Michelson Found Animals Joins #SpayTogether Stimulus Fund
Animal Shelters and Veterinary Clinics Affected by Covid-19 to Receive Lifesaving Funds
Michelson Found Animals Foundation is joining 20 national organizations to roll out #SpayTogether, a stimulus fund to help animal shelters and veterinary clinics perform 50,000 lifesaving spay/neuter surgeries in underserved areas. This collaborative, historic initiative will provide surgery subsidy support grants, on-ground assistance, training in high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter surgeries, and discounted veterinary supplies and services to shelters and veterinary clinics affected by COVID-19. Participating spay/neuter veterinary clinics will be able to offer discounted operations to the public, providing much-needed help to underserved communities across the U.S.
The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic forced communities in all 50 states to temporarily suspend non-emergency veterinary services such as spay/neuter surgeries. As states begin to reopen the economy, animal shelters and veterinary clinics in every state have backlogs of unaltered shelter pets, community cats and owned animals.
“Covid-19 has upended families and changed life patterns, which can lead to pets getting lost,” said Brett Yates, Michelson Found Animals Foundation chief operating officer. “However, this crisis has also demonstrated just how important pets are to us. Helping pets stay with their families is fundamental, and through this program we will provide crucial protection to tens of thousands of pets in the event they get lost.”
While #SpayTogether will impact every state, the coalition has identified eight key states which have substantial need due to veterinary shortages and/or large amounts of unaltered animals: Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, California, Texas, Nevada, Florida and Oklahoma.
#SpayTogether is possible thanks to the support of the Humane Society of the United States, Maddie’s Fund, PetSmart Charities, GreaterGood.org, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA, Inc, Banfield Foundation, Best Friends Animal Society, Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, ASPCA, Petco Foundation, BISSELL Pet Foundation, Michelson Found Animals, Clinic HQ, Animal Balance, University of Florida Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program, PetPro Tele+, Emancipet, Georgia B. Ridder Foundation, IDEXX, Bark Avenue Foundation, ViDAS, DogsTrust USA, Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, Peter and Ann Lambertus Family Foundation, Life of Riley, South Fork Foundation, the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, Two Mauds and Friends of Miami Animals Foundation, Inc. We’d also like to thank our partner SpotOn Virtual Fence for underwriting an additional 6,250 microchips in order to support even more groups!
