MEDIA ADVISORY - Community Veterinary Outreach Hosts Clinic on October 20 to Help Homeless and Vulnerably-Housed Families and their Pets in York Region

Multidisciplinary team of veterinary professionals, healthcare workers, social workers and volunteers to join forces at Inn From the Cold in Newmarket for free clinic for underserved and at-risk people & pets.

EAST GWILLIMBURY, ON, Oct. 15, 2018 /CNW/ - On October 20, a team of veterinarians, veterinary technicians, social workers, York Region public health staff and community volunteers will come together at the Inn From the Cold shelter in Newmarket to offer no-cost human healthcare and veterinary services to homeless and marginally-housed individuals with pets throughout York Region. Through this program, Community Veterinary Outreach (CVO) will provide twenty clients and their pets with preventive health examinations, vaccinations, microchipping and parasite treatments free of any charge.

CVO's Regional Director, Angela Smith, DVM, MPH, says she's seen first hand the impact pets have on the lives of so many vulnerable members of the community. "From offering warmth and protection to people experiencing homelessness, to giving a sense of purpose to those living with debilitating depression, pets bring such incredible enrichment to the lives of the people we see at CVO clinics," says Smith.  "And the opposite is true, too.  These individuals who may not have much are willing to give up their own food, blankets and coats in favour of keeping their beloved pets healthy and happy. It's a very special bond."

Community Veterinary Outreach's clinic in York Region was made possible in part by a $20,000 grant from PetSmart Charities® of Canada that has been earmarked to support CVO clinics for underserved populations and their pets in the York Region, Ontario and Vancouver, British Columbia. The grant provided funding for equipment, supplies, staff and volunteer training and more.

"At PetSmart Charities of Canada, we're committed to not only bringing people and pets together, but keeping them together, even during challenging life circumstances," said David Haworth, DVM, Ph.D., and president of the animal welfare charity. "By supporting Community Veterinary Outreach's clinics in York Region and Vancouver, we're helping to ensure that every pet parent has access to high-quality veterinary care for their pets, and equally as importantly, basic health and dental care services for themselves. We're honoured to fund CVO's efforts to help homeless and vulnerably-housed individuals and families to retain one of the great comforts and joys of their lives—the companionship of a beloved pet."

See Community Veterinary Outreach in Action at the York Region Clinic:

Date & Time:	Saturday, October 20, 2018 from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Location:	Inn From the Cold – 510 Penrose Street, Newmarket, ON L3Y 3X7
Information:	Homeless and vulnerably housed individuals with pets will be able to access
	complimentary health and veterinary care.

About Community Veterinary Outreach:
Community Veterinary Outreach is a registered charity that improves the health of homeless individuals and their pets through a "One Health" model of care. By offering human health services and health education alongside preventative veterinary care, Community Veterinary Outreach provides innovative access to both veterinary and human health care for at-risk populations across Canada. To learn more visit www.vetoutreach.org

About PetSmart Charities® of Canada:
PetSmart Charities of Canada is committed to finding lifelong, loving homes for all pets by supporting programs and thought leadership that bring people and pets together.  Through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart® stores across Canada, PetSmart Charities of Canada helps to find forever homes and families for more than 25,000 shelter pets each year. PetSmart Charities of Canada also provides grant funding to registered Canadian charities aligned with its mission under four key areas of support: Preventing Pet Homelessness; Helping Shelter Pets Thrive; Supporting the Bond Between People and Pets and Providing Emergency Relief and Disaster Support. Each year, more than 500,000 generous PetSmart shoppers help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities of Canada using the PIN pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart stores.  In turn, PetSmart Charities of Canada efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its role as a leading funder of animal welfare in Canada, granting more than $14 million since its inception in 1999.  PetSmart Charities of Canada is a registered Canadian charity, a member of Imagine Canada and is independent from the PetSmart business in Canada. To learn more visit www.petsmartcharities.ca

SOURCE PetSmart Charities of Canada

MEDIA CONTACTS: Dr. Angela Smith DVM, MPH, Veterinary Director, Community Veterinary Outreach Clinic York Region, [phone], [email protected]; Nikki Altman, Golin on behalf of PetSmart Charities of Canada, [phone] ext. 3438, [email protected]