Animal Caretakers Impact Fund provides grants to nonprofits in Utah that support the people behind animal welfare—veterinarians, shelter, rescue and humane society staff, veterinary technicians and other clinic staff, and the families who care for pets at home.
Why This Work Matters
The people who dedicate their lives to animal care face serious challenges:
- Veterinarians have suicide rates significantly higher than the general population
- Nearly 1 in 6 veterinarians reported thoughts of self-harm in the past year, while 41% experienced serious psychological distress
- Up to 30% of veterinary staff surveyed in 2023 reported plans to leave the profession
- Shelter staff face high levels of burnout and compassion fatigue, often with fewer mental health resources available
- Meanwhile, pet owners are struggling too. Owner surrender rates rose from 30.5% in 2019 to 32% in 2024, with behavioral issues, housing challenges, and inability to afford care among the top reasons families give up their pets.
Our Focus Areas
Caretaker Wellbeing
Grants supporting programs that address burnout, compassion fatigue, and mental health for veterinary professionals and shelter staff.
Keeping Families Together
Funding for behavioral education and financial assistance that helps pet guardians overcome barriers to keeping their animals.
Research & Education
Investment in research on mental health in animal care professions, and public education initiatives that build community understanding of these issues.
Veterinary Pipeline Support
Programs promoting the wellbeing of veterinary students and early-career professionals to sustain the future of the profession.
How We're Different
We don't provide grants directly to veterinary clinics, individual pet owners, or direct animal care services. Our focus is on the people and systems that make animal care possible.
