Join us tomorrow, September 30 at 11AM PT/2PM ET for the latest Maddie’s Community Conversations, “Accessible Pet Care Wrap-Around Services for Underserved Populations.” Terryl Daluz and Andrea Carter of Loving Paws, Inc., a dedicated non-profit animal organization that assesses the needs of low-income pet owners and their beloved animals with a mission to provide essential support and care for pets in underserved communities, will present.
Access to affordable, comprehensive veterinary care remains a significant challenge for underserved populations, including low-income individuals, older adults, people experiencing housing instability, and communities with limited access to animal health resources. Financial hardship, transportation barriers, limited veterinary services, and competing social needs can result in delayed or forgone care, affecting the health and well-being of both people and their pets. This presentation examines pet care wrap-around services as an integrated, community-based approach to addressing these barriers.
Services may include low-cost or subsidized veterinary and preventive care, pet food and supplies, transportation assistance, temporary pet housing, behavioral support, and connections to human social-service resources. Coordinating these services can support pet retention, reduce preventable relinquishment, and promote household health and stability. Loving Paws Inc.’s framework emphasizes cross-sector collaboration among veterinary providers, animal welfare organizations, public health agencies, social-service organizations, community-based groups, and local governments. By recognizing pets as integral members of households, this approach seeks to advance equity in access to essential pet care while supporting outcomes for both people and animals.
This webcast has been approved for CAWA and NACA continuing education credit. All registrants will receive an email a day after the webcast with information on on how to access a certificate of attendance. And don’t forget, Maddie’s Fund will be awarding up to $10,000 in grants each month!
Register now for Community Conversations.