$250 million ‘big bet for pets’ aims to expand access to veterinary care

A philanthropic organization has announced a groundbreaking $250 million commitment over the next 5 years, hoping to allow millions of pet owners to access critical veterinary care beyond their budgets.

The initiative represents one of the largest private philanthropic investments ever made in American history to expand access to nonprofit community veterinary care, and it was made by the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation.

Success in building and delivering innovation at 6 enterprise software companies, including PeopleSoft, Workday, and today, Ridgeline, has allowed billionaire software engineer, Cornell alum, and philanthropist Dave Duffield to give away heaps of the proceeds to charitable causes close to his heart, and to that of his wife, Cheryl.

These have included gifts totaling half-a-billion dollars to Cornell University’s school of engineering, and more than $300 million to companion animal support and welfare organizations.

As founders of Maddie’s Fund, the Duffields built the largest private foundation supporting companion animal organizations, with a particular focus on shelters.

Their latest check writing takes that total past $500 million with the “Big Bet for Pets,” an initiative that builds on this legacy by addressing the veterinary care gap in America, which the Foundation estimates impacts 50 million dogs and cats nationwide. This gap is largely the result of financial barriers to care, leaving millions of pets without routine, preventive, and lifesaving veterinary services.

“Pets are members of our families, and they need veterinary care to live long, healthy lives,” said Dave Duffield in a statement. “For too many families, that care is not easy to find or afford. Big Bet for Pets is our way of investing in a stronger, more accessible safety net for these special animals.

“The Duffield Big Bet for Pets will support community-based organizations working to expand access to veterinary care for family pets, invest in research and other strategies to advance progress in closing the gap in the access to veterinary care, and amplify the vital work of organizations providing veterinary services to pets in need.

The initiative will roll out multiple investments and grant opportunities over the next 5 years, and the first 2 launch today.