$135K donation supports access to care in 'veterinary desert'November 10, 2022Pets residing in one of America's "veterinary deserts" are set to have improved access to care, thanks to an industry donation. The Wisconsin Companion Animal Resources, Education, and Social Services (WisCARES) has received two grants totaling $135,000 from PetSmart Charities. The funding will support the program's continued mission of providing low-cost veterinary care to pet owners experiencing homelessness and financial difficulty in South Madison, Wisc. "By creating better access to veterinary medical care, we are keeping pets and families together, so they don't have to surrender or euthanize their animals for otherwise treatable things," says WisCARES' cofounder, Ruthanne Chun, DVM, DACVIM (oncology), a clinical professor of oncology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) School of Veterinary Medicine. Founded in 2014, WisCARES is located in a "veterinary desert" (i.e. a neighborhood without clinics and pet care resources). The program, which is a collaboration of the UW-Madison schools of veterinary medicine, social work, and pharmacy, offers subsidized veterinary care, access to social workers, and a pantry of pet food and supplies, courtesy of donations. The PetSmart funding includes a $10,000 grant to help cover WisCARES' operational expenses, along with a $125,000 grant in support of its Keeping Friends and …
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Online pharmacy launched by big-box retailerSeptember 22, 2021PetSmart has partnered with Allivet on its new digital offering, The Pharmacy at PetSmart.
Domestic violence initiative gets $260K grantJune 28, 2021PetSmart Charities has awarded a $260,000 grant to Urban Resource Institute (URI), an American provider of domestic violence residential services.
Program funds pets' positive impact on learningOctober 22, 2019Thousands of children across North America will soon benefit from having pets in their classrooms, thanks to PetSmart.
UF VETS unveils new $150,000 disaster response vehicleMay 9, 2019Pets now have additional support when a natural disaster strikes, thanks to a new $150,000 disaster response vehicle. Able to treat large and small animals, University of Florida (UF) Veterinary Emergency Treatment Service (UF VETS) offers technical rescues and logistical support to veterinary clinics and other response teams, as well as provides initial assessments of impacted areas. In the past, the team has responded to hurricanes, wildfires, flooding, and animal hoarding situations. "Disaster relief is a key component of the Banfield Foundation, and we are humbled to support the important work of first responders as they offer help and hope to communities in need," says Banfield Foundation executive director, Kim Van Syoc. "Veterinary professionals who respond during natural disasters are truly inspiring. We hope this new vehicle improves not only the response process, but also the lives of those doing the lifesaving work." Funded by a grant gifted by Banfield Foundation and PetSmart Charities, the truck will function as a communications hub to interact with local emergency operation centers, shelters, and state agencies. The vehicle comprises a 44-ft (13-m) mobile command and infrastructure support truck and trailer. "We're grateful for the support of the Banfield Foundation and PetSmart Charities, as …
PetSmart seeks independent veterinarians to fill coverage gapsJuly 26, 2018PetSmart is seeking independent veterinary operators (IVO) in an effort "to bring the best in pet care to more pet parents," the company stated. The first IVO within PetSmart has opened in Las Vegas. Because the mass retailer's current veterinary presence through its Banfield chain of practices doesn't reach all of the locations where the company seeks to provide customer care, it is now seeking independent veterinarians to fill these gaps. "Every day, there are pet parents who come to our stores to ask questions for the overall health of their pets," said Jennifer Freeman, DVM, PetSmart's resident veterinarian. "An IVO will have the opportunity to connect with these pet parents and help grow their client base, while PetSmart associates will be able to suggest customers discuss a certain pet concern with our IVO if it is a more detailed health concern. This partnership aligns perfectly with PetSmart's ongoing goals to offer thoughtful, educated and heartfelt expertise to our customers." According to the company, the ideal candidate is an independent veterinarian or group who currently owns/operates less than 50 locations and wants to grow their business by operating a full-service veterinary clinic inside the retail chain. Professionals interested in …
