NEWS RELEASE

PAW TEAM RECEIVES $100,000 GRANT FROM PETSMART CHARITIES TO ADDRESS LACK OF ACCESSIBLE VETERINARY CARE IN HISTORICALLY EXCLUDED COMMUNITIES 

June 10, 2025 — Portland, Oregon – PAW Team has received a grant from PetSmart Charities®  in the amount of $100,000 to address barriers in accessing veterinary care in East Portland, specifically focused in the Rockwood neighborhood and surrounding areas bordering Gresham.

Rising costs combined with geographical, cultural and other barriers have left many communities out of the veterinary care system altogether. The Incubator grant program supports innovative and culturally relevant veterinary programs targeted toward historically excluded communities across the U.S.

While 70% of American households include pets, access to basic veterinary services has not kept pace.  Pets are universally considered important family members and keeping them together requires resources that are often missing. This is particularly felt in many underserved communities where not only cost, but geography and systemic inequities have left veterinary care beyond reach. Early in 2023, PetSmart Charities, the top funder of animal welfare in the country, committed $100 million over the next five years toward improving access to veterinary care. The Incubator grants focus on historically excluded communities, many of which lack access to community supports, including veterinary services. 

PAW Team has been chosen as part of this year’s Incubator grantees, designed to give veterinary organizations a one-year runway to build relationships with and deepen their understanding of their partner community. Tasked with enlisting support of local changemakers, the grantees agree to co-creating models of care alongside communities.

“PAW Team has worked tirelessly for the last 25 years to keep Portland’s pets and people together. This opportunity allows us to grow, build intentional and sustainable programs in partnership with the individuals we serve,” said Nicole Perkins, PAW Team’s Co-Executive Director. “Most importantly, this opportunity will allow PAW Team to continue reducing the barriers pet owners face seeking care for their beloved companions.”

“Most people today consider pets to be family, yet we now know more than half of pet parents have  skipped or declined veterinary care, with many more who haven’t been able to access it at all,” said Kate Atema, director of community grants & initiatives at PetSmart Charities. “This issue affects families in nearly every community across the U.S. — but becomes even more challenging for families living in places where other resources are also difficult to access. We’re proud to support partners that work hard to overcome obstacles to veterinary care and collaborate with local communities to co-create unique solutions for their pets.”

Media Contacts:

PAW Team
Alex Laskowski
alex@pawteam.org

PetSmart Charities
24-Hour PetSmart Charities Media Line
623-587-2177