BARCS Animal Shelter Receives Lifesaving Investment for Keeping Pets With Families Program from Banfield Foundation(R)
Funding will provide medical care, vaccinations, and other preventative care for pets and their families in crisis in Baltimore City
BALTIMORE, MD — February 2025: BARCS Animal Shelter is excited to share that we have received a lifesaving grant award from our friends at Banfield Foundation(R). This grant will directly support the BARCS Keeping Pets With Families (KPWF) Program, which provides resources and services to underserved pet owners in Baltimore City. Specifically, this award will support KPWF wellness and pop-up clinics as well as the long-standing monthly low-cost vaccine and microchip clinic for owned animals.
“BARCS is so grateful for this incredible gift from Banfield Foundation. The KPWF Program is a lifeline for so many members of our Baltimore community,” said Bailey Deacon, Chief Philanthropy and Communications Officer. “It truly takes a village to save the lives of animals in Baltimore City; we are so, so grateful that Banfield Foundation is a part of ours.”
“Enabling access to veterinary care is a critical part of ensuring pets can remain, and thrive, in loving homes,” said Kim Van Syoc, Executive Director of Banfield Foundation. “Ensuring that care is comprehensive and affordable is also equally important to us, which is why we continue to support BARCS in their lifesaving work. Whether through the donation of its mobile veterinary unit or funding medical care and resources, our goal is to help BARCS care for its community and help communities of pet owners care for their pets.”
Funding from Banfield Foundation will have an immensely positive impact on BARCS and the Baltimore community. BARCS’ Keeping Pets With Families program is working diligently to close the gaps of veterinary care in city neighborhoods. When we provide resources and services to pet owners in need, they have one less stressor to focus on. Pet owners who utilize the KPWF Program not only receive much-needed assistance for their pets, which reduces financial and emotional strain, but they also join a community of fellow pet owners in their neighborhood, which makes a positive impact on the sense of community and overall well being. Furthermore, this program prevents animals from needlessly being surrendered to the shelter when they already have a loving family who needs support.
For more information on BARCS and the Keeping Pets With Families Program, please visit www.barcs.org.
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About BARCS
The Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS) is the largest companion animal shelter in Maryland. Each year, BARCS takes in more than 11,000-12,000 homeless animals including dogs, cats, small companion animals, wildlife, farm animals and exotics. As an open-admission shelter, BARCS does not turn away any animal in need of shelter, food and a loving touch and grants refuge to every abandoned, neglected, abused, lost or surrendered animal that comes through our door. Individuals from all over Baltimore come to BARCS every day of the week for reasons as diverse as reclaiming lost pets, adopting new furry family members, joining our foster and volunteer programs, and receiving free and low-cost resources to help them keep their pets in homes. BARCS' lifesaving programs seek to enhance the quality of life in our community through compassionate and impactful services to animals and people. BARCS makes a better community for Baltimore by providing humane care and shelter for homeless animals and promoting responsible pet ownership.
About the Banfield Foundation®
Since 2015, Banfield Foundation has been making preventive care possible for the pets that need it most. Through grants and partnerships, we provide medical supplies and resources to nonprofit partners in need; support pets, people and communities in crisis; and enable veterinary professionals to deliver compassionate and inclusive preventive veterinary care in underserved and diverse areas across the United States and around the world. We also leverage the expertise and passion of Banfield Pet Hospital, part of Mars Veterinary Health, and its Associates to care for pets in need. At the Banfield Foundation, we are committed to living our collective purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS. For more information, visit BanfieldFoundation.org.