Orlando, FL, Nov. 04, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Partnership With Native Americans (PWNA) has received a $10,000 NAVC Gives award from NAVC (North American Veterinary Community), recognizing PWNA’s Reservation Animal Rescue® (RAR) program for improving animal welfare and expanding access to care in Tribal communities.
“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. We are grateful to NAVC Gives for recognizing that caring for animals is also an investment in the health and safety of Native communities.”
RAR works with local animal welfare partners to provide veterinary care, grants and essential supplies in reservation communities where resources are often limited or unavailable. The program supports spay/neuter and vaccination clinics, emergency veterinary care, shelter needs, and the rescue and rehabilitation of injured or stray animals. These efforts help protect animals while promoting safe, healthy communities.
In 2025, RAR cared for 2,027 animals across Tribal communities, up from 1,693 in 2024. During the year, the program:
- Invested $57,200 in direct grants, supporting seven grant-funded partners that serve eight Tribes in the Northern Plains and Southwest.
- Distributed $107,815 in animal welfare products and supplies, supporting six supply partners that serve six Tribes.
- Leveraged an additional $39,800 through Humane World support.
RAR also 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.
By helping reduce uncontrolled animal populations and expanding access to care, RAR supports the well-being of family pets, helps protect livestock and contributes to community safety. Its approach centers on equipping local partners with the resources to address animal welfare needs in their own communities.
“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.
NAVC Gives recognizes individuals, groups and organizations that make meaningful contributions to the veterinary profession and the well-being of people and animals. Awards are presented throughout the year based on the merit and impact of recipients’ work.
About Reservation Animal Rescue
Reservation Animal Rescue® (RAR), a program of Partnership With Native Americans, works with community-based partners to improve the lives of animals on reservations in the Northern Plains and Southwest. Through grants, pet food, animal care supplies and support for veterinary services, RAR helps partners rescue, rehabilitate and place animals in foster or permanent homes while supporting healthier, safer communities.
About Partnership With Native Americans
Partnership With Native Americans (PWNA) is a Native-led, Native-serving nonprofit committed to serving immediate needs and supporting long-term solutions for strong, self-sufficient Native American communities. Working with Tribal partners, PWNA provides material aid, supports community-driven solutions and helps build local capacity. Together with its partners, PWNA reaches up to 200,000 Native Americans each year.
About NAVC Gives
Created in 2023, NAVC Gives is a board-directed award program that has been initially funded by a $1 million commitment from the NAVC. Through this program, the NAVC will recognize and support individuals, groups and organizations around the world that have made a significant difference in the lives of veterinary professionals and animals. Unlike most award programs that have a set timetable for accepting nominations, NAVC Gives will recognize accomplishments and notable achievements throughout the year based on the merit and impact of the application. Multiple awards may be given out each year and applications may be submitted throughout the year. Since its first awards were made in January, the NAVC Gives has awarded $130,000 among 10 honorees through this program.
NAVC Gives builds upon the NAVC's long-standing commitment to philanthropic pursuits, which amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to members of the international veterinary community through scholarship programs such as the Dr. Earl H. Rippie Veterinary Nurse Leadership Scholarships, the Michael J. Day AFSCAN Scholarship, the Colin F. Burrows International Scholar Program, free education subscriptions and conference registration, and other charitable donations. Learn more about NAVC Gives and submit nominations at https://navc.com/gives/.
About the NAVC
The North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and advancing veterinary professionals worldwide. The world’s leading provider of veterinary continuing education, the NAVC delivers essential training, tools and resources for veterinary professionals to stay abreast of advances in animal medicine and provide the best medical care for animals everywhere. Through its commitment to innovation and excellence, the NAVC has developed a diverse portfolio of products and services, including: educational events, headlined by VMX, the world’s largest, most comprehensive continuing education conference and launchpad for new products and innovations within the veterinary industry; a robust digital platform for virtual learning and engagement; the veterinary industry’s largest and award-winning portfolio of trade publications; and an advocacy arm which unites the veterinary community and pet lovers. The NAVC was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Orlando, FL. Since 2017, the NAVC has been recognized annually as one of the Top Workplaces by the Orlando Sentinel. To learn more about the NAVC’s products and brands, visit https://navc.com/. To see our schedule of upcoming events, visit https://navc.com/calendar/.
