Nonprofit vet clinic celebrates grand opening, hosts open house

NonprofitHealth

Mar 7

Nonprofit veterinary provider CSNIP is celebrating the grand opening of its new 12,000-square-foot veterinary clinic and headquarters with a public open house on March 8, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will offer the community an opportunity to tour the new clinic and learn more about CSNIP's services. Located at 1300 Walker Village Dr. NW, the new office consolidates CSNIP's three smaller clinics into a single location, doubling its capacity to provide reduced-cost veterinary care across 10 West Michigan counties.

The new Walker office gives the West Michigan region full access to wellness services and treatment for various health issues, vaccinations, microchip implants, diagnostic X-rays, dental services, and spay and neuter surgeries.

Construction of the new facility, led by Wolverine Building Group, began in July 2024 and was designed to meet the growing demand for CSNIP's affordable veterinary services. Since its founding in 2001, CSNIP has served more than 255,000 dogs and cats, making it a critical resource for pet owners facing financial barriers to veterinary care.

According to a national PetSmart Charities Access to Care Survey, 70% of U.S. households have at least one pet. Yet, nearly half of pet owners cite the cost of veterinary care as a major barrier. More than 30% report they would struggle to cover an unexpected $500 vet bill.

"Our new veterinary clinic and headquarters represent our continued commitment to the future of pet wellness in West Michigan. By expanding our capacity, we can ensure that cost is not a barrier to compassionate, high-quality veterinary care," said Sharon Caldwell-Newton, Executive Director, CSNIP. "Every pet deserves access to the medical attention they need, and this clinic will allow us to serve even more families, strengthening our communities for years to come."

CSNIP's new clinic was strategically located for geographic accessibility across a 10-county region. The office offers expanded services for pet owners in lakeshore communities who previously used a part-time satellite clinic with limited services in Fruitport.

Key features of the new clinic include six wellness and treatment exam rooms, a larger reception area, expanded kennel space, a state-of-the-art surgical suite with 10 operating tables and two dental stations, and a multi-use space for staff training and community education.

In collaboration with Kent County Animal Shelter, CSNIP contributes to reducing pet overpopulation, preventing homelessness, and avoiding preventable euthanasia, saving taxpayer dollars. Its expanded facility will strengthen its partnership with Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, where senior veterinary students gain hands-on surgical experience through CSNIP's program.

The project is part of CSNIP's successful $3.6 million Community Pet Project capital campaign. Major funding milestones include a $1 million grant from the Kent County Board of Commissioners through the American Rescue Plan Act and a $1 million grant from PetSmart Charities as part of its national accelerator program.

For more information, visit csnip.org.