 Friends Pet Clinic officially opens to provide low-cost vet care, spay/neuter
PIMA COUNTY, June 26, 2025 — The Friends Pet Clinic, a new non-profit low-cost veterinary clinic, celebrated its official grand opening on Tuesday, June 24.
Formally called the Friends of PACC Community Pet Clinic, the facility is located at 2661 N. 1st Ave. in Tucson and was founded by Friends of Pima Animal Care Center to help address chronic overcrowding at Pima Animal Care Center (PACC).
The Friends Pet Clinic offers low-cost vet care to animals adopted from PACC, providing an adoption incentive, as well as low-cost spay/neuter services for vulnerable pets and families. The clinic also reserves dozens of appointments each week for families receiving assistance through PACC’s Pet Support Center. Combined, these veterinary care offerings have the potential to significantly reduce the number of pets coming into the shelter and increase adoptions.
“Chronic challenges require systemic solutions. The Friends Pet Clinic is a systemic approach to encourage pet adoption, help local families avoid pet surrender, and support responsible spay/neuter,” said Friends of PACC Executive Director Torre Chisholm.
Over the last three years, PACC has faced significant capacity challenges, particularly with large dogs. Overcrowding puts the animals at PACC at increased risk for illness, kennel decline, and lowers the chances of adoption or foster placement. PACC leaders have been searching for ways to reverse this trend. The Friends Pet Clinic is one such community-based solution.
Over 30% of pet surrenders at PACC are due to a lack of access to affordable veterinary care. Kittens account for 40% of surrendered cats, while puppies account for 28% of surrendered dogs. These are solvable problems that are best addressed in the community rather than at the shelter.
Since the clinic started seeing patients in March, it has already provided care for 1,500 animals, many with significant and life-threatening medical conditions. The clinic’s goal is to provide care for 6,000 to 9,000 pets during its first year of operation and to grow that number to more than 12,000 annually.
“We recognize that affordable veterinary care is an important component of owning a pet,” said Steve Kozachik, PACC’s director. “Having Friends Pet Clinic available for all PACC-adopted animals is a tremendous benefit for anyone considering adding to their family. We’re grateful for the partnership with Friends and equally grateful to members of the public who choose PACC when adopting a new dog or cat.”
The Friends Pet Clinic is one of many solutions needed to address pet overpopulation in Pima County. PACC leadership, in collaboration with Friends of PACC and other partners, continue to develop short-term and long-term strategies to the challenges at the shelter and in the community.
“While Pima County is already nationally recognized for its forward thinking and progressive animal welfare programs, there is still much work to be done,” Chisholm said. “The Friends Pet Clinic is a major boost for local animal welfare, but it is just the first of many exciting new programs to come.”
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