McKamey Animal Center announces it has been awarded a Pets for Life Mentorship grant to provide direct, hands-on community outreach for pet owners in the most under-resourced areas of Chattanooga. The program is sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States.
“McKamey Animal Center’s mission is Saving Animals, Helping People,” said MAC Executive Director Inga Fricke. “This partnership, which brings supplemental resources directly to pet owners, is a perfect match for that mission. We are excited to launch Pets for Life Chattanooga to make a real and lasting difference for people and pets in our community.”
The program will be centered in the Alton Park area, a community in which pet owners have not historically been adequately supported, officials said.
“Pets for life will provide services and resources to residents in the South Chattanooga community to enhance knowledge about pet care options,” said District 7 Concilwoman Raquetta Dotley.
Pets for Life provides grants, in-depth training and ongoing guidance to local organizations across the United States, so they have the support needed to sustain the outreach program long term. With an estimated 23 million pets and 45 million people living in poverty across the country, Pets for Life addresses the critical lack of available and affordable resources in those communities, officials said.