The Burgess Memorial Fund

The Burgess Memorial Fund honors the life and legacy of Dr. Burgess Bauder, a beloved Sitka veterinarian who dedicated his life to caring for animals and the people who loved them. Burgess’s belief that everyone should be able to afford veterinary care began in childhood, when his family could not afford to spay his beloved cat, Susie Bell. That experience stayed with him throughout his life and shaped his commitment to making veterinary care accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.

 

After moving to Sitka in 1972 as the community’s first veterinarian, Burgess continued to put that belief into practice. He treated every animal and every client equally, whether or not they could afford his services. His generosity and commitment to the community often meant providing veterinary care at little or no cost, and he became, in many ways, a volunteer providing an essential community service. The Burgess Memorial Fund carries that legacy forward by helping low-income Sitka pet owners access the veterinary care their animals need.

 

​

​

​

 

The Burgess Memorial Fund, formerly known as the Compassionate Care Fund, was established by a local Sitka family who wanted to help ensure that pet owners can access the veterinary care needed to keep their furry companions happy, healthy, and in their loving homes - something Burgess strived to make possible throughout his veterinary career. We are honored to manage this fund and distribute assistance to pet owners in Sitka as needed. All donations to the fund go directly toward helping low-income pet owners access veterinary care.

​

Thank you for helping us carry Burgess’s legacy forward and supporting Sitka’s families and pets in need.