Our Commitment to Sustainability
At Pismo Beach Veterinary Clinic, we are dedicated to reducing our environmental impact while providing exceptional care. Living and working on the Central Coast is a privilege, and we strive to protect it through sustainable business practices.
Some of our green initiatives include:
- Comprehensive recycling, including e-waste and composting
- Solar power with Tesla battery storage
- Water conservation with ultra-low water toilets
- Energy-efficient LED lighting and appliances
- Paperless medical records and digitized communications
- Eco-friendly cleaning products and office supplies
- Incentives for staff to use sustainable commuting options
- Partnering with local businesses for community-wide impact
We are proud to be SLO Green Business Certified and will continue to lead by example in environmental stewardship.
We Stand for Safety, Truth, and Belonging
Pismo Beach Veterinary Clinic stands for equality and the right to live without fear.
Now, more than ever, I feel fortunate to live and work on the beautiful Central Coast. However, I recognize that the “beauty” of our community is not experienced equally by everyone. I am a white male; I was raised Jewish and understand the ancient and rising sting of antisemitism—a hatred that has historically flourished in the shadows of silence. While I have the privilege of “hiding in plain sight,” I know that many in our community do not, and that privilege has sheltered me from the daily terrors many of our neighbors currently face.
While the Central Coast can feel idyllic, we must acknowledge the undercurrent of disparity and the rising tide of fear. At Pismo Beach Veterinary Clinic, we are deeply shaken to hear that members of our community—including business and community leaders, legal professionals, and young parents—feel they must scope out parking lots for unmarked government vehicles before coming to work or buying groceries.
To those in our staff, our clientele, and our broader community living in fear of ICE, displacement, or targeted hate: We see you, and we stand with you.
We believe that no one should be afraid to seek medical care, to show up for their job, or to walk into a grocery store. We are particularly heartbroken by the reality facing organizations like Lumina Alliance, where survivors of domestic violence are being forced to choose between staying in abusive situations or risking interaction with immigration enforcement. Safety should never be a luxury.
Our Core Convictions:
- Human Rights are Universal: We believe in the equality of all people, regardless of race, religion, sexual identity, or immigration status. We explicitly condemn the rise of antisemitism, anti-immigrant sentiment, xenophobia, and all forms of religious and ethnic bigotry.
- Safety Over Fear: We believe that every member of our community deserves to live without the weight of surveillance or the threat of family separation.
- The Pursuit of Shared Truth: We believe that science is real and no one is entitled to “alternative” facts. We reject the echo chambers that prevent us from hearing one another, and we strive for a world where we can reach common ground through empathy rather than division. We believe that experts should be trusted.
- Active Stewardship: We believe we must be open to continuous education and teaching. We believe that climate change is real and we are committed to reducing our environmental footprint.
- Action Over Words: We believe in the “fallacy of false balance.” Not all issues have two sides and not all sides of an issue deserve equal treatment or are equally worthy of consideration.
We love our community, and we believe that actions speak louder than words. We will continue to support and show up for vital local organizations like Rotary, EcoSlo, the Diversity Coalition of SLO County, Lumina Alliance, and the YMCA.
At Pismo Beach Veterinary Clinic, we believe in love, tolerance, and understanding. It is a time for unity, not division. Most importantly, it is a time for the courage to protect one another and stand up for our beliefs in the face of adversity.
Though in many ways the Central Coast is idyllic, I think that it’s critical to acknowledge the ever-present undercurrent of racial, sexual/gender, religious, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparity and prejudice that exists in our community.
Pismo Beach Veterinary Clinic exists, at its core, to help our clients and our patients live happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. To this end, we feel that we cannot remain silent when insidious issues threaten the very livelihoods of so many of our friends, colleagues, and clients. We cannot stand idly by in the face of hate speech, ignorance, intolerance, and racism. We are greatly saddened to hear racial slurs pour from the mouths of locals and to see an image of a gallows and noose marring the wall of a local school.
Though I have always been involved in issues of tolerance and diversity in my personal life, I struggled with the appropriateness of involving my business. I have come to the conclusion that as local business owners and leaders we have an obligation to make our opinions heard and step beyond the bounds of day-to-day business. Only in this way can we hope to de-radicalize and de-politicize the ideals of racial justice and tolerance.
So, here goes…
At Pismo Beach Veterinary Clinic, we believe that Black Lives Matter. We believe in the equality of all people, regardless of race, religion, or sexual and gender identity. We believe that all life has inherent value. We believe that science is real and fear the loss of trust in our scientific community. We worry about a willingness from many to accept the concept of alternate truths and facts, treating statements from laypeople and pundits with equal weight to those of experts. We believe that we should be open to discussion, continuous education, and always be striving to learn (and teach). We believe that we, humankind, represent a huge threat to our environment and climate and that every day is an opportunity to reduce our carbon footprint. We believe that history is important and should be taught honestly and remembered but not necessarily celebrated. We believe that COVID-19 is a real threat, and we wear masks to show respect and to help keep community members safe. We believe in the fallacy of false balance: not all issues have two sides and not all sides of an issue deserve equal treatment or are equally worthy of consideration.
At Pismo Beach Veterinary Clinic, we believe that actions speak louder than words. We love our community and get involved whenever and wherever we can. Being active and giving our time to great local organizations like Rotary, the Diversity Coalition San Luis Obispo County, Stand Strong, and the YMCA of SLO County is more important now than ever.
At Pismo Beach Veterinary Clinic, we believe in love, tolerance, and understanding. It’s a time for unity, not division. We believe that NOW is the time for kindness.