The Riverside County Department of Animal Services was awarded a charitable grant of $90,000 by the PetSmart Charities, Inc., to assist low-income residents with the costs of animal care.
On Tuesday, Riverside County supervisors gave authorization to the Department of Animal Services to accept a charitable grant from the PetSmart Charities, Inc., according to Patch Palm Desert. Dealing with a history of deficits, the department applied for the grant earlier this year, and as a result, will be awarded $90,000 from the charity.
"The department intends to use the grant to increase the number of families who can retain their pets, thereby reducing the number of animals being surrendered by their owners," Riverside County Department of Animal Services reported. "These services include, but are not limited to, expenses related to veterinary care, such as vaccinations, microchips and spay/neuter surgeries."
According to department officials' estimations, up to 500 pets may benefit from the grant, which they hope will reduce the shelter population.
For the last decade, the Department of Animal Services has been struggling with deficits, which is what caused it to seek out the grant. Specifically, the grant is intended to assist low-income residents with their pet fees so that they won't have to face the prospect of giving up their animals due to rising pet care costs.