operations, become experts within their focus area, and increase knowledge and skills that drive both quality and efficiency. With that in mind, PetSmart Charities has funded dental- and surgical-specific practices to bring more affordable care to pet parents in need.

Increasing available data and research

The first of-its-kind PetSmart Charities-Gallup State of Pet Care Study’s findings shed light on pet parents’ account of their current challenges with the cost of veterinary care, and a second survey of Veterinarians is helping understand the issue from all sides.

Payment plans that would benefit pet parents, like pay-over-time plans, are not commonly available. For this reason, PetSmart Charities funded a grant to explore the impact of financially friendly payment options.

Sharing the results of both research projects with stakeholders across the veterinary space is intended to generate ideas and collaboration around solutions to making veterinary care accessible to more pet parents.

Tips for Pet Parents

While we’re continuing to work toward solutions, there are steps pet parents and communities can take to make affordable veterinary care more accessible:

Be open about finances: If you have concerns about your ability to afford care or need to stay within a specific budget, share that with your veterinary provider at the beginning of your visit. Your veterinarian can work with you to come up with a plan for your pet’s care with this information in mind.
Ask for options: If the care recommendations for your pet are outside of your budget, see if there are any lower cost options available. Ask if all recommended medications and diagnostic tests need to be completed right away, or if they can be spread out over time.
Inquire about payment plans: If you and your veterinarian have discussed options and care still seems out of reach for the budget you have available, ask about payment options. Some clinics have access to grant or angel funds that can benefit you directly, or offer low interest pay-over-time plans. Ensure you read and understand the terms of any payment or credit offers carefully – some can require a hard credit check or have a high interest rate.
Find a low-cost clinic: Many communities have affordable vaccination clinics or nonprofit veterinary clinics. Websites for nonprofit or low-cost veterinary clinics will usually make it clear that they offer lower cost options. Your local animal shelter or humane society can often point you to low-cost veterinary resources in your area.
When possible, plan for pet care costs early: Consider pet health insurance or wellness plans before your pet needs help. Some insurance plans offer high-deductible options that have affordable monthly premiums to help prevent significant financial burdens in the event of an emergency or major illness. Wellness plans can help spread the cost of preventative or wellness care over time. Insurance and wellness plan options vary, so ensure you understand what is covered and what may be excluded.

Join us and support the cause

Closing the veterinary care gap requires an all-hands-on-deck approach. Individuals, animal welfare groups, the veterinary industry, funders, social services agencies, local government and community leaders can all bring resources, ideas and donations that will make a difference in this complex and pressing issue.

To support PetSmart Charities’ initiatives in making veterinary care more accessible and affordable for the estimated 50 million pets going without, donate here. Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube for stories and inspiration about the impact on pets and their families.

Together, we can ensure the pets who add so much to our well-being receive the veterinary care they need to thrive.

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Low Cost Veterinary Care Resources

Petsmart Charities Staff Writer — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 23:58:33 +0000

Low Cost Veterinary Care Resources Petsmart Chari… Mon, 04/14/2025 - 19:58

United States

Arizona Humane Society | Arizona

Community Animal Medicine Project | California

East Bay SPCA | California

San Francisco SPCA | California

Longmont Humane Society | Colorado

Animal Welfare Society Of South Florida, Inc. | Florida

First Coast No More Homeless Pets | Florida

Operation Spay Bay | Florida

Tri County Humane Society Lois Pope Clinic | Florida

Planned PEThood of GA | Georgia

Idaho Humane Society, Inc. | Idaho

Gateway Pet Guardians | Illinois

South Suburban Humane Society | Illinois

Humane Fort Wayne | Indiana

Humane Society of Greater Kansas City | Kansas

Louisiana SPCA | Louisiana

Low Cost Animal Medical Center | Louisiana

Pet Health Center at Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society Inc. | Massachusetts

Second Chance Animal Services, Inc. | Massachusetts

CSNIP (Community Spay Neuter Initiative Partnership) | Michigan

Kalamazoo County Humane Society | Michigan

Michigan Humane | Michigan

Animal Humane Society (AHS) | Minnesota

Humane Society of South Mississippi | Mississippi

Capital Humane Society | Nebraska

Options Clinic - Humane Network | Nevada

Flatbush Cats | New York

Pets In Need of Greater Cincinnati, Inc. | Ohio

The Bridge Clinic | Pennsylvania

Emanicpet | Pennsylvania

Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) | Pennsylvania

Emancipet | Texas

Houston Humane Society | Texas

P.E.T.S. Clinic | Texas

Virginia Beach SPCA | Virginia

Kitsap Humane Society | Washington

Canada

Canadian Animal Task Force Society | Alberta

Regional Animal Protection Society | British Columbia

Nova Scotia SPCA | Nova Scotia

Humane Society of Greater Niagara (HSGN) | Ontario

Toronto Humane Society | Ontario

The Peterborough Humane Society | Ontario

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52% of U.S. Pet Owners Have Skipped or Declined Recommended Veterinary Care

