Expanding Access to Veterinary Care for Pets in Need
Access to care encompasses a broad range of needs globally including geographical accessibility of veterinary clinics, quality care provided across a spectrum of care and affordability, accessible days and hours for busy people, and acceptance and understanding of cultural influences on decision-making related to caring for a pet. Ensuring pets receive timely and appropriate care benefits not only the pets themselves but also brings peace of mind to pet owners and impacts the well-being of practitioners.
Our charitable arms in the U.S., Banfield Foundation, BluePearl Cares, and VCA Charities, work to increase access to veterinary care, shelter, and resources through grant programs and strategic initiatives. These three charities collectively provide millions of dollars in grants annually to increase access to preventive, emergency, and specialty care for low-income families, free spay/neuter for pets living in veterinary deserts and under-resourced communities, and increase veterinary care, adoption readiness, and enrichment for shelter pets.
To learn more about our commitment and actions we’re taking to make veterinary care accessible for all, please visit www.banfieldfoundation.org, www.bluepearlcares.org, and www.vcacharities.org.
BluePearl Blood Bank
Just as humans require blood transfusions for medical conditions or emergencies, so do pets—and the veterinary industry is currently facing a critical shortage of animal blood products. The BluePearl Blood Bank—one of the largest voluntary community-driven blood banking programs with 15 locations in the United States—was established to alleviate the shortage, providing pet owners with the opportunity for their four-legged companions to donate blood to help other pets in need, with each donation positively impacting the lives of up to three others.
BluePearl has industry-leading requirements for pets to donate blood, ensuring patient safety is the priority during the process. Healthy cats and dogs between one and eight years old that meet certain additional requirements are eligible to donate through a short and painless process, and pet owners may withdraw their pet from the donation process at any time. For pets enrolled in the program, BluePearl provides annual lab work and a complimentary physical exam before each donation. Visit bluepearlvet.com/blood-bank for additional requirements and locations.
Blazing a trail in data-driven care and diagnostics
In collaboration with experts across Mars Petcare, scientists at WALTHAM Petcare Science Institute, and external research partners, we equip the veterinary industry with the data and resources that can help to prevent illnesses instead of treating them.
Our pioneering diagnostics tools are helping our veterinary teams deliver proactive care in every practice. One such diagnostic tool, RenalTech, helps veterinarians diagnose chronic kidney disease in cats well before the disease becomes clinically apparent. Developed by Mars Veterinary Health scientists and Antech Diagnostics, this is just one example of the many predictive tools we have in the pipeline.
Our commitment to transparency
Veterinary medicine has evolved rapidly in recent years, and there are many diseases that we can now diagnose and treat for which there simply weren't options in the past. To support this progress, we invest in state-of-the art equipment, technology, and scientific research to enable a range of high-quality pet healthcare services. We aim to provide every pet with the very best care to help keep them healthy and happy and expect our veterinary professionals to deliver that care with the empathy and transparency pet owners deserve. This includes sharing treatment options and estimated costs with pet owners before proceeding, so they can make informed decisions about their pet’s care in partnership with their veterinary team.
