The American Animal Hospital Association Foundation has suspended grants from the AAHA Helping Pets Fund temporarily because of a depletion of funds resulting from an increase in grants for veterinary care.

The temporary suspension took effect in April, but the AAHA Foundation expects to resume granting funds in July.

The AAHA Helping Pets Fund awards grants to AAHA-accredited hospitals to pay for veterinary care of pets whose owners are experiencing financial hardship. Requests have risen sharply since November. The increase in demand resulted in disbursement of available funds much more quickly than the foundation anticipated.

"By temporarily suspending the grants, we will help provide long-term stability for the AAHA Helping Pets Fund," said Dr. Kate Crumley, chair of the AAHA Foundation's board of trustees. "We remain steadfast in our belief that thousands of pets will benefit in the future from this short-term stoppage."

Since its inception in 2005, the Helping Pets Fund has awarded more than $800,000 in grants to help more than 3,000 pets receive veterinary care.

"We have ambitious goals to grow the Helping Pets Fund in order to help more pets in need of health care," Dr. Crumley said. "All donations are greatly appreciated and will help meet the growing demand."

Additional information about the AAHA Helping Pets Fund is available at www.aahahelpingpets.org.