Vets offer much-needed care at free clinic in Surrey
Tina the 14-year-old Jack Russell terrier means the world to Mona Woodward.
By the way the black and white dog with the pink, rhinestonestudded name tag took shelter in Woodward’s lap Sunday, the feeling appeared to be mutual.
Tina was one of about 25 animals that volunteer veterinarians expected to treat Sunday at a free clinic put on by the Paws for Hope Animal Foundation at the Parkway Shelter on 135A Street in Surrey.
The foundation has held such clinics for about five years, but it was just the second it had held in Surrey and the first at Parkway, which is adjacent to one of the region’s largest and longest standing homeless camps.
Tina had only recently come back to Woodward, who had raised her from birth.
Woodward had been homeless for the last few years and had left Tina in her daughter’s care, but now that Woodward was housed, she had taken her dog back.
Unfortunately, Tina had come down with what appeared to be a skin problem and it was time to take her for a checkup.
First, Tina had to wait for Harley the Pomeranian and Reggie the pit bull cross to finish their checkups.
Kathy Powelson, the executive director of the foundation, said she was excited for Sunday ’s clinic because it would bring help to pets that need it most.
“The majority of the pet guardians are homeless and many are living across the street in the tents or are residents in the shelter. If not our clinic, there’s no veterinary care,” Powelson said.
Patrons brought in more dogs than cats Sunday, and the furry pets presented a variety of care needs.
For the most part, the volunteer veterinarians have found the animals are every bit as healthy as those they see in their private practices, Powelson said.
“In fact, the dogs are generally a healthier body weight and are more socialized. They’re out with their people, they’re walking, they’re doing what dogs are supposed to be doing. They’re not sitting in a house by themselves for eight or 10 hours a day.”
The vets see more animals come in with fleas or worms, but those things are easy to treat.
They also provide followup care. Reggie sat on a couch at the shelter with his head draped over one of the arms, enjoying a good scratch from one of the vets.
Jody Fortin had brought Reggie in because of a lump on the inside of one of his legs.
He gave his phone number to the clinic so he could hear back on the results of a biopsy.
Before he left, Fortin was offered a blanket, a collar and a hair brush for Reggie.
“You can tell they really care about the animals,” Fortin said, holding a neon green blanket he figured Reggie would just love.
Most of the foundation’s funding comes from individual donations, which can be made at pawsforhope.org.