Rainbow Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kurtistown is one of 26 nonprofit animal welfare organizations nationwide to be awarded a grant by PetSmart Charities that will provide free spay and neuter surgeries and preventative care for 750 owned dogs and cats.
Rainbow Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kurtistown is one of 26 nonprofit animal welfare organizations nationwide to be awarded a grant by PetSmart Charities that will provide free spay and neuter surgeries and preventative care for 750 owned dogs and cats.
The Community Pet Program is a new initiative of PetSmart Charities to help create a healthier community for pets, their families and neighbors.
Pet owners from Mountain View, Keaau and Pahoa will be eligible to attend clinics hosted by Rainbow Friends. Pets will receive free spay and neuter surgeries and basic veterinary services, including vaccinations, flea treatments and de-worming medications. The goal is to provide help to all pets in a household.
It is estimated that in these communities 80 percent of pets are unaltered and 70 percent might never have been seen by a veterinarian. These are the pets, along with unwanted litters of kittens and puppies, that are most likely the source of pets entering local shelters.
“We are so pleased to have this opportunity to help the animals and people of our island community with this very generous funding provided by PetSmart Charities,” said Mary Rose Krijgsman, founder and president of the sanctuary.
Clinic schedules will be announced on the Rainbow Friends website www.rainbowfriends.org or call 895-6219 for information.