Petco Foundation Grants $100,000 to Humane Society Silicon Valley

    SAN JOSE, CA, July 30, 2020 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Petco Foundation has awarded $100,000 in grant funding to Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) to support its free, accessible, basic veterinary services for the pets of unhoused families in Santa Clara County. The grant allows HSSV to provide free spay/neuter surgeries, vaccines, flea treatment, deworming, microchips, and other basic wellness support.

Medical services for the pets of unhoused families is one of several initiatives that fall under HSSV's Community Development Program. The program also includes a Pet Pantry that provides free pet food to pet owners facing financial hardships, and Emergency Boarding services to support those needing temporary housing and care for their pets while seeking shelter or facing hospitalization.

The Petco Foundation grant arrived just before the shelter-in-place order for COVID-19. As people face increasing financial hardships and access to affordable services becomes more challenging, the need for these veterinary services in the community is growing. Most recently, the grant supported HSSV's COVID-safe roving medical clinic. HSSV worked with local organizations to visit temporary human shelters and encampments to provide services to animals belonging to residents. They performed core vaccinations, microchipping, nail trimming, deworming, and flea/tick treatments.

"Petco Foundation's investment in providing free, accessible spay/neuter and basic veterinary care through HSSV for pets of unhoused families is deeply appreciated," says Stephanie Ladeira, HSSV Chief of Philanthropy and Community Development. "This service has been critical as we see an increased need for people to have access to care and services after being impacted by COVID-19 and the economy. Petco Foundation funds are making a huge difference for families and their pets in our community. Petco Foundation and HSSV deeply believe that keeping bonded families together makes communities better and stronger, especially at a time where animals bring such needed stability and joy."

About Humane Society Silicon Valley: Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) is an independent, privately funded, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving people and pets for over 90 years. In 2017, HSSV became the first organization ever to earn model shelter status according to the guidelines set forth by the Association of Shelter Veterinarians. As an independent non-profit organization, HSSV does not receive funding from Humane Society of the United States, ASPCA, or state and federal government entities. HSSV offers quality adoptions, affordable spaying/neutering, vaccinations, microchipping services, pet care services, and education programs to enhance the human-animal bond. Established in 1929, HSSV has adopted more than 500,000 animals into permanent, loving homes. Animal welfare is their top priority and their mission is to save and enhance lives. For more information, visit HSSV.org.

About Petco Foundation: At the Petco Foundation, we believe that every animal deserves to live its best life. Since 1999, we've invested more than $280 million in lifesaving animal welfare work to make that happen. With our more than 4,000 animal welfare partners, we inspire and empower communities to make a difference by investing in adoption and medical care programs, spay and neuter services, pet cancer research, service and therapy animals, and numerous other lifesaving initiatives. Through our Think Adoption First program, we partner with Petco stores and animal welfare organizations across the country to increase pet adoptions. So far, we've helped more than 6.5 million pets find their new loving families, and we're just getting started. Visit petcofoundation.org to learn more about how you can get involved.

About Stephanie Ladeira: Stephanie joined HSSV in January 2006. As the Chief of Philanthropy & Community Development, Stephanie oversees a team of 10 development professionals. Special campaigns completed since joining HSSV's leadership team are a $25M building campaign and HSSV's first ever $55M comprehensive campaign. In the community development role, Stephanie's focus is on one of HSSV's newest strategic priorities: to provide integrated services that impact both human and animal lives. By addressing the key issues facing under-served individuals who consider pets part of their family and by enhancing the transitional growth and development of marginalized groups, HSSV aims to improve peoples' lives and increase its mission results. Stephanie earned a B.S. from University of South Carolina and was a past board member for a German Shorthair rescue group. She also served as volunteer counsel for an animal welfare organization in her home state of South Carolina. Stephanie shares her home with Eli, a Black and Tan Coonhound; Ruby, an Akita/Pekinese mix; and Buster, a Border Collie. For more information, visit HSSV.org.

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