A WisCARES patient receiving an exam by a fourth-year UW School of Veterinary Medicine DVM student.
MADISON, Wis. — March 31, 2025— Wisconsin Companion Animal Resources, Education, and Social Services (WisCARES), a program of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM), has been awarded a $2.18 million grant from Maddie’s Fund®, a national family foundation established by Dave and Cheryl Duffield to revolutionize the status and well-being of companion animals. The grant will support the expansion of WisCARES’ Community Pet Resource Center and Veterinary Clinic.
This transformative funding, distributed over five years, will enable WisCARES to enhance its services for pet owners experiencing financial hardship and housing instability while also expanding its role in veterinary education. The grant will help fund additional staff, allow them to see more patients, make facility improvements, and develop new resources to meet the growing demand for veterinary care in Dane County.
“One of our founding principles is that all animals and their people deserve the chance to stay together during difficult times and to have access to necessary veterinary care,” says Ruthanne Chun, WisCARES co-founder and a clinical professor at the SVM. “The continued generosity and support of Maddie’s Fund helps us serve more pets and families in need while at the same time providing much needed learning opportunities and experiences to our next generation of veterinarians.”
The expansion will include the addition of a third full-time veterinarian and certified veterinary technician, increased support staff to manage appointments and client needs, and enhanced student training opportunities as WisCARES integrates further into the SVM curriculum. The grant will also support improvements to clinic infrastructure, including new exam rooms and reconfigured workspaces to accommodate more patients.
“Maddie’s Fund and the Duffield family are committed to helping solve the access to care crisis, and because WisCARES has demonstrated significant impact we are proud to increase our support,” says Dr. Laurie Peek, Maddie’s Fund Executive Leadership Team. “The organization is part of a leading veterinary medical school, so we’re not only supporting the veterinary care itself but also fostering the education of students who will be the compassionate veterinary leaders of tomorrow.”
WisCARES provides low-cost veterinary care, housing support, and social services to pet owners in need, helping to keep animals with their families and prevent unnecessary surrenders to animal shelters. Over the last several years, the clinic has managed approximately 3,000 visits annually. With this grant, WisCARES will be better equipped to meet the needs of its clients while providing veterinary students with hands-on learning experiences in a high-demand, community-based setting.
For more information about WisCARES and its services, visit www.wiscares.wisc.edu.
– ### –
Established in 1994 by Dave and Cheryl Duffield, Maddie’s Fund® is a family foundation and fulfillment of a promise to their dog, Maddie. She provided them joy for over ten years and continues to inspire us today.
Due to their generosity and vision, the Foundation has awarded over $287.5 million in grants toward increased community collaborations and live outcomes, pioneering shelter medicine education, establishing foster care as a standard across the U.S. and driving innovation in access to care. Maddie’s Fund proudly offers the industry a national voice, important funding opportunities for bold ideas, learning resources and access to collaborate and share innovative solutions.
The Foundation invests its resources in keeping with Dave & Cheryl’s promise, that pets and their people would enjoy the same experience they had with Maddie. We are committed to keeping pets and people together, creating a safety net of care for animals in need and operating within a culture of inclusiveness and humility. #ThanksToMaddie.
About the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine
The UW School of Veterinary Medicine provides outstanding programs in veterinary medical education, research, clinical practice, and service that enhance the health and welfare of both animals and people and contribute to the economic well-being of the state of Wisconsin. Opened in 1983, the school quickly earned a reputation as one of the leading schools of veterinary medicine in America. The SVM offers an unmatched educational experience for the next generation of trusted veterinarians; world-class research, technology, and clinical trials; and leading-edge, compassionate clinical care at our teaching hospital, UW Veterinary Cares. For more information, visit www.vetmed.wisc.edu.