Banfield awards $1 million in free healthcare to families

PORTLAND, ORE. - 5/25/05 - The Banfield Charitable Trust plans to help more than 3,000 low-income families by giving out $1 million in free healthcare for preventive medicine.

Banfield, The Pet Hospital and the new charitable trust program began the partnership providing the most aid to pet owners in the hospital's history.

Veterinarians in all of Banfield's hospitals will select needy clients to receive free wellness plans, the company says.

In order to qualify for the aid, pet owners must have good track records as caregivers. The pets will receive vaccines, free physical exams, preventive care services and discounts on other services for one year.

"The mission of the Charitable Trust is to take what Banfield already is doing for pets and families beyond the walls of the hospital into the communities," says Sandy Campbell, president of the Charitable Trust. "Many of these Optimum Wellness Plans will go to young families and senior citizens - both cases where pets make a huge difference in quality of life."