Petsmart Charities Staff Writer — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 21:14:15 +0000

52% of U.S. Pet Owners Have Skipped or Declined Recommended Veterinary Care Petsmart Chari… Mon, 04/14/2025 - 17:14

Today, 97% of pet parents consider their pets as family — including 51% who say they count as much as human members. The companionship of pets helps people experience profound health benefits. Our precious pets add so much to our lives, and yet, at PetSmart Charities, we estimate that 50 million pets in the U.S. don’t receive the veterinary care they need to thrive.

It’s why we are committed to addressing key barriers preventing access to veterinary care. As a critical step, we partnered with Gallup®, launching a series of research studies to gain insight. The data uncovered in the PetSmart Charities-Gallup State of Pet Care Study: Pet Parents’ Assessment of American Veterinary Care will inform our strategy, and marshal others to the cause. First, we asked pet parents themselves to weigh in on their experiences. Next year, veterinarians will have a chance to share their perspective, too.

The results were revealing and confirmed what we had seen and heard anecdotally — that pet parents across all incomes are struggling with the rising cost of vet care.

More than half of U.S. pet owners, 52%, report having skipped needed veterinary care in the past year, including 37% who say they have visited the veterinarian but declined one or more care recommendations and 15% who say they have not brought their pet to the veterinarian because of barriers such as financial considerations.

We know skipping those important visits for preventative care and other services isn’t ideal and can often lead to bigger problems.

These results are from the PetSmart Charities-Gallup State of Pet Care Study, conducted Nov. 13, 2024-Jan. 9, 2025, via the probability-based Gallup Panel with 2,498 U.S. adults who own at least one dog or cat.

Financial Considerations Are Leading Barriers to Care

Financial constraints are the primary barriers preventing pet owners from following recommended care. Among those who have declined services or skipped visiting the veterinarian, 71% cite cost as the key factor — whether because they could not afford it, they did not think it was worth the cost, or both. Across age, race and income levels, at least two-thirds of pet owners who declined care report that financial limitations have hindered their ability to access veterinary care.

The affordability of veterinary care is a challenge even for pet parents in the highest-earning households. One in three pet parents with annual household incomes of at least $90,000 who have not brought their pet to the vet or who declined recommended care say they skipped care because they could not afford it.

It made sense that pet parents with lower incomes were certain to feel the pinch; it was surprising to learn higher income families were impacted, too.

Beyond cost, 29% of pet owners who have turned down care say it was because it was impractical or too stressful for their pet, highlighting the need for treatment plans that align with both financial realities and pet family needs.

Few Alternatives Offered to Those Facing Financial Barriers to Care

Despite the financial constraints preventing access to veterinary care, most pet parents who declined treatment were not presented with lower-cost alternatives — 73% of those who turned down care due to cost were not offered a more affordable option, and 46% were not given a treatment plan that better fit their pet’s practical needs.

Veterinary practitioners are commonly trained to deliver "gold standard" care. It's not surprising pet parents report not being given alternative, flexible treatment options that could provide some level of care at prices that meet budget needs. Part of a $100 million commitment made by PetSmart Charities involves initiatives in higher education to teach veterinary students about a "spectrum of care" that allows more flexibility in treatment plans.

Interest-free payment plans could be one solution, among others including offering more flexible and budget-friendly treatment options. About two-thirds of pet owners (66%) say that if their pet required lifesaving treatment, the amount they would be able to pay for the cost of that treatment would be $1,000 or less. Sixty-four percent of all U.S. pet owners say that if their veterinarian offered them the option to pay the cost of lifesaving care over a one-year period through an interest-free payment plan, they could at least double the amount they previously said they would be able to afford for that care. However, fewer than one in four pet owners (23%) report ever having been offered a payment plan by their veterinarian for any treatment.

With support, education and training, the veterinary industry can take steps to update the standard polices around the requirement of same-day payment for services.

Consequences of Skipping Veterinary Care

Forgoing recommended veterinary care is associated with poor pet health outcomes, and that impacts pet parents and veterinary care teams, too. No one wants to see their companion or patient suffer. Veterinary practices want to help, but also need to run solvent businesses. They have a vested interest in embracing new solutions and knowledge around options they can implement.

The most commonly declined services include diagnostic procedures (22%) and preventive care such as vaccinations (18%), while 16% of all pet owners have declined elective surgeries, 11% have forgone recommended medications, and 7% have refused lifesaving surgeries. Among those who have declined care, 14% report that their pet's condition worsened, or their pet died. It’s a tragic outcome for pets, their people and their veterinary care teams.