Help your clients prepare for hurricane seasonJune 13, 2018To honor Pet Preparedness Month, veterinarians at PetSmart released a list of tips to help owners ensure the safety and security of their animals in the event of a natural disaster. "The best way to keep pets safe during an emergency is to prepare a disaster plan, especially with hurricane season around the corner," said Nick Saint-Erne, DVM, PetSmart's resident veterinarian. "It is common to overlook pets when preparing for an emergency, but taking a few simple steps to include your pets' needs in your family preparedness plan will help ensure they are comfortable and safe in the event of an emergency." Dr. Saint-Erne suggests owners take the following pet preparedness safety measures to help their animals stay safe and calm in the event of an emergency. Ensure pets are safely contained When severe weather warnings go into effect, crate or kennel your animal. Consider purchasing a pet carrier in the event of evacuation. Additionally, have lidded plastic buckets or bins on-hand if you own fish, turtles, or similar animals. Look for pet-friendly housing options for your animal in case you need to evacuate your home Be sure to your pet up-to-date on its …
PetSmart petition gets 52K+ signatures following another grooming deathApril 16, 2018 The death of an 8-year-old corgi at a PetSmart grooming facility has led to an online petition against the retail giant. The petition, which demands PetSmart shut down its grooming centers until an investigation has been completed and storewide changes have been implemented, has amassed more than 52,000 signatures. The dog's owner, Chuck Crawford, said he dropped his two Corgis, Abby and Harley, at a PetSmart grooming facility in Toms River, N.J., only to receive a phone call an hour later, informing him Abby had died and telling him where he could pick up her body. The corgi is the fourth dog to die at a PetSmart grooming facility in five months. Last December, Danielle DiNapoli's English bulldog, Scruffles, died at a PetSmart grooming center in Flemington, N.J. The death also ignited an online petition against the company, demanding PetSmart investigate and release a public report on the incident. The appeal received more than 92,000 signatures. "After Scruffles the bulldog died, the outrage caused PetSmart to launch a comprehensive review to change the way they do grooming," said Kelsey Bourgeois, the author of Abby's petition. "But obviously pets are still getting hurt …
Banfield Pet Hospital launches vet debt relief programNovember 9, 2017 Banfield Pet Hospital announced its new Banfield Veterinary Student Debt Relief Pilot Program, marking the latest development in the practice's commitment to supporting its associates' financial well-being, according to the company. The company is set to launch a new debt-relief program for its veterinarians next month. "High levels of veterinary student debt are plaguing the industry, and Banfield is committed to helping veterinarians address this significant burden," said Daniel Aja, DVM, senior vice president and chief medical officer for Banfield. "As we continue to dedicate ourselves to continuous improvement as a practice, we're investing in the new [program] to support our doctors first and foremost—but also set the bar for the veterinary profession to help address this industry-wide issue." The program for eligible doctors will include three main elements: A low-interest refinancing option with supplementary 0.25 percent interest-rate reduction from a third-party financial institution A monthly student-loan contribution of $150 paid by Banfield directly on qualifying student loans A one-time $2,500 payment for each qualifying Banfield student program in which the doctor participates prior to graduating Research shows veterinarians carry a staggering amount of student debt, averaging more than $167,000. "When I graduated from veterinary …
PetSmart announces launch of online pharmacySeptember 28, 2017PetSmart announced the launch of PetSmart Pharmacy, a new online-only pharmacy that offers ordering and autofill of prescription and over the counter medications, and veterinary diet prescription pet food, combined with home delivery. According to Packaged Facts, the pet medication market would be a more than $10 billion industry by 2018. The market researcher's 2016 National Pet Owner survey found that 46 percent of pet owners buy pet products online, up from 41 percent in 2015. During the online ordering process at PetSmart.com, pet owners enter information about their pet and veterinarian. From there, fully licensed and pharmacy-certified PetSmart pharmacists coordinate with the veterinarian. Once validated, prescriptions are filled and the products are shipped directly to pet owners' homes. An auto-ship feature is available. PetSmart Pharmacy offers options to treat pet allergies, anxiety, arthritis, heartworm, seizure and diabetes, as well as rare ailments. Brand-name and generic prescription and OTC medications include Bravecto, Trifexis, Carprofen, Sentinel, and Vetmedin. PetSmart Pharmacy will not offer pet opiates as part of its product offering. Veterinary diet formulas, wet and dry, as well as treats, from Hill's, Royal Canine, and ProPlan will be available, as …
