A Las Vegas veterinarian has launched a nonprofit to help dog and cat owners cover the cost of specialized veterinary treatment, filling a gap that has grown wider as shelter surrenders across the valley hit record highs.
Dr. David Espinosa, co-owner of Majestic Park Animal Hospital and Vegas Valley Pet Hospital, recently formed Majestic Park Animal Care to help pet owners pay for services they otherwise couldn’t afford.
The nonprofit has already paid $100,000 toward surgeries, chemotherapy, and other specialized care for animals at his clinics.
“There are countless cases of people on fixed income not able to go through the treatments, much less the follow-up care,” Espinosa told Nevada Public Radio.
“This foundation comes in and helps to not only cover the exam, but the diagnostics and treatments, and all the necessary follow-up care for these poor patients.”
The launch comes as financial strain has become one of the leading drivers of pet surrenders in Southern Nevada.
Dog surrenders in Las Vegas are at a ten-year high, with The Animal Foundation taking in nearly 90 animals a day and describing the situation as a breaking point.
Rachel Bergren, executive director of Heaven Can Wait Animal Society, appeared alongside Espinosa on the Nevada Public Radio segment and urged struggling owners to reach out before giving up their pets.
“There are more affordable resources out there, and it’s just a matter of being patient and picking up the phone or looking online,” she said.
“You can call us as well, or reach out to us, and we can help and make some of those referrals.”
Espinosa said the foundation aims to grow, with the goal of eventually doubling the $100,000 it has already spent.
“From that first injection to week 24 of your chemotherapy treatment, we hope to not only surpass that amount, but hopefully double that,” he said. “The future is the limit.”
Pet owners in need of financial assistance can also contact the Nevada SPCA’s Community Support Program, which provides one-time grants toward veterinary treatment for owners facing hardship, and Heaven Can Wait’s Romeo Fund, which offers heavily subsidized or free services to those receiving SNAP or Medicaid.
Dog Friendly Las Vegas features articles, business and event information created based on information provided directly by third-parties. While we make every effort to represent this information accurately, we are unable to independently verify all claims. Readers are encouraged to confirm details directly with businesses before making decisions.
