Paws & People Program; Southwest Community Action Group - Paws & People TO Address Lack of Access to Care in Historically Excluded Community with Support from PetSmart Charities

Latino communities make up the initial cohort for the trailblazing grant program

January 1st 2025— Olustee & Hollis Oklahoma Southwest Community Action Group- Paws & People has received a grant from PetSmart Charities® in the amount of $100,000 to address challenges in accessing pet care resources in Olustee and Hollis based on percentage of ethnic minorities, financial hardship and geographical limitations to pet care resources. We believe that Olustee and Hollis would benefit from increased access to these services allowing people and pets to stay together. We are excited for the opportunity to connect with the people and pets of Olustee and Hollis.

Rising costs combined with geographical and cultural barriers have left many communities out of the pet care system altogether. This grant program supports innovative and culturally relevant veterinary programs.

Early in 2023, PetSmart Charities, the top funder of animal welfare in the US, announced a $100 million commitment over the next five years toward improving access to care. One of these visionary new grant programs focuses on historically excluded communities, many of which lack access to food, housing, transportation, education and veterinary services. Latino communities were selected to comprise the first cohort of grantee emphasis.

Since 1965, Southwest Community Action Group (SOCAG) has focused our organization’s efforts on increasing access to human resources for people experiencing poverty or living in underserved areas of southwest Oklahoma. In 2023 Pets for Life, Altus joined (SOCAG) as our first Pet Resources Program. This grant will allow our NEW PAWS & PEOPLE program to focus on bringing access to pet care to the Olustee and Hollis communities in southwest Oklahoma- two communities already receiving human resources support though SOCAG. We will build relationships with more members while learning about the wants and needs for access to pet care in Olustee and Hollis during phase 1.

While 70% of American homes feature pets, access to basic pet care services has not kept pace. This is particularly felt in communities that have additional barriers beyond cost, including language barriers and a lack of veterinary clinics in the vicinity. While 62 % of Latino households own pets, accessing resources to keep them healthy and in their homes can be challenging.

Instead of taking pre-planned solutions into selected communities, grantees will build relationships and assess specific needs, first. This ensures that communities that have been left out are deliberately included in deciding how and when they will access the healthcare they need for their pets. 

“While most people today consider pets family, 50 million pets in the U.S. struggle to access even basic preventative care such as spay/neuter procedures, vaccinations and annual exams,” said Kate Atema, director of community grants and initiatives at PetSmart Charities. “While this issue affects families in nearly every community, those who have been historically excluded from human social services are most in need of pet services, too. We’re proud to support this innovative approach that meets the unique needs identified by those living in the communities themselves.”