Mobile Health Clinic for Pets of the Homeless a Success

From YubaNet.com

Regional
Mobile Health Clinic for Pets of the Homeless a Success
Author: YubaNet
Published on Mar 24, 2008 - 10:52:39 AM

Kaylie Huff (right) with one of the pets treated at Saturday's clinic. Photo: YubaNet

NEVADA CITY, Calif., March 24, 2008 - Kaylie Huff, a senior at Nevada Union High School, was all smiles on Saturday. Her senior project, a clinic for the pets of homeless people, was an unqualified success.

Offered by AnimalSave, in collaboration with Hospitality House and Best Friends Animal Clinic, the mobile clinic was designed to treat pets, distribute pet food and inform people on how to best care for their pets.

Kaylie participated in last year's clinic, with a little help from folksinger and local legend Utah Phillips. He pointed her towards this endeavor when her high school club was looking for a worthy project. Encouraged by the results, she decided to make the clinic her senior project and she's determined to stay involved.

Finding safe and warm places for the pets of the homeless is also on her radar. "Many pet owners won't go into a shelter if they have to leave their dogs behind," Kaylie said.

Elizabeth MacKenzie, the owner of Little Friends Child Development Center in Nevada City, pitched in with the help of her school's students and parents. The kids bagged the pet food donated by their parents. "It was a great teaching opportunity, about caring for somebody else. We talked about people and pets not as fortunate as they are," MacKenzie said.

AnimalSave's clinic on Saturday in Pioneer Park. Photo: YubaNet

Pioneer Park in Nevada City was chosen as the location because many homeless people live around the area. In the first few hours, 25 pets were seen by Dr. Tom Strolle, DVM of Best Friends Animal Clinic. Rabies shots, heart worm treatments, and checkups were just some of the medical services provided.

AnimalSave's staff and volunteers brought the 33' mobile Spay & Neuter unit out to Pioneer Park. They provided information on spaying and neutering and scheduled appointments for animals needing altering.

AnimalSave is a Grass Valley-based nonprofit organization providing comprehensive animal welfare services to the companion animals of western Nevada County and their caretakers. AnimalSave was founded in 1999 to help end homelessness and needless suffering of dogs and cats in our community. For more information, please visit www.animalsave.org.