Nonprofit vet clinic to open in Walker

Sep 25

Currently under construction at 1300 Walker Village Dr. NW, the new Community Spay Neuter Initiative Partnership's (CSNIP) facility will consolidate three smaller clinics into one centralized location. The 12,000-square-foot clinic will double its capacity to provide reduced-cost veterinary care to financially challenged pet owners across 10 West Michigan counties.

Wolverine Building Group started construction in July, with the project slated for completion in early 2025. The new clinic will allow the nonprofit to meet the growing demand for its services, which include spay/neuter surgeries, wellness exams, dental cleanings, and more. Since its inception in 2001, CSNIP has provided care to over 255,000 dogs and cats in the region, making it a vital resource for pet owners who face financial barriers to veterinary care.

"We've outgrown our current spaces and need a larger, more efficient facility to continue serving the community," said Sharon Caldwell-Newton, Executive Director, CSNIP. "This new clinic will allow us to improve service delivery and meet the growing demand for affordable pet care, ensuring no pet is left without care due to cost."

CSNIP's new clinic was strategically located for geographic accessibility, providing expanded services for pet owners in lakeshore communities who previously used a small, part-time satellite clinic in Fruitport. The new Walker location will give these communities full access to spay/neuter surgeries, wellness services, and advanced procedures like surgical tooth extractions and diagnostic X-rays.

The facility will include six wellness and treatment exam rooms, a larger reception area, expanded kennel space, and a state-of-the-art surgical suite with capacity for 10 operating tables and two dental stations. The new headquarters will also feature a multi-use space for staff training and community seminars.

In collaboration with Kent County Animal Shelter, CSNIP also 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.

According to a national PetSmart Charities Access to Care Survey, more than 70 percent of U.S. households report having at least one pet. Of those, 45 percent of pet parents say the high cost of veterinary care is prohibitive, with 30 percent indicating they would struggle to pay a veterinary bill of $500.

CSNIP invites the community to support The Community Pet Project. Donations ranging from $500 to $300,000 will include recognition opportunities. For more information about CSNIP or to donate to The Community Pet Project, visit csnip.org/community-pet-project.