On January 11, 2025, we returned to the Burien Community Center for our latest community clinic as part of the ongoing work to increase access to care for Latino folks in South Seattle. This clinic was not just about offering veterinary services, but about fostering a sense of trust and security within a community that has historically faced barriers to pet care. These offsite clinics are made possible because of the multi-year grant we received from PetSmart Charities in 2023, aimed at addressing some of the most significant challenges in Latino communities that impact the ability of people to care for their pets & keep pets and families together.
Thanks to our dedicated veterinary team, led by Seattle Humane’s Community Medicine veterinarian, Dr. Hadar Friedman, we provided essential care to 50 pets—25 dogs and 25 cats. Our team administered vaccines, microchips and a variety of other treatments. The clinic also supplied families with pet food and gear, and scheduled several pets for spay/neuter surgeries in the coming weeks. It was a perfect example of how these clinics are more than just medical care—they are about building relationships, breaking down barriers, and creating a community where people and pets alike feel safe and supported.
But the impact of these clinics goes beyond the number of services provided. Through our ongoing work with the PetSmart grant, which specifically targets areas with high Latino populations like Burien (zip codes 98146, 98168 and 98188), we have learned that the cost of services, long wait times, and lack of payment flexibility are some of the biggest barriers preventing families from seeking care. Perhaps even more concerning, 21% of the people surveyed indicated that they were afraid to seek care due to concerns about potential law enforcement involvement. This fear, coupled with language and trust barriers, has made it difficult for some community members to access the care their pets need.
As a predominantly white and English-speaking organization, this is a work in progress—we’re utilizing interpreter services and several team members are even taking Spanish courses to better communicate with the community. Ensuring every person has their questions answered and feels heard is vital to providing equitable care.
In addition to veterinary care, we’ve found that several other pet-related services are in high demand but in short supply, such as fence repair, overnight boarding, and access to pet-friendly housing and transportation for care. These challenges go beyond financial barriers—they require deep trust, time and community knowledge to address. While the PetSmart grant has allowed us to take significant strides toward addressing these gaps, we continue to navigate the complexities of these needs and are committed to working closely with the community to find solutions.
We are looking forward to our next clinic at the Burien Community Center on March 8, 2025. With each clinic, we continue to learn and grow, tailoring our services to meet the needs of the community. Thanks to the ongoing support of PetSmart Charities, our incredible volunteers, and community partners, we are more committed than ever to ensuring that every pet and every pet owner in our community has access to the care and support they deserve.
