UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program

Because we receive no state support, the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program wouldn't be here without the generous support of foundations as well as individual donors. On this page, we will profile some of the foundations that help us help you by supporting our program.

The Koret Foundation Funds

 The Koret Foundation and the Koret Fund are private philanthropic organizations run by independent boards of directors. Since 1979, these boards have directed more than $355 million toward projects that reflect a new philanthropic vision for Northern California. Koret has previously supported UC Davis' Center for Companion Animal Health at its School of Veterinary Medicine, to create the Koret Foundation Center for Veterinary Genetics, as well as the veterinary exchange program with the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel.

The Koret Foundation played an instrumental role in developing the Koret Shelter Medicine Program with a one million dollar, five year grant from 2005-2010. This grant not only allowed us to become firmly established as a program, it allowed us to become a leader for the development of shelter medicine nationally and even internationally. The Koret Foundation’s emphasis on developing model programs fostered a collaborative spirit and allowed us to partner with numerous other organizations to magnify the benefit of the foundation’s investment. The Koret Foundation continues to be the single largest supporter of the Koret Shelter Medicine Program, with a matching challenge grant (link to donate now page) of $400,000 for 2010-2012. The goal of this project is our most ambitious yet: to create an enduring resource for educators, veterinarians, shelter workers and society through expansion of this website and refinement of shelter consultation services. We are honored and privileged to receive the support of this forward thinking organization.

The "KT Fund"

 I first met Karen Tsang when I volunteered at the veterinary clinic where she worked as a technician.  I was preparing to apply to vet school, and thought my volunteer time would help me learn about veterinary medicine and how to be a doctor. I did learn some of that, but I learned so much more from watching Karen interact with the animals that came to us for care. Her delight, amusement, and boundless compassion for her charges remain an inspiration to me and many others. I'll never forget the way her face would light up when she was able to help some damaged creature - the more mutant and pitiful, the better. She always had a ragtag assortment of one-eyed (or no-eyed), crippled, scruffy rescued dogs, cats and other animals at home. Though she generally had far more animals than really seemed reasonable, she kept them in all in perfect health and delighted in each individual. I had to choose carefully whether to tell her or not whenever I ran across some particularly pathetic specimen at a shelter - especially if it was an elderly shi-tzu or a slightly deranged border collie mix - as she was always ready to take on one more.

Karen left the world a bleaker place when she passed away on September 17, 2004,   at the age of 38. The Karen Tsang Memorial Fund was established in her honor, to help the animals she cared about so much. I find it impossible to write about her in a way that really captures the tremendous warmth and vibrance of her spirit, but I hope some of that will be channeled through this fund anyway. Certainly, her spirit is honored by the work so many of you do every day, helping those animals with no voice and no loving advocate of their own.

Dr. Kate Hurley
Director, UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program

If you would like to make a contribution to the Karen Tsang memorial fund please contact Mike Bannasch

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