PetSmart Charites will gift $6 million to UC Davis with endowed chair

Three UC Davis personnel associated with the Knights Landing One Health Center provide complimentary veterinary care to a community member’s dogs. (Photo credit: UC Davis)

PetSmart Charites announced in an organizational release¹ that it will name an endowed chair at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine for $6 million. This is the largest gift to date from PetSmart Charites and progresses the organization’s commitment to improving access to veterinary care.

PetSmart Charites aims to help solve the veterinary shortage with donations and gifts like this one. Research from MARS Veterinary Health² found that, “nearly 41,000 additional veterinarians will be needed to meet the needs of companion animal healthcare by 2030” and “even with the new veterinary graduates expected over the next 10 years, a shortage of nearly 15,000 veterinarians will likely still exist by 2030.”² To combat this, PetSmart Charities has committed $100 million over the next 5 years to address geographic, language and financial barriers to veterinary care.¹

"It's one of the most pressing issues of our time – building more equitable access to veterinary care," said Aimee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities, in the release. "Supporting an endowed faculty chair at this world-class veterinary school is certain to help us gain access to insight and expertise on effectively investing in this critical societal need. The chair will also lend thought leadership and representation in partnership with PetSmart Charities across the animal welfare space, and at other intersections serving pets and people. We couldn't be more excited about this promising partnership!"¹

According to PetSmart Charites, UC Davis' School of Veterinary Medicine was chosen to receive the gift for its sustained priority of improving access to veterinary care and integrated approach to student training.

"I'm thrilled to join forces with PetSmart Charities to make a greater impact in an issue that affects many animals and their owners," said Mark Stetter, DVM, DACZM, dean of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, said in the release. "Together, I believe that we can advance new models that can expand veterinary care to those who need it most."¹

References

1. PetSmart Charities to name endowed chair at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine with $6 million gift. News release. PetSmart Charities. May 25, 2023. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/petsmart-charities-to-name-endowed-chair-at-uc-davis-school-of-veterinary-medicine-with-6-million-gift-301834184.html
2. Tackling the veterinary professional shortage. MARS Veterinary Health. Published March 2022. Accessed May 25, 2023. https://www.marsveterinary.com/tackling-the-veterinary-professional-shortage/