Veterinary Emergency Treatment Fund (VET Fund)

Coronavirus is Killing Pets, Just Not the Way You Think

One of the major concerns at the onset of COVID 19 was whether pets could catch or spread the deadly disease. Animal lovers across the globe watched their pets closely for signs of illness, and the CDC and other global health organizations spent countless hours researching the subject. We have found that our four-legged friends are relatively safe from the effects of the virus, yet their lives have not been spared by this global pandemic.

Widespread unemployment, an economy hanging on by a thread, businesses forced to close for weeks to months on end. All of it adds up to one devastating consequence in the veterinary field, economic euthanasia. Economic euthanasia is when sick or injured animals with treatable conditions are euthanized because their owners cannot afford the cost of their care. We are talking about puppies with broken legs, kittens who ate their yarn rather than playing with it, and long-time family members that just need a little help to get back on their feet. Countless thousands have likely been lost already during this pandemic, but that is a statistic that is not tracked and never makes it to headline news.

One organization in Richmond, Virginia is working tirelessly to stop the spread of this widely unrecognized problem. VET Fund is a nonprofit organization which provides funding for emergency veterinary care to families in need in Central Virginia. This small, local organization has pulled up its bootstraps and gotten to work saving the animals in its community from an untimely fate. VET Fund’s founder, Dr. Chelsea Mason, is a veterinarian and practice owner who sees the devastating effects of COVID 19 on her patients every day. “Owners are having to choose between treating their pets and putting food on the table” she says. “It’s heartbreaking to watch families struggle with this dilemma, and I’m thankful that we have been able to give them somewhere to turn.” VET Fund, which was founded in 2016, has helped 56 families save their beloved pets this year. That is more than in its previous three years combined, all at a time when fundraisers, galas, and other events have had to be put on hold.

To help this incredible organization continue their life-saving work, visit www.vet-fund.org and donate today!

To purchase tickets for the VET Fund Wine & Beer Raffle, click here!

A dog is standing in a small pool of water.

Two dogs in a stroller with a sign that says let freedom ring

A man is painting a picture of a dog on an easel.

A group of people standing around a table with a sign that says

A red and white bouncy house in the shape of a dog.

A black and white dog is sitting on top of a woman.

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ADA Website Accessibility: What Businesses Need to Know in 2026

August 14, 2026

Website accessibility has been a conversation for years, but recent changes to federal accessibility requirements are putting an even bigger spotlight on how websites work for people with disabilities. And if your website hasn’t been reviewed for accessibility recently, now is a good time to take another look. At River City Advertising, we have the tools to add accessibility-focused features that are easier for everyone to use. What Changed With ADA Website Accessibility? In 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a new rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act establishing a specific technical accessibility standard for websites and mobile apps provided by state and local governments. That standard is WCAG 2.1 Level AA —a widely recognized set of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines designed to make digital content more accessible to people with visual, auditory, physical, cognitive and other disabilities. In 2026, the DOJ extended the deadlines for these public entities: April 26, 2027: State and local government entities with populations of 50,000 or more April 26, 2028: Smaller public entities and special district governments While these particular deadlines apply to state and local governments, the changes reinforce something that affects organizations of all kinds: website accessibility is becoming increasingly important. Businesses should also remember that accessibility obligations can vary depending on the type of organization, services provided and applicable federal, state and local laws. What Does an Accessible Website Actually Mean? Accessibility isn't simply adding a button to your website. An accessible website is designed so people with disabilities can navigate, understand and interact with its content—including visitors who use screen readers, keyboard navigation or other assistive technologies. Some of the elements that can affect accessibility include: Alternative text for meaningful images Appropriate color contrast between text and backgrounds Clear heading structures Keyboard-friendly navigation Properly labeled buttons, links and form fields Readable text and logical page layouts Accessible forms Captions or alternatives for multimedia content Correct website language settings Content that works effectively with screen readers Many of these features also happen to make a website easier to use for everyone , not only visitors with disabilities. How Our Platform Helps Us Build More Accessible Websites At River City Advertising accessibility isn't treated as an afterthought. Our platform includes built-in functionality that can help developers create more accessible websites, including support for alternative text, keyboard navigation and automatic website language definition. Our platform also integrates with accessibility solutions such as UserWay and AudioEye for businesses and organizations that want additional accessibility tools, monitoring and remediation capabilities. However, there is an important distinction: No website platform, plugin or accessibility widget can automatically guarantee that a website is 100% ADA compliant. Accessibility depends on the platform and how the website is designed, written, maintained and updated. For example, adding an accessibility tool doesn't fix a poorly structured page, unclear link text, an inaccessible third-party application or every issue created when new content is added. That is why accessibility should be viewed as an ongoing website-management practice rather than a one-time checkbox. Why Businesses Should Pay Attention Now Even if the newest Title II deadlines don't apply directly to your business, there are several reasons to make website accessibility a priority. Reach more people. An accessible website makes it easier for more potential customers to interact with your business online. Create a better user experience. Clear navigation, readable content, properly labeled forms and thoughtful page structure benefit everyone. Support your SEO efforts. Several accessibility best practices—such as descriptive image text, organized headings and well-structured content—can also help search engines better understand your website. Reduce unnecessary risk. Digital accessibility continues to be an important legal and regulatory issue. Proactively improving accessibility is much better than waiting until someone identifies a problem. Prepare your website for the future. Accessibility standards and expectations continue to evolve. Building accessibility into your website now makes it easier to adapt as requirements change. Accessibility Isn't "Set It and Forget It" This may be the most important takeaway. Your website can become less accessible over time as new pages, images, videos, forms, integrations and other content are added. That's why website accessibility should be part of ongoing website management. At River City Advertising, we can help businesses evaluate their current websites, identify accessibility concerns and determine what tools or updates may make sense. Is It Time for an Accessibility Check? If you're unsure how your current website measures up, we can help you take a closer look. Contact River City Advertising to talk about your website, accessibility options and how we can help make your online presence easier for more people to use. This article is provided for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. ADA and digital accessibility requirements can vary depending on your organization and jurisdiction. Businesses with questions about their specific legal obligations should consult qualified legal counsel.