Animal Resources of Tidewater has received a $33,000 grant from the William H. Donner Foundation to support ART’s Medical Assistance program which provides veterinary care for pets of Hampton Roads residents who cannot afford necessary, lifesaving procedures.

The Medical Assistance program is designed to help families keep their pets healthy and out of shelters when suffering financial difficulties.

“Beginning in 2015, ART committed significant resources to providing assistance for veterinary care to needy families and on free and low-cost spay/neuter, both aimed at reducing shelter intake,” said ART founder Debra Griggs.

From 2015-2019 ART has spent $565,000 on this targeted programming. In 2015 the save rate for sheltered pets in Hampton Roads was 71 percent. By the end of 2019 the save rate rose to 82 percent.

“This grant from the William H. Donner Foundation will support ART’s lifesaving work and bring us closer to our goal of a 90 percent save rate for the region,” sa...