Many pet owners know someone who has lost a pet after declining care. Three in 10 pet owners (30%) report that a friend’s or family member’s pet died in the past five years because they could not afford treatment. Furthermore, 11% of owners know someone who had to give up a pet because of financial barriers to care.

That’s an impossible choice no pet parent should have to make. The problem is compounded when pets are surrendered to shelters often already operating under strained resources.

Implications

As veterinary care costs in the U.S. have risen more than 60% since 2014, ensuring access to affordable, quality care remains a significant challenge. Financial barriers force many pet owners to forgo recommended treatments for their pets, sometimes with life-threatening consequences. More than half of U.S. pet owners report having declined or skipped veterinary care due to cost, putting millions of pets at risk. PetSmart Charities has made a $100 million commitment to help improve access to veterinary care, but no one organization or solution can tackle this issue alone.

Expanding financial solutions could greatly improve access to critical treatments, while greater transparency in pricing and clearer communication about treatment options may help pet parents make more informed decisions.

PetSmart Charities believes everyone should have access to the love of a pet. Caring for pets helps improve the quality of people’s lives, too. Ensuring that veterinary care becomes more affordable and accessible for all households will be essential to protecting the health and wellbeing of pets and people – building blocks of strong communities.

Download data visuals and find other media tools here.

Learn more about PetSmart Charities Access to Veterinary Care programs here.

See the full report and learn more about how the PetSmart Charities-Gallup State of Pet Care Study works.

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Building Accessible Veterinary Care: A $100 million Investment and A Call to Join the Effort

Petsmart Charities Staff Writer — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 17:33:59 +0000

Building Accessible Veterinary Care: A $100 million Investment and A Call to Join the Effort Petsmart Chari… Mon, 04/14/2025 - 13:33

PetSmart Charities estimates 50 million pets in the U.S. don’t receive adequate veterinary care. That leads to increased health problems and impossible choices, including surrendering pets to an already crowded shelter system. Many influences have created a serious gap in care that impacts pet parents across many income levels. Since 62% of American homes include pets, the magnitude of this crisis requires innovative solutions and an all-hands-on-deck approach — no single organization can solve the problem alone.

To take the lead, PetSmart Charities made a $100 million commitment to improve access to veterinary care. It’s critical our dollars support programs with potential to reach beyond the initial investment. With the help of our donors, we’re investing in programs to drive knowledge and create sustainable change across the industry.

These investments include:

Research & Data

The Gallup name is synonymous with credible, expert surveying. We partnered to ask pet owners about their experiences seeking and financing veterinary care, with plans to survey veterinarians next. We believe gathering data regularly will inform our strategy and programs, and potentially the direction of partners and stakeholders. Additionally, our funding supports research within veterinary medicine on various diagnostic and treatment protocols for common medical conditions. Evidence-based research will help identify options for veterinarians to reduce the cost of care while maintaining high standards.

Expanding Low-Cost Care Options

PetSmart Charities grant funding helps expand capacity for existing low-cost veterinary care clinics, since low-cost veterinary care models can help people obtain veterinary care at costs they can afford. These efforts focus on efficiency and cost reductions that benefit pet parents while maintaining sustainable business operations. The veterinary practices in this grant program are full-service clinics that provide high-quality lifetime and wellness care for pets in their communities. To date, these clinics have an average client ticket cost that is 43% lower than the industry average, and are currently serving more than 4,000 client visits per veterinarian annually.

Increasing Efficiency Through Single Service Models

Years ago, clinics that offered only spay and neuter surgeries proved highly efficient and effective. Drawing inspiration from that successful single service model, PetSmart Charities has invested in exploring models like those. These include clinics performing surgeries or dental procedures that can optimize efficiencies to help lower costs for pet parents. Narrowing the scope of what a clinic offers allows for teams to create consistent operations, become experts within their focus area, and increase knowledge and skills that drive both quality and efficiency. With that in mind, PetSmart Charities has funded dental-and surgical-only practices to help bring more affordable care to pet parents in need.

Explore Financially Friendly Payment Options

Currently, veterinary care offers limited payment plans, and many of those available can be challenging for the average American family to utilize. Helping more pet parents finance and/or pay for veterinary care over time will potentially offset the overall cost of care. For this reason, PetSmart Charities is funding projects that study how low or no interest pay-over-time options (without required credit checks) will help many pet owners expand the amount of care they can manage financially. The impact on veterinary healthcare teams, costs of offering such plans, and how it impacts a family’s ability to afford veterinary care are being explored. Findings from this study are projected to be available later in 2025.

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