CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — The Chesapeake Humane Society recently received a $100,000 grant from PetSmart Charities .
These funds will be used to address barriers in accessing veterinary care in Norfolk and Portsmouth through innovative and culturally relevant veterinary programs targeted toward historically excluded communities.
“Grant funding from PetSmart Charities allows us to provide access to veterinary care to regions of our community that need it most,” said Lacy Shirey, executive director of Chesapeake Humane Society. “We identified a need to offer mobile wellness care at little to no cost to reach families that need veterinary care for their pets but lack transportation options.”
Across the U.S., many communities have been left out of the veterinary care system altogether due to geographical and cultural barriers along with rising cost. In 2023, PetSmart Charities, committed $100 million over the next five years toward improving access to veterinary care.
The grant aims to give veterinary organizations a one-year runway to build relationships with and deepen their understanding of their partner community.