FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 1, 2022
Media contact: Deborah Turcott, Secretary, SFPC Board of Directors, 603-717-5883
ST. FRANCIS PET CARE TO EXPAND SERVICES
SFPC Partners with Atlanta Humane Society’s Remedy to Meet Growing Needs
GAINESVILLE, FL – The need for veterinary care for the companion animals of people experiencing homelessness and people in our most vulnerable communities has grown exponentially since the founding of St. Francis Pet Care (SFPC). In fact, over the last year, the number of animals served by SFPC grew by 260% to 2,211. To meet the increasing demand, SFPC identified a partner organization with similar goals and missions of providing accessible and affordable veterinary care to those that need it most and would help them grow its existing business. Joining forces with Remedy, the affordable veterinary practice of the Atlanta Humane Society, will enable SFPC to continue to serve its current clients throughout North Central Florida and be able to see and treat thousands more vulnerable pets.
“It was important to us to find a partner organization with similar goals and mission,” said Dale Kaplan-Stein, DVM, SFPC Co-Founder. “So, when we identified Remedy, we were delighted. This is an incredible opportunity for us to build efficiencies so we can help more animals and people within the region.”
In 2021, at its Gainesville clinic, SPFC spayed or neutered nearly 150 animals, administered 130 vaccinations, and provided over 740 medications for these clients who would otherwise go without care—benefiting both the animals and the owner. In addition, at GRACE Marketplace, SFPC provided over 100 veterinary visits, gave out over 150 medications, and administered 113 vaccines.
Cal Morgan, Chair of the SFPC Board and CEO of the Atlanta Humane Society commented, “We are excited to partner with St. Francis Pet Care as our services and philosophies align so well. Long-term clients and new clients will continue to experience the same caring, affordable veterinary care to support long-lasting and loving relationships between pets and the people who love them.”
In September, Heather Thomas, currently the Executive Director of the Humane Society of North Central Florida, will join this effort as the Vice President of Veterinary Markets for Remedy. Based in Gainesville, she will lead the work and expansion of SFPC and support the growth of Remedy.
St. Francis Pet Care’s work and business model will continue to rely on dedicated volunteers and staff. It will continue to provide veterinary care at the Gainesville clinic, GRACE Marketplace and SWAG Family Resource Center. The partnership with Remedy will enable SFPC to take advantage of economies of scale, shared back-office support, and a call center so it can expand and focus on meeting the growing veterinary care needs of the most vulnerable communities.
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SFPC, founded in 2007, delivers free or low-cost veterinary services to the pets of underserved members of Alachua County. Its veterinarians practice incremental care as a necessity with their clients and recognize there are a broad range of options for many common treatable conditions. More information about SFPC can be found at www.stfrancispetcare.org.
Atlanta Humane Society’s Remedy, your community vet, supports pets and their people working to revolutionize veterinary care in the southeast. They provide a range of both healthy and sick pet services that ensure pets, and their people prosper. More information can be found at www.remedyvet.com.
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