Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to provide clarity on the terms of the grant and to update a quote.
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — After picking up stray dogs off the highway, Leslie Harrelson created PETS Clinic as a low-cost spay and neuter facility.
In 2020, she expanded into a full-service vet clinic after seeing the largest barrier to pet care was the cost of treatment.
“We’re full service; we’re trying to do everything we can to help as many pets as we can, but obviously we don’t have all the tools that we need,” Harrelson said. “There is a veterinary shortage, so we are unable to see all the animals that need us.”
PETS Clinic is among 17 nonprofit vet clinics chosen to be among the first clinics across the United States to receive part of a $100 million grant from PetSmart Charities. Hundreds of clinics will be chosen to receive money and support from this grant over the span of five years. The funds will go toward improving access to veterinary care by funding growth and operations for nonprofit clinics looking to expand their services and serve their communities.
The “Accelerator” low-cost veterinary care grant program is a key part of this effort.
“The Accelerator Grant Program is a new way for PetSmart Charities to distribute grants,” PetSmart Charities Senior Community Grants Manager Aimee Christian said. “We’ve never done anything like this before. It’s a multi-year grant, and it comes with consulting and business analysis, which we’ve never done before.”
According to Harrelson, PETS is currently understaffed.
“For every 1 veterinary professional (vets techs, receptionists, etc) there are 1,000 pets,” Harrelson said in a news release.
The result of that is that they aren’t able to provide services for every family in need.
The Accelerator Grant will enable PETS to hire more vets and provide care for more families.
“We’re looking at trying to recruit and get more licensed vets, so we’re focused on some international vets that we’re trying to get licensed,” Harrelson said. “PetSmart has been a giant, giant player in that they’ve also helped us purchase equipment. There’s just been a million things that the grant has helped us with.”
PETS’s mission is to provide low-cost preventative and standard care, ensuring all four-legged friends thrive at home and stay out of shelters.
“As there are people, we will have pets, and they will need services,” Christian said. “And this program will give us all we need to keep serving them.”