COMMUNITY PET CLINICS CONCLUDED FOR 2025
Caring for pets and understanding changes to the 2026 pet clinic services.
By Vivian LaMoore, Inaajimowin Editor
For many members of the Mille Lacs Band community, waking up each morning means a cold, wet nose in your face or tiny paws padding across your blankets. Pet ownership is woven into our daily lives, and for many of us, our fur babies truly are family. According to the APPA's 2025 Industry Report, 94 million U.S. households own a pet — 71% of all households — contributing to a $152 billion industry in 2024. Just the first year of pet ownership can cost more than $1,000.
The Mille Lacs Band Community Risk Reduction (CRR) program has long recognized the deep bond Band members share with their animals. For years, CRR has coordinated Pet Clinics to help educate the community on caring for their pets, including the importance of spay/neuter programs, vaccinations, deworming, flea and tick control, and wellness checks. CRR partners with the Minnesota Spay and Neuter Assistance Program (MnSNAP), the Student Initiative for Reservation Veterinary Services (SIRVS), and The Bond Between to bring reliable, free pet healthcare to each district at least once each year. These organizations also serve other Native communities throughout Minnesota annually.
Pet Clinics have been offered in each Mille Lacs Band community - Minisinakwaang, Chiminising, Aazhomog, Meshakwad, the Urban Area, and District I. The Bond Between reported that the total value of services and supplies invested in Band member pet care in 2025 was $64,000.
These visiting pet-care organizations are entirely non-profit and volunteer-driven. They rely on donations to travel here and provide wellness exams and spay/neuter surgeries for Band members' pets. The Mille Lacs Band supports their visits by providing clinic space, meals for volunteers, and hotel rooms for veterinarians — but the Band does not fund the clinics themselves.
"Thank you again for inviting us into your community, hosting us, feeding us, and letting us stay in your community centers! We are so grateful for this partnership and are excited to be back next Spring!" said Julia Samii, Tribal Partnerships Coordinator, The Bond Between.
In the past, these groups received enough outside funding to offer services at no cost to Native communities throughout Minnesota. Unfortunately, their main funding source was recently cut, meaning they will no longer be able to offer the same level of care. We want Band members to understand this change and know that these dedicated organizations remain committed to helping our pets — they simply have fewer resources and will be offering fewer clinics in 2026.
Snapshot from the most recent District I Pet Clinic weekend:
• Total surgeries: 48
• Total wellness exams: 135
Breakdown by organization:
• The Bond Between: 116 wellness exams (Nov. 8-9)
• MnSNAP: 28 surgeries (Nov. 2)
• SIRVS: 20 surgeries (Nov. 8) and 19 wellness exams (Nov. 9)
Year-end totals from The Bond Between:
• 9 clinic days across 5 districts plus the Urban community
• 373 wellness exams (397 last year)
• 835 vaccines administered (894 last year)
• 128 spay/neuter surgeries funded across 7 clinic dates (143 last year) - Note: A large number of no-shows at the spring surgery dates in Meshakwad and Minisinaakwaang reduced totals
• 1,586 doses of flea/tick and heartworm preventative distributed (1,320 last year)
• 732 doses of dewormer administered
• Over 4,384 Ibs of food and countless supplies distributed
• Total investment: $64,000 in pet wellness (up from $55,000 last year)
Studies continue to show that pets enrich our lives in countless ways. They help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and they naturally support healthier routines - from daily walks to moments of play and affection. Pets also lift our spirits and bring a calming presence that supports our emotional well-being. For children, pets are more than companions. They help teach responsibility, dependability, and compassion, nurturing a caring spirit through everyday interaction. Pets offer a meaningful, hands-on connection to the natural world, supporting growth and engagement for the entire family. Healthy pets can truly help create a healthier community.
As scheduling shifts for next year, we want to reassure Band members that we are working hard to keep pet healthcare available in our communities. The Bond Between is scheduled to visit Meshakwad in April and Chiminising in May. Community members from all districts are welcome to attend those clinics for services. The Bond Between will be extending clinic days/hours and bringing additional volunteers to accommodate the community through these clinic dates and locations.
Both SIRVS and MnSNAP are planning fall clinics in District I.
"We want to assure the community that The Bond Between remains committed to Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe community and their furry family members," Samii said. "Our mission is to wake up every morning saying 'YES' to connecting people and animals, caring for them, and helping them fill each other's hearts. While clinics will look a bit different next year, we will continue to support you and your pets with wellness and surgery. Thank you for trusting us and inviting us into your com-munity. We are excited to see you again in the Spring!"
As we look ahead to next year, we encourage Band members to stay involved, stay informed, and continue caring for the animals who bring so much love into our homes. Miigwech to everyone who shows up for these clinics, supports the volunteers, and helps keep our community's pets healthy and safe. Together, we can make sure our four-legged family members continue to thrive. Miigwech for being such a compassionate, committed community.
