Special-Needs Shelter Pets Get Charity Care

San Francisco Veterinary Specialists, a multi-specialty referral hospital in San Francisco, donated almost $100,000 in charity care and discounted services in 2008.

Instead of offering discounted or pro-bono care to individual pet owners, SFVS works solely with its organizational partners to identify and care for the pets they refer. These partners include Pets Unlimited and the San Francisco SPCA.

Each month, SFVS donates a pre-determined amount of charity care to the two nonprofits and their special-needs shelter pets.

In addition, SFVS provides discounted care to rescue groups across the Bay Area, such as Guide Dogs for the Blind (Marin), Rocket Dog Rescue and Grateful Dog Rescue.

“For the past four years, we’ve been working closely with the two largest nonprofit animal rescue groups in the city — Pets Unlimited and the San Francisco SPCA — along with other organizations, to help provide critical specialty services where needed most,” said Craig Maretzki, VMD, Dipl. ACVIM, medical director at SFVS. “As the only multi-specialty referral hospital in the city, we’re proud to extend our services when Pets Unlimited or the SF/SPCA calls on us. These partnerships are a ‘win-win.’ We are able to give back to the community in a meaningful, effective way, and the neediest dogs and cats get second, or third, chances.”