Singing Their Praises: The Direct CARE Fund at CARE

Howdy! 

We're singing the praises of the Direct CARE Fund at CARE! 

Pet Rodeo is a charitable mercantile selling goods for animal people (like our original, vintage-inspired graphic tees) to raise funds for low-cost and free veterinary care. The nonprofits we donate to do incredible work, but lots of folks don't know about them, so we're amplifying their work. Today we're singing the praises of one of the primary programs we donate to: the Direct CARE Fund at CARE! 

Don't forget: Pet Rodeo donates 20% of your total/gross purchase to nonprofit organizations, and when you check out you can pick which organization your purchase will support. The Direct CARE Fund is one of your choices! 

What is the Direct CARE Fund at CARE's mission?

Emergency and Preventative Veterinary funds that assist families struggling to access veterinary care for their pets. 

What does the Direct Care Fund at CARE do?

The Direct CARE Fund provides financial support to cover the cost of veterinary bills to help keep pets and their families together. The program operates like a community-owned fund, where people and foundations can contribute to it, and anyone (in communities where CARE operates) can receive assistance. Here's a little more about how it works: 

CARE employs a team that is distributed around the country to support a network of amazing, BIPOC-led, small non-profit organizations that improve human and animal well-being in their communities. Through this network, CARE partners with compassionate veterinary providers to provide funds to cover up to $500 of their veterinary costs, without applications or waiting. 

Through this fund, these community leaders are able to directly help pet parents in their own communities with the cost of emergency vet bills. Any pet parent who lives in one of CARE's communities can request help through the Direct CARE fund, and since 2024, the Fund has distributed over $80,000 and helped over 650 pets in: 

• Philadelphia, PA
• Los Angeles, CA
• Atlanta, GA
• Red Lake, MN

Why do we love the Direct Care Fund at CARE so much? 

We know there are millions of families who love their pets but can't always afford to care for them. Sometimes, that puts pet parents in the awful situation of having to decide how to handle an emergency. Many are forced to give up their pet to a shelter or rescue group just so they can get the care they need. It doesn't have to be that way, and the Direct CARE Fund is helping to change that, one pet and family at a time. This is compassion and love in action! 

Here's a photo of Shy Shy and her cat, Casper who received help through the Direct CARE Fund in Philadelphia.

Where can you learn more about The Direct CARE fund at CARE?

Their web site has a great video about the program, and more information about how you can donate. Check them out at careawo.org/directcare