We hope to see you on the next Maddie's Community Conversation on Monday, December 1, 2025 at 11am PT / 2pm ET for "Accessible Pet Grooming Services for Underserved Populations," a conversation with @TERRYL Daluz and @Andrea Carter from Loving Paws Inc.
Access to affordable and inclusive pet grooming services remains a significant challenge for many underserved communities, including the unhoused population, low-income households, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and residents of rural areas. This presentation examines the increasing demand for equitable pet care resources and highlights how accessible grooming services can enhance animal health, foster stronger human–animal bonds, and reduce shelter relinquishment. We will examine barriers such as transportation limitations, financial constraints, and the scarcity of pet-friendly community programs. Additionally, we present innovative service models-including mobile grooming units, community-based partnerships, and subsidized care programs-that expand reach while maintaining quality and compassion. By identifying practical strategies and sharing successful case examples, this session aims to inspire stakeholders, service providers, and policymakers to collaborate in creating sustainable, inclusive grooming solutions that keep pets healthy and families together.
This session is especially relevant for adoptions and foster staff & volunteers, return to home and intake prevention staff, veterinary professionals, behavior staff & volunteers, marketing and communications staff, field services/animal control officers, grant writers/fundraisers - but all are welcome!
🔑 Key Takeaways:
-
Pet care is a public-health and dignity issue-not a luxury. Affordable grooming helps prevent skin infections, matting, parasites, and other health issues that affect both pets and their owners' well-being. Supporting these services is supporting community health.
-
Access barriers-not lack of love-prevent many from caring for their pets. Transportation challenges, cost, and limited service locations mean many unhoused or low-income pet owners can't obtain grooming, even though they care deeply for their animals. Outreach-based or mobile solutions directly address these structural barriers.
-
Small contributions create big impact. Whether through volunteering, donating supplies, funding mobile grooming units, or spreading awareness, individuals and organizations can play a meaningful role in keeping pets healthy and families together.
Don't forget! $10,000 in grants each month! Maddie's Fund will be giving away up to $10,000 in grants each month! You can enter for a chance to win each time you attend a call or watch it on demand during the month by completing the monthly giveaway drawing entry form.
Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom. If you have not re-registered for the new season, please do so today.
🧠 Got Topic or Speaker Suggestions?
We want to hear your ideas! If there's a topic you're curious about or a speaker you'd love to hear from, please share your suggestions with us on our Community Conversations Suggestions thread.
Looking forward to being in community with you!
#AccesstoCare#CommunityPartnerships*#EducationandTraining#PetSupportServices*------------------------------
Sheila Kouhkan
Senior Education Specialist
Maddie's Fund
CA
------------------------------