- A $348,000 grant will fund a one-year pilot program called Duffield Pet Wellness Days.
- The initiative is designed to expand access to affordable veterinary wellness services in underserved communities.
- Services will include vaccinations, preventive care, and basic medical treatment for pets.
- The program is also intended to strengthen shelter veterinary capacity and reduce pressure on overcrowded systems.
- The pilot introduces a contract-based veterinary wellness model aimed at addressing persistent care-access gaps nationwide.
Access to affordable veterinary care remains a major challenge for pet families and animal shelters across the United States. In many communities, services are limited, inconsistent, or financially out of reach, contributing to preventable illness, shelter overcrowding, and the surrender of pets.
To help address those gaps, the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation has awarded a $348,000 grant to BISSELL Pet Foundation for a one-year pilot program called Duffield Pet Wellness Days. The initiative is intended to expand access to veterinary wellness services in communities where care is scarce or too costly for many pet owners and shelters.
New pilot targets underserved communities
Led by BISSELL Pet Foundation, the program will use a contract veterinary wellness model to deliver essential services including vaccinations, preventive care, and basic medical treatment. The goal is to keep pets healthy, safe, and in their homes while improving access to routine care in underserved areas.
The program is also expected to support shelters by bolstering veterinary capacity for at-risk animals. By increasing access to basic care earlier, the initiative may help reduce strain on shelter systems that are already facing high demand and limited resources.
Focus on access-to-care challenges
The launch reflects growing concern over the nationwide shortage of affordable veterinary services. Limited service availability and rising costs continue to create barriers for families seeking basic wellness care for their pets, particularly in communities with fewer veterinary resources.
BISSELL Pet Foundation said the partnership is focused on closing those access gaps and advancing a model that can deliver compassionate, community-based care where it is needed most. The Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation said the program aligns with its commitment to expanding healthcare access for pets regardless of geography.
Organizations build on established animal welfare work
BISSELL Pet Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2011 by Cathy Bissell with a mission to reduce the number of animals in shelters through adoption, spay/neuter, microchipping, and crisis and disaster response. The organization says it has partnered with more than 6,000 shelters and rescues across the United States and Canada.
The Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, founded in 2016, supports programs focused on companion animal care, pairing veterans with service dogs, and strengthening public service organizations in its community. It is part of the Duffield Foundation Family, which also includes Maddie’s Fund and Liberty Dogs.
Information sourced from the company’s press release.
