Free wellness clinic planned Thursday for pet owners
RUSSELLVILLE — Local pet owners struggling to afford veterinary care are being urged to take advantage of a free wellness clinic on Thursday as a chance to get their animals the care they need at no cost.
The clinic will be at Tractor Supply, 1400 Highway 43, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is free to the public and will provide wellness exams, dog and cat food, free vaccines, spay/neuter vouches, nail trims, and adoption resources. Vaccines will include rabies, DHPP and FVRCP. All services are available while supplies last.
The event is part of the Greater Huntsville Humane Society’s 10 County Wellness Challenge, an effort to bring free and low-cost animal services to communities throughout the region.
Spencer Batcheller, chief executive officer of the Greater Huntsville Humane Society, said the idea grew out of the organization’s annual community day in Madison County.
Hundreds of families attended that event, leading the organization to consider how it could provide similar services in surrounding counties.
The humane society has since partnered with local governments, law enforcement agencies, animal control departments and other organizations to bring the services to communities across the region.
Batcheller said the goal is not only to provide veterinary care but also to build relationships between residents and local governments.
The need for affordable pet care has grown as the cost of everyday expenses has increased, he said. The humane society has seen cases where families surrender pets because they cannot afford veterinary care or food.
“Being able to provide those resources at a low cost or even free sometimes can really help make the difference between the family and for the pet,” Batcheller said.
Providing those resources can also help keep animals out of shelters, he said.
Last week, more than 150 people showed up for a similar clinic held in Tuscumbia in Colbert County. The organizations participating in that clinic were the Greater Huntsville Humane Society, Colbert Animal Services, People for Possibilities, Barktown, Community Dog Food, the Spay and Neuter Coalition and local veterinarians.
Colbert Animal Services Director Corey Speegle said the event was the first of its kind in Colbert County and drew a larger crowd than expected.
