Spring Healthy Pet Clinics on Syracuse's North Side

(Syracuse, NY) - The Central New York Animal Welfare Coalition is inviting pet owners with financial hardship who live in Syracuse’s north and east side neighborhoods to the Healthy Pet Clinic at St. Clare’s Theatre on the campus of Assumption Church at 812 N. Salina Street in Syracuse.   The first of three spring dates is this Sunday, April 29^th from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.

The clinics provide veterinary exams and critical vaccinations to dogs and cats that have owners with financial need.  The Shamrock Animal Fund is organizing this effort along with many other volunteer animal welfare agencies in Central New York, area veterinarians and Cornell University’s Hospital for Animals Shelter program.  

The initial clinics last fall served some 350 dogs and cats for pet owners on Syracuse’s south and near west side neighborhoods. More than 40 volunteers helped make the clinic at St. Lucy’s Church a success. Owners walked for blocks, biked and took the bus to bring their pets to the clinic.

The clinics are being held in an area within the city that has an absence of veterinary hospitals.  The move to the north side this spring is in response to pet owners asking for wider service from this volunteer effort. Pet owners are encouraged to arrive early.

 For a fee of $10, Veterinarians perform exams, vaccinate for rabies, distemper and other shots.  They also offer flea and tick preventative and educate pet owners on the importance of regular veterinary care.   The CNYSPCA and SANS will provide information on low cost spay/neuter opportunities.

The City of Syracuse clerk’s office will be on site to license dogs for an additional fee of $10 for fixed dogs and $20 for dogs not fixed. Cash only accepted.

The Onondaga County Health Department is supporting the Clinics by maintaining records of rabies vaccinations and supplying rabies tags.

Requirements: The clinic is for pet owners who live in the north and east sides of Syracuse with financial need. Pet owners must bring identification, proof of address and financial need. Dogs must be leashed and cats brought in carriers.  Dogs that are aggressive must have muzzles. Requested donation for the clinic is $10 per animal cash only. 

Two more spring clinics are scheduled for St. Clare’s Theatre on Sunday May20th and June 24th from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.

The clinic is modeled partly after the Southside Healthy Pet Clinic in Ithaca, NY which is organized by the Community Practice at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals.  Dr. Elizabeth Berliner, the Director of Clinical Programs at Cornell’s Shelter Medicine Program, is helping to coordinate the Syracuse effort.

Participants in the clinic from the Central New York Animal Welfare Coalition include: the Shamrock Animal Fund, Animal Alliance of Greater Syracuse, Kitty Corner, Cat Coalition, German Shepherd Rescue, Wayward Paws, CNY SPCA,  SANS, Wanderer’s Rest Humane Association and other groups.  

Veterinarians volunteering from several area hospitals include:  Beaver Lake Animal Hospital, Cornell University’s Hospital for Animals, Fairmount Animal Hospital, Mattydale Animal Hospital, Nottingham Pet Clinic, Rock Acres Animal Hospital, Stack Hospital for Pets, Lyndon Veterinary Clinic and more.

This is a volunteer effort.  Donation of time, money and supplies are needed to sustain the program.  Financial donations can be made online at shamrockanimalfund.com.

Healthy Pet Clinic details:  415-8563,  info@shamrockanimalfund.com, Shamrockanimalfund.com or Facebook.com/shamrockanimalfund.