The District Magazine Vol. 1 Issue 4, Winter 2016 | Page 42

G I V I N G M AT T E R S Vets4Pets Charitable Veterinary Clinic Vets4Pets Charitable Veterinary Clinic is nonprofit 501c3 that is owned and operated by the 40 plus profit veterinarians within the Hillsborough Animal Health Foundation. Its mission is to provide wellness & emergency veterinary care to the portion of the population in Tampa Bay on a very limited income, that would not be able to afford care for their pets otherwise. Vets4Pets uses means testing to determine their client base as well as referrals from the member veterinary hospitals and other nonprofits. 42 42 At 5010 E. Broadway Ave, just outside of Ybor, this veterinary clinic opens two days a week, only charging a $10 exam fee, to the elderly, disabled, veterans and many times the homeless. To most, that $10 is all they walk in the door with. But for these clients, their pet is the reason they keep going each day. For many, their pet is the only family they have. It is important to Vets4Pets that these clients are treated with respect, given as much help as possible, and sent out the door feeling like someone cared about them. Part of the way this is done is by keeping a food pantry stocked and sending food home with those that need. Another important part of the Vets4Pets mission is to help rescue groups care for their fosters by providing them with high quality, low cost care. Vets4Pets realizes the importance of rescue groups in keeping animals out of the county