Since our Pets for Life program began in 2011, over 60 communities across the country have embraced the opportunity to ensure that people have access to the resources they need for their companion animals. In the U.S., at least 20 million companion animals currently live with families experiencing poverty or in underserved areas, where access to pet care services is scarce. This disparity has made access to care one of the central animal welfare issues of our time.  

To help bridge this divide, Pets for Life takes a comprehensive, community-based approach, providing veterinary care, pet supplies, services and useful information at no cost. We’ve always known the power of this work, but now research shows just how important this approach is. 

Since 2016, our Pets for Life program has been working with the Institute for Human-Animal Connection at the University of Denver's Graduate School of Social Work to study the Pets for Life model, using rigorous social science research methods that focus on gathering information directly from underserved communities. These studies show that improving outcomes for companion animal welfare depends on specific kinds of strategies to mitigate barriers in accessing support services for pets.