Clinic for Compassionate Care will offer pets affordable care they can’t afford to do without

Today we made an announcement to the media that we are very excited about, and I wanted to share this news directly with those of you who read our blog. The Richmond SPCA will open the Clinic for Compassionate Care on March 5, providing full-service veterinary care by appointment to the pets of low-income guardians, pets adopted from the Richmond SPCA on or after March 5, pets referred to the clinic by another veterinarian, and pets in government shelters on a low-cost, high-quality basis.

This is the most recent in the many groundbreaking advances for the well being of animals that the Richmond SPCA has made. Since our founding in 1891, we have always been on the forefront of positive change and have pushed both our community, and the animal welfare field nationwide, to adopt new approaches and to let go of outdated notions in order to save more animal lives. Playing that role is not always easy because ours is a field that resists change. Well, when you think about it, what field does not resist change? Maybe some high-tech fields do not, but most of them resist change because people resist change.

Offering low-cost, high-quality veterinary care for pets of low-income guardians is a new and novel approach that has not been done in our community or in many other communities in the US. We know that many companion animals desperately need us to do this for them. There are many of them who are beloved members of families that simply cannot afford to provide their pets with the veterinary care they need. The result is that many pets suffer and die needlessly and many people are faced with the misery of relinquishing or euthanizing a beloved pet with a treatable ailment. This has been confirmed in empirical research that was done for us by Alan Newman Research and in our own experience with the Wellness Clinic we have operated since 2009. We do not in any way fault the veterinary community for this circumstance because they must make enough to pay the expenses of their clinics and to provide themselves and their families with a reasonable living. Veterinary practices are regularly faced with the difficult situation of a pet in need of expensive treatment and a guardian who cannot afford it. The Clinic for Compassionate Care will provide them with an alternative to offer the guardian.

The Richmond SPCA’s role is to save animal lives, advocate for their well being and make sure that more cats and dogs find good homes where they will be loved. Our new Clinic will be a great tool in accomplishing these goals. Our Smoky’s Spay/Neuter Clinic will continue to do its great work providing sterilization surgeries for our pets available for adoption, feral cats, pets adopted from other shelters, and pets of clients of the Clinic for Compassionate Care. The reception office, which may be reached by calling 804-521-1330, will begin taking calls for appointments and other information February 27. In the meantime, please visit the Clinic for Compassionate Care website at www.richmondspca.org/clinic for more details.

We are proud to be that rare organization that does not see obstacles as insurmountable, is not mired in the status quo and does not fear forging a new way. We act with energy and guts because the animals count on us for their lives.

Robin Robertson Starr is the chief executive officer of the Richmond SPCA. To read her biography or that of our other bloggers, please click here. Before posting a comment, please review our comment guidelines. Please note that our comment policy requires a first and last name to be used as your screen name.

Comments

[Karen Gammon]

This is incredible! My first thought after reading this is that more people will consider adopting since they will have less worry about expensive veterinary care. This is wonderful news for the community and for compassionate animal lovers.

[Shelby Letellier]

I am very pleased to hear about this. It is definitely needed. I hope that my kitten and I qualify for it. I have taken in many cats over the years which my kids or grandkids could not keep. I recently took in a new kitten to save it from going to a shelter. She needs shots and spaying which I cannot afford right now. I will be calling on the 27th. Thank you.

[Tina Williams]

This is an un-met need in so many communities. Thanks, Richmond SPCA, for stepping up to the plate (again)!

[PK Cowley]

This is a wonderful plan and so desperately needed. Many people delay veterinarian care due to the extremely high costs--though many well-meaning vets price the best they can for their patients. I feel sure that now more low-income people will feel enabled to adopt. I never thought cost would prevent me from adopting, as I've adopted, taken in, or fostered as many as six dogs at a time. But I did reach my financial limit. At present our brood is down to one special needs dog adopted from Richmond SPCA. I long to adopt another, perhaps now I can really do so.

[Leslie Altizer]

Why can't it be this way everywhere? It should be this way everywhere.

[Martha Dula]

Thank you, Robin and the Richmond SPCA. You know I have wanted this for the Seniors for Seniors program from the outset.

[Linda Maroney]

Just when I thought the Richmond SPCA couldn't get any better - they open this new clinic. By volunteering with the Pet Pantry, I have first hand knowledge of how much this clinic is needed. Every pet and their owner deserve access to affordable Veterinary care and now they have it.

[Laura Donahue, The Humane Society of the United States]

What a tremendous accomplishment! The Richmond SPCA is a model organization and this clinic is a much needed component in ending unnecessary euthanasia of companion animals. Way to go Robin and team!