At a Glance
- Jurisdiction
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Date
- 2022-11-22
- Amount
- $500,000
A Charlotte nonprofit veterinary clinic has secured a $500,000 grant to extend subsidized medical services to pit bull owners in the region, as Axios Charlotte first reported on Nov. 22, 2022 [1].
Stand for Animals, a nonprofit veterinary clinic in Charlotte, will receive the $500,000 grant as part of the Artemis Cares Fund over the next five years [1]. The fund, provided by Cindy Levine, allows owners to obtain spay and neuter surgery, rabies vaccinations, and heartworm vaccinations for $25 [1]. Owners may also receive a heartworm test and three months of flea, tick, and heartworm medication, covered through a separate donation from Merck [1].
The fund is named for Artemis, a pit bull who began life as a bait dog for training dog fighters, was traumatized, surrendered to a shelter, adopted, and then returned twice [1][2]. Witnessing shelters overrun with dogs like Artemis inspired Cindy and Amanda Levine to establish the fund [2]. The initiative, made possible by the philanthropy of Cindy Levine, seeks to change public perceptions of the breed and relieve the plight of pit bulls who are being euthanized [1][2].
The fund was created to help prevent unwanted litters that add to overcrowded shelters. Under an older grant, Stand for Animals performed more than 5,000 spay and neuter surgeries at low cost, keeping more dogs out of shelters [1]. Stand for Animals Director Cary Bernstein also aims for the new fund to educate dog owners on the importance of routine medical care [1]. Stand for Animals, formerly known as Spay Neuter Charlotte, was founded in 2011 to end the unnecessary euthanasia of homeless pets by providing low-cost spay and neuter services [2][3].
While the grant targets pit bull owners, Stand for Animals will not deny other pet owners who need financial assistance with care [1]. The clinic aims to perform approximately 1,000 spay and neuter surgeries annually for the next five years [1][2]. The $500,000 commitment will also fund rabies vaccinations and, through the Merck partnership, heartworm preventative treatments for each participating animal [1][2].
References
[1] Axios Charlotte. (2022, November 22). A new fund aims to help pit bull owners receive pet care services for $25. https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2022/11/22/a-new-fund-aims-to-help-pit-bull-owners-receive-pet-care-services-for-25-314196
[2] WCNC Charlotte. (2022, October 29). The Artemis Cares Fund: fixing pit bulls and the stigma associated with the breed. https://www.wcnc.com/article/life/heartwarming/artemis-cares-fund-fixing-pit-bulls-and-the-stigma-associated-with-the-breed/275-b04ee43c-31bc-4b00-8e80-ecb7ca3c41af
[3] Share Charlotte / Stand for Animals Veterinary Clinic. Stand For Animals Veterinary Clinic. https://sharecharlotte.org/nonprofit/stand-animals-veterinary-clinic