Research by PetSmart Charities shows 70 % of Michigan households have a pet.
The Community Spay Neuter Initiative Partnership or CSNIP is a nonprofit vet service offering reduced cost services to financially challenged pet owners.
Staff operates out of three small clinics serving 10 counties in West Michigan, but now leaders are announcing plans to build a large veterinary clinic and headquarters in Walker to meet growing demand.
“By purchasing that building and renovating it, it will allow us to expand our capacity by nearly 40%.”
Executive Director Sharon Caldwell-Newton says the location in Walker was carefully chosen as CSNIP will close its three small clinics in Grand Rapids and Fruitport.
“Looking for a location that was close to the highway and would be accessible not only to our target market of Kent County, but also those pet families that live along those lakeshore communities.”
The $3.6 million dollar project is funded largely by grants from Kent County and PetSmart but came up a little short in funding, so the group is turning to pet lovers for help.
“We’re inviting the community, those people that understand the importance of the human/animal bond, to help us get to the finish line, help us raise that remaining $550,000.”
The new clinic will include exam rooms, kennel space, and a surgical suite with 10 operating tables and two dental stations, doubling current capacity.
They plan to open March of 20-25.
