August South LA Dog Clinic
Our August dog clinic at Fred Roberts Recreation Center, partnering with the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association and Spay4LA saw more than 230 puppies and dogs. 202 dogs were vaccinated, microchipped, dewormed, protected against fleas and ticks. 30 dogs were spayed and neutered and more than 60 dogs signed up for free spay and neuter services next month. 7 dogs received medical vouchers after being examined by one of the volunteer veterinarians. We issue medical vouchers for pets that have chronic painful conditions that cannot be treated at the park clinics. 5 dogs were groomed, most of the dogs were severely matted and suffering.
We could not run these free monthly clinics without the support from the volunteer veterinarians, technicians, student veterinarian and technicians. All of which make the time on their very early Sunday morning to bring much needed services to the community. We want to thank Merial who donates all the Frontline which prevents fleas and ticks from living and infesting the pets and their families’ homes. So many pet owners have learned about flea and tick prevention from our clinics.
These clinics are more than just “free shots” every pet is offered a brief exam, all pet owners learned about and sign up for spay and neuter services. Pets are microchipped and our volunteers register them. We invest in a community, often staying at one location, for up to two years, vaccinating the population of puppies and dogs, driving down the infectious disease rate for diseases such as Parvo, which has been documented by the Los Angeles County Public Health Department.
This model is strategic, increasing spay and neuter, increasing the numbers of pets that are vaccinated, increasing general knowledge of pet health, providing both free and low cost resources so that when we leave the location, the community knows where to go, and how to continue to access services for their pet so that no dog needs to suffer because someone didn’t know better.
DDR pays for the vaccines, microchips, and sponsors all additional costs involving spay and neuter surgeries and covers all or a percentage of the medical vouchers. No one is turned away at these clinics unless we know someone is breeding and selling puppies, and that is very rare. Most pet owners are unsure of how to get their pets spayed and neutered, how often they should be vaccinated, why a microchip is important. To sum it up, most people need more support. You can help us by volunteering at one of our South LA dog clinics, and / or donating to cover the costs. We are in year 4, and thousands and thousands of puppies and dogs are in better health thanks to a mission of working together with the SCVMA, SPAY4LA, LA Animal Services and Los Angeles Park and Recreation.