Nonprofit Vet Clinic Opens Bigger Killeen Facility to Cut Pet Care Costs

Emancipet expands its low-cost veterinary services with a new, larger clinic in Killeen.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 11:41pm

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Emancipet, a nonprofit organization that provides affordable veterinary care, has opened a new and larger clinic in Killeen, Texas to meet growing demand for its services. The new facility offers more space, separate rooms for cats, and improved surgical accommodations compared to Emancipet's previous Killeen location.

Why it matters

As pet ownership continues to rise, access to affordable veterinary care is an important issue, especially in growing communities like Killeen. Emancipet's nonprofit model aims to make basic wellness services and procedures like spay/neuter more accessible to pet owners on a budget.

The details

The new Killeen clinic has four exam rooms, three of which are currently in use, providing more capacity than the previous two-room facility. It also features a dedicated cat room to keep feline patients separated from the noise of larger animals. The improved surgical suite has better temperature control and lighting compared to the old clinic's window air conditioners. While Emancipet does not offer the full range of services as a traditional veterinary practice, it provides essential care like medication for skin/ear issues, nail trims, and spay/neuter procedures at a fraction of the typical cost.

  • Emancipet has provided low-cost veterinary services for more than a decade.
  • Emancipet recently moved to the new, larger Killeen facility.

The players

Emancipet

A nonprofit organization that provides affordable veterinary care, including basic wellness services and spay/neuter procedures, through clinics and mobile units across Central Texas.

Cheryl Katon

The CEO of Emancipet.

Dr. Jerimiah Nelson

A veterinarian who works at the Emancipet clinic in Killeen.

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What they’re saying

“It really is born from our mobile clinic, which used to drive all the way up here once a week and it was always such a demand that we eventually opened up a clinic.”

— Cheryl Katon, CEO, Emancipet

“The new clinic is awesome because we have the space and what I really like, is we have the separate cat room. So, when we do surgery, there's a lot of loud dogs, there's a lot of loud animals. So, having a separate cat room, which is right behind you, that allows us to close the door, shut the lights off, so the cats have their own space.”

— Dr. Jerimiah Nelson, Veterinarian, Emancipet

What’s next

Emancipet plans to continue expanding its network of affordable veterinary clinics and mobile units throughout Central Texas to meet the growing demand for low-cost pet care.

The takeaway

Emancipet's nonprofit model and focus on accessibility is helping to fill a critical need for affordable veterinary services in communities like Killeen, where pet owners on a budget can now access essential care for their animals.