Amaya Money finds affordable pet care at ABC Clinic and fundraiser

ABC Clinic will host its first-ever “Bark & Wave Bash” fundraiser this Saturday. The nonprofit needs community support to provide affordable pet care in Waco.

WACO, Texas — When Amaya Money rescued an 8-week-old puppy, she had two dogs at home. Like many pet owners, she couldn’t afford the hundreds of dollars traditional veterinary clinics charge for basic puppy care.

That’s when she discovered ABC Clinic, a nonprofit veterinary facility that’s become a lifeline for Central Texas families who love their pets but can’t afford premium veterinary prices.

“Waco is a low income community,” Money explained. “A lot of us civilians sometimes we can’t afford the overpriced vet expenses, so when we go to ABC, and we see things so cheap and reliable for our pets, I mean, it’s really heartwarming.”

Now, ABC Clinic is hosting its first-ever “Bark & Wave Bash” at Hawaiian Falls — a splash-filled fundraiser that could determine whether the clinic can continue serving Central Texas’s most vulnerable pet owners.

ABC Clinic operates on a simple but powerful principle: every pet deserves quality healthcare, regardless of their owner’s income. While traditional veterinary clinics might charge hundreds of dollars for basic pet vaccinations and care, ABC offers the same services for a fraction of the cost.

“Pets are family. That’s the bottom line,” said Skyler Turner, a representative from ABC Clinic. “Pets are people’s lifeline. Sometimes pets are the only thing they have, so we want to make sure that every single pet is taken care of.”

As a nonprofit, ABC relies heavily on community donations, grants, and municipal support to bridge the gap between its charges and the actual cost of veterinary care.

The demand has become overwhelming. Turner estimates that for every dollar they raise, they need three more to meet the community’s needs.

ABC Clinic’s mission extends far beyond their facility walls. The organization runs programs that address pet care across Central Texas:

Basic Veterinary Services: Vaccinations, microchipping, heartworm testing, nail trimming, and routine wellness care at affordable prices.

Spay & Neuter Programs: Critical population control services that also promote lifelong pet health.

TNR Operations: Trap-Neuter-Return programs for feral cat colonies, helping control stray populations humanely.

“Pause at Peace” Program: A new compassionate end-of-life care service for families facing difficult decisions.

Community Outreach: Mobile teams that provide care for pets whose owners are homeless or homebound, ensuring no animal goes without basic medical attention.

“We do have an outreach team that goes in the community to help take care of those pets that are either homebound or they are living on the streets,” Turner explained. “We’re always trying to put our best effort forward.”

The Bark & Wave Bash represents ABC’s most ambitious fundraising effort yet. For just $10 per person, attendees can bring their pets (or favorite humans) to watch dogs dive into Hawaiian Falls’ pools. Each ticket also includes a free admission pass to Hawaiian Falls for the 2026 season.

“We’ve never done anything like this, so seeing a bunch of dogs play in the water is probably one of the most amazing things to see,” Turner said. “They’re gonna just have a blast.”

The event features an impressive community partnership:

15 local vendors donating their time and services
2 food trucks providing refreshments
A special doggy treat bar for four-legged guests
Participation from local nonprofits including the Humane Society, BAC, Waco Animal Advocacy Group, and Pet Circle

Half of all proceeds will go directly toward ABC’s life-saving programs, potentially providing the financial boost needed to continue serving Central Texas families.

For families like Money’s, ABC Clinic represents hope and accessibility in an increasingly expensive veterinary landscape. Her rescue puppy received the complete “puppy package” which includes: shots, boosters, deworming, nail trims, and a commitment for future spay surgery, all for what she might have paid elsewhere for a single visit.

“All of my dogs are shelter dogs and they’re all perfect,” Money said. “Sometimes they already become potty trained and everything, you just have to take your time with them, love them. They’ve come from hard homes and stuff like that, so adopting is always a great thing. It always brings people together.”

Money recommends that pet owners facing financial difficulties reach out to ABC directly. “I would always tell them to call ABC and see if they have any funding in their area to see if they could help,” she said. “They always have great advice as well for people who have questions about taking care of pets, animals, first time owners or owners that haven’t had a pet in a while.”

While cats are technically welcome at the Bark & Wave Bash, organizers acknowledge that most felines probably won’t appreciate the aquatic festivities. “I don’t think cats would very much like the water, but we have seen quite a few cats on leashes,” Turner noted with a laugh. “If your cat likes the water, just know that there’s gonna be a lot of dogs, so maybe not a great idea.”