Latest News from SFAfA — Summer 2025

SFAfA

As our fiscal year wraps up, we wanted to say a big THANK YOU to all of you, veterinarians, techs and support staff, for your dedication, hard work and for the care that you provide for families and their beloved pets every day. We also wanted to say a big THANK YOU to our member hospitals for your dedication and loyalty to San Francisco Aid for Animals. This year alone, with your help, we have provided over $150,000 in life-saving veterinary care and have saved over 70 little lives. This is a wonderful accomplishment. Thank you so much to all of you!

We have heard recently from a number of hospitals that the veterinary landscape has been changing over the last few months. With the economic uncertainty that we are all facing, you may see an even greater impact on your clients’ ability to afford needed veterinary care. We don’t ever want you to turn away a client due to their inability to pay for life-saving veterinary care. Please don’t forget that we are here to help. As a member hospital, you have access to GIA, GIA+ and Tauber funds. If you are not a member hospital and are interested in joining our program, please feel free to reach out. Our new fiscal year starts July 1st. We would be happy to explain more about our program and how you could partner with us.

END OF FISCAL YEAR 2025

Just a reminder to our member hospitals that our fiscal year ends on June 30th. Please check your records to make sure that you have used your GIA allotment for the year. Please submit all grant requests by June 15th. Any unused GIA funds at the end of the fiscal year go back into the general pool, to be distributed next year. If you are not sure about your fund balance, have an active case that you won’t be able to submit until after 6/15 or have any questions, please feel free to contact us anytime. Also, if you don’t think that you will be utilizing your funds by 6/15, please consider transferring those funds to another hospital that has already used their allotment. We would be happy to facilitate that transfer. We don’t want any deserving pet missing out on the urgent care that they need if we can help.

GIA+ FUND

Even if your hospital has utilized all of your allotted GIA funds, you may have up to $10,000 in GIA+ funds available through the end of the fiscal year. This fund is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please check your records or check with us to make sure that you still have funds available. But don’t forget to reach for them the next time your client needs help!

ENROLLMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026

At the end of April, we sent out enrollment packets for the new fiscal year, which starts on July 1st. If you didn’t receive your packet and would like to enroll again this year, please contact us. We will let everyone know about their grant allotments for FYE26 by the end of June. If you are not currently partnering with SFAfA and would like to find out more about being a member hospital, please reach out to one of the grant team at:  grants@sfafa.org

Hanna Lee     —     Surya Karunakaran     —     Anne Marie Benfatto, DVM     —     Lea Del Rosso, DVM.

MEET “LUCY” AND HER VERY PROUD DAD

Lucy and her dad“Lucy” is a four-year-old, F/S pit mix. She had a mass on her right lateral thorax that was noted by her pet parent about six weeks earlier. It was growing. The cost of the surgery to remove the mass was well beyond what her dad could afford. She was seen at our member hospital, Animal Fix Clinic, in Richmond for surgery. With the help of a grant from SFAfA, Lucy was able to have the mass removed and it doing great at home.

Thanks to everyone at AFC for helping “Lucy” and to all of you who supports SFAfA, enabling us to do this important and life-saving work.

SFVMA Scholarships

Veterinary Students

We will offer a scholarship to one UC Davis veterinary student and one Western Veterinary student in 2025. Applications are typically accepted between October and December annually as determined by the college.

Requirements:

  • Must be currently enrolled in the veterinary program at UC Davis or Western University
  • Current or former employment with an SFVMA member
  • Must be able to prove employment with member

CONTACT FOR UC DAVIS VET. STUDENTS:

Hnouzong Her
External Relations Manager
hher@ucdavis.edu

RVT Students

To support and encourage RVTs in San Francisco, the SFVMA has established a scholarship program for students enrolled in an accredited RVT program. We will award $1,000 to two candidates who are currently or have previously worked in the practice of an SFVMA member, and have a stated desire to return to SF after graduation.

Submissions should include a personal statement from the student, a letter of recommendation from the veterinarian, and proof of enrollment at an accredited RVT program. The deadline for applications is May 1 annually.

Questions should be sent to
Maggie Li Puma at sfvmavp@gmail.com

SFVMA Scholarships

SFAfA — Submit a Request for Funding

SFAfA

Charitable Donations

Charitable Donations

The SFVMA Board will consider charitable grants to organizations that support the care and welfare of animals in our community and promote the veterinary profession.

Please contact Karen Truong for details on requests for donations:  sfvmatreasurer@gmail.com