PETS NEED LOVE TOO
Fairbanks Senior Center to start new veterinary cost support program with funds awarded through Meals on Wheels America’s PetSmart Charities Grant
Support will help expand program to cover other necessary pet costs!
[Fairbanks, Alaska] (July 1st, 2023) – The North Star Council on Aging a/k/a Fairbanks Senior Center, announced today that it will be entering our second year of our pet program, named “Pets Need Vets”, to support senior pet owners in need with costs related to their pets’ veterinary care, thanks to a generous grant from Meals on Wheels America and PetSmart Charities. Pet ownership has well-documented social, emotional, and health benefits. Unfortunately, with recent rent, heat, gas, and grocery price increases, as well as other complicating factors, make it difficult for Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) seniors to provide adequate veterinary care. The FSC “Pets Need Vets” program was created to address this need in the community.
“For a second year, we are honored to receive a $10,000 grant from the partnership of Meals on Wheels and Pet Smart Charities, to support our local seniors in caring for their beloved pets,” states Darlene Supplee, Executive Director of the Fairbanks Senior Center. “Veterinary care is key to a pet living a long and healthy life. Last year, we helped 25 seniors with their 43 pets, supporting the many gifts an animal’s love gives to our amazing pioneers. We are grateful to help our seniors love their pets!”
As part of an ongoing effort to increase seniors’ access to crucial veterinary care, Meals on Wheels America created the Pet Grant, and partnered with PetSmart Charities (the leading funder of animal welfare in North America) to provide funding for local veterinary cost support programs, and to ensure that more seniors and their pets live healthy, nourished lives, together. The Fairbanks Senior Center is honored to have been chosen a second year in a row to receive generous funding to create the Pets Need Vets program. Low-income FNSB seniors, aged 60 and older, will be eligible to request financial support in seeking preventative and reactive veterinary care through vets partnered with the program.
With community support in the form of monetary or in-kind donations, FSC intends to extend the program to provide for other essential costs such as specialized food, necessary grooming, and nail clipping. Any businesses or individuals providing pet services interested in increasing access to seniors in-need are welcome to inquire about getting involved in the program. For community members wishing to donate or help make additional pet support a reality, visit fairbanksseniorcenter.org or call (907) 452 – 1735 for more information.
About the Senior Center:
Alaska has the fastest growing senior population of all the states at 63%. These amazing Pioneers have built the wonderful community we call home. In the FNSB, our 80 and older cohort is currently 1,800 and will grow to over 5,000 by 2030, which is a 211% increase. Your Fairbanks Senior Center is actively solidifying imperative base services to help our beloved Pioneers remain living at home. The Fairbanks Senior Center calls this an “Aging in Place Movement” which consists of home modification, wellness checks, Meals on Wheels and congregate meals, socialization, pet veterinary program, exercise and educational classes, homemaker services, and connection to programs that enhance financial security. Call 907-452-1735 to see how you can make a difference in a local senior’s life.
PET GRANT APPLICATION