Delaware animal shelter opens low-cost vet clinic
With the cost of veterinary care on the rise, a Delaware animal shelter has opened its own vet clinic to provide low-cost care to help reduce preventable euthanasia.
There were lots of wagging tails and happy pups in Wilmington as Faithful Friends celebrated the grand opening of a new low-cost vet clinic adjacent to Faithful Friends existing shelter on Germay Drive.
In 2014, Faithful Friends started offering veterinary care in an RV that was parked outside is Wilmington facility a few days a week. As its popularity, pet owners seeking care for their furry friends started to overwhelm the shelter, which converted its conference room into a waiting room for veterinary customers.
Faithful Friend’s Executive Director Jane Pierantozzi said the vet clinic’s new building next to the shelter will help pet owners keep their animals without having to worry so much about the cost of care.
“We realized over the years that people were calling us and saying they couldn’t afford medical care, they were giving up their animals, leaving them at our door with notes, so we know we needed to start something to help people keep their pets, and keep them healthy.”
Americans spent nearly $16-billion on vetrinary care for their pets last year, according to the American Pet Products Assocation. To help reduce those costs, Faithful Friends Animal Society in Wilmington celebrated the grand opening of its new, low-cost vet clinic, located next door to the group’s existing shelter.
Pierantozzi: “we realized over the years that people were calling us and saying they couldn’t afford medical care, they were giving up their animals, leaving them at our door with notes, so we know we needed to start something to help people keep their pets. and keep them healthy.”
A survey by the American Pet Products Association found Americans spent nearly $16-billion on veterinary care for their pets last year. Not all pet owners can keep up with the costs of medical care.
“The program really helps people keep their pets home, Pierantozzi said. “We want them to keep their pets if they love them. Pets are family … We want people to feel good about being able to provide medical care for their pets, not feel that they can’t help their animals be healthy in their home.”
In Fiscal Year 2016, more than half of Faithful Friends $2.3 million in revenue came from individual donations.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
Amid growing demand, a new bilingual child care center is opening in New Castle
With the Latino population on the rise, more families are seeking support for first-generation Spanish-speaking children.
1 month ago
Listen 1:50
New funding for Delaware’s collaborative initiative to boost homeless services
Delaware takes a step to further address homelessness with more than $1 million through a collaboration initiative aiding 10 organizations.
3 months ago
Listen 1:13
Southern Delaware town embraces change as Georgetown population continues to grow
Georgetown’s growth is leading to big changes from new businesses and plans for a new highway overpass.
3 months ago
Listen 1:15