Pawsome News! PAAC Snags $10K Petco Grant to Transform Pet Health in Coastal Bend!
As the new year unfolds, People Assisting Animal Control (PAAC) has a reason to celebrate with a generous $10,000 grant from Petco Love. This funding boost is set to significantly enhance the lifesaving veterinary healthcare services they provide to animals throughout the Coastal Bend.
Petco Love, a philanthropic powerhouse supporting over 4,000 animal welfare groups, has facilitated veterinary healthcare and an impressive 6.75 million adoptions since its inception in 1999.
Cheryl Martinez, the heart and soul behind PAAC, emphasized the mission, "Our goal is to keep pets and their families together by providing the medical care they need." Martinez, who founded PAAC in 2010 after witnessing the dire need for increased animal adoptions and medical services during her tenure at Corpus Christi's Animal Care Service Center, has been a beacon of hope for countless animals.
The PAAC journey led to the establishment of a wellness clinic in 2015, where the team, now boasting five dedicated veterinarians, performs over 800 surgeries a month, alongside providing essential annual vaccinations and treatments for infections, heartworm, and flea and tick prevention.
"This grant is about access to care," Martinez stated. She acknowledges the financial barriers many face in providing healthcare for their pets and sees this grant as a step toward removing those obstacles, ensuring pets can stay with the families who love them.
The $10,000 boost from Petco Love is part of a larger $1.5 million initiative aimed at supporting over 100 spay/neuter clinics and other affordable veterinary facilities. Martinez, reflecting on the past 13 years, shared her awe at the number of animals PAAC has been able to help, far exceeding her initial expectations. She remains committed to expanding medical care access and outreach efforts to more families and their furry companions.
PAAC's impact stretches across seven counties in the Coastal Bend, including Aransas, Bee, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces, San Patricio, and Refugio. With this latest funding, the future looks brighter for pets and their people in these communities, thanks to the relentless efforts of PAAC and the generous support of Petco Love.
