|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE), a nonprofit dedicated to addressing biases within animal welfare, has been awarded a grant by PetSmart Charities totaling $43,720 to fund a groundbreaking study aimed at advancing racial equity in pet acquisition and adoption.
The grant will be distributed over 12 months from now through June 30. The funds will support CARE’s efforts to identify community-specific needs and solutions to improve access to pet ownership for all families, particularly within BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities.
The research will be conducted in four major U.S. cities: Miami, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Minneapolis, where BIPOC families will share their experiences with pet acquisition through focus groups and surveys. The study will examine trusted sources for obtaining pets, document the impact of systemic discrimination in shelters and rescues, and identify community-driven solutions that make pet ownership more accessible.
By focusing on the human-animal bond within BIPOC households, the study also will address challenges such as adoption discrimination and lack of access to affordable veterinary care.
“At PetSmart Charities, we believe everyone deserves the love of a pet. That means ensuring that all communities are heard. CARE’s research will begin to close the gap in research centered on BIPOC and marginalized communities, and their pets,” said Heidi Marston, director of pet placement initiatives at PetSmart Charities.
“The absence of these insights not only upholds unchecked biases and prejudice across animal welfare, it means that these communities cannot access the critical resources needed to support their pets. We are proud to support the work CARE is leading. Their meaningful research promises increased understanding and improved results for pets and people,” Marston added.
Findings from the study will inform broader discussions on reducing bias in pet adoption and help explore potential new uses across PetSmart Charities’ programs. This research will also support the ongoing work to eliminate discrimination in adoptions.
“Pet ownership should be a joyful experience for everyone, but too often, BIPOC families encounter discrimination throughout the process,” said James Evans, CARE’s CEO. “With this study, we are working to understand and address the root causes of these disparities, while highlighting solutions that come directly from the communities we’re serving.”
To learn more, visit www.petsmartcharities.org.
ABOUT US:
For more Miami community news, look no further than Miami Community Newspapers. This Miami online group of newspapers covers a variety of topics about the local community and beyond. Miami’s Community Newspapers offers daily news, online resources, podcasts and other multimedia content to keep readers informed. With topics ranging from local news to community events, Miami’s Community Newspapers is the ideal source for staying up to date with the latest news and happenings in the area.
This family-owned media company publishes more than a dozen neighborhood publications, magazines, special sections on their websites, newsletters, as well as distributing them in print throughout Miami Dade County from Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest, South Miami, Kendall, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay and Homestead. Each online publication and print editions provide comprehensive coverage of local news, events, business updates, lifestyle features, and local initiatives within its respective community.
Additionally, the newspaper has exclusive Miami community podcasts, providing listeners with an in-depth look into Miami’s culture. Whether you’re looking for local Miami news, or podcasts, Miami’s Community Newspapers has you covered. For more information, be sure to check out: https://communitynewspapers.com.
If you have any questions, feel free to email Michael@communitynewspapers.com or Grant@communitynewspapers.com.
