In 2025, Pets4Life Louisville didn’t just grow — we deepened.
We deepened our presence in neighborhoods where access to veterinary care has long been out of reach.
We deepened partnerships with organizations working toward real, systemic solutions.
And we deepened our understanding of what it truly takes to keep pets healthy and families together.
At the heart of our work is a simple belief: pet retention is a social justice issue. People love their pets. What they often lack is access — to affordable care, reliable information, transportation, and systems that actually work for them.
A Year of Growth, Trust, and Community-Led Solutions
In May 2025, Pets4Life Louisville celebrated 10 years as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit — marking a decade of evolution from a small grassroots effort into a trusted, community-based organization serving Louisville’s most underserved neighborhoods.
That growth was fueled by meaningful investment and collaboration.
In 2025, we entered Phase II of the $300,000 PetSmart Charities Incubator Grant, transitioning from research to action by launching community-designed veterinary solutions in the 40210 zip code, including the Park Hill and California neighborhoods. This work centers the voices of pet families and responds directly to the barriers they face.
We were also honored to receive philanthropic support from partners like the Jeff Wyler Automotive Family’s “50 for 50” initiative, Meijer Store 166, and many individual donors who believe in prevention over crisis response.
Beyond financial support, our community showed up in powerful ways — contributing over $70,000 in in-kind support, donated space, professional expertise, and nearly 1,000 volunteer hours from 67 active volunteers and staff.
Where the Work Happened
In 2025, Pets4Life hosted 37 pet resource events and 13 veterinary care events, meeting families where they already live, gather, and trust.
Our three neighborhood Petcare Hubs — located at the California Community Center, Park Hill, and The Lord’s Kitchen — continued to serve as consistent access points for food, supplies, education, and connection to care. These hubs aren’t just distribution sites; they are relationship-building spaces where conversations lead to long-term change.
We also expanded prevention-focused initiatives like Snips & Chips and the Complete Fix Program, helping families access spay/neuter surgery, vaccines, microchips, and deworming at a fraction of the typical cost — removing financial barriers that too often delay or prevent care.
Community Listening and Collaboration
In October, we convened a Community Partner Conversation with leaders from animal welfare, housing, and human services to tackle the hard truths: transportation barriers, emergency care costs, housing restrictions, and the ripple effects these challenges have on pets and families alike.
And during the holidays, we leaned into trust-building — hosting a Parkway Place Home Goods Giveaway that supported 125 families. Sometimes impact starts with meeting immediate needs and showing up without conditions.
2025, By the Numbers
Because the need isn’t theoretical — it’s measurable.
These aren’t feel-good statistics.
They represent real pets, real families, and real barriers.
In 2025, Pets4Life Louisville:
- Helped 3,036 pets with food, supplies, veterinary care, and spay/neuter support
- Provided veterinary care to 503 pets, many of whom had never seen a veterinarian before
- Supported 2,533 pets at three neighborhood Petcare Hubs
- Distributed 10,309 pounds of pet food, along with essential supplies
- Assisted or referred 111 spay/neuters, directly preventing future litters and reducing shelter intake
- Delivered vaccines, microchips, deworming, and preventative care to pets at highest risk
- Responded to hundreds of one-on-one requests for help navigating appointments, transportation, and follow-up care
These numbers matter because most of these pets would not have received care otherwise. Not because their families don’t care — but because access is expensive, confusing, and often out of reach.
The Reality We Can’t Ignore
Here’s what 2025 made undeniably clear:
People are not failing their pets.
Systems are failing people.
Rage scrolling thrives on blame.
Our work is about solutions.
When care is accessible, affordable, and delivered with dignity, families rise to the occasion. Pets stay healthy. Preventable disease declines. Shelters feel the impact downstream.
That’s not charity.
That’s prevention.
Looking Ahead to 2026
In 2026, Pets4Life Louisville is doubling down on what works:
- Sustainable veterinary care models focused on early intervention
- Deep, neighborhood-based partnerships
- A new website designed to better serve pet families and streamline access to help
- Systems that don’t require people to jump through hoops just to do the right thing
The need isn’t going away — but neither are we.
Our 2026 Theme
People don’t fail their pets.
Systems fail people.
Prevention starts with access.
Thank you for standing with us, believing in this work, and helping us build a future where care is possible — regardless of zip code or income. 🐾