Good news for your older four-legged friends. The Frosted Faces Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting senior dogs and cats, has opened a new Community Veterinary Center in Ramona, providing vital medical care directly to the pets and families who need it most.
The clinic, located next to the organization’s rescue facility at 1448 Pine St., has expanded its services to provide veterinary care, support programs, and adoptions for aging animals for more than a decade.
Since its founding in 2014, Frosted Faces Foundation has placed nearly 4,000 dogs and cats with families and provided more than $10 million in veterinary care and support services. Kelly and Andrew Smíšek established the nonprofit to address the barriers senior animals face to adoption, particularly medical needs. Families adopting through Frosted Faces are eligible for several veterinary services, cost-free when provided through the on-site clinic, according to a news release.
“By reducing financial burdens, including vet care, Frosted Faces Foundation makes it possible for more families to welcome senior pets into their homes, keeping them healthy, happy, and loved,” said Chief Executive Officer Kelly Smíšek. “This clinic is not just about rescuing pets – it’s really about keeping families together and ensuring senior pets receive the specialized care they deserve.”
While the stand-alone clinic opening Saturday is new, Frosted Faces has provided free medical care such as exams, diagnostics, chronic illness management, and even soft tissue and dental surgeries for more than 11 years.
In 2024, Frosted Faces Foundation:
- Provided 5,848 exams;
- Took 1,506 X-rays;
- Completed 842 senior blood panels; and
- Performed 441 surgeries ranging from mass removals to lifesaving splenectomies.
“Recognizing the rising costs of medical care, we opened a temporary clinic within our existing facility in 2021 to deliver quality vet care for our growing population of senior animals while managing limited resources,” said Chief Operating Officer Andrew Smíšek. “In the last year alone, we believe we have saved over $1 million in medical costs and have also expanded our team’s understanding and management of both common and uncommon senior animal ailments.”
In addition to rescue and veterinary services, Frosted Faces Foundation operates several research-based and community-informed programs designed to keep pets out of shelters and with the people who love them, including:
- Seniors for Seniors: pairs adopters 65+ with volunteers who provide services such as transporting pets to appointments or shopping for supplies.
- Safety Net Boarding: provides up to 90 days of free temporary boarding for pets whose families face hospitalization or hardship.
- Frosted Funding: offers average grants of $500 for veterinary care, food, supplies, training, and emergency costs.
- Final Wish: helps families plan for lifelong care of their pets in the event of their death or illness.
