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.
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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