NAVC Gives $10,000 to Reservation Animal Rescue Program

By Nathan Brooks

NAVC Gives awarded $10,000 to Reservation Animal Rescue (RAR), a Partnership With Native Americans program that reported caring for 2,027 animals across Tribal communities in 2025, up from 1,693 in 2024.

The award from the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) recognizes a program that delivered veterinary care, grants and essential supplies through local animal-welfare partners in reservation communities. The announcement says resources in those communities often are limited or unavailable.

“Our partners know what their communities need, whether that is a spay and neuter clinic, emergency veterinary care or supplies to keep a local shelter operating,” said Josh Arce, president and CEO of PWNA.

“Reservation Animal Rescue helps them meet those needs,” said Josh Arce, president and CEO of PWNA. “We are grateful to NAVC Gives for recognizing that caring for animals is also an investment in the health and safety of Native communities.”

What changed in 2025?

During 2025, RAR reported:

• Direct grants: RAR invested $57,200 in direct grants, supporting seven grant-funded partners that serve eight Tribes in the Northern Plains and Southwest.
• Products and supplies: RAR distributed $107,815 in animal welfare products and supplies, supporting six supply partners that serve six Tribes.
• Additional support: RAR leveraged another $39,800 through Humane World support.
• Shiprock collaboration: RAR collaborated with RezRoads in Shiprock, New Mexico, through a Humane World partnership. Together, these efforts increased access to veterinary care, animal population management, vaccinations, shelter support and essential animal resources in remote and underserved communities.

What changes for animals and communities?

Companion animals. The reported exam-room work includes spay/neuter and vaccination clinics, while emergency veterinary care addresses injured or stray animals. The program also supports shelter needs, rescue, rehabilitation and placement in foster or permanent homes. The 2,027 figure counts all animals RAR said it cared for and does not break out species.

Food animals. RAR also says its work helps protect livestock, so its reach extends beyond companion pets. The announcement does not report livestock numbers or identify a separate food-animal service.

Public health and community safety. PWNA and RAR say reducing uncontrolled animal populations and expanding access to care advances safe, healthy Native communities and contributes to community safety. The release presents that connection as a program aim and provides no disease-surveillance or outcome data.

The announcement names vaccination clinics but no vaccine product or dose, and it describes no FDA CVM, EMA or USDA authorization or review.

“Animal welfare organizations working in remote areas often face significant challenges getting care and resources to the animals that need them,” said Gene O’Neill, NAVC CEO. “NAVC Gives is proud to recognize Reservation Animal Rescue, which serves as a connector, ensuring that the animals in these communities get the care they would not otherwise receive.”

Who operates Reservation Animal Rescue?

Reservation Animal Rescue® is a program of Partnership With Native Americans (PWNA), which works with community-based partners to improve animal lives on reservations in the Northern Plains and Southwest. RAR says it equips local partners to address animal-welfare needs in their own communities through grants, pet food, animal care supplies and support for veterinary services.

PWNA describes itself as a Native-led, Native-serving nonprofit that handles immediate needs and supports long-term solutions for strong, self-sufficient Native American communities. Working with Tribal partners, it provides material aid, backs community-driven solutions and builds local capacity. Together with those partners, PWNA reaches up to 200,000 Native Americans each year.

How does NAVC Gives work?

Created in 2023, NAVC Gives is a board-directed award program initially funded by a $1 million commitment from NAVC. It recognizes individuals, groups and organizations worldwide for significant contributions to the veterinary profession and the well-being of people and animals.

Unlike most award programs with a set nomination timetable, NAVC Gives accepts applications throughout the year and may make multiple awards annually. Awards are based on merit and impact, and recipients may be recognized for notable achievements throughout the year. Since its first awards were made in January, NAVC Gives has awarded $130,000 among 10 honorees through the program. Nominations can be submitted at navc.com/gives.

NAVC’s long-standing philanthropic work directs hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to members of the international veterinary community. The total includes the Dr. Earl H. Rippie Veterinary Nurse Leadership Scholarships, the Michael J. Day AFSCAN Scholarship and the Colin F. Burrows International Scholar Program. It also funds free education subscriptions, conference registration and other charitable donations.

What does NAVC bring?

The North American Veterinary Community is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and advancing veterinary professionals worldwide. It describes itself as the world’s leading provider of veterinary continuing education and says its training, tools and resources help clinicians keep abreast of advances in animal medicine.

The NAVC calls VMX the world’s largest and most comprehensive continuing-education conference and a launchpad for new products and innovations within veterinary medicine. Its portfolio also includes a digital platform for virtual learning and engagement, the veterinary industry’s largest and award-winning portfolio of trade publications, and an advocacy arm that unites veterinary professionals and pet lovers.

Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Orlando, Florida, NAVC has maintained the recognition since 2017. The Orlando Sentinel has recognized the nonprofit annually as one of its Top Workplaces. NAVC lists its products and brands at navc.com and its schedule at navc.com/calendar.

With nominations accepted year-round, RAR’s 2025 expansion sets the starting point for judging the next phase of support. The measure is whether the $10,000 award and continuing backing sustain spay/neuter, vaccination and emergency-care access, strengthen foster and permanent-home placements and advance community-safety goals in the Northern Plains and Southwest.