Foundation for Roanoke Valley announced today it has awarded ,000 to the Roanoke Valley SPCA to support its efforts to open a low-cost Spay-Neuter Clinic in Roanoke. The multi-year grant comes from the Foundation’s Phalia M. and Guy M. Kinder Fund, which was established within the community foundation last year through an estate gift from Mr. and Mrs. Kinder. The endowed fund will support agencies that prevent cruelty to animals, underwrite research toward the cure of animal diseases, make possible the professional education of animal caretakers and strengthen or implement programs that promote the positive relationship between animals and humans.
Alan Ronk, Executive Director of Foundation for Roanoke Valley noted, “The Kinders shared a special love for animals, especially their cats. In their fund agreement, they made special mention of their desire to help with capital building projects that would benefit cats. The Foundation is happy to support the Roanoke Valley SPCA through this initial grant from the Fund, and we are especially pleased that the agency will name the clinic room dedicated exclusively to cats in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Kinder.”
Carolyn Schwanhausser, Director of Development for the SPCA added, “The Roanoke Valley SPCA is very grateful to Foundation for Roanoke Valley for this leadership grant in support of our vision and pursuit of ending euthanasia of homeless cats and dogs in our community. Like the Kinders, our dream is a community where every pet is guaranteed a loving home. By preventing the birth of unwanted litters of kittens and puppies through spaying and neutering, we will save lives and stem the tide of pet overpopulation. Additionally, studies have shown that the procedures can make pets easier to manage, less aggressive and healthier. This grant brings us closer to realizing our goal to open a low-cost, high volume Spay and Neuter Clinic serving the greater Roanoke Valley region.”
The Clinic will be located on Peters Creek Road and will serve Roanoke, Salem, Vinton, Clifton Forge, Covington, and the counties of Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig, Franklin, Bedford, and Roanoke. The facility’s services will target pets from low-income households, pets being readied for adoption, and stray free-roaming animals. By providing an affordable, accessible solution to pet overpopulation, the Clinic can reach those pet owners who otherwise would be not able to afford the surgery.
Foundation for Roanoke Valley, the region’s community foundation, currently administers over 250 named endowment funds and awards approximately $3 million annually to benefit the community.
For more information on the Foundation, visit www.foundationforroanokevalley.org or call 985-0204.
