Animal Welfare League of Alexandria Receives $100,000 Grant from PetSmart Charities to Address Lack of Accessible Veterinary Care in Historically Excluded Communities
July 9, 2025 — ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) has received a grant from PetSmart Charities® in the amount of $100,000 to address barriers in accessing veterinary care in the neighborhoods near the Mark Center off North Beauregard Street.
Rising costs combined with geographical, cultural, and other barriers have left many communities out of the veterinary care system altogether. The Incubator grant program supports innovative and culturally relevant veterinary programs targeted toward historically excluded communities across the U.S.
While 70% of American households include pets, access to basic veterinary services has not kept pace. Pets are universally considered important family members and keeping them together requires resources that are often missing. This is particularly felt in many underserved communities where not only cost, but geography and systemic inequities have left veterinary care beyond reach. Early in 2023, PetSmart Charities, the top funder of animal welfare in the country, committed $100 million over the next five years toward improving access to veterinary care. The Incubator grants focus on historically excluded communities, many of which lack access to community supports, including veterinary services.
The AWLA has been chosen as part of this year’s Incubator grantees, designed to give veterinary organizations a one-year runway to build relationships with and deepen their understanding of their partner community. Tasked with enlisting support of local changemakers, the grantees agree to co-creating models of care alongside communities.
“Equitable access to veterinary care is a foundational need for healthy pets and families,” said Joanna Fortin, Director of Community Programs. “Together with community members, we will create and shape pathways for accessing veterinary care that don’t currently exist in these neighborhoods. These solutions will help foster healthy pets, empower and support families, and strengthen the community by providing services that meet the needs of those who live here.”
“Most people today consider pets to be family, yet we now know more than half of pet parents have skipped or declined veterinary care, with many more who haven’t been able to access it at all,” said Kate Atema, Director of Community Grants & Initiatives at PetSmart Charities. “This issue affects families in nearly every community across the U.S. — but becomes even more challenging for families living in places where other resources are also difficult to access. We’re proud to support partners that work hard to overcome obstacles to veterinary care and collaborate with local communities to co-create unique solutions for their pets.”
Community members can learn more about the supportive services provided by the AWLA for pets and their families by clicking here, emailing community@AlexandriaAnimals.org or calling 703-746-6001.
Media Contact:
Erin Shackelford
703-746-5656
eshackelford@AlexandriaAnimals.org
24-Hour PetSmart Charities
Media Line: 623-587-